“We must not lose touch with the essence of our humanity”
August 19, 2026
Photos: Office of the President of Estonia.
The presidential couple attend a gala dinner hosted by their hosts.
The Icelandic and Estonian presidential couples outside the Arvo Pärt Centre.
You can learn more about the schedule for the first day of the visit here on the website.
Learn more.
The first day of President Halla Tómasdóttir's state visit to Estonia, accompanied by her husband, Björn Skúlason, concluded with a gala dinner hosted by Estonian President Alar Karis and his wife, Ms Sirje Karis. Around 80 guests gathered at a cultural centre dedicated to the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, including members of both Iceland's official delegation and its accompanying business delegation.
Before dinner, the two presidents delivered toasts, both speaking of the deep friendship between their nations; a bond that grew stronger after Iceland became the first country to recognise the restoration of Estonia's independence in August 1991. "Thank you for that," Karis said in his remarks. "We will always remember it with gratitude. It is set in stone." He singled out the contribution of Jón Baldvin Hannibalsson, then Iceland's Minister for Foreign Affairs, and drew a line from Iceland's support for Estonia 35 years ago to the two countries' shared support for Ukraine today.
Karis said the hearts of Icelanders and Estonians beat as one, pointing to the parallels between the stubborn Bjartur of Summerhouses and Andres of Vargamäe, the protagonist of Truth and Justice by Estonian author A. H. Tammsaare — both men fiercely devoted to their independence and right to self-determination. He said he was certain that if Bjartur and Andres could see how far their two nations had come over the past century, they would smile, "pat each other on the shoulder, and continue cultivating their friendship, just as we do."
Halla Tómasdóttir's toast was as follows:
“Alar, Sirje, dear friends.
It is a great pleasure for Björn and me to be here in Estonia. I have looked
forward to this visit for a long time, and ever since President Karis and I met in
Geneva at the inaugural meeting of the AI for Good Global Commission a few weeks ago, I have counted the days.
It is is my fifth state visit since taking office. Like my predecessors, I began by
visiting our Nordic neighbours, concluding that journey in Finland last fall. Looking
across the Gulf from Helsinki Harbour, I watched a magnificent flock of birds making their way towards Tallinn. The vision has stayed with me.
For many years, the Nordic countries have been symbolised by white swans
flying together in formation. They rotate the lead, share the eőort and protect one
another from the elements. This has always struck me as a beautiful illustration of
cooperation, an image that today extends naturally to the Nordic-Baltic family.
None of us can fly safely alone. The winds around us have grown stronger and
more volatile. At times, they seem to come from every direction. That, I should add, is a very Icelandic experience: wind and rain coming from every direction, all at once.
But jokes aside, the challenges we face are real. Security, resilience, the
profound transformation brought about by artificial intelligence, and the
safeguarding of international law require us not only to stand together as friends and partners, but also to take turns leading.
The longstanding friendship between Estonia and Iceland was reafirmed in a
profound and historic way when Iceland became the first country to recognise
Estonia's restored independence in August 1991. This was more than a diplomatic
gesture. It was a moral stand, a clear affirmation that international law, solidarity and shared values are not abstract ideals, but living principles worth defending together.
Thirty-five years later, our friendship thrives. It is expressed through our
cooperation in the NB8, through our shared commitment to democracy and peace,
and now also through our common efforts to make artificial intelligence a force for
human progress and prosperity.
When President Karis and I met in Geneva last month, we were united by a
common mission: to help ensure that one of the most transformative technologies in human history serves humanity, rather than the other way around. But what made the deepest impression on me was not only our conversation about artificial intelligence. It was our conversation about humanity.
As our meeting drew to a close, President Karis challenged those of us serving
on the Commission to think bigger. He put forward a bold ambition: that together we should strive to teach one billion people to use artificial intelligence for good. His challenge has stayed with me. It captures something I deeply admire about Estonia.
You have shown the world that digital leadership is about far more than
technology. It is about investing in people through education and ensuring that every citizen has the opportunity and confidence to participate in a rapidly changing world. And fundamentally, it is about having the courage to pursue bold ambitions for economic growth and shared prosperity.
Iceland and Estonia are both small nations. But we know that influence is not
determined by the size of one’s population. It grows with the strength of your ideas, the trust you build and by embracing the courage to lead.
Estonia is a global pioneer in digital innovation and digital government.
Iceland has sought to lead in renewable energy, gender equality and democratic trust. The next frontier is ensuring that technology, education and human values advance together.
Perhaps that is why our countries have found one another so naturally, not
because we are alike in every respect, but because we share the conviction that
progress should always serve people. Both Icelanders and Estonians know what it
means to preserve a language, a culture and a national identity against the odds. We know that resilience is about more than military strength or economic might.
During Iceland's struggle for independence in the nineteenth century, it was
our unique language and ancient literature that became a rallying cry. During your
remarkable Singing Revolution, decades later, you helped reclaim your freedom not through force, but through the power of music and the collective human voice.
the Singing Revolution reminds us that the human voice can change history.
the challenge before us today is to ensure that, even in the age of artificial
intelligence, the human voice is never drowned out.
Both President Karis and I firmly believe that technological progress must
never come at the expense of our humanity. I find it especially fitting, in this context, that we gather tonight at the remarkable Arvo Pärt Centre, a place dedicated not simply to an extraordinary composer, but to the transformative power of music, creativity and reflection.
Last year, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra had the privilege of recording all of
Arvo Pärt's symphonies to mark his 90th birthday. In listening to this music, one
encounters something increasingly rare in our noisy world: stillness, humility, and a
deep awareness of our common humanity. Or, in the words of Pärt himself, his music is a bow to the great power of the human spirit and human dignity. In an age increasingly shaped by algorithms, may we never lose sight of the music that makes us human.
May Estonia and Iceland continue to learn from one another, inspire one
another, and work together for a future where technology serves humanity, education empowers people, democracy remains strong, and peace is our common purpose.
Dear friends,
Thank you for the extraordinary warmth and generosity you have shown Björn
and me. I invite you all to raise your glasses in honour of President Alar Karis, Mrs.
Sirje Karis, and the people of Estonia. To the lasting friendship between Estonia and Iceland—and to the future we choose to build together.
Terviseks!
Skál”
Toward the end of the programme, the young Estonian musicians Hans Christian Aavik, a violinist, and Karolina Aavik, a pianist performed three works by Arvo Pärt. They closed with their own, moving arrangement of the well-known Icelandic folk tune "Vísur Vatnsenda-Rósu,".
Here on the website is a selection of photographs from the presidential couple's visit to Estonia.
Learn more
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