The violinist received the Pro Meritis Scientiae et Litterarum award, while raising awareness of the slow progress made to optimise Bavaria’s concert venues
On 9 July 2025, Lisa Batiashvili received the Pro Meritis Scientiae et Litterarum award from the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and Arts.
Batiashvili was honoured in a ceremony that took place at the Haus der Kunst in Munich, where she received a bronze relief. The Georgian-born German violinist was recognised for her contribution to culture and arts, as reflected in comments from Bavaria’s minister of art and science, Markus Blume:
‘You all shape, influence, and enrich the cultural state of Bavaria. Thank you very much for your creativity, your courage, and your unbridled commitment to art and culture in Bavaria – and far beyond!’
Blume described Batiashvili’s violin playing, saying: ‘She impresses with focus, expression and outstanding virtuosity. She is a global star with charisma and character,’ while also recognising her achievements as artistic director of the Audi Summer Concerts, and supporting young talented musicians from Georgia.
‘She is an artist by conviction: with her clear political stance, particularly against the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and her commitment to democracy, she is a true role model,’ Blume concluded.
Batiashvili said she was ‘deeply honoured’ to receive the award and took the opportunity to speak to Blume ‘about a matter that is particularly close to my heart’.
On social media, she acknowledged that there had been no progress with the construction of the new concert hall in the Werksviertel district of Munich – which is hoped to be the new home of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra – due to increased costs, despite construction being initiated over a decade ago.
Additionally, she acknowledged the complete standstill of the reconstruction of Munich’s Gasteig, home of the Munich Philharmonic, which is currently closed until at least 2035.
‘Needless to say, this situation cannot be a source of pride for the State of Bavaria. It is unrealistic – and frankly unacceptable – to assume that the temporary Isarphilharmonie could serve as a permanent solution for Munich’s world-class orchestras and their audiences,’ she said.
The others honoured at the ceremony were scientist and photographer Eva-Maria Fahrner-Tutsek, film producer and director Bettina Reitz, designer Jürgen Rose and founder of medical technology firm Brainlab, Stefan Vilsmeier.
The Pro Meritis Scientiae et Litterarum has been awarded since 2000 to outstanding individuals for their contributions to science and the arts. The award aims to promote the understanding of culture as a unity, that ‘science and art should be perceived as two sides of the same coin’.
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