Gul, Estonia's Ilves present Istanbul Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award to composer

As part of the 38th International Istanbul Music Festival, Estonian Arvo Part on Monday was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award by President Abdullah Gul and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on behalf of the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and the Arts (IKSV). The awards ceremony included the world premiere of "Adam's Lament," a piece Part composed for Istanbul which was co-commissioned by the European Capital of Culture agencies for Istanbul and Tallinn, Estonia's capital. The ceremony at the Hagia Irene Museum was attended by such distinguished guests as State Minister Hayati Yazici, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay, Istanbul's Beyoglu district Mayor Ahmet Misbah Demircan, and Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture Agency Chairman Sekip Avdagic. "This is a special day," Gul declared, saying he was proud to present the award to Ilves. "He is a truly exciting composer. It makes us excited that he dedicated his 'Adam's Lament' to Istanbul. Turkey will pass on the title of European Capital of Culture to Tallinn in 2011. We all know that the language of art and music is universal. We see this universality once again tonight." Ilves said Part's work made him proud to be an Estonian. "I am very happy to be in the spiritual capital of Europe, Istanbul, and to present this award to Part, one of greatest spiritual composers of our time," added the Estonian leader.