List of Faroese people
Encyclopedia
Faroese people
The Faroese or Faroe Islanders are a Germanic ethnic group native to the Faeroe Islands. The Faroese are of mixed Norse and Gaelic origins.About 21,000 Faroese live in neighbouring countries, particularly in Denmark, Iceland and Norway....
. In a small island-society of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, each person can gain certain meaning for the entire nation. The people listed below, are among those, who played or play a distinct role in Faroese culture, politics and history. Many of them are renowned outside the Faroes, especially in Denmark and other Nordic countries.
Authors and poets
- Heðin BrúHeðin BrúHeðin Brú was the penname of Hans Jacob Jacobsen, a Faroese novelist and translator.Heðin Brú is considered to be the most important Faroese writer of his generation and is known for his fresh and ironic style...
- Joen DanielsenJoen DanielsenJoen Danielsen Known as Kvívíks-Jógvan , . He married and settled in the town of Gjógv....
- William HeinesenWilliam HeinesenAndreas William Heinesen was a poet, composer and painter from the Faroe Islands.- His Writing :The Faroese capital Tórshavn is always the centre of Heinesen's writing. He is famous for having once called Tórshavn "The Navel of the World". His writing focuses on contrasts between darkness and...
(also a painter, graphical artist and musician) - Jørgen-Frantz JacobsenJørgen-Frantz JacobsenJørgen-Frantz Jacobsen occupies a distinct place in Scandinavian literature. He is the only Faroese writer to achieve international best-seller status...
- Jóanes NielsenJóanes NielsenJóanes Nielsen is a Faroese author and poet of the 1980s generation. He has written both short stories, plays and novels. He has now published seven collections of poetry, and has been nominated for the Nordic Council's Literature Prize for the fourth time with his latest collection of poems,...
- Rói PaturssonRói PaturssonRói Reynagarð Patursson is a Faroese writer and philosopher. He is also the director of the Folk High School of the Faroes....
(also a philosopher) - Kristian Osvald ViderøKristian Osvald ViderøKristian Osvald Viderø was a Faroese clergyman, poet and Bible translator. After theological studies in Denmark, he oversaw the completion of a translation of the Old Testament into the Faroese language, which Jákup Dahl had worked on until his death in 1944. He was the parish priest of Hattarvík...
(also a clergyman)
Cinema and theatre artists
- Jacob HaugaardJacob HaugaardDaniel Jacob Haugaard is a Danish comedian, actor and politician. He was a member of the Parliament of Denmark from 1994–1998. He ran without a party, and still got 23,253 votes, enough for a seat....
, actorActorAn actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and politicianPoliticianA politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
who was member of the Danish ParliamentFolketingThe Folketing , is the national parliament of Denmark. The name literally means "People's thing"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen.... - Katrin OttarsdóttirKatrin OttarsdóttirKatrin Ottarsdóttir is a Faroese movie director.Katrin Ottarsdóttir went to Denmark in 1976 and is the first person from the Faroe Islands to study at the film school in Copenhagen...
, Director - Helena PaturssonHelena PaturssonSúsanna Helena Patursson was a Faroese actress and writer, and the first political feminist in the country. She also wrote the first play in the Faroese language...
, actress, feminist, and writer - Heiðrikur á HeygumHeiðrikur á HeygumHeiðrik á Heygum is a faroese filmmaker and musician best known for his electro pop album An Invisible Gun, and the award winning short films Mítt Rúm, Aldur and Sigarett.-Career:...
, filmmaker, musician and artist
Musicians
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- Peter Alberg, Composer of the Faeroese Anthem
- Lena AnderssenLena AnderssenLena Anderssen is a Faroese-Canadian singer-songwriter best known for her award winning album "Let Your Scars Dance." Although the lyrics to her songs are all written in English, she is also fluent in both Faroese and Danish.-Early career:...
, singer-songwriter and guitarist - Kristian BlakKristian BlakKristian Blak , originally from Fredericia, Denmark, lives in the Faroe Islands where he is a composer, musician, and record executive. He is the founder of the Nordic musical ensemble Yggdrasil ....
