Kastelholm
Talks on Peace

The Kastelholm Talks are an annual forum on peace, held under the patronage of Finland’s former President Tarja Halonen and organised by the Åland Islands Peace Institute in connection with Åland’s Demilitarisation Day on 30 March. The talks provide an open, knowledge‑based arena for dialogue on issues that matter both in the Nordic region and internationally.

The discussions take their starting point in current issues and tensions that affect peace and security, while also placing them in a longer‑term perspective. The focus is on how experiences, structures, and long‑term trends shape the possibilities for peace over time.

Each year, the talks explore a theme with global relevance and a Nordic or Ålandic anchoring. The panels consist of three participants with different backgrounds, creating a multifaceted and in‑depth conversation where diverse perspectives meet.

The Kastelholm Talks are always held in connection with Åland’s Demilitarisation Day on 30 March and consist of two parts. The first is an English‑language discussion at Kastelholm Castle with pre‑registered attendees, also streamed online. This is followed by an open Swedish‑language session for the general public at the Mariehamn City Library, organised in collaboration with the Mariehamn Literature Days.