Order of Merit for Professor of Finnish Studies Marko Pantermöller
The Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to the University of Greifswald’s Prof. Dr. Marko Pantermöller.
Photo: Bestowal of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany with Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Prof. Marko Pantermöller
Media release from University of Greifswald:
Order of Merit for Professor of Finnish Studies Marko Pantermöller
The Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to the University of Greifswald’s Prof. Dr. Marko Pantermöller. The award ceremony took place in Stralsund on 16 April 2026. The Professor of Finnish Studies was honoured as “one of the outstanding players and bridge-builders” in the collaboration with the Nordic countries.
Anyone studying Finnish Studies in Greifswald is sure to cross paths with Marko Pantermöller. He is the holder of Germany’s only professorship for Finnish Studies, which is located at the University of Greifswald. He teaches classes on the language, culture and literature of Finland. But his passion goes far beyond the walls of the lecture hall.
Pantermöller is considered a driving force behind the collaboration with the Nordic countries. He connects scholars, initiates projects and maintains close relations throughout the Baltic Sea region. These activities are not limited to the academic realm. Pantermöller also keeps the public in mind and builds bridges between the societies. And what are his reasons for doing so? “Having started off with a general interest in the North, I gained detailed knowledge about what lies behind the many success stories of the open-minded northern European societies during my studies of Finnish and Scandinavian Studies. At the same time, my language skills provided me with in-depth and privileged access to the cultures of the northern European countries,” says Pantermöller. “It became important to me to share this knowledge and fascination from early on.”
A central forum for achieving this goal is the cultural association “Nordischer Klang”, where he has been a member of the board for 16 years. The association organises a festival for music and art from Northern Europe that takes place in Greifswald every year in May. The 35th instalment will take place this year. Concerts, readings, exhibitions, academic events – the programme brings students and citizens in direct contact with the artists. It is the largest annual cross-genre event in Germany that focuses on the music, art, and literature from Scandinavia, Finland, and Estonia.
Pantermöller also lends his hand to promoting literature. As Managing Director of the Hans-Werner-Richter-Stiftung, he co-organises international writers’ meetings. Every year, the foundation invites young authors from the countries bordering the Baltic Sea to Greifswald and has thus continued the tradition of the founder of the Gruppe 47 for 25 years. The focus of these meetings lies in exchange across boundaries. The professor also holds various other voluntary roles and takes part in several initiatives. “Germany’s highest decoration for Prof. Dr. Marko Pantermöller is a tribute to his commitment, which has a direct effect on his students and helps to make the University of Greifswald visible as one of the leading institutions in the Baltic Sea region,” says Prof. Dr. Katharina Riedel.
“When I was presented with this great honour, it filled me above all with gratitude, gratitude to those with whom I am able to cooperate in associations, networks, and projects,” says Pantermöller, who does not see Europe as an abstract idea, but as a responsibility. He encourages encounters, dialogue and collaboration “in order to enhance European cohesion and improve the understanding among nations”, according to the Office of the Federal President.
One of the first to congratulate Prof. Dr. Pantermöller was the Ambassador of Finland, H.E. Kai Sauer, who thanked Pantermöller for “the invaluable contribution to the strengthening of relations between Finland, Germany, and the Nordic countries,” also highlighting that the honouree has had a sustainable and positive effect on Finland’s image in Germany.
Further information
The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany is awarded to Germans and foreign nationals for their political, economic, social and intellectual achievements, as well as for any special services rendered to the Federal Republic of Germany. It is the only general award of merit in Germany and thus the highest recognition that can be awarded by the Federal Republic for services to the general public. The bestowal of the Order of Merit is not associated with any form of financial payment.
for more: uni-greifswald.de/en/news/order-of-merit-for-professor-marko-pantermoeller
University of Greifswald: uni-greifswald.de/en
Nordischer Klang: nordischerklang.de
Hans-Werner-Richter-Stiftung: richter-stiftung.uni-greifswald.de
Photo: ©UG
All rights belong to: (for this news)
President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier
University of Greifswald & Prof. Dr. Marko Pantermöller
Nordischer Klang & Hans-Werner-Richter-Stiftung