, composer and musician - Brandur EnniBrandur EnniBrandur Helgason Enni , is a singer and songwriter, he also plays guitar, trumpet, piano and flugelhorn. In August 2006 Brandur moved to Sweden, where he studied music for two years at the Music Production Academy "Musikmakarna"...
, singer-songwriter, composer and musician, lives in SwedenSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund.... - Jens Marni HansenJens Marni HansenJens Marni Hansen is a Faroese singer, songwriter and musician. He has been active in Faroese music ever since he was very young, and he has been a member in multiple bands like All That Rain, Kjølar, and Showmenn. For the last several years he has been a solo musician and has been performing under...
, singer-songwriter, rock singer and guitar player, participated in the Danish Eurovision (Melodigrandprix) 2010. - Jógvan HansenJógvan HansenJógvan Hansen is a Faroese singer and guitar player who won the first ever Icelandic version of The X Factor in 2007 with 70% of the popular vote...
, singer and guitaristGuitaristA guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
, participated in the Icelandic Eurovision Song Contest - Jóannes LamhaugeJóannes LamhaugeJóannes Brynolfsson Lamhauge is a Faroese painter, writer, graphic designer, actor, film director and singer/songwriter. Jóannes is best known as a painter and singer, and has in recent years starred in numerous musical productions, such as Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor...
, singer, songwriter, artist (painter), actor, graphic designer and film director - Teitur LassenTeitur LassenTeitur is a Faroese singer-songwriter. On 3 March 2007, he was awarded Best Male Singer at the Danish Music Awards.The word teitur is Old Norse and means happy. In Modern Faroese, it is archaic but used as a male given name....
, singer-songwriter and guitarist - Høgni LisbergHøgni LisbergHøgni Lisberg is a musician currently living in Leirvík, Eysturoy, and is one of the most famous musicians of the Faroe Islands.-Band and personal history:...
, singer-songwriter - Dávur Juul MagnussenDavur Juul MagnussenDavur Juul Magnussen is a Faroese Trombonist from Tórshavn, Faroe Islands, who now lives in Scotland. He was appointed as the principal trombone chair of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra at the age of 22. He is the youngest member of the national orchestra and according to The Herald his...
, a trombonist, appointed as the principal trombone chair of the Royal Scottish National OrchestraRoyal Scottish National OrchestraThe Royal Scottish National Orchestra is Scotland's national symphony orchestra. Based in Glasgow, the 89-member professional orchestra also regularly performs in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, and abroad. Formed in 1891 as the Scottish Orchestra, the company has performed full-time since 1950,... - Eivør PálsdóttirEivør PálsdóttirEivør Pálsdóttir is a Faroese singer/songwriter with a distinct voice and a wide range of interests in many kinds of music from rock, jazz, folk, pop, to European classical music. Her roots are in the Faroese ballads....
, singer-songwriter and guitarist - Sunnleif Rasmussen, composer
- Høgni ReistrupHøgni ReistrupHøgni Reistrup is a singer-songwriter and artist from Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. His influences include Bob Dylan, Nick Drake, and Kári P. Reistrup also has a background in classical music.- Discography :...
, singer-songwriter and guitarist - TýrTýr (band)Týr, , is a folk metal band from the Faroe Islands. Their subject matter revolves almost entirely around old Nordic lore, mythology, and history, taking their name from a Norse god of war. They signed a worldwide deal with Austria's Napalm Records in early 2006, while signed to the Faroese record...
is a Viking/Progressive Metal band - Heiðrikur á HeygumHeiðrikur á HeygumHeiðrik á Heygum is a faroese filmmaker and musician best known for his electro pop album An Invisible Gun, and the award winning short films Mítt Rúm, Aldur and Sigarett.-Career:...
, filmmaker, musician and artist - Boys in a BandBoys In A BandBoys in a Band are an indie rock band from the Faroe Islands. Formed in 2006 in Gøta, the group comprises vocalist/guitarist Pætur Zachariasson, guitarist Heini, bassist Símun, drummer Rógvi and Heri Schwartz on hammond organ. The band members proclaim to play Cowboy Rock...
is an indie rockIndie rockIndie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Eysturoy, Faroe IslandsFaroe IslandsThe Faroe Islands are an island group situated between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe Islands are a self-governing territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, along with Denmark proper and Greenland...
