Showing posts with label Faroe Islands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faroe Islands. Show all posts

July 28 - Olavsoka Eve in Faroe Islands

   Posted on July 28, 2022     


This is an update of my post published on July 28, 2011:


Isn't it nice when a nation celebrates the opening of its law-making sessions?


The people of the Faroe Islands have rowing competitions, art exhibitions, folk music, chain-dance performances, and calvacades (which are parades of people riding on horses) tonight—all to celebrate the opening of their parliament tomorrow!


The Faroe Islands are halfway between Norway and Iceland, far to the north in the Atlantic Ocean. Although the nation is self-governing, it is part of the kingdom of Denmark and depends on Denmark for military, police, justice, and foreign affairs.

There are 18 major islands, most of which are long and skinny, in the group.



The Faroe Islands boast cool summers and mild winters, but the sky is usually overcast. One special thing about the islands is that, although they have miles of coastlines, they lack beaches. Instead, most coastal areas have tall sea cliffs; as a matter of fact, the sea cliffs of these islands are the highest in Europe and some of the highest in the world.








Also on this date:






Plan ahead:

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June 5 - Father's Day in Faroe Islands

Posted on June 5, 2020

Back when people could travel for fun and fantastic photo ops...Faroe Islands was "THE" destination. I mean, come on:







Of course, with COVID-19 numbers dropping in many places, and rapid-response tests and antibody tests and vaccines being developed as fast as humanly possible... People are beginning to travel again, and tourism will pick up again.

In the meantime, Faroe Islands have no doubt been recovering from too many tourist footsteps.

This Faroese family is wearing the
national costume.
Faroese people have home-rule even though their land is not an independent nation, but is instead an "autonomous territory" of Denmark. Today they share with Denmark Constitution Day AND Father's Day.



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April 25 - Flag Day in Faroe Islands

Posted on April 25, 2019

The Faroe Islands are located halfway between Norway and Iceland, and also pretty much halfway between the United Kingdom and Iceland. But the islands don't belong to any of these nations; instead, they are part of Denmark!


Like other islands in the world, the Faroe Islands can be a strategic military target. Let's face it, it doesn't take as many soldiers to capture and control a small island as it does a nation on a continent - where help against the invading army can come from many different directions. If an army grabs control of an island, it can launch planes and ships from that position; also, food and weapons can be safely stored until needed.

So, in 1940, after Hitler and the Nazi troops invaded and occupied Denmark, U.K. military leaders decided that they needed to make sure that the Faroes stayed in Allies' hands. 

Look how much the Nazis dominated Europe and northern Africa during
the height of their power!


So the U.K. moved to occupy the islands themselves.

The United Kingdom made clear to the Faroese leaders that they were not conquering their island homes, because they were determined to hand back the islands once Denmark was "liberated from the foul thraldom into which they have been plunged by German aggression."

The Faroese cooperated with the U.K., of course.

British admirals pointed out that, since Denmark was under Nazi control, Faroese ships couldn't fly the Danish flag. So Faroese leaders decided to create their own flag. Notice the comparison between the Faroese flag (top) and the Danish flag (bottom).





Of course, British troops did indeed leave the Faroe Islands shortly after the war - after erecting a plaque thanking the Faroese for their hospitality. Because the Faroes had to operate independently of Denmark during the war, the Faroese felt less Danish than before, and in 1946 they were officially recognized as a self-ruling entity within the Danish realm. 

I would love to check out the Faroe Islands someday. They have some rugged landscapes!





And a "hanging lake"!









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