Halla Tómasdóttir welcomes nearly 2,000 visitors to official residence

Icelandic President Halla Tómasdóttir said she was “exhausted in the toes” after welcoming nearly 2,000 visitors to Bessastaðir, the president’s official residence, during Culture Night, mbl.is reported.

Halla and her husband, Björn Skúlason, opened the residence to the public for the third time. Visitors came from across Iceland, along with some foreign guests.

“More than a thousand people have come here today. This is the third time we have held an open house during Culture Night. I am completely exhausted from standing here, but this has been so enjoyable,” Halla told mbl.is.

She said the event had become a valued tradition. About 1,600 people attended the first open house, when the couple had only recently taken office. The residence is also open to the public during Museum Night.

Halla said she was especially moved by children who visited and ran into her arms. She described Culture Night as important because families and different generations come together to enjoy music, art exhibitions and time with one another. They also visit Bessastaðir and Reykjavík City Hall, sing and dance together, she said.

She also recalled the death of Bryndís Klara, who died after being stabbed during Culture Night in what Halla described as a case of one child causing harm to another.

“It was very difficult for our community. Such a tragic event must not be for nothing,” Halla said.

Following the death, people formed a movement called the Knights of Love. During last year’s Culture Night, the city was lit in pink in memory of Bryndís Klara. The group has now raised nearly 200 million Icelandic krónur to support a building that has been purchased to receive victims of violence and their relatives.

Halla also spoke about a school attack in Fagersta, Sweden, which she heard about after returning from Estonia on Friday evening. She said such incidents had become too common in societies where many people had not experienced much violence while growing up.

She said Icelandic society had responded by continuing to gather during Culture Night in the spirit the event was intended to create.

Asked what might cause young people to become involved in horrific acts of violence, Halla said several factors were involved. She said that in what she called an “attention society”, people had lost many essential connections, including connections with themselves, other people, nature, a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging.