Nordic Day is celebrated on 23 March. On this day we celebrate the world’s oldest regional political collaboration – Nordic co-operation between Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.
This year, Nordic Day will be celebrated with a range of events throughout the week across the Nordic and the Baltic regions. The overarching theme of the events is democracy and young people, where we aim to explore perceptions of democracy and its future from the perspective of young people. In the Baltic countries, Nordic-Baltic co-operation is also celebrating its 35th anniversary. Nordic Day itself falls on Monday 23 March and will be marked with events over several days.
In addition to the events, the Nordic Council of Ministers will also organise digital Nordic language cafés on 22 and 23 March. Anyone can take part online and enjoy a digital coffee break while speaking the Nordic language of their choice with like-minded participants.
Democracy stands at a crossroads. Trust, community, and democratic participation are being put to the test in an era characterised by misinformation, polarisation, and digital platforms that shape our shared conversation – not least for the younger generation growing up in an information environment where the boundary between facts, opinions, and manipulation is often unclear. How can we engage and equip the next generation to carry democracy forwards?
How do we safeguard Nordic values such as openness, trust, and strong communities – and secure the democracy of the future? On Nordic Day 2026 we focus on democratic resilience and on how we can engage and equip the next generation to carry democracy forwards.
Take part in virtual language cafés where you can practise languages from across the Nordic Region online together with others living in the Nordics! There are eight languages to choose from: Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Faroese, Greenlandic, and Northern Sámi.
At the language café you will be placed in a small group with a host who speaks the target language and keeps the conversation flowing. You don’t need to be fluent – just join in as you can! Whether you’re a beginner or more advanced, this is your chance to speak, learn more about another culture, and meet interesting people from across the Nordic Region. For example, you could talk about something you’ve yet to experience in another Nordic country!
First language café: Sunday 22 March, from 14:00 to 15:00 (CET)
Second language café: Monday 23 March, from 18:00 to 19:00 (CET)
The Nordic House in the Faroe Islands is inviting children to a democracy festival.
From 19 to 22 March, the institute will be filled with performances, concerts, and creative workshops where children experience democracy with body, voice, and imagination.
They will build anti-bullying robots, design election posters, cast their vote in the ballot box, and demonstrate together. There will also be baby opera, beatboxing, and breakdance. This is a festival where art creates space for children’s voices and community.
NAPA and New Arctic Kitchen will focus on food and community on Nordic Day.
Hands-on workshops will be held on both 22 and 23 March, where participants will learn to work with local ingredients and create meals that bring people together. The workshops are aimed at the tourism sector and those who wish to cook for communities and present Greenlandic food at a high gastronomic level – without making it complicated.
Participants will be guided by three experienced chefs and will work practically together with students from INUILI. The workshops will conclude with participants serving tasting samples to the people of Nuuk at Katuaq on the evening of 23 March.
In Finland, Nordic Day will be celebrated on 23 March in Tampere. At Tampere Hall we invite participants to discussions about the future of democracy and ask: How can we ensure that democracy is strengthened – not weakened – in today’s digital flows? And what arenas are needed to safeguard democratic dialogue?
During the afternoon, we will hear an opening address by Kim Berg, Vice President of the Nordic Council, and a presentation on megatrends shaping the future of democracies by Elina Kiiski-Kataja, leading expert at Sitra. We will also hear Paulina Ahokas, CEO of Tampere Hall, explain the importance of the Nordic Region for Tampere.
The panel discussion will feature Olivia Löytänen from the Nordic Youth Council (NYC), Vilma Rimpelä, producer at Rare Media, Roger Penter, Chair of the Finnish Youth Council Alliance, and Reidar Wasenius, AI researcher at Aalto University.
After the debate, the Democracy Café will open for further discussion and shared reflections on the future.
The event takes place from 14:00 - 16:30. The organisers are Nordic Council of Ministers, Pohjola-Norden, Hanaholmen, and Nordic Culture Point.
In Åland, Nordic Day will be marked with a discussion about young people’s views on democracy.
The Parliament of Åland and Nordic organisations in Åland invite you to a discussion between young politicians and youth representatives about how conversations that shift to social media influence young people’s trust in democratic processes, and what lessons and ideas young people themselves have for promoting a positive democratic climate. During the morning there will be an opportunity to mingle and network with Nordic organisations active in Åland.
Take the opportunity to make connections, get to know the Nordic organisations, and share your experiences of current social issues from a Nordic perspective. 23 March, from 11:00 to 13:00. Free entry and no advance registration required.
In Estonia, the day will be celebrated, in Tallinn in cooperation with the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a visit from the general secretary of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Karen Ellemann.
