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Highlights
The Faroe Region is an internal autonomy of the Kingdom of Denmark, independently managing almost all issues, excluding the topic of defense and foreign policy. The archipelago includes 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. Out of 48 thousand local residents about 20 thousand live in the capital or in the suburbs.
There are two official languages on the islands - Faroese and Danish. Moreover, the vast majority of residents are native speakers of the Faroese language, which is a mixture of Western Scandinavian dialects and is widely used in almost all spheres of life.
Climate and weather
Faroe Islands located in the very center of the warm Gulf Stream, which causes a constant off-season: there are 280 rainy days a year. Despite the fact that the islands seem to have no boundaries to the seasons, the climate is quite mild. in winter average monthly temperature ranges from 0 °C to + 4 °C, and in summer - from +11 °C to +17 °C. The rainy season falls in September - January, and then the archipelago is covered with fog, preventing the sun's rays from reaching the surface.
Thanks to the warm sea current, the water on the islands has almost the same temperature - +10 ° C - all year round, which creates all the conditions for the development of fishing.
Nature
Holidays in the Faroe Islands are a holiday in the lap of nature in its original form. Due to frequent strong winds, the islands are mostly treeless; sometimes you can find mountain ash, maple, and conifers. A significant part of the islands' territory is occupied by peat bogs, meadows, and mountain ranges.
In their free time, fauna lovers can diversify their vacation on the islands by observing colonies of seabirds, seals, whales, and dolphins.
There are a huge number of sheep in the archipelago. The latter were once brought to the local hills by the Celts. The local endless pastures have attracted the attention of sheep, and today there are two sheep for every local resident.
Attractions
The Faroe Islands are the most comfortable to visit in summer months when precipitation is unlikely and the weather is warm.
The excursion program in the Faroe Islands is varied: visits to the capital Tórshavn, small villages, bird colonies, a boat trip in coastal waters.
The capital of the islands, the city of Tórshavn, lies in a picturesque area. The main part of the city juts out over the fjord, offering stunning views of wild mountains and steep cliffs. It's very quiet here, the only noise is central square and piers, where continuous work is in full swing. Streets far from the center are usually small and cramped.
The main attraction of Tórshavn is the Munkastovan Monastery, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. Muncastowan is one of the few buildings that escaped the great fire of 1673. Another building that also survived the fire is the Leighubün royal warehouse.
Curious travelers will be interested in a trip to Historical Museum, which has in its collection ship models, household items of local residents, fishing tackle and agricultural tools from Viking times to the present day, as well as objects of religious value.
After a stroll through Vidarlund Park, you can stop by the Art Museum and admire magnificent examples of sculpture and painting.
There is also an “island of birds” in the Faroe Islands - Fugloy, which received its name for its majestic cliffs inhabited by multi-million colonies of seabirds.
To the north of the settlement of Skarvanes is the beautiful sea cliff Tretlkonufingur (“troll woman’s finger”).
At the end of July (28–29th), the Faroese celebrate their main holiday - St. Olaf's Day. These days, usually reserved locals go on a wild rampage of emotions. The festival is named after Olaf II, who, as King of Norway, introduced Christianity to Scandinavia and began the fight against paganism.
Traditionally, celebrations include rowing competitions, horse racing, dance and religious processions, and art exhibitions.
Kitchen
to his national menu The inhabitants of the Faroes owe it to the harsh climate of the islands. Traditionally local dishes consist of meat and fish. Faroese delicacies - sheep's head, whale blubber and skärpikjet (dried lamb) - are a must-try for gourmets. Well, lovers of traditional cuisine will be happy to serve fried lamb in local restaurants. Tourists also have the opportunity to taste puffins (these are birds) exquisitely stuffed with sweet dough and served with sweet berries and potatoes. Rhubarb, which is widely eaten, will also be new to many people.
Alcoholic drinks can officially be consumed on the islands from the age of 18. Light beer is sold everywhere, but strong dark beer, low-alcohol drinks and wine are sold only in state monopoly stores major cities and licensed restaurants.
Lunch at local restaurant will cost a tourist an average of $30, in higher-level establishments - $45–50, excluding alcohol. You can have a snack at a local cafe for much less.
Hotels
Upon arrival on the islands, you can stay in the capital's three-star hotels "Tórshavn" or "Streim" or in the more comfortable "Hafnia" and "Feroyar". In all hotels, tourists will be offered rooms with private amenities, transfer to/from the airport, free Wi-Fi throughout territories. The cost of living is quite high - from $120, but there are seasonal discounts.
More budget option will become guest houses and hostels. The most popular of them are Skansin and Bládýpi, but they need to be booked several months in advance. There are also mini-hotels operating on a bed and breakfast basis. Prices here start at $80 and depend on the time of year.
For travelers who prefer outdoor recreation, there are campsites located in specially designated areas. The Faroe Islands have a very strict attitude towards order, so campers in tents are required to remain clean and thoroughly clean upon departure.
Entertainment and relaxation
There are many varieties of fish in local waters, so fishing is very popular among locals and vacationers. By the way, local law allows you to export any fish longer than 30 cm from the country, which has long been prohibited in most European countries.
The Faroe Islands are interesting for wreck divers: in the local coastal waters you can find sunken ships. Near Nolsoy Island it is interesting to watch the underwater life of seals.
Lovers nightlife can spend time in the capital's clubs Rex or Eclipse. The latter allows visitors no younger than 18, but no older than 25.
Shopping
Of the Faroese souvenirs, the most interesting are the numerous woolen products, ceramic and wooden crafts.
Due to the rather harsh climate, woolen clothing is held in high esteem among the islanders. Here you can always buy a fashionable sweater, gloves or hat at attractive prices.
Most shops are open from 9:00–10:00 to 17:30–18:00. On Friday, many remain open until 19:00. On Saturdays, all retail outlets operate on a reduced schedule - from 9:00 to 12:00, 14:00 or 16:00; on Sundays they are usually closed.
Transport
The Faroe Islands have a developed bus system. route network, ferries run between the islands. The capital has red local buses with four routes, which can reach almost all areas of the city. The waiting interval is half an hour in the morning and daytime; in the evening it increases to one hour. Blue Bygdaleiðir buses are the transport link between the islands. Maps of routes and timetables for passenger transport can be purchased at Steinatún kiosks.
The best way to get to the islands themselves is by plane. The only one international airport Vagar is located on the island of the same name near the village of Sorvagur. Tourists can rent a car to travel around the islands. In order to rent, you must have an international driver's license, a credit card and be over 20 years old. Rental prices start from $60 per day.
