Iceland's National Day should eschew political overtones, suggests Frostadottir
On June 17th, Iceland's National Day, Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadóttir prefers to keep the celebrations free of politics, according to an interview with mbl.is. Instead of delivering the traditional address herself, she invited President Halla Tómasdóttir to take the podium, believing the day should transcend the grind of everyday politics.
"I'm the Prime Minister for all the people, but political issues can't help but color such a day," Frostadóttir explained, expressing the idea that politics should take a backseat on this national holiday.
Frostadoóttir's decision, in line with a proposal made by former president Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, reflects a desire to emphasize the unity symbolized by the presidency rather than alienate segments of Icelandic society. She aims to make National Day a celebration that all Icelanders can partake in, regardless of social class, political views, or current affairs.
This approach reflects an effort to make Icelandic events more unifying. Frostadóóttir expressed her desire for more public events centered around unity, particularly addressing concerns that recent National Day celebrations have become exclusive and closed-off, even if unintentionally.
Security concerns are understandable, acknowledges Frostadóóttir, but adjustments can still be made to ensure the event maintains its open and inclusive spirit. In response to questions about whether the President would continue to deliver the National Day address in future years, she said, "We'll have to see how people respond. If it goes well, we may very well keep this up."
On a historical note, Iceland’s National Day commemorates the establishment of the Icelandic republic in 1944 and celebrates Jón Sigurðsson, a key figure in the country's independence movement. Over the years, the National Day address has traditionally been delivered by the Prime Minister, but Prime Minister Frostadóóttir's choice to invite the President to deliver the speech this year marks a noteworthy shift, imbuing the celebration with a more neutral and unifying tone.
Frostadóttir's decision to invite the President to deliver the National Day address signifies a shift towards a more neutral and unifying tone in Icelandic events, aligning with Guðni Th. Jóhannesson's proposal. She aims to make the National Day celebration accessible to all Icelanders, regardless of their political views or social class, transcending the polarization often associated with politics.
