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May 15, 2013

Situated between the Faroe Islands’ lush valleys and the surrounding Atlantic Ocean is the tiny fjord-side village of Gøta, home to 400 people, all set to embrace the eclectic beats of the annual G! Festival, taking place on 17, 18 and 19 July.  Stages will be erected on Gøta’s beach and football pitch, the surrounding green fields will turn into campsites and the villagers will throw open their doors to visitors…

The Faroe Islands’ Phelps: Pál Joensen, Olympic Swimmer

July 27, 2012

Born in December 1990 on the Faroe Islands’ southernmost island of Suðuroy, Pál Joensen began to emerge as a top-class swimmer in 2007 at the World Aquatics Championships in Melbourne. During the early part of his career, Pál trained near his home in a tiny 12.5-metre pool before upgrading to a 25-metre pool with four lanes in the town of Vágur, where he still lives. Favouring 800-metre and 1500-metre freestyle races, Pál has been coached by Jón Bjarnason since 2006. He will be competing in the London 2012 Olympics. Yet, because the Faroe Islands exist under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, this tiny 18-island nation, located 300 km north ofScotland, is not entitled to have its own Olympics team; hence Pál will compete on the Danish team.

Pal will be competing in the following Olympic events:

-        Saturday 28 July, 400 metre freestyle (heats and final)

-        Tuesday 31 July, 200 metre freestyle (heats and final)

-        Friday 3 August, 1500 metre freestyle (heats)

-        Saturday 4 August, 1500 metre freestyle (final)

Pál near his hometown of Vágur

For further information: www.paljoensen.com

Join the fun of the Faroe Islands’ Tórshavn Marathon

July 25, 2012

An utterly unique run celebrates its tenth anniversary

From 30 runners in 2003, to 111 in 2011, the annual Atlantic Airways Tórshavn Marathon has built up significant local and also global participation over the past decade. Testament to this is the participation of four runners from the UK this year, plus several from Denmark, Germany and the United States.

Organised by the Bragdið Athletic Club, the 42.2 km Tórshavn Marathon, taking place this year on 2 September, is guaranteed to be one of the most scenically-memorable marathons one could ever have the pleasure of running. Starting in the tiny and quirky capital of Tórshavn, with its multi-coloured houses, grass roofs and ninth century buildings, athletes run through the town and then head out northwards. An enchanting landscape of lush slopes, waterfalls, lakes and volcanic rock follows, as runners continue on tarmac roads, across ten cattle-grids, over two 100-metre hills and past a serene and stunning fjord. The route leads through the village of Kaldbak, situated on the east coast of Streymoy, home to a population of 221 and connected by road as recently as 1980.

Summer on Suðuroy

April 4, 2012

Home to an Olympic swimmer, wonderful for walks and where the first-ever Faroese flag can be found

Suðuroy, the most southerly of the Faroe Islands, has lots to offer those looking for a summer break that involves history, culture and raw nature. It is also the birthplace and home of swimming champion, Pál Joensen, who trained in a 12.5 metre pool on the island to be selected to swim in the London 2012 Olympics. Yet, because the Faroe Islands exist under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Denmark, this tiny nation, located 300 km north of Scotland, is not entitled to have its own Olympics team; hence Pál will compete on the Danish team.

The Faroe Islands is, however, self-governing, with its own Parliament and flag…