For the Boston and London conferences in 2010 dedicated to his work, Pärt wrote brief letters that welcomed what he described as the serious and substantial discussion of his music that was taking place. He noted that he hoped the insights of the presenters would “provide an inspiration and give me support for my musical ideas.” Pärt declined to be formally interviewed at these events and did not participate in public discussions after the papers; however, he observed that these gatherings of friends and scholars were trying to find answers to questions that he had been asking himself for many years, and observed that “dialogue is the main thing.” He wrote that during the conferences we should “expect therefore no answers from me!” His own involvement in the proceedings was stated with typical humility: “I think the path that I have searched for and chosen – or maybe it chose me – this path and the many questions that arise from it, this is my contribution.” What Pärt is clearly indicating is that he does not view himself as the definitive authority on his own music. As Nora Pärt notes, “Arvo tries very consciously to stay in the shadow of his music.” As Nora Pärt notes, “Arvo tries very consciously to stay in the shadow of his music.” Pärt has also been clear that his public and private personas are separate: “If anybody wishes to understand me, they must listen to my music; if anybody wishes to know my ‘philosophy’, then they can read any of the Church Fathers; if anybody wishes to know about my private life, there are things that I wish to keep closed.“