Connection
Standard mobile communications on the islands - GSM. There is also an analogue version, but it has almost been replaced by the digital format.
Local mobile operators are Foroya Tele and Kall P/F. Roaming in their networks is available to subscribers of the main mobile operators in Russia.
Tourists can purchase a local mobile phone SIM card at Teleshops, hotels, post offices and gas stations.
In the Faroe Islands, there are sufficient numbers of public telephones (they work on credit cards and coins). When calling abroad, you need to dial 00, the national code and the number of the called subscriber.
You can use the Internet in an Internet cafe. Most hotels provide wireless connection on their premises.
Safety
When traveling around the islands, you don’t have to worry about the safety of your property - the crime rate here is extremely low. In order not to spoil your holiday, it is enough not to leave personal belongings unattended, not to take large sums of money with you, to be polite to local residents and not to abuse night walks. If necessary, the police are always ready to help.
If during your trip you need medical assistance, you can rest assured that it will be provided at the highest level. The central hospital is located in the capital and has an excellent medical base.
Business
Registering a business in the Faroe Islands takes only a few days. The most common forms are a joint stock company, suitable for large companies, and a limited liability company. In order to start your own business here, you need to have a legal address on the islands. Another condition is a resident of the Kingdom of Denmark as one of the participants in the case.
The minimum authorized capital for a joint stock company is approximately $85,000, for a limited liability company - about $20,000. For registration you will also need a draft memorandum of association, articles of association and an application.
Foreign companies can enter the Faroese market by opening branches. A resident of the islands or Denmark must also be appointed as the head of the branch.
From the point of view of taxation, business legislation, and accounting standards, the Faroe Islands provide optimal conditions for the development of companies. Legal regulation business activity is similar to Danish and adheres to EU standards.
The main business in the archipelago is concentrated in the service sector and the fishing industry.
Local investment websites offer offers for entrepreneurs willing to invest in new ways to develop the fishing industry. At the same time, the Faroese are very interested in high-tech businesses that can offer environmentally friendly solutions for production.
Real estate
Purchasing real estate abroad is rightfully considered one of the most promising and long-term investments. The Faroe Islands may become great place for both temporary and permanent residence. They become especially attractive to people who love comfort and privacy, and who strive for order. Offers on the real estate market are varied - from a small studio apartment to a solid large house. The prices are quite attractive. A house with four bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large surrounding area will cost approximately $130,000.
However, those who decide to make such a deal should keep in mind that local banks do not provide mortgages for housing in the absence of a residence permit. In addition, local legislation requires appropriate permission from the Ministry of Justice for the acquisition of property by a foreigner.
Traveling to the islands is not a cheap pleasure. The price level here is quite high and is equal to the average European one. However, when leaving the country, tourists can make a VAT refund if they have a receipt from a store operating under the Tax Free system. The corresponding inscriptions are present at the entrance to the retail facility. To qualify for a tax refund, your one-time purchase must exceed $48.
Tipping is not accepted on the islands; the service staff's remuneration is usually already included in the bill.
Fishing is permitted only in certain bodies of water on the basis of a license sold in tourist offices. If a tourist intends to take fishing gear with him from home, then it must be sanitized before arriving on the islands. Instructions for fishermen can be found in tourist brochures. In streams and streams the fishing season is open from May 1 to August 31, in the sea - all year round.
When traveling, you should not forget about the local changing climate. On vacation, it won’t hurt to have warm clothes and several pairs of comfortable shoes for moving through mountainous terrain and trips to the sea.
Vaccination before travel is not required. Telephone emergency service - 112.
Visa information
To obtain a visa, you must contact the consular department of the Danish Embassy in Moscow at the address: Prechistensky Lane, 9.
Anyone wishing to obtain a visa must provide a visa application form, 2 photographs, a foreign passport (valid for at least three months after the expiration of the requested visa) with a copy, a national passport with a copy, confirmation of a hotel reservation, a certificate from the place of work (study), an insurance policy covering everything risks (the amount of insurance coverage should not be less than 30,000 €), a bank account statement or travel checks (at the rate of 50 € for each day of stay).
Sheep are considered the symbol of the Faroe Islands; they are also the most common animal on the islands. The Faroese coat of arms also features an ram.
The Faroe Islands are a group of islands in the northern part Atlantic Ocean between Scotland and Iceland. The Faroe archipelago consists of 18 large islands (17 of them inhabited) and many small islets and rocks. The largest island is Streymoy, with an area of 373.5 km². The Faroe rocks have a basalt structure.
The islands are dotted with numerous fjords, most of them are treeless due to strong winds, although many of them have plantations of mountain ash, maple and coniferous trees.
State symbols
Flag– a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 8:11 with a red Scandinavian cross with a blue border on a white background. The red cross on a white background is a modified version of the flag of Denmark (white cross on a red background), whose autonomous region is the islands. The blue border may have been added to indicate that the islands were formerly part of Norway. The flag was approved on April 25, 1940.
Coat of arms– the current coat of arms was finally adopted in 2004. It depicts a silver ram in a defensive pose with golden hooves and horns. The blue background color matches the blue of the Faroe Islands flag.
Sheep are a symbol of the Faroe Islands, their name goes back to them (Far. Føroyar in translation “Sheep Islands”). Sheep are the most common animals on the islands.
State structure
Faroe Islands – autonomous region of Denmark. They have their own legislature (Faroese Løgting) and their own executive body (Faroese Landsstüri), consisting of a chairman and members. The highest representative of the royal power (Ombudsman) performs a purely supervisory function in the Faroese Parliament.
The Faroe Islands are not an independent subject of international law: Faroese international treaties are signed jointly by the Danish leadership (represented by the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark or the Queen of Denmark) and the local Faroese Government.
Head of State- Monarch of Denmark.
Head of Government- Prime Minister.
Capital– Tórshavn.
Population– 48,500 people. Faroese make up 91% of the population, Danes - 5.8%, British - 0.7%.
Climate– temperate maritime, with warm winters and cool, humid summers. Fogs are frequent. Climatic conditions softened by the tropical sea current of the Gulf Stream, the water around the islands has a temperature of about +10° C all year round, which provides ideal conditions for the life of fish and plankton.
Economy. The main sectors of the economy are fishing, sheep breeding, and light industry. Export: fresh, frozen, filleted and salted fish, gelatin made from fish swim bladders, lamb, sheepskin, astrakhan fur and wool products, eider down and petrel down. Import: finished products – 36%, materials and semi-finished products – 32%, mechanical engineering – 29%.
About 2% of the land is cultivated. Main agricultural products: milk, potatoes, crop products, fish, sheep products.
