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On the 1st of October, International Music Day, the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Music Endowment and the Estonian Music Council recognised outstanding figures in the Estonian music sector. Music Estonia’s Director Ave Sophia Demelemester received a Recognition Award from the Cultural Endowment of Estonia for her significant leadership in the internationalisation of the music sector and the organisation’s activities over the past six years.

The Recognition Award was presented at a festive gala concert in the Grand Hall of the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre. The artistic concept for the evening was created by Toomas Vavilov, Tiit Ojasoo and artist Kairi Mändla. The concert programme featured works by Estonian composers and the sense of recognition within them that carries and characterises our identity.

As part of the gala, the recipients were invited to write their words of thanks on paper, which were then displayed on the screen on stage. Demelemester’s message was: “I believe in our creators, the creative sector and our companies. It is the task and mission of all of us to support it and introduce it to the world. With love and gratitude!”

Ave Sophia adds: “I am sincerely and wholeheartedly happy to receive such recognition. It means a lot and is, indirectly, an award for our entire music sector, our team, and the previous Director, Virgo Sillamaa, who was also in the audience. I feel that the sector has been recognised and, on a personal level, naturally, my work as well, which I have always approached with great passion. Both Estonian and international partnerships, as well as advocating for the sector, have been very important to me.”

“The title of yesterday’s evening, ‘Resistance’, sums up all these years for me – the sector has had to ‘hold on’. These years of leading the organisation have included several crises. But it is during such times that we see the true power and essence of culture. I have seen how Estonian music has truly crossed borders and how new ideas, directions and collaborations have grown out of our sector. It is powerful! I hope that in the future I can continue to use the experience I have gained to contribute specifically to new projects and ideas in the creative sector and to international relations,” says Demelemester.

 

A Recognition Award was also presented to Esper Linnamägi, who is also a member of Music Estonia’s Council. Linnamägi received the award for his long-standing work with the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir and for the outstandingly successful management of its brilliant 40th anniversary season.

 

According to Anu Kivilo, Head of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Music Endowment, Estonian music is of a high standard, diverse and full of achievements. “It is a pleasure to recognise outstanding musicians for their work, which has delighted audiences both in Estonia and abroad. For creative professionals to be able to create freely in the world of music, the people who support them also deserve attention. This year’s Recognition Award recipients stand out for their exceptional dedication to advancing Estonian musical life,” said Kivilo.

 

The Cultural Endowment of Estonia’s Music Endowment recognised the most outstanding music professionals of the 2025/2026 season. The tradition dates back to 1995. A total of ten annual awards and four recognition awards were presented for contributions to the music sector and outstanding achievements.

The Estonian Music Council recognised outstanding figures in the music sector for their overall contribution to date. The tradition dates back to 2002. This year, an award for interpretation and an award for significant and outstanding contributions to musical life were presented.

Music Endowment annual award recipients: Vambola Krigul, Risto Joost, Peeter Sarapuu, Mingo Rajandi, Meelis Orgse, Maria Listra, Maria Faust, Katariina Maria Kits-Reimal, Mart Kuusma, Robert Traksmann, Siluan Hirvoja, Evelin Seppar, Age Veeroos.

Music Endowment Recognition Award recipients: Marje Lohuaru, Gülnar Murumägi, Esper Linnamägi, Ave Sophia Maria Demelemester.

Estonian Music Council award recipients: Anu Tali, Lydia Rahula.

 

On the 1st of November 2026, Ave Sophia Demelemester will hand over the leadership of Music Estonia to Tõnn Kuuli.