Quotes:

Bill Clinton, Former US president:

Beautiful Islands And Happy People

“When I was driving in from the airport today I was looking at these beautiful islands. … I looked at the old-fashioned roofs with the grass on it and I was thinking how far ahead of us you are now. All over America we are in a mad rush to green all of our roofs – to put vegetation on our roofs to cut down the electric costs and the CO2 emissions that come from having inefficient buildings. And then I walked down the street and everybody seemed happy. And I thought that the best thing I could do is just say nothing today because these people are doing just fine!”

Quote from Bill Clintons Speech at the Nordic House in Tórshavn in October 2007.

Eric Cambell, Reporter in the Australian TV-programme ‘Foreign Correspondent’:

The Next Country

“The Faroe Islands could very well be the world’s next country!... Remote and intriguing, they look like something out of a Norse fairy tale. People live in log houses with turf rooves, speak an ancient Viking language and delight in dressing up in traditional costume and singing Norse ballads. "

Watch Eric Campbell's excellent documentary about the Faroe Islands.

Simon Anholt, Nation Branding adviser to several governments:

The Shangri-La Of The West

“I've just been asked to contribute a section to the forthcoming Bradt Guide on 'Shangri-La' (usually their guides are about real places, but this time they decided to do one on a fantasy location). I made the point that Shangri-La is always assumed to be in the East, but that's just because the dominant culture when the legend was invented was in the West: today, when most of the economic power comes from the East, Shangri-La ought to be in the West, because of course that's far more exotic in Chinese or Indian eyes. Naturally, I proposed the Faroes as the true Shangri-La for the 21st century!”

SIMON ANHOLT is the adviser to several governments in nation branding issues, including UK and USA. Introduced the world to the term ‘Nation branding’.

Charlotte Munck, Danish actress:

You feel alive wheN life is a Matter Of Survival

“There are two places in the world I would like to live. New York or the Faroe Islands! Somehow these two places make me get in touch with my primal inner self. I think you feel most alive at places where you are confronted with the fact that life really is a matter of survival.”

Charlotte Munck is best known for her leading role in the Danish TV Series Anna Phil

Christine Feldthaus, Danish Life Style Guru:

SUPER EXOTIC AND EXCITING TO GREEN CONSUMERS

"The Faroes are quirky in a cool way. The Faroes could easily be made into the green consumer's cultural stronghold. You have no idea how unspoiled you are. And it's cool. You live in an anti-materialistic environment because you have no great advert hoardings. The multinationals have not ruined the the natural and the urban landscape in the Faroes, the way it's been ruined elsewhere in the world. There are no skyscrapers, no neon signs. But you have a lot of exciting art, craft, music, handicrafts, food and other unique cultural qualities, which you won't find elsewhere. The green consumer, also called the 'cultural elite' - with a lot of money, finds some Galapagos in the Faroe Islands. They can score a lot of points by telling others that: 'we travel to the Faroe Islands'. In this segment is it bad taste to go to Majorca and other 'sun paradises'. These people want something more, something authentic. To them, the Faroe Islands are super exotic, exciting and stinky fashionable. The islands recall a time when the world was not yet gone mad. In the Faroes there's something mystical, secret, stories and legends, something adventure-like. In short: You have a fantastic story to tell and sell to the green consumer."

Stephen Metcalf in the New York Times:

The Most Moodily Beautiful Place

“The Faroes are easily the most moodily beautiful place I have ever been. Each island is a giant slice of elaborately tiered basalt, tilted to one side and covered in green, tussocky felt. Streamer clouds, almost mannered in their perfection, encircle the mountains. Rocky cliffs, topped in arêtes and tarns, plunge into the sea, while up from the water jut massive, looming sea stacks. It rains here a lot, and waterfalls flow pretty much continuously.”

Quote from an Article published in New York Times Travel, T Style Magazine March 25, 2007. Watch also Stephen Metcalf's little film about slaughtering of lambs in the Faroes.

Karl Ritter, Associated Press Writer:

The Lord Of The Rings Country Of The North

“The Lord of the Rings analogy is never far away in the Faroe Islands, a barren and wind-swept archipelago whose volcanic peaks shoot out of the Atlantic Ocean halfway between Iceland and Norway.”

Pétur Ben, Icelandic Musician:

A Place Of Magic

"I certainly think that the Faroes are the sort of place where wonderful things can happen. I believe it to be a place of magic."

Pétur Ben played at G! festival in 2007

Nadia Marquart Otzen – Danish filmmaker:

Dramatic And Lively

“I prefer the Faroe Islands in the winter. The light and the colours are absolutely amazing during wintertime. The storms are scary and really fascinating to experience. You’re shaken into your bones. And the night life... Gosh, the Faroese know how to party! The Faroe Islands is indeed a very dramatic and lively place.”

Nadia has made the film "Black Summer "in the Faroes together with Kristoffer Sonne. They live in London.

Suzanne Brøgger - Danish author and jazz singer:

A Cosmic Experience

“It’s a cosmic experience. The Faroe Islands is a country which is – and is not. It is in constant flux. It keeps disappearing: One moment it’s lost in the fog, and suddenly – there it is again in all its magnificent beauty. Like magic. Like reality and fairytale in one. In these majestic surroundings you become almost painfully confronted with life’s vulnerability – and that is really inspirational. That is probably why creative people thrive here and why such magnificent art on an absolute top international level is created here. Actually, I was invited to the island Antigua to sit under a palm tree, but I preferred to visit The Faroe Islands – maybe because it suits my temperament more.”

Quote from an interview with Suzanne Brøgger in Faroese National Radio

Matthew Workman - Former Reporter at KTVL:

The Faroese Model Pretty Attractive

“There is something charming about a place where a person can IM the lead singer of the country's biggest rock band. Where a person can read a story in the newspaper, send a text message to the Foreign Minister to voice an opinion, and actually get a personal reply. I'm well aware that there are drawbacks to living in a place where everyone is in everyone's business and it's impossible to run away and reinvent your self. But when you come from a place where people spend too much time sequestered in their cars or in small stucco fortresses, the Faroese model can look pretty attractive.”

Matthew Workman is a Journalist from Oregon and the Host of the Faroe Islands Podcast referred to on this site.

Yazzy Ouhilal - Photographer, Surfers Magazine:

A Unique Place

“With giant cliffs in the backdrop and waterfalls and sheep as our only witness, we all agreed this was a unique place, especially with no other surfer in sight for thousands of kilometres.”

Ricky Whitlock - Pro surfer from California:

Best Surf Trip Ever

“This was one of the best surf trips I’ve ever been on!”

Nur Elsa Abdullah, a Muslim visiting the Faroes:

JUST IMAGINE WHAT HEAVEN LOOKS LIKE 

"I think only one word can describe Faroe Islands for me. Magical. It is truly magical. When I was going around, looking at the mountains and seas, one thought accompanied me the entire time. Just imagine what heaven looks like... The views, I have no words to describe the views. The air was so fresh, it was really like living in another universe. There were a lot of time I had to calm my heart for it felt like bursting in awe of the magical lands