President Karis: Estonia and Iceland share a special bond

My dear Halla, Björn,

Honourable guests,

It is truly a pleasure to host you here tonight at the Arvo Pärt Centre in Laulasmaa.

This is a unique place, and a fitting one in which to celebrate a unique friendship: 35 years of diplomatic relations between our countries, and 35 years from the historic day Iceland become the first nation to officially recognise Estonia’s restored independence – on 22 August 1991.

Thank you for that; it is something we will always remember with gratitude. It is written in stone.

However, if one delves a little into our history or unpacks our literary archetypes, this turn of events is rendered entirely natural. Our circulation seems to be the same, and our heartbeats rhyme.

For both Bjartur of Vatnsend and Andres of Vargamäe, independence and the right to make their own decisions on their own land were priceless values that allowed for no compromise.

The price paid for this – the lives of Rosa and Krõõt – was likewise similar. We have both lived with the realisation that life is hard, and not always fair, and that a certain stubbornness helps in getting through it.

Fortunately, over time, we have come to appreciate the brighter side of life much more, without forgetting the value of independence.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The Estonian writer Kätlin Kaldmaa – who is with us tonight – once described Iceland as the place where all the lost time in the world is collected.

In that respect, this centre is perhaps the most similar place to Iceland in Estonia, because here, one always has time. Given the Pärt family connections, it may even be that the time here is Icelandic; who knows.

Estonia and Iceland share a very special bond. I wonder if that is why you have extended to us the secret welcome that is lost in translation to everyone else – known as the land of fire and ice to the rest of the world, you invite us in Estonian to come and stay with those very words: tule ja jää. Elves communicate like that.

A few hundred very smart Estonians, most of them musicians or music teachers, have cracked this code and followed your invitation.

Even if, sadly, Estonian teachers cannot claim any fame for your impressive baritone Hrólfur Sæmundsson /Hroulvür Saimündsson/, who performed so wonderfully just a month ago at the Saaremaa Opera Days, we can still say that music unites us in many different ways.

We are now cracking another code together. The people of our two countries are dynamic, innovative, digitally advanced… and precious few in number. Every one of us matters.

It is therefore fitting that we cooperate on putting Artificial Intelligence in the service of our populations, making lives easier and creating common good for society – both locally and globally.

My dear Halla,

I am grateful to you for the valuable experience you bring to this discussion as a change-maker and leader who dares to ask questions and devise a Plan B instead of following business as usual.

Iceland, of course, has a track record in eschewing business as usual. You did not do so 35 years ago when your then Foreign Minister Jón Hannibalsson courageously took up the cause of Baltic independence from an illegal occupation.

He lent his voice to ours and spoke up for the respect of international law in a context where it would have been easier to “follow the leader”, to use his own words.

We will always remember it, all the more so now as our two countries stand united supporting Ukraine in its historic fight for a European future.

Friends,

I started by recalling two grumpy old men: Andres and Bjartur. If only they had the chance to look upon their homelands today, I am sure they would do so with surprise, admiration and satisfaction.

And they would be happy that the open- and independent mindedness we maintain has worked out so well for us. Both would smile and, despite trying to hide it, be very happy. They would then pat each other on the shoulder and move on in an even deeper friendship – just as we do.

On that note, I would like to once again welcome you to Estonia and to propose a toast: to friends we can count on!