At the beginning of the 21st century. A unique farm for artificially breeding halibut has been built in the Faroe Islands.
Currency– Faroese and Danish crowns.
Religion– mainly Lutheranism. 
Official languages– Faroese, Danish.
Sport– football, handball, volleyball, swimming, rowing are popular. The Faroe Islands are a member of FIFA and UEFA.
Flora
Most of the lowland area is occupied by meadows and thickets of heather, there are few trees, there are no forests, mostly only plantings. There are four species of willow. In mountainous areas, grassy willow is common; the other three species (filicolea willow, hairy willow and arctic willow) have become rare due to active grazing by animals. Herbs, mosses, and lichens are abundant.
The only non-introduced evergreen plant of the Faroe Islands is the common juniper. 
Fauna
The fauna of the Faroe Islands is much more diverse than the plant life. Colonies of Arctic birds live here, a lot of fish (herring, halibut, cod) and others sea creatures. The island is home to the famous Faroese sheep breed. It is mainly used for meat production, but the wool is used to knit traditional shawls in the Faroe Islands. 
Colonies settle on the Faroese cliffs guillemot(seabirds common in the northern hemisphere. During the nesting period they live on rocky coasts. They settle in large colonies that form “bird colonies”). 
Rookeries are being established in the Faroe Islands harp seals.
Culture
The distinctive culture of the Faroes is basically an interweaving of Faroese and Danish traditions. This applies to music and literature. The music features a variety of styles: from folklore to Viking Metal. The Faroese round dance is still popular; it has become one of the traditional components of Faroese festivals.
The main Faroese holiday is Ólavsøka. It takes place on July 28-29. The festival is named after St. Olaf, who introduced Christianity to Norway. During the festival there are rowing competitions in which villages compete with each other; horse racing; art exhibitions; dance and religious processions. In mid-July, the western part of the Faroese archipelago hosts the annual two-day Vestanstevna festival, in Klaksvuik on Northern Isles– Norðoyastevna, and on the South Island of Suuri – Jóansøka.
A jazz festival is held regularly.
The islands are famous for their hand-knitted shawls made from the wool of local sheep. They have an unusual butterfly shape and, unlike other types of shawls and scarves, due to their design they lie firmly on the shoulders, even if they are not tied.
Traditional whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands
From about the 10th century. There is whaling in the Faroe Islands. It is regulated by the Faroese authorities. About 950 are slaughtered annually grind(black dolphins). Pilot whale fishing is organized by communities and anyone can participate. Whalers surround pilot whales with boats, placing them in a wide semicircle. The boats then slowly drive the pilot whales into the bay or to the bottom of the fjord.
The Faroese consider the pilot whale fishery an important part of their culture and history. But animal rights activists say the trade is cruel and unnecessary.
Famous Faroese
Niels Ryberg Finsen (1860-1904)
Faroese-Danish scientist and physiotherapist, Nobel Prize winner in physiology or medicine. He was born and spent his childhood in the Faroe Islands, where his father held the position of amtmann - governor of the Danish crown. Developer of the scientific foundations of light therapy. In 1903 he became the first Danish Nobel Prize laureate.
William Heinesen (1900-1901)
One of the most famous writers of the Faroe Islands. Wrote in Danish. Known as a composer and artist.
Christian Mattress (1900-1988)
Faroese linguist and poet; the first Faroese to receive the title of professor. He made significant contributions to the study of Faroese literature and culture, as well as the Faroese language. Considered one of the most prominent Faroese poets.
Sights of the Faroe Islands
Fugloy ("Island of Birds")
The island's majestic cliffs are home to millions of seabird colonies.
There are two villages on the island: Kirkja south coast islands and Hattarvik in the east. 
Kalsoy Island
The most mountainous of the Faroe Islands. West Coast consists almost entirely of steep cliffs. However, there are four small settlements here east coast, which are interconnected by a whole system of tunnels. The island got its nickname Flute (“flute”) for its many underground galleries and caves.
Katlur Lighthouse on the northern tip of the island has a natural sea arch and dramatic cliffs.
Trötlkonufingur ("Troll Woman's Finger")
A beautiful sea cliff north of the settlement of Scarvanes.
Sandoy Island
The least mountainous of the islands of the Faroe archipelago, it is known sand dunes. On the terraces above Skopun village there are two beautiful lakes. On the island there is a church in the village of Sandur.
Munkastovan
Old monastery in Torshavn. The monastery was built in the 15th century. It is surrounded by a stone wall, which helped it survive the fire of 1673, when many city buildings (about a third of all buildings) burned down. The monastery was built according to the canons of the Gothic architectural style.
The capital of the Faroe Islands is Tórshavn
The population of the city is 12,393 people. Founded in the 10th century. The city is named after Thor, the god of thunder and lightning. Tórshavn literally means "Thor's harbor". 
Today, most of Tórshavn is built up with one- and two-story stone and wooden houses - exactly the same as those that can be found in any Faroese village or farm. Against the backdrop of the bright green hills surrounding the capital and the black coastal cliffs, these buildings painted in blue, dark blue, red, and orange, randomly scattered along narrow roads, are reminiscent of illustrations from fairy tales about gnomes and trolls. This impression is further strengthened by small trees and bushes sticking out on the roofs of some houses - according to tradition, the roofs of buildings in the Faroe Islands are covered with birch bark. A thick layer of turf is applied to the birch bark.
The history of the capital dates back to the first Viking settlements. Old buildings of the 17th-18th centuries. at the peak of the peninsula are the houses of the government of the Faroe Islands. The Parliament House in the city center was built outside the city in 1865.
Tórshavn today combines centuries of history with the amenities of a modern city.
West Church (Tórshavn)
Lutheran Church in Tórshavn. Its height is 40.5 m - this is the most tall building in the Faroe Islands. The church was built in 1975. In 2006, a monument to Sigmundur Brestisson, who initiated the Christianization of the islands and was killed in 1005, was erected in front of the church. The author of the monument is Hans Pauli Olsen.
History of the Faroe Islands
Initially, immigrants from Scotland lived on the islands, but at the beginning of the 9th century. Vikings began to visit the islands, and the Scots left them.
Until the end of the 14th century. The Faroe Islands were part of Norway, and after that the islands were owned by Norway together with Denmark, which in 1814 became the sole owner of the islands. The Faroese language is a descendant of Old Norse.
Strategic position of the Faroe Islands in North Atlantic attracted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. On April 11, 1940, he decided to station the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control during World War II following the German invasion of Denmark. British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945.
