Composer Arvo Pärt was awarded the Goethe Medal: Orthodox Spirituality, an essential part of his creationtranslated

Estonian composer Arvo Pärt has been awarded the 2026 Goethe Medal for his outstanding contribution to contemporary culture. Orthodox spirituality is an essential part of his creation, his music being deeply connected to faith and sacred texts.

The distinction was awarded at the end of August, during a ceremony in Weimar, being received on behalf of the composer by his son, Michael Pärt.

The Goethe Medal is an official award of the Federal Republic of Germany, awarded since 1955 to foreign personalities in education and culture for their contribution to the promotion of the German language and culture.

The jury is made up of representatives of important German cultural institutions, the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Goethe-Institut.

He did not give up his faith in God In the laudatio speech, Björn Gottstein, musicologist and journalist, highlighted the ability of Arvo Pärt's music to reach people from different backgrounds and cultures.

"Through his music, he reaches and moves people from all backgrounds and cultures, even when they do not share Pärt's religious conviction, which always underlies his music."

"In this…