President Alar Karis meets Latvian President on Ruhnu Island

President Alar Karis and Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met on Ruhnu Island, turning the small Baltic Sea island into a historic meeting place. Local residents made thorough preparations for the event, and the island was filled with an extraordinary festive atmosphere.

Ruhnu Ruhnu Harbour was bustling with unusual activity on Tuesday when President Alar Karis arrived to meet Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs. The sun shone brightly, but the Baltic Sea wind reminded everyone that Ruhnu is an isolated island in the middle of the sea, a place one does not reach by chance.

A historic and symbolic meeting

The meeting of the two heads of state on Ruhnu Island carried deeper significance: the Baltic Sea is not a border for Estonians and Latvians, but a link between the two peoples. This symbolic choice of Ruhnu Island emphasised the close historical and cultural ties between Estonia and Latvia.

During the meeting, an amusing incident occurred, President Karis put his hand into a local bull's mouth, which immediately sparked a funny worry: "If a wedding ring has gone missing, it's difficult to explain that the bull ate it!"

Village prepares for the president's arrival

Already the day before the president's arrival, the entire village was in a flurry of activity. Final directional signs were put in place, already spotless roads were swept again, and gardens were tidied. On the island there was a sense that one would have liked to repaint even the grass if it were at all possible.

Craftsperson Külli had her hands full, as at the last moment it was decided to review traditional costumes and have them properly adjusted in honour of the president. Excitement and anticipation could be felt at every step and around every corner.

Ruhnu, a remarkable island in the Baltic Sea

Ruhnu is Estonia's smallest inhabited island in the Baltic Sea, with a rich cultural history of Swedish origin. The island's remoteness and independence make any official visit an event in itself, but a meeting between the presidents of two neighbouring countries here is undoubtedly a moment of historical significance.