In September 1946, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. Denmark did not agree with this. Only on April 1, 1948, an agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty, but the Danish government continued to be in charge of the islands' foreign policy. 2 representatives of the islands permanently serve in the Danish Parliament.
Since 1984, the Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone, but the islands are located naval base Denmark and the NATO radar complex.
The Faroe Islands are considered part of Europe, but many do not even know exactly where they are. In Russia, the archipelago attracts attention on those rare occasions when the Russian national football team plays the Faroe Islands in World Cup or European Championship qualifiers.
Today, 50 thousand people live on the archipelago, consisting of 18 volcanic islands with a total area of about 1,400 square kilometers. The indigenous inhabitants of the island, about 98% of the population, speak one of the rarest languages in Europe - Faroese, related to Icelandic and Old Norse. The second official language in the Faroe Islands is Danish.
Until the end of the 19th century, sheep farming, which gave the islands their name, played a major role in the life of the Faroese, and sheep's wool was the main commodity in trade with Denmark. However, for more than a century, the main income for the inhabitants of the archipelago, located in the very center of the fish-rich Atlantic region, has been provided by fishing. Locally caught cod, salmon and halibut account for more than 99% of local exports.
This is not surprising if we remember that, according to the classic of Faroese literature William Heineson, the capital of Faroe, the city of Tórshavn, is, in fact, the famous “navel of the earth.” For the Faroese, Tórshavn is one of the most important places on earth, the very place where everything happens.
45 thousand Faroese believe that the archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic is the legendary Atlantis, which sank into the depths of the ocean many centuries ago. The exclusivity is evident.
Ancient history of the Faroe Islands
Modern Faroese are descendants of the Vikings, who at the end of the 9th century. they did not want to put up with the Zheto rule of King Harald Fairhair and sailed here, where previously brave sailors had visited only on visits. In the 11th century Christianity was brought here from Norway and for a short period the islands were subjugated to the Norwegian king Olaf Tryggvason. After his death, Norway's power over the islands was purely nominal, and in 1380, when the Danish-Norwegian Union was concluded, the islands became dual subordinates. When Norway dissolved the union in 1814, the islands remained with Denmark, which became the sole owner of the islands. The inhabitants of the islands have Scandinavian roots, and the Faroese language is a descendant of the Old Norse language.
In the period between 700 and 800, immigrants from Scotland settled on the island, but left the islands at the beginning of the 9th century, when the Viking campaigns reached the Faroe Islands. Starting from the 9th century, the Faroe Islands became a link in the system of transport communications between Scandinavia and the Viking colonies, which were located in Iceland, Greenland and, for a short time, North America.
Faroe Islands in World War II. British occupation of the Faroe Islands
The strategic position of the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic prompted British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to decide on April 11, 1940 to station the cruiser in the port of Tórshavn. The islands came under British military control in April 1940, during the Second World War, following the German invasion of Denmark. British occupation of the islands ended in September 1945. More than 8,000 British soldiers took part in the occupation.
Post-war history of the Faroe Islands
In September 1946, as a result of a closed plebiscite and vote, the Faroe Islands parliament announced the islands' secession from Denmark. This decision was ratified by parliament, which voted 12 votes in favor and 11 votes against. The island of Suduroy, the third largest in the entire group, announced that it remains part of Denmark. The Danish government declared the results of the plebiscite invalid and temporarily suspended the Faroese parliament. Another public opinion poll revealed a slight majority in favor of not secession from Denmark, and a parliamentary delegation was invited to Copenhagen for further negotiations.
In 1940 the Faroe Islands were occupied by the British fleet, and in 1948 the status quo was restored. An agreement was reached under which the Faroe Islands received limited sovereignty; the Danish government continued to be in charge of the foreign policy of the islands. 2 representatives of the islands permanently serve in the Danish Parliament. The Faroese, although they do not particularly feel the Danish “oppression”, do not let the metropolis forget about them. For example, the islands are not formally part of the European Union, having rejected this proposal in a referendum. National clothing and customs largely preserve the era of the sagas, when people believed in the stern Odin, the strong Thor and the gentle Freya. Monuments here often date back to the early Middle Ages. Tórshavn - in the capital of the Faroe Islands, it is worth taking a look at the Skansapakkusio building, the Munkastovan monastery, the Historical Museum and the Listaskalin art gallery.
Kirkcuber - Among the town's attractions are Magnus Cathedral, St Olav's Church, the ruins of St Brendan's Church and Roykstovan Farm. Saksun is a small village in the vicinity of which there are lakes Pollur and Saksunarvatn, Saskun Church and the Duvuvarur farm.
The Faroe Islands have been declared a nuclear-weapon-free zone since 1984, but the islands are home to a Danish naval base and a NATO radar complex.
To enter the Faroe Islands, Russian citizens require a visa issued by the consular department of the Danish Embassy.
The Faroes are a beautiful and rich country, with its own wonderful culture, in addition, the people here are closely connected with each other, now family and friendships mean a lot to the Faroese.
The difference between Danish and Faroese society is not obvious at first, but it is there. So, for example, in Denmark people value their employment first of all; there it is customary to call first, notifying you of your arrival, and even agree on the time of the visit. In the Faroe Islands, friends and acquaintances easily, without ceremony, drop in to see each other just to say hello. So I think the main difference is that Faroese people make time for each other to be together.
In the Scandinavian countries there is the “Jante Lofven Code”: no one has the right to put themselves above society, the most important rule of the Code is “don’t think that you are anything of yourself. And everyone obeys this unwritten rule, from the monarch to the mere mortal. There is something similar in the Faroe Islands. In this regard, things with public morality here are exactly the same as elsewhere in Scandinavia.
At the end of 2006, Faroese society was gripped by debate over the rights of sexual minorities to protection from persecution. Most local politicians opposed the adoption of the anti-discrimination law, considering it contrary to the Christian tenets on which Faroese society is based. Another significant event last year in the life of the Faroese was that the local ethics council banned the screening of the famous film “The Da Vinci Code,” considering the interpretation of the role of Christ blasphemous and contrary to the canons of Christianity.
The Faroe Islands are a very religious country, a religious society. But it should be borne in mind that in all religions there are radical movements, and there are such Christian extremists in the Faroe Islands. Of course, extremists are extremely negative about the law protecting people of non-traditional sexual orientation, but they do not express the opinion of the majority of the Faroese population. In Denmark, by the way, there are also ultra-Orthodox Christians, united in the Internal Mission organization; they are very similar to the Orthodox from the Faroe Islands, but in both cases we are not talking about the majority of the population. In fact, the Faroe Islands are a very open society; it may seem closed, closed in on itself, but in fact it is not. The people here are very friendly, generous and hospitable. And foreigners arriving in the Faroe Islands as tourists or moving here for permanent residence can confirm that they are received very kindly here. After all, the Faroese are sympathetic to everything new that comes into their lives.
