Faroese literature

In the Middle Ages many poems and stories were handed down orally. These works were split into the following divisions: "sagnir" (historical), "ævintyr" (stories) and "kvæði" (ballads, often set to music and dance). These were eventually written down in the 19th century.

In the 13th century the "Færeyinga saga" ("Saga of the Faroe Islanders") was written in Iceland. It tells the story of the settlement and early history of the Faroe Islands, though it is doubtful that it is entirely historically accurate.

Faroese literature in the traditional sense of the word has only really developed in the past 100-200 years. This is mainly because of the islands' isolation, and also because the Faroese language was not written down in a standardised format until 1890. The Danish language was also encouraged at the expense of Faroese. Nevertheless, the Faroes have produced several authors and poets. In the early 1800s the liberalist Nólsoyar-Poul Poulson tried to end the trading monopoly that was affecting the islands. He wrote many poems, including his most famous work "Fuglakvæði". Other poets include the brothers Janus and Hans Andreas Djurhuus, and Rói Patursson. Other famous authors from the Faroes include Heðin Brú ("The Old Man and His Son"), Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen (who wrote in Danish) (known for his sole novel "Barbara") and William Heinesen ("The Black Couldron," who also wrote in Danish).

Both Heinesen and Patursson has been awarded The Nordic Council's Literature Prize.

Most famous Faroese writers

* Heðin Brú
* Joen Danielsen
* Hans Andrias Djurhuus
* J.H.O. Djurhuus
* Karsten Hoydal
* Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen
* Martin Joensen
* Poul F. Joensen
* Christian Matras
* Kristian Osvald Viderø

See also

*Art of the Faroe Islands
*Music of the Faroe Islands

Further reading

* Brønner, Hedin. "Faroese Short Stories". The Library of Scandinavian literature, v. 16. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1972.
* Landt, Jørgen. "A Description of the Feroe Islands Containing an Account of Their Situation, Climate, and Productions : Together with the Manners, and Customs, of the Inhabitants, Their Trade, &C". London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1810.

External links

* [http://www.rit.fo/en/Bokmentir.asp Faroese writers's association]
* [http://www.flb.fo National Library of the Faroe Islands]