Having supported the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra (ERSO) as its main sponsor for the past two years, Iute Group is strengthening the partnership as ERSO approaches its 100th anniversary season, raising its support from 360,000 euros to 600,000 euros.

According to Tarmo Sild, founder and CEO of the Iute Group, supporting ERSO has never been just a contract for Iute, but rather a conscious decision to invest in Estonian culture. “Over these shared years, ERSO has brought extraordinary moments to the stage — Mahler’s Eighth Symphony, world-class soloists, and tours. We see where the support goes and how it resonates throughout society. Iute’s decision to continue the collaboration is simple: when culture grows, the country grows. Iute was born in Estonia, and we are honored to stand beside ERSO in their anniversary year as well.”

ERSO board member Kristjan Hallik confirms that Iute’s support has been the largest private sponsorship in Estonia’s classical music landscape, making major projects possible and introducing world-class soloists and conductors to the Estonian public. This has also been recognised at the national level — earlier this year, the Ministry of Culture named Iute Group Cultural Friend of the Year.

“In addition to large-scale projects, we’ve been able to invite a great number of top conductors and soloists to Estonia,” says Hallik, adding that working with world-class conductors is immensely valuable for the orchestra. “Conductors such as Yan Pascal Tortelier, Dennis Russell Davies, Dima Slobodeniouk, Pierre Bleuse, Kirill Karabits, Reinhard Goebel, Matthew Halls, Gilbert Varga, and soloists like Angela Hewitt, Isabelle Faust, Håkan Hardenberger, Kirill Gerstein, Simon Trpčeski, François Leleux, Truls Mørk, Steven Isserlis, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Jasmine Choi, Alban Gerhardt, among others, are regularly performing with the world’s top orchestras. Thanks to Iute’s support, we also see them on the stage of the Estonia Concert Hall.”

Hallik notes that as ERSO prepares for its centennial season, work is underway on several exciting projects, tours, and a jubilee festival. “Without the support of Iute, we would have to think much more modestly during these years of national funding cutbacks,” Hallik adds.

The collaboration between Iute Group and ERSO has enabled large-scale concerts, including performances of Gustav Mahler’s Eighth Symphony under maestro Neeme Järvi, as well as participation in international tours and festivals. The new agreement gives the orchestra the confidence to continue pursuing artistically ambitious plans in ERSO’s 100th season, culminating in autumn 2026.

Supporting culture has been a consistent, value-driven choice for Iute—not only in Estonia but also in the Southeast European markets where Iute Group operates. Currently, Iute Group is conducting a public offering of new bonds to investors in order to support the international banking group’s growth and expansion.