The Faroe Islands (Faeroerne, Faroe Islands) are a possession of Denmark, occupying over 20 islands in the northeast Atlantic Ocean in the Norwegian Sea. Total area possessions - 1.4 thousand sq. km. 48.2 thousand people live on the islands, mainly Faroese. They have their own language, which is the official language here along with Danish. The Faroe Islands have their own coat of arms and flag and enjoy internal autonomy, although they are subordinate to Denmark. Administrative center Faroe Islands - the city of Tórshavn with a population of 15.6 thousand people. The islands are divided into 8 regions.
Faroe Islands - volcanic origin, up to 882 m high. The shores of the islands are heavily indented by fjords. The Faroese landscape is characterized by meadows, peat bogs, and heathlands. Faroe rocks - favorite place for bird markets.
The economic potential of the Faroe Islands is based on 260 fishing vessels. The fishing industry employs the majority of able-bodied Faroese. The second most important sector of the economy is livestock farming, specializing in raising sheep and producing milk. Local transportation is carried out by road and by sea transport. In terms of standard of living, the Faroe Islands are among the most prosperous countries in the world; they are reluctant to welcome visitors here, but tourists are shown hospitality..
The name means "Sheep Islands" in the local dialect. Sheep farming is very important for local residents, and wonderful blankets, sweaters and other products are made here from high-quality wool. Tourist season falls during the warm summer months from June to September. The Faroe Islands calendar has about two dozen official holidays. On June 28 and 29, the country celebrates National Olavsok Day, named after St. Olav, who preached Christianity in ancient Scandinavia. For two holidays in the capital of the Faroe Islands - Tórshavn - exhibitions, sports competitions, horse races, festive masses and noisy folklore performances are held. Around the same time, the Westanstevna festival, which is almost identical in program, takes place in the Western Faroe Islands.
Mainly eco-tourists come here. Skalafjörður, a picturesque fjord considered the best harbor in the Faroe Islands, will be of interest to lovers of hiking. Mykines is a tiny island in the northwest of the archipelago. Knukur Peak, Steyiskogurin Rock Garden and Holmgyogv Canyon are located here.
The islands, for the most part, are treeless due to constant strong winds, although sometimes there are conifers, maple, and mountain ash. Mosses and lichens are common.
Vegetation is mainly represented by meadows, peat bogs and heathland.
The Faroe Islands have a climate similar to the south South America and Tierra del Fuego, from there several species of Nothofagus (Antarctic, birch) and Maytenus Magellanicus were introduced.
Hatchet(lat. Lunda cirrhata), or Long-crested puffins (lat. Fratercula cirrhata) is a bird of the auk family. It has a bright appearance - a powerful red-orange beak, flattened on the sides, white cheeks, and tufts of long yellowish feathers behind the eyes. The color of the plumage is monotonous, black and brown. Paws are red.
They live on the Asian and American coasts of the northern part Pacific Ocean, south to California. Most often they can be seen flying along coastline close to the surface of the water in search of food for their young
The fauna of the Faroe Islands is quite diverse. Of primary interest are the colonies of Arctic birds and the waters rich in fish (herring, halibut, cod) and sea animals that wash the Faroe Islands. The island is also home to the Faroese breed of sheep.
Colonies of guillemots settle on the Faroese cliffs.
There are harp seal rookeries on the Faroe Islands.
In the Faroes, the Faroese kroner (FrK) and Danish kroner (DKK) are in circulation. Faroese banknotes, like Danish ones, are issued in denominations of 50, 100, 500 and 1000 kroner. The islands do not mint their own coins. There are Danish coins in denominations of 25 and 50 öre (1 öre = 1/100 kroner), 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 kroner.
The exchange rate of the Danish krone to the US dollar was - 5.560 (2008), 5.9468 (2006), 5.9969 (2005), 5.9911 (2004), 6.5877 (2003), 7.8947 (2002).
Up to 15% of Faroese GDP comes from subsidies to the metropolis.
The main sectors of the Faroese economy are fishing, sheep breeding, and light industry. The main products exported are fresh, frozen, filleted and salted fish, gelatin made from fish swim bladders, lamb, sheepskin, astrakhan fur and wool products, eider down and petrel down. About 2% of the land is cultivated.
Until the mid-19th century, sheep farming was the main source of income for the Faroes. Currently, the sheep population numbers about 80 thousand heads.
Here they are interesting facts writes Klara Kulikova about the Faroe Islands:
I've been to the Faroe Islands probably ten times. I have many acquaintances there, whom I am glad to see, regardless of the presence or absence of business. Acquaintances who, over the years of communication, have turned into friends.
I really like this place. First of all, I like my people. Contrary to the hysterics of whale defenders, the people there are very open, pure and virginal in many matters.
1. In the Faroe Islands, houses are not generally locked. The last time, instead of a hotel, we rented the top floor of a house: the owners lived on the ground floor, their daughter on the first floor, we took the top floor with three bedrooms, a separate bathroom and toilet. "Will we get the key?" – I asked the hostess. "No!" – she was quite surprised, why do you need him?
“You really don’t lock houses?” – I asked my old friend Birgir. “Why lock them?” - he, in turn, was surprised, - “I have five children, they always lose their keys, so we don’t lock our house!”
2. There is virtually no crime in the Faroe Islands. During the Cold War, the United States established a military base on the islands. In recent years it has been mothballed: only a few people were constantly there. Now, on the territory of the base there is a prison, where short term place local violators: usually for drunk driving. At the time of our arrival, there were already four people in the “prison”, the names of all four are known to all the islands. If you throw a bicycle on the side of the road, no one will touch it. If you drop your wallet on the road, it will be returned to you with a 99.9% probability, or it will be left in the nearest cafe/shop/shopping center.
3. On the question of whale hunting: the Faroese continue to live the same way they lived five hundred years ago. Civilization has changed them little. In addition to whale hunting, the Faroese slaughter their own sheep (a lot of people keep sheep). It's hard for a European to believe, but Faroese schools teach some pretty shocking science lessons.
A week before our arrival, Birgir’s twelve-year-old daughter brought a live sheep to class, killed it right in the classroom with a special air pistol, and gutted it in the classroom. The rest of the children helped her as best they could: in the Faroes this would not shock anyone.
“But why, Birgir?”– I asked in bewilderment. “Why? Not all children know how to do this now, she just taught them!”
