Far Removed From by Sindri Heidarsson


Right now, I am visiting Faroe Islands and having a great time getting to know my Atlantic neighbors. Walking around in the towns, fjords or mountains, I experience a strong sense of familiarity even though I have never been here before. Our languages obviously have the same origin but have evolved a bit separately. Reading the signs, advertisements and other miscellaneous Faroese text shows how close we are though our pronunciation is often quite different. Everyone in Iceland has heard at least one joke involving our two languages and I have heard to many. Discussing this with one of the Faroese student participants, I have learned that every single one of them is true! We make fun of Faroese tongue and the Faroese make fun of our tongue, in a friendly manner, mind you. 

During this trip I have learned so much about Faroese history and culture and am surprised at how close we have been for centuries. The strong connection they still have with their traditions and history is admirable and have done so better than Icelandic people in my opinion.
I will definitely visit again and bring my wife and daughter, to make sure they experience Faroe Islands firsthand and come to appreciate our little weird uncle down south.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Starting the Journey by Jane MacIsaac

Image
We left Prince Edward Island 24 hrs ago and have just landed in Vagar. Flying in, awaking from a brief slumber, I was struck as the clouds parted and from the dark North Atlantic waters, the Faroes emerged. The land is majestic and striking. Water cascades down the hills as winding roads and plentiful sheep guide us to the Capital.  We sense that we are in a special place at a special time. I am eager to learn with my international teammates and to meet the Faroe Island companies. It will be a life altering experience to be a part of the Hydrogen Learning Network, Community Energy Challenge.  I am exhilarated and the anticipation of what these days will bring is allaying my exhaustion for the moment. We all have a role to play in a sustainable future and clearly this place, this challenge, and this time is a first chapter in meeting that goal.
Read more

Waking up in the Faroe Islands - Lars Ivar Nitter Havro

Image
Arriving in the Faroes was a great experience – the views were stunning, the taxi driver was surprisingly well-articulated and knowledgeable providing heaps of local knowledge on the 45 minute drive from the airport to the airbnb house placed in the centre of the Faroese capital of Torshavn. After having my first interaction with the sleeping situation initially arranged on my behalf (Accidentally a hard wooden floor in a livingroom), I left the house and the inviting, slightly intoxicated strangers (Now good friends) which it held in the living room to go look for a place to get some decent shut-eye. Exempting the initial impression, and primarily due to this situation, my living experience in the Faroes has turned out to become astonishingly exceptional.  I had the pleasure of spending my first night in a house outside the town centre which was allocated to me by our trusty commander-in-chief, Anna. She turned all possible stones and much to her chagrin/relief, I insisted on
Read more

Culture of coincidences by Sigridur Fossberg

Image
Video:  Inception (Unusual chair at University of the Faroe Islands). Wednesday was the first really sunny day. The sea glistening from the rays of the sun. I stepped outside from the cylinder like room at Uni on to the fire escape on the fourth floor, trying desperately to think of what to write for my blog. As I watched the seamen working below me, I remembered how perplexed I’ve been, that the Uni here in Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, is located right in the mddle of the industrial harbour area.  Figure 1 The industrial harbour area of Tórshavn An area that can be pretty noisy and dirty. I was told that was not the original plan - rather a coincidence in fact. The building was originally intended for local businesses in the marine industry. It was no ordinary building however, it was an old salt storage tower that had been renovated and extended to accommodate office space.  As the population has been rising in the last few years and parts of the
Read more