Karis at State Dinner: Estonian and Czech fates deeply intertwined

Estonian President Alar Karis hosted Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová at a state dinner held at the Arvo Pärt Centre. Karis highlighted the deep historical ties between the two nations, noting that everyday Czech products have long been part of Estonian life.

Estonian President Alar Karis delivered a warm speech at a state dinner hosted in honour of Czech President Petr Pavel and his wife Eva Pavlová at the Arvo Pärt Centre, emphasising that the shared history between Estonians and Czechs runs far deeper than most people realise.

Karis noted that the connection between the two nations stretches back to the interwar period, between the two world wars, and has remained a quiet but meaningful thread ever since. «Almost every Estonian has worn a pair of Batas shoes, had a box of Koh-i-noor coloured pencils as a child, kept Czech crystal on the shelf, and a Pilsner Urquell or Budějovický Budvar in the fridge,» Karis said, drawing on familiar cultural touchstones to illustrate the bond.

The state dinner took place at the Arvo Pärt Centre, the cultural institution dedicated to the renowned Estonian composer, lending an additional layer of symbolic weight to the occasion. The choice of venue underscored Estonia's desire to present its cultural heritage as part of the backdrop to high-level diplomatic engagements.

The visit by President Pavel reflects the continued strengthening of bilateral ties between Estonia and the Czech Republic, two nations that share not only historical experience under Soviet and communist rule but also a strong commitment to European Union and NATO values. Both countries have been vocal supporters of Ukraine following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.