The President of Latvia Edgars Rinkevich awarded composer and pianist Raymond Pauls the Order of Three Stars of the highest — first degree for special services to the state. This was reported by the presidential press service.
According to the decision of the President and the Chapter of the Orders, Pauls will be elevated to the rank of Commander of the Grand Cross of the Order of Three Stars.
He will be the first Latvian to receive the highest merit award during the time of independent Latvia."Each of his performances is a big event. Very soon we will celebrate 100 years," Rinkevich said.
On his page in the social network, the President of Latvia congratulated Pauls on being awarded the highest state award.
Together with Pauls, the producer of the Latvian animated film "Potok", which won the Oscar, Ron Dians, and the music producer of "Potok" Gregory Zaltsman, as well as the former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Latvia Anatoly Kutsevol, will become commanders of the Grand Cross of the Order of Three Stars.
The Chapter of the Orders notes that the highest state awards of Latvia "are awarded to people whose purposeful activity, active citizenship, courage and dedication strengthen our Latvia and are worthy and revered by the highest state. People whose outstanding talent and creative contribution have received wide international recognition and are a significant contribution to Latvia's image in the world. These are people whose life achievements have influenced the entire Latvian society."
The solemn ceremony of awarding the order will be held on November 18 in Riga Castle.
As EADaily reported, Maestro will celebrate its 90th anniversary on January 12, 2026. He is widely known in Russia as the author of popular songs performed by Alla Pugacheva, Laima Vaikule, Valery Leontiev and other performers who gained fame in Soviet times.
In 1989-1993, Pauls served as Minister of Culture of Latvia, from 1993 to 1998 he was an adviser to the President of the country on culture.