Farewell Gathering at Iceland Square
August 21, 2026
Photos: Office of the President of Estonia.
Final day of the state visit to Estonia.
From the reciprocity reception at the Radisson Hotel in Tallinn.
President Halla Tómasdóttir and her husband, Björn Skúlason, concluded a three-day state visit to Estonia today. The President took part in the inauguration of the renovated Iceland Square in central Tallinn. The presidential couple and their delegation then bade farewell to their hosts, President Alar Karis and his wife, Sirje Karis.
Around midday yesterday, the presidential couple hosted a reciprocal reception in the banquet hall of the Radisson Collection Hotel in Tallinn. Estonian government officials, official delegations and business delegations from both countries, as well as others who took part in the visit’s programme, were invited. The President of Iceland addressed the gathering and thanked the many people who helped make the visit as enjoyable and rewarding as it proved to be. She also spoke about the precious friendship between the two countries and, in that connection, quoted a well-known stanza from the Hávamál (The Sayings of Odin) that ends with the line: “I thought myself rich when I found a friend; man is man’s delight.” She then said:
“Connection and friendship are essential for us to flourish. In a world marked by uncertainty and tension, friendship built on trust and consistency is becoming increasingly important. So let us raise a glass here today to the friendship between Iceland and Estonia and to the values that unite the two nations: freedom, democracy, resilience, peace, and cooperation.”
At the reception, guests were treated to Icelandic delicacies prepared by Hafliði Halldórsson and Halldór Hafliðason, while Sigríður Thorlacius and Ómar Guðjónsson provided musical entertainment.
The presidential couples’ formal farewell ceremony was then held in Iceland Square at noon today, attended by official delegations from both countries, Estonia’s foreign minister, and Tallinn’s deputy mayor. The choice of venue was linked to the square’s extensive renovation, which a group of young designers from both countries helped shape. The ceremony began with Deputy Mayor Tiit Terik recounting the history of Iceland Square, which was originally inaugurated in 1998 to commemorate the invaluable support Icelanders showed Estonians 35 years ago.
Next, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna addressed the gathering. He noted the symbolic significance of his ministry being located on this square, at 1 Iceland Square. He thanked his predecessor, Hendrik Ilves, who was present with his wife, for having initiated the naming of the square. He added that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine was a reminder that small nations must continue to have the courage to defend their independence and international law.
Next to speak were two representatives of the six young designers responsible for the renovation of Iceland Square: Markus Puidak, Marie Suimets, Artur Raik, Riina Parve, Katariina Kangro, Madis Keerd and Málfríður Lárusdóttir. They explained that the aim had been to transform the square into a green space with distinctly Icelandic features. Among other things, they had drawn inspiration from Icelandic turf houses and the Icelandic tradition of building cairns along mountain roads to mark the way.
The President of Iceland praised the Estonian-Icelandic design team for the redevelopment of Iceland Square, which she said she hoped would provide a setting for a vibrant community and friendship. She also thanked the Estonian presidential couple and the Estonian people for their warm welcome and exceptional hospitality, saying that she was leaving Estonia with tears of joy in her eyes.
The presidential couple and their entourage flew from Tallinn to Oslo in the late afternoon and then continued on to Iceland.
Here on the website is a selection of photographs from the presidential couple's visit to Estonia.
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