4. Sheep's head is an exquisite delicacy in the Faroes. “What’s in it?” – I asked another friend of mine. “Like what? Eyes, brains, cheeks! That’s it!”
Frozen sheep's heads can be bought in the central supermarket of Torshavn (called SMS) and also in some small shops. For convenience, the head is sawn lengthwise, frozen and packaged in a vacuum bag.
5. To your great surprise, the Faroe Islands have a pretty good selection of products (unlike “hungry” Norway, whose supermarkets make you want to cry). Most of the products are frozen (and made in Denmark), but they are available. On sale there is delicious venison, a lot of seafood, as well as fresh locally caught fish. Smoked salmon is also locally produced and is also absolutely incomparable: I can say with full responsibility that neither in Ukraine nor in Russia they know how to make such fish.
6. In the Faroe Islands (unlike Denmark, to which the Faroe Islands de jure belong) there are very strict requirements for the sale of alcohol. There is only one store in Torshavn that sells beer of “regular” strength, as well as wine and vodka. Everything is very expensive. For some inexplicable reason, beer is only sold in multiples of six. That is, six, twelve, eighteen and so on cans or bottles. The limit applies to both packages (which actually contain six cans or bottles) and individual cans/bottles.
The question “if there are only five bottles left, won’t you sell them?” puts store workers into a specific stupor. Nobody seems to think about it there.
All other stores (including the largest supermarket in the Faroe Islands) sell light beer with an alcohol content of no more than 0.2%&
A similar situation with alcohol in the Faroe Islands was initiated back in the thirties of the last century. Alcohol was sold uncontrollably, many fishermen drank themselves to death, but in the thirties, men carelessly gave women the right to vote in elections.
The first (!) thing the women did after receiving their license was to push through a ban on the sale of alcohol on the islands. Complete ban.
The men tried to protest, but it was too late: the fisherwomen grabbed their husbands tightly by the balls.
The return of alcohol to any kind of sale continued for decades. And it continues to this day.
7. At the same time, the Faroe Islands produce a very good and very specific aqua vitamin, which is called HAVIÐ, with a strength of as much as 50.1 degrees. Such a fortress is the result of a marketing strategy, the essence of which is unknown to me.
8. Also, despite the prohibitions and restrictions, the Faroe Islands produce very good beer, and the “Black Sheep” variety is generally beyond praise.
9. One of my acquaintances in the Faroe Islands created an ideal business: he collected waste from fish processing plants (mainly pollock heads), then dried it, pressed it and sold it to poor countries in Africa. Why an ideal business? The raw materials are free, the market is huge, the idea is super, what can I say.
10. The Danish krone is in use in the Faroe Islands, but the piquancy of the situation is that the Faroe Islands have their own Danish krone, with a very special design. From my own experience, I can say that I have never held more beautiful money in my hands.
Tindholmur Island- one of the islands of the Faroe archipelago. Area - 6500 sq.m. Highest point- 262 m. Each of the small peaks has its own name: Ytsti, Arni, Lítli, Breiði, and Bogdi.
The island is uninhabited, but archaeological evidence suggests that people once lived on it.
Every year, the Faroe Islands catch and kill whales and pilot whales (black dolphins) in a traditional hunt known as "Grindadrap". The sea in the Faroe Islands becomes as bloody and creepy as the cruel ritual itself.
Faroese men often say that being involved in whaling makes them feel like real Faroese. Despite criticism from animal rights groups and the International Whaling Commission, the Faroe Islands population continues to kill thousands of whales year after year.
A mob of hunters drive whales and dolphins into a bay and then snap their spines, leaving the animals to slowly bleed to death. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), some whales struggle in agony for several hours. “Whales and dolphins are very intelligent creatures and they are capable of feeling pain and fear, just like us. They are forced to watch their relatives die in the blood-red water, awaiting their own death.”
Hundreds of pilot whales or black dolphins, as they are sometimes called, become victims of the Faroese every year. I don’t even know what definition to give to this bloody process... Some say, killing whales for the population of the Faroe Islands - a national pastime, others - a tradition, others - a vital necessity. I’ll probably focus on the tradition - don’t judge, as they say, lest you be judged. This event is on a national scale. On a certain day, I don’t know which one, apparently, when the supply of meat runs out, Faroese men slaughter pilot whales, and women and children gather with pleasure on the shore and look at this picture. In short, the entire population is involved - no one is indifferent.
Whaling has existed on the “remains of Atlantis” since at least the tenth century, and it is not regulated by the International Whale Commission, but by the Faroese authorities, due to - quoting Wikipedia - “the presence of disagreements over the competence of the commission in relation to small cetaceans.” I don’t know how to put it easier, because I didn’t really understand the meaning myself. It turns out that traditional, with a centuries-old history Pilot whale massacre in the Faroe Islands smoothly developed into some semblance public holiday. At least, according to eyewitness accounts, this is exactly what it looks like.
I don't know how to judge all this. On the one hand, it’s scary, creepy, disgusting, low and vile, and on the other hand, surely somewhere in Africa there are tribes in which people devour each other, but no one condemns them: well, there is, and there is, what can you do if This is their way of life.
Here's what eyewitnesses write:
Killing whales is a national pastime
In order to feel like men and breadwinners, the Faroese carried out mass slaughter of whales. The entire population took part in this. Men catch, and women and children watch and support.
Unfortunately, this cruel tradition continues to this day. But now whale hunting has become something of a national holiday on the islands. Not for the sake of food, but for the sake of blood, thirst for profit and satisfaction of their barbaric instincts.
They hunt here for pilot whales or, as they are also called, black dolphins. Pilot whales swim in a flock that blindly follows the leader. Once you lure him alone, everyone else will follow him to certain death. The whales are driven into shallow waters in special bays. They surround them with boats and drive them to the shore with stones, sticks, and harpoons.
The first time I learned about this “holiday” was soon after arriving in the Faroe Islands. Once I came to pick up my children from kindergarten and saw the excited faces of the teachers. Happiness and satisfaction were written on them. Gesturing excitedly, they said that today they went to watch how dolphins were slaughtered and took all the children there. They liked everything very much, and the children were absolutely delighted.
After that, the children in the kindergarten spent the whole week drawing pictures about how dolphins are slaughtered, how they are pulled out, killed, and pools of blood. The more terrible the picture, the more honorable place it was on the wall. The exhibition of children's works hung for a long time and was frightening in its appearance.
My children suffered deep psychological stress. One day they grew up and realized that death exists and walks nearby in the form of a Faroese man with a harpoon and a spear.
