On 3 October 2007, a gala ceremony was held at the State Hermitage Museum to award the International Prize for Developing and Strengthening Humanitarian Links among Countries of the Baltic Region. Established in 2004, the prize is an initiative of the Baltic International Festival Centre Foundation, which has been working for many years to develop cultural ties among Baltic Region countries. In paying homage to individuals from culture and the arts, to creative intellectuals and representatives from official and business groups, the award's Board of Trustees and Expert Council especially take into account their activity in strengthening ties and contributing to the development of international communication.

Over the past three years, nominees have included: People's Artist of the USSR Donatas Banionis, State Hermitage director Mikhail Piotrovsky, film and stage directors Andrzej Wajda, Alexander Sokurov, Aki Kaurismäki and Eimuntas Nekrošius, Hamburg Ballet director John Neumeier, composer Krzysztof Penderecki, director of the Federal Agency of Culture and Cinematography of the Russian Federation Mikhail Shvydkoy, Honorary Ambassador of the Republic of Poland in the Russian Federation Eugeniusz Melcarek, and President of JSC Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin.

In the In Memoriam category, prizes have been awarded to Saint Petersburg's first mayor, Anatoly Sobchak, as well as academician Dmitry Likhachev, for his work as a historian, literary scholar, and public figure.

According to tradition, the fourth award celebration took place at the Hermitage Theatre. The 2007 prize winners chosen by the Board of Trustees were: actress Vija Artmane, composer Arvo Pärt (Estonia/Austria), conductor Maris Jansons (Latvia/Russia), and stage director Lev Dodin (Russia).

In the Support to Culture category, a prize was awarded to General Director of PO Kirishinefteorgsintez Vadim Somov, and In Memoriam, to People's Artist of the USSR Kirill Lavrov.

The awards ceremony also included a short concert in which Maris Jansons conducted the Philharmonic's Grand Symphony Orchestra. On 4 October, a second concert will be held as part of the event, with the Lege Artis chorus performing Arvo Pärt's Canon of Repentance (Pokajanen).

Composer Arvo Pärt

Awarding a Baltic Star to stage director Lev Dodin

Stage director Lev Dodin

Awarding a Baltic Star to actress Vija Artmane