, which recently won 1st place in Global Battle of the BandsGlobal Battle of the BandsThe Global Battle of the Bands is a live music competition joined by bands from all continents around the world. It is open to amateur/professional bands of all music genres and ages; there are only two main prerequisites to joining: no cover songs and no pre-recorded tracks. All bands must play...
. - The DreamsThe DreamsThe Dreams is an alternative rock band from Tórshavn, Faroe Islands formed in 2006.They are currently based in Denmark along with their producer Lars Pedersen. They also have had success in the Faroe Islands, and performed in France and Germany...
, a FaroeseFaroese peopleThe Faroese or Faroe Islanders are a Germanic ethnic group native to the Faeroe Islands. The Faroese are of mixed Norse and Gaelic origins.About 21,000 Faroese live in neighbouring countries, particularly in Denmark, Iceland and Norway....
punk/rock/pop band from TórshavnTórshavnTórshavn is the capital and largest town of the Faroe Islands. It is located in the southern part on the east coast of Streymoy. To the north west of the town lies the high mountain Húsareyn, and to the southwest, the high Kirkjubøreyn...
, the singer of the band is Hans Edward Andreassen.
Painters, Graphical Artists and Sculptors
- Astrid AndreasenAstrid AndreasenAstrid Jóhanna Andreasen is a Faroese textile and graphical artist, marine researcher and postage stamp designer. As a scientific illustrator, she specialises in marine animals....
, textile, scientific and stamp artist - Aggi Ásgerð ÁsgeirsdóttirAggi Ásgerð ÁsgeirsdóttirAggi Ásgerð Ásgeirsdóttir is a Faroese artist. She was born in 1966 in Tórshavn, Faroe Islands. She was educated in Denmark and then moved back to the Faroe Islands, to the small village Vágur in Suðuroy, which is the southernmost island. In the summer 2009 Aggi move to Tórshavn or to Argir, now...
, painter - Steffan DanielsenSteffan DanielsenJohan Steffan Danielsen was a Faroese painter.-Life and work:...
, painter - Hans Hansen, painter
- Zacharias HeinesenZacharias HeinesenZacharias Heinesen is a Faroese landscape painter. He is the son of the writer William Heinesen.He attended Myndlistaskóli Íslands in Reykjavik between 1957-58. In 1959-1963 he attended the Royal Danish Academy of Art in Copenhagen. Through the years he has held a number of exhibitions and his...
, painter and graphical artist - Janus KambanJanus KambanJanus Kamban is a Faroese sculptor and last living representative from the "first generation" of professional artists in the Faroe Islands.Kamban is the first and most important sculptor in the Faroe Islands...
, sculptor - Hans Pauli OlsenHans Pauli OlsenHans Pauli Olsen is a sculptor based in Denmark, and held in high regard.He is one of the most popular artists in the Faroes. His work is to be found not only in art galleries but in many towns in the Faroes, especially in the Faroese capital Tórshavn...
, sculptor - Anker Eli PetersenAnker Eli PetersenAnker Eli Petersen is a Faroese writer and artist.He is most known for his many Faroe Islands postage stamp designs under the name Anker Eli. Many of his stamps depict scenes from Norse mythology, Christianity, or interpretations of other Faroese authors or poets...
, graphical and stamp artist, also songwriter - Ingálvur av ReyniIngálvur av ReyniIngálvur av Reyni was the most celebrated painter of the Faroe Islands during the last years.Ingálvur av Reyni was born in Tórshavn. He rebelled through his expressionism against the epic content of his predecessors' art, and has opened up new paths in his painting...
, painter, graphical artist - Sámal Joensen Mikines, painter
- Rasmus RasmussenRasmus RasmussenRasmus Rasmussen was a Danish gymnast who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics.He was part of the Danish team, which was able to win the silver medal in the gymnastics men's team, Swedish system event in 1920....
, Guitar Player - Tróndur PaturssonTróndur PaturssonTróndur Patursson is a Faroese painter, sculptor, and glass artist. He was educated in Norway and was initially a sculptor. He has since become better known as a painter and glass artist....
