"Iceland National Day" Event report
Iceland National Day at Expo 2025 Osaka-Kansai — A Journey Through Culture, Dialogue, and Equality : A Day to Experience Iceland with President Halla Tómasdóttir
The Nordic Pavilion, a joint exhibition by the five Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—continues to draw attention at Expo 2025 Osaka. On Wednesday, May 29, Iceland hosted its National Day, marking a memorable and significant event. Iceland’s National Day highlighted the theme of “Peace and Equality,” reflecting its status as the world’s top-ranking nation for gender equality for 16 consecutive years (Global Gender Gap Index, 2024).
The day began with a series of dialogue-focused programs featuring distinguished guests from both Iceland and Japan, including President Halla Tómasdóttir herself, who engaged in important conversations around SDGs and gender equality. In the afternoon, the President visited the Pavilion and explored immersive art and sustainable design. Icelandic artists had created a soundtrack specifically for the exhibition space, and visitors also enjoyed the whimsical, wool-based art performance “Pizza Time” by design duo Flétta & Ýrúrarí. The day concluded with an official ceremony featuring heartfelt speeches and live performances from top Icelandic artists, leaving a profound message of peace and equality through culture and dialogue.
Morning Session: Dialogue for Gender Equality
Panel with Youth on Future, Peace, and the SDGs (UN Pavilion)
The National Day began with a vibrant youth dialogue session at the United Nations Pavilion. President Halla Tómasdóttir joined young panelists to discuss peace, sustainability, and the future. Moderated by Hiroshima-based broadcaster Yuki Nakane, the session opened with remarks from Mr. Maher Nasser, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Commissioner General of the UN Pavilion. His comments emphasized that peace is foundational to all sustainable development goals, urging collaboration at every level of society.
Talk Session on “The First Woman President in the World” (Nordic Pavilion)
Inside the Pavilion, a family-friendly session featured author Rán Flygenring and translator Shohei Akakura, focusing on the story of Iceland’s Vigdis Finnbogadóttir—the world’s first democratically elected female president. Reykjavík Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir shared opening remarks, expressing joy that the children’s book Vigdís is now available in Japanese. The discussion explored leadership, gender equality, and the lessons from Vigdis's life and presidency, reminding the audience that “equality is not something you achieve once, but something you must continue to learn.”
Talk with President Tómasdóttir on Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment (Women’s Pavilion in collaboration with Cartier)
At the Women’s Pavilion “WA” space, President Tómasdóttir participated in a dialogue with journalist Sayuri Daimon. Reflecting on her journey—from the first female CEO of the Iceland Chamber of Commerce to a global advocate and now Iceland’s second woman president—she shared personal insights on leadership and systemic change. She addressed candid questions, such as:
“Iceland’s coalition government is currently led by three women. What policy milestones led to this?”
“What inspired you to move from the private sector into politics?”
“Who are your role models?”
The conversation offered meaningful takeaways for both Icelandic and Japanese audiences on empowerment and sustainable governance.
Afternoon Session: Art, Sustainability, and Icelandic Spirit
Immersive Experiences at the Nordic Pavilion
In the afternoon, the Pavilion opened to the public with a program rooted in Icelandic creativity and environmental consciousness. Inside, visitors explored The Circle of Trust, a visual installation accompanied by an original soundtrack composed by Icelandic musicians Sin Fang and Kjartan Hólm. Designers from the Gagarín studio offered guided tours, providing unique behind-the-scenes insights.
Playful Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Outside the Pavilion, Icelandic design duo Flétta and Ýrúrarí presented Pizza Time, an interactive art performance using leftover wool from the country’s wool industry. Lucky visitors received handmade woolen pizza slices—each a unique, playful piece of art that celebrated Iceland’s sustainable, creative ethos.
Official Ceremony: Music and Meaning in the Ray Garden
The day culminated in a moving official ceremony in the Ray Garden. President Tómasdóttir addressed the audience, stating:
“I am proud to stand here as part of the Nordic Pavilion. Though our countries may be small individually, together we form the 11th largest economy in the world. As a Japanese proverb says, ‘A single arrow is easily broken, but not in a bundle.’”
Yuichiro Koga, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, also delivered remarks:
“Since establishing diplomatic ties in 1956, Japan and Iceland have shared a close and trusting friendship. Both island nations share experiences with seismic and volcanic activity, as well as a tradition of thriving fisheries. We hope this Expo deepens mutual understanding even further.”
Musical Finale: The Sound of Iceland
The ceremony closed with an evocative musical program:
-JFDR (Jófríður Ákadóttir), whose serene yet powerful voice captivated the audience.
-Ásgeir, returning to Japan for the first time since Fuji Rock 2023, moved the audience with his emotive performance.
-Gabríel Ólafs, whose delicate piano and strings brought a sense of calm strength to the evening.
These three artists provided a memorable finale, resonating with the audience and leaving a deep impression of Iceland’s spirit and artistic depth.
Iceland National Day embodied the Nordic Pavilion’s core theme: Towards a Better Tomorrow Together. Through music, art and dialogue the day highlighted shared values of peace, equality, and collaboration—resonating far beyond the Expo grounds.