News

On 11 September 2025, composer Arvo Pärt will celebrate his 90th birthday, which will be marked by a number of concerts and other important events in Estonia and around the world. Here is a selection of events dedicated to Arvo Pärt.

The Arvo Pärt Centre will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Austrian composer Arnold Schönberg with a special concert and a temporary exhibition dedicated to his work.

In recognition of his artistic contributions, Arvo Pärt was named Commander of the Order of Cultural Merit by Sovereign Ordinance in November 2024. „This prestigious distinction celebrates his exceptional achievements and the significant role he has played in elevating Monaco’s cultural influence on the global stage. It also emphasises his lasting impact on the world of music,“ the Prince Pierre Foundation said in a statement.

Text Karin Rõngelep, Arvo Pärt Centre How does one compose music fit for royalty? This question might have crossed Arvo Pärt’s mind when, in February 1998, he received a letter bearing the coat of arms of the Principality of Monaco. Inside was a modest request from Princess Caroline, seeking a unique gift for her father,

The Arvo Pärt Centre has selected four musicians from the Nordic and Baltic countries to participate in a paid creative residency at the centre. The chosen artists are composer and double bassist Raivis Misjuns (Latvia), musician, musicologist and lecturer Mark Tatlow (Sweden), sound, visual and performance artist Ina Otzko (Norway), and pianist and composer Joonas Haavisto (Finland).

Composer Arvo Pärt has been awarded the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, one of the highest international distinctions in music. Angela Dixon, Chair of the Royal Philharmonic Society, presented the medal at a special event held at the Arvo Pärt Centre on 12 September.

Today is Arvo Pärt's 89th birthday! In his musical diary, Arvo Pärt wrote: "Every thought we have should be a flower in God’s bouquet."

In Rakvere, a cornerstone was laid for a multifunctional music hall, which will be named the Ukuaru Music Hall after Arvo Pärt’s piece Ukuaru Waltz.

From 22–24 August, the Arvo Pärt Centre will host its 14th annual Pärt & Film evenings, offering audiences a glimpse into the extensive featuring of Arvo Pärt’s works in cinema. This year’s selection presents three films, each showcasing a distinct audiovisual style.

An exhibition of Arvo Pärt's works, "The Formula of Love", was opened today in the Church of the Holy Cross in Paide. Arvo Pärt's works "Annum per annum" and "Trivium" were performed by organist Kristel Aera at the opening ceremony.

The Arvo Pärt Centre invites musicians from the Nordic countries, as well as Latvia and Lithuania, to apply for a paid residency at the Arvo Pärt Centre. The application period begins on 4 July and closes on 31 August. The residency is open to creative professionals (or duos) working in music – including performers, composers and sound artists – from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Latvia and Lithuania.

On June 27, the legendary composer, Arvo Pärt's colleague and close friend Alexander Knaifel (28.11.1943 – 27.06.2024) passed away.