, painter, glass- and iron sculptor, also adventurer - Vigdis SigmundsdóttirVigdis SigmundsdóttirVigdis Sigmundsdóttir is an artist from the Faroe Islands, most famous internationally for producing a collage of 12 motives from Ormurin Langi that resulted in a series of stamps from Postverk Føroya released in 2006.- History :Vigdis is a born artist, and started already as a child to draw,...
, painter, artist
Leaders and politicians
Historical
- Grímur Kamban, first settler
- Naddoddur, Viking and settler
- Tróndur í GøtuTróndur í GøtuTróndur í Gøtu was a viking from the Faroe Islands . He and Sigmundur Brestisson are the central figures in the Færeyinga Saga, which tells the early history of the Faroe Islands and the coming of Christianity to the islands, which Tróndur opposed.Chapter 3 of the Saga describes Tróndur as...
, Viking age chieftain - Sigmundur BrestissonSigmundur BrestissonSigmundur Brestisson introduced Christianity to the Faroe Islands in 999. He is one of the main characters of the Færeyinga saga.According to the Færeyinga Saga, emigrants who left Norway to escape the tyranny of Harald I of Norway, settled in the islands about the beginning of the 9th century...
, Viking age chieftain - Sverre Sigurðsson, king of Norway
- FloksmenFloksmenFloksmen is one of the most important folktales from the Faroe Islands.The story centers on the easternmost village of Hattarvík on Fugloy during the Middle Ages. The tale of the Floksmen is of a flok or group of rebels...
, Faroese Rebels in the Middle Ages - Magnus HeinasonMagnus HeinasonMagnus Heinason was a Faroese naval hero, trader and privateer. He was the son of Heine Havreki, a Norwegian priest from Bergen who emigrated to the Faroe Islands and who helped introduce the Lutheran Reformation to the Faroe Islands, and Gyri Arnbjørnsdatter, Havreki's second wife from a...
, National hero and Naval Hero & Privateer - Lucas DebesLucas DebesLucas Jacobsøn Debes was a Danish priest, topographer and celebrated writer about the Faroe Islands. He wrote the first book about the Faroes, which was printed and draw the first detailed map of the islands.-His Arrival to Tórshavn:Debes came to the Faroe Islands in 1652 as a curate...
, conservative rebel - Nólsoyar PállNólsoyar PállNólsoyar Páll is a Faroese national hero. He was a seaman, trader, poet, farmer and boat builder who tried to develop direct trade between the Faroes and the rest of Europe and introduced vaccination to the islands...
, National hero
Modern
- Atli DamAtli DamAtli Pæturssonur Dam was Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands on five separate occasions....
, Prime Minister, 1970–93 (periodically) - Marita PetersenMarita PetersenMarita Petersen was the first and to date only female Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands. She was elected to the Løgting in 1988....
, Prime Minister, 1993–1994 - Anfinn KallsbergAnfinn KallsbergAnfinn Kallsberg is a Faroese politician - Prime Minister of his country 1998-2004 - and the leader of the Faroese People's Party...
, Prime Minister, 1998–2003 - Høgni HoydalHøgni HoydalHøgni Karsten Hoydal , commonly called Høgni Hoydal, is a Faroese politician currently serving as member of the Faroese Parliament, and formerly a member of the Danish Parliament.- Before taking office :...
, Republican leader - Jóannes EidesgaardJóannes EidesgaardJóannes Dan Eidesgaard is the Finance Minister of the Faroe Islands. He has held the position since 26 September 2008. He previously served as Prime Minister of the Faeroe Islands from 3 February 2004, shortly after the general election of 20 January 2004, until 26 September 2008, when a new...
, Prime Minister, 2003-2008 - Kaj Leo JohannesenKaj Leo Johannesen- Handball Player for Kyndil :Kaj Leo Johannesen is not only a former football player, he is also a former handball player. He played 163 matches for Kyndil and scored 625 goals for the club.- Extern Links :* , The Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands* * * *...
, Prime Minister, 2008-
Scholars, Scientists and Academics
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- Niels Ryberg FinsenNiels Ryberg FinsenNiels Ryberg Finsen was a Faroese-Danish physician and scientist of Icelandic descent. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1903 "in recognition of his contribution to the treatment of diseases, especially lupus vulgaris, with concentrated light radiation, whereby he has...
