LOHUSALU (AFP).- Estonia next week opens a centre near the Baltic sea devoted to the archive of Arvo Part, the world's most performed living composer who is known for a minimalist style.

Located in pine forests in the village of Lohusalu -- where many Estonian artists have lived -- the Arvo Part Centre will open its doors to the public on October 17.

"The state of Estonia is funding practically all of the building, and this was a joint initiative," said Michael Part, the 83-year-old classical composer's son and a cofounder of the centre.

Housed in the archives are thousands of pages of work by Part, who is known for drawing inspiration from Gregorian chants.

The site will also host concerts in its music hall, whose acoustics are best suited for chamber music. Cartoons that Part composed for will be shown in a special children's area.

Visitors will be able to use an application to listen to several hours of Part's music and read accompanying texts.

The site includes a chapel in one of the courtyards on special demand from Part and his wife Nora, who are Orthodox Christians.

There is also a 32-metre (105-foot) tower with a spiral staircase from which visitors can admire the view.

"It was Arvo's idea of wanting to have a space where you can go, within the pine forest, and rise up and see the sea," Michael Part told AFP.

Though the composer and his wife live nearby, their son says Arvo Part will not be working at the centre.

"I wouldn't want activities here in the centre to disturb his writing peace," he said.



© Agence France-Presse