No one asked permission if it was possible to take the children to look at this horror. They were simply taken away because it was cool. Because many Faroese sincerely believe that the slaughter of whales is one of the most beautiful spectacles. And in the future, children were taken to this slaughterhouse more than once, although they were warned that they could not be taken there. But the teachers forgot everything at the moment of excitement from the upcoming action.
Through the eyes of an eyewitness
I do not know of a more barbaric spectacle that occurs with the approval of the government and with the participation of almost all people, young and old. This is real horror.
As soon as a pod of whales approaches the island, the Faroese drop everything and run to fish. People learn from the radio, from mobile phones and just from each other - today they are beating whales.
They run as fast as they can, just to be on time, just not to be late. They run with crazy eyes. Everyone is running, even pregnant women and young mothers, who grab their children, put them in strollers and also rush to the shore. Other children are dangling underfoot, they are being knocked down, now there is no time for children - whales are being beaten. Kindergartens and schools are brought there so that everyone can participate in the process and look at the bloody mess. How innocent animals are killed.
Just a couple of hours ago, kind and sweet Faroese people become wild animals. They make sure that the whales cannot escape from the shallow waters. With wild faces they throw stones at them, hit them with spears and knock them into a chaotic mass. Wounded animals become frantic and rush around in search of freedom. People rush towards them from the shore and finish them off right in the water. The whales, which are still alive, are stuck with hooks and sticks and dragged to the shore, where their throats are cut.
Women and children support the men, running through pools of blood. There is blood all around. The Sea of Blood is completely red. The entire coast is covered in the blood of innocent victims of Faroese cruelty. People's faces, hands, clothes - everything is covered in blood. Satisfaction on faces, smiles, joy, pleasure, buzz - this whole range of feelings can be read on all faces.
Thirst for blood plus thirst for freebies. After all the whales are dead, the cutting of the prey begins right on the shore. Children are very often involved in the process. They are allowed to tinker with the intestines and entrails. Shops in the Faroe Islands are overwhelmed various types meat, but whale meat is not sold there. Because it is given out for free at this slaughterhouse. Lists of those interested are created in advance on a special website. Why go to the store and pay money when you can get meat and satisfy your barbaric instincts.
On at the moment There is no need to slaughter whales. Faroese people do not die of hunger. The supply of food to the islands is well established, but, as the Faroese themselves explain, this is their sport. Yes, that’s exactly what they call this nightmare with pride and approval.
Photographs of the killing of whales are placed in newspapers, in advertising brochures for tourists, devoting entire spreads to this and publishing the most horrific scenes. They make videos about the killing of whales and then watch them with pleasure on long winter evenings, eating whale meat and lard at the same time. There is no regret, only delight that everything will happen again soon.
I would like to mention that this is not the only murder in which children are involved in the Faroes. Sheep farming is very common on the islands, and the slaughter of sheep is a family event in which all family members also participate. In front of the children, the sheep is cut and butchered, and the children then fiddle with the intestines with a smile on their faces. They take video and photographs of the process. For a long time, a book with a detailed photo report about this was very popular in the Faroe Islands. It happens that they do similar things in kindergartens. Probably so that those children whose parents do not have sheep do not feel deprived. They bring a sheep or some kind of sea animal to the kindergarten and butcher it together with the children. The children are given trophies - guts and so on. Once on the embankment, sailors set up a small open aquarium. Various sea animals swam in containers filled with water - crabs, starfish, fish, octopuses and others. They could be taken out and touched. Some children watched the animals with interest, while others simply picked them up and tore off their limbs, enjoying how they writhed and tried to escape. Parents looked at their children with approval and smiles, without making any comments to them and fully supporting these tortures. My children clung to me in horror and asked: “Mom, is this really possible?” Why don’t parents tell their children not to torture animals?” What could they answer to this?
Dolphins have long been considered the patrons of shipping and sailors. All sailors know the sign - before a storm, dolphins try to go to the depths and not appear on the surface, which sailors regard as a warning of an impending storm.
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Where does such unimaginable inquisitorial cruelty towards these creatures come from among the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands?
In fairness, it must be said that in modern world not everyone shares the romantic view of dolphins, considering them dangerous wild animals.
However, the final point in dolphin research has not yet been reached, and no matter what conclusion scientists come to, people have no right to the bloody barbarity occurring in the Faroe Islands.
Many centuries ago, during the times of the Vikings, the ancestors of the islanders lived in completely different conditions and different customs - these were cruel times of wars, deprivation, lack of food, and the terrible custom that arose in those days may have been a forced way for their survival.
But now, in modern conditions, with supermarkets littered with food, this barbaric “diet” of the Faroese is blasphemous.
“True Faroese” should remember that “cruelty cannot be the companion of valor” (Cervantes).
As the descendants of the brave Normans, it does not suit the Faroese to assert themselves through the bloody massacre of defenseless animals; a much more courageous act would be to decide to stop this bloody massacre as historically outdated and immoral. What do you think?
The Faroe Islands are located in the north Atlantic, in the open ocean, significantly north of Scotland. Officially they belong to Denmark, but in fact life on the Faroe Islands is subject not so much to the Danish crown as to its own laws and rules. Tourists are not welcomed here by azure waters, luxury hotels and well-trained bartenders serving colorful cocktails to vacationers on the beach. The nearest inhabited coast is Icelandic, and it is located 450 km away. But if you're looking for a place to get away from it all, the Faroe Islands are perfect.
In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the most the best islands in the world. It seems that even their residents more than agree with this characterization.
How to get to the Faroe Islands
By plane to Tórshavn with a transfer through Denmark (Copenhagen) or Norway (Bergen or Stavanger). The most popular local transport in the Faroe Islands is, naturally, water, and you need to travel between the islands by ferry. IN summer time You can also take a ferry from Bergen to Tórshavn.
Visa
The Faroe Islands are not part of the Schengen area. To visit these territories, it is necessary to obtain a national Danish visa, valid for entry into the Faroe Islands, in addition to the regular Danish Schengen visa. If the tourist already has a valid Schengen visa from another country, it is enough to apply for a national Danish visa with a note on entry to the Faroe Islands. List necessary documents and the process of obtaining a visa to the Faroe Islands is identical to the process of obtaining a Schengen visa to Denmark.
Search for flights to Copenhagen (the closest airport to the Faroe Islands)
A little history
In total, the Faroe Islands include 18 islands, and all but the last one, Little Dimun, are inhabited by people. The first inhabitants appeared on the islands around the 8th-9th centuries; then the islands saw the Vikings and served for some time transhipment point on their sea expeditions. The Faroe Islands were once divided between Norway and Denmark, but at the beginning of the 19th century they were completely taken over by the Danes. During World War II, the islands were occupied by Great Britain in response to the German capture of Denmark (this did not affect the course of the war in any way). The next year after the end of the war, the Faroe Islands were about to secede from the Danish kingdom, but that was not the case: the most that the islanders achieved was partial sovereignty.
