Today in the Kadriorg Presidential Palace, President Lennart Meri conferred the Order of the Cross of St. Mary's Land on Horst Schubert, the Managing Director of the German record company Eres Edition. In relation to the Independence Day of this year, President Meri decided to confer the Order of the Cross of St. Mary's Land on Horst Schubert for promotion of Estonian music in Germany.

Horst Schubert is an enthusiast of Estonian classical music, who has released records of Estonian composers and musicians for his own money, thereby promoting the culture of Estonia. Among others, the German record company Eres Edition has recorded the music of Rudolf Tobias, Artur Kapp, Heino Eller, Ester Mägi, Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Peeter Vähi, Toomas Siitan and Jaan Rääts.

When conferring the Order, President Meri said that culture is especially important for a small state and that the work of Horst Schubert has been the gate of Estonian music in Germany.

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Estonia Gerhard Enver Schrömbgens, Lepo Sumera, Erkki-Sven Tüür and Andres Uibo also participated in the conferment ceremony.


Press Service of the Office of the President
Kadriorg, May 29, 2000

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