, physician, winner of Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1903 - Venceslaus Ulricus HammershaimbVenceslaus Ulricus HammershaimbVenceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb was a Faroese Lutheran minister who established the modern orthography of Faroese, the language of the Faroe Islands, based on the Icelandic language, which like Faroese derives from Old Norse.-Background:Hammershaimb was born in Sandavágur on the island of Vágar in...
, philologist - Símun av SkarðiSímun av SkarðiSímun av Skarði was a Faroese poet, politician and teacher. He graduated from the Faroese Teacher's College in 1896...
, Folk high school teacher - Jens Christian SvaboJens Christian SvaboJens Christian Svabo was a pioneering Faroese linguist, scholar, and ethnographer. Svabo was born in Miðvágur, Vágar, the Faroe Islands to a minister and his wife. Svabo studied history, music, and theology in Miðvágur and later in Tórshavn. Between 1765 and 1800 he lived in Denmark and studied...
, philologist
Explorers and Travellers
- Grímur Kamban, see above
- Naddoddur, explored Iceland
- Magnus HeinasonMagnus HeinasonMagnus Heinason was a Faroese naval hero, trader and privateer. He was the son of Heine Havreki, a Norwegian priest from Bergen who emigrated to the Faroe Islands and who helped introduce the Lutheran Reformation to the Faroe Islands, and Gyri Arnbjørnsdatter, Havreki's second wife from a...
, National hero and Naval Hero & Privateer
Athletes
- Pál JoensenPál JoensenPál Joensen is a Faroese elite swimmer. He was born in Vágur, Suðuroy, Faroe Islands. Pál is training in a short pool 25 m, because there is no 50 m pool in the Faroe Islands. Pál Joensen still lives in his hometown Vágur, and he is training with Susvim...
, swimmer, triple European Champion for Junor in Beograd 2008, Gold winner in 1500m freestyle at the FINA World Cup in Moscow 2009. - Ove JoensenOve JoensenOve Joensen was a Faroese seaman and adventurer....
, rowing legend - Todi JónssonTodi JónssonTodi Adam Jónsson is a Faroese football striker who is playing for Faroese side KÍ.- Club career :He spent a large portion of his career at the Danish Superliga side FC Copenhagen, having arrived in 1997 from Lyngby BK together with the new CEO Flemming Østergaard...
, football player - Jens Martin KnudsenJens Martin KnudsenJens Martin Knudsen was a Danish astrophysicist. During his scientific career Knudsen authored or co-authored more than 100 scientific articles, and was a long time advisor to NASA.-Early years:...
, football player (goalkeeper) - Heidi AndreasenHeidi AndreasenHeidi Andreasen is a Faroese swimmer.She represented the Faroe Islands at the 2000 Summer Paralympics, winning three silver medals, in the S8 50m freestyle, the S8 100m freestyle, and the S8 400m freestyle, and a bronze in the S8 100m backstroke.She was the Faroe Islands' sole representative at...
, swimmer, three time silver medallist and two time bronze medallist ParalympianParalympianA Paralympian is an athlete who has participated in the Paralympic Games.A Paralympic athlete has a physical disability. The disability can be amputation, spinal cord injuries, visual impairment or cerebral palsy. An exception is the sighted guides for athletes with a visual impairment... - Bjørk Herup OlsenBjørk Herup OlsenBjørk Herup Olsen is a Faroese athlete. She is until now the best female middle and long distance runner in the Faroe Islands. Herup Olsen has won several Danish Junior Championships and holds several Faroese records. Bjørk is running for the Faroese club Bragdið and for the Danish club Helsingør...
, middle and long distance runner, DanishDenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
Junior Champion. - Gunnar Nielsen, football player (goalkeeper) for Manchester City Football ClubManchester City F.C.Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, the first Faroese football player to play in the Premier League. - Regin VagadalRegin VagadalRegin Vagadal is a strongman from the Faroe Islands. He was seven times Faroe Islands Strongest Man from 1994 to 2000. And participated in the World's Strongest Man finals of 1996 and 2000.- Biography :...
, a strongman