In one of its publications, National Geographic magazine named the Faroe Islands the best islands in the world (this is a combined expert assessment of half a thousand specialists in the tourism industry). It seems that even their residents more than agree with this characterization. Despite the fact that the economy of the islands rests, figuratively speaking, on sheep and herring, the weather is gloomy, and fuel and other essential items have to be purchased on the mainland five hundred kilometers away, the standard of living in the Faroe Islands is one of the highest in the world. And almost all the islanders are ardent patriots who optimistically paint their houses in different colors in spite of the gloomy weather and gray skies.
Due to fishing taxes unacceptable to local residents, the Faroe Islands have not yet joined the European Union.
Faroese cuisine
Traditional Faroese dishes, dense and simple, are all quite interesting, but by modern standards they cannot be called healthy. Although local dishes, for obvious reasons, are often prepared from fish, the Faroese themselves prefer fatty and unsalted meat, in particular lamb, and potatoes from vegetables. However, recently in large populated areas More and more European establishments are opening. So you need to look specifically for traditional restaurants to try smørrebrød for breakfast (a sandwich with butter and meat, eaten with cutlery), for lunch - soup from dried cod and lamb kidneys, and for dinner a pie with puffin meat, rhubarb and potatoes.
Weather in the Faroe Islands
The climate here cannot be called mild: in summer it usually does not get warmer than +15 °C, it rains about 280 days a year, and the winds blow almost constantly. Therefore, there are few trees on the islands - solid rocks and moss, but there are a lot of carved picturesque fjords, bays, bays and mountains.
In winter, the islands are very wet and particularly cold. But the Gulf Stream washing them prevents the coastal waters from freezing and even maintains their temperature at about +10 °C. This season, when there are no people around and the water is especially clear, is considered ideal for diving enthusiasts.
3 things to do in the Faroe Islands:
- Buy and bring home to your grandmother several skeins of local first-class sheep wool for knitting. This can be done at almost any grocery store.
- Get to the town of Skopun on Sandoy Island, where the largest mailbox in the world is located. This is a huge blue structure several human heights, against which you should definitely take a photo (alas, the box is non-functional).
- Try local dried meat and fish snacks: whale meat and lamb in the Faroe Islands are dried in a dozen different ways, sometimes for a year.
Entertainment and attractions of the Faroe Islands
The main city of Faroe is Tórshavn on the island of Streymoy, and it is quite picturesque and specific. But, of course, those who travel to the Faroe Islands do not come to see the city's attractions. The main thing people come to the Faroe Islands for is amazing nature, solitude and the feeling that you are on the edge of the earth.
Tórshavn
The capital of the islands, Tórshavn, has a mixed atmosphere: partly port, partly metropolitan, partly even somewhat rural. Here it is worth visiting, first of all, the ancient monastery of Munkastovan, built in the 15th century and surrounded by a stone wall. In the 17th century, a major fire raged in the city, but the monastery escaped destruction. Also interesting is the main museum on the islands - the historical one, where various examples of applied art and worship, traditional household utensils and household items of villagers, fishermen and sailors are collected. The main cultural center of Tórshavn is the Nordic House, where a conference hall is open, concert hall, library and art gallery. On summer nights, special educational events are held here for tourists.
Faroe Islands: Fugloy, Kalsoy, Sandoy
Attractions Faroe is each island separately, each with its own special nature, cute rural houses under multi-colored roofs (and often covered with turf and grass), coastal cliffs in a foggy haze. In some you will find ancient Lutheran churches, in most - numerous flocks of sheep on green meadows, and in all - the cleanest air and cold blue sky, not polluted by industrial enterprises, which are not here.
Many of the islands have earned special fame due to the characteristics of the landscape, climate, flora or fauna. For example, on the island of Fugloy (“ Bird Island") sea birds nest in large numbers. Here, high, more than half a kilometer cliffs cut into the water, favored by millions of birds. The even more mountainous Kalsoy (“Pipe Island”) is surprising, however, not for its mountains, but quite the opposite - for its underground passages and caves. And the “flat” of all, Sandoy, is famous for something else: here you can admire wide sand dunes near the shore, and on the hill there are two beautiful lakes.
Faroe Islands
Active leisure
On the island of Vioi there is one of the most high cliffs in Europe, Enniberg, which climbers have tried unsuccessfully to conquer for many decades. And north of Skarvanes on the island of Kalsoy, the cape ends with a sharp prong sticking up - Tretlkonufingur, “Trollwoman’s Finger”. Amateur fishermen should go to the island of Streymoy, where Lake Pollur, the most fertile lake in terms of fishing, is located: there you can catch not only ordinary salmon, but also large halibut and eels. Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it overflows over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and falls straight into the ocean, and together with the rocky ridge in the background and the village in the middle, all this is a sight that is definitely worth see. And on the island of Nolsoy there are large seal rookeries - also an incredible picture.
Vagar Island is famous for the Slave rock with a lake located high in the mountains: the water from it overflows over a rocky cliff near the village of Gasadapur and falls straight into the ocean.
Culture and customs of the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands' own culture developed far from European civilization and therefore has largely retained its exclusivity to this day. This is a bizarre combination of Danish and native cultural heritage, which is well reflected by local folk festivals. For example, Faroese round dances are a very special phenomenon, without which not a single entertainment event is complete. You can see them, for example, at the festival of St. Olaf (Oulavsøk), who once baptized Norway, at the end of July, as well as at traditional rowing competitions between villages, horse competitions, and painting exhibitions. Oulavsöka embraces all the islands without exception, but in certain parts of the archipelago other festivals are held throughout the year - July Vestanstevna in the west, Noriyastevna in the north, Jouansöka in the south.
One of the specific traditions of the islanders, which causes at least ambivalence among guests of the Faroes, is the summer slaughter of whales.
Whaling
For more than a thousand years, the inhabitants of Faroe have been largely fed by whaling. Having discovered a school of whales (or rather, dolphins) entering the bay, they are surrounded by boats, driven to the shore and there, literally, they are killed with knives, causing all the water near the shore to change color. The tradition has drawn outrage from animal rights activists, but it is as characteristic of the local culture as round dances, and at the same time much more vital for a region whose only sources of income are, in fact, fishing, sheep farming and agriculture. Whale meat, a traditional and much-loved dish on the islands, is neither exported nor sold: it is eaten by the miners themselves, as in prehistoric times.