The title is ‘Nordic-Baltic Cooperation – 35 Years, Achievements and the Way Ahead’ and guests include Margus Tsahkna, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Kristina Kallas, Minister of Education and Research, Kristi Raik, Director of the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), Tobias Billström, Head of Strategy and Governmental Affairs at Nordic Air Defence, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Ville Sirviö, CEO of the Nordic Institute for Interoperability Solutions (NIIS)
For Estonia, the close cooperation with the Nordic countries has played a vital role in strengthening regional security, economic and societal development, as well as mutual exchange in digital innovation, educational, scientific and cultural activities over the past decades.
In Sweden, we’re celebrating Nordic Day with an event at Kulturhuset in Stockholm on 24 March. The theme of the event is the future of democracy and young people.
We will hear from Professor Åsa Wikforss, member of the Swedish Academy, and follow a panel discussion on how we can ensure that today’s young people will also be able to live in a strong democracy in the future. Participants in the discussion will include Nordic young people and Heléne Björklund, Chair of the Swedish delegation to the Nordic Council.
During the event, we will discuss how we can strengthen democratic resilience, inspire civic engagement, and provide young people with the tools to stand up for the values that define the Nordic democratic model.
The event takes place from 08:30 to 10:00. The organisers are the Nordic Council of Ministers and Norden Association.
In Iceland, Nordic Day will be marked with a morning seminar at the Nordic House in Reykjavík on 24 March.
The focus of the seminar is the conditions for democracy at a time when misinformation, declining institutional trust, polarisation, and the growing influence of digital platforms challenge the foundations on which our societies are built. Taking the strong and trust-based democracies of the Nordic countries as a starting point, we explore how tech giants and algorithm-driven information flows shape public debate – and what consequences this has, not least for the younger generation.
The programme includes an opening address by Dagbjört Hákonardóttir, Chair of Iceland’s delegation to the Nordic Council, a keynote by Clement Kjersgaard, editor and presenter at Danmarks Radio, and a panel debate with representatives from youth organisations, academia, politics, and the media.
The event will be streamed on LinkedIn and on Norden.org.
In Norway, Nordic Day will be marked at the Storting on Wednesday 25 March. This year’s theme is “Trust under pressure – Nordic democracy in a new era”.
As democracy is challenged globally, the Nordic Region is often promoted as a democratic powerhouse. But how robust is our democratic culture – and how do we preserve the trust that binds us? Researchers, civil society stakeholders, and young politicians will come together for a conversation about community, resilience, and responsibility. What is required to strengthen democracy in our new era?
Due to the general election, no events will be held in Denmark. However, Denmark and the Faroe Islands’ joint programme for the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers in 2026 highlights the following within the field of democracy:
Although our Nordic welfare societies are largely based on trust, several trends are now putting both the welfare model and social cohesion under pressure. We must keep the Nordic Region socially sustainable and robust. This entails promoting active citizenship, so that people, including those from a migrant background, engage in their communities and participate in democratic processes.
‘Our Nordic welfare societies are largely based on trust, but several trends are now putting both the welfare model and social cohesion under pressure. We must keep the Nordic Region socially sustainable and robust. By promoting active citizenship, so that people, including those from a migrant background, engage in their communities and participate in democratic processes. Our democracy and values such as equality and fairness are at the core of our Nordic identity. We must keep it that way.’
The conference in Lithuania marking the 35th anniversary of the Nordic Council of Ministers Office in Lithuania will take place from 1.30 PM (GMT+3) on 9 April 2026 in Vilnius.
It is titles ‘Shared Values, Shared Security: The Nordic–Baltic Partnership at 35 and the Path Forward’ and will feature keynote speeches and discussions on the future of Nordic–Baltic cooperation, regional resilience, and responses to disinformation.
Speakers include H.E. Dalia Grybauskaitė, Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Karen Ellemann, Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, and Ville Väyrynen, President of the Nordic Council, together with other Nordic and Baltic representatives.
More information to come.
Some events will be streamed. Streams will be available shortly.
Nordic Day is also celebrated beyond the Nordic and Baltic region!
Explore our toolbox and download ready-to-use graphics in multiple formats to support your Nordic Day celebrations and communication abroad.
On Nordic Day, we recognise Nordic co-operation, which includes Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, as well as the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.
This co-operation became official with the Helsinki Treaty, commonly known as the Nordic Constitution. The treaty was signed on 23 March 1962 and took effect on 1 July of that year. After the Second World War, formal co-operation was established between the Nordic countries with the aim of creating security and maintaining democracy and peace between them.
This co-operation has since grown and now covers many policy areas, with the objective of making the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030.
Sara Kolka
sarkol@norden.org
Camilla Kullberg
camkul@norden.org
Matts Lindqvist
Anna Starkmann
Silja Elvarsdóttir
Susanne Andreasen
Gunn Hernes
Mari Laikre
mari.laikre@norden.ee
Kornelija Kunigonytė
kornelija@norden.lt
Anita Miruskina
Miriam Andrea Fottland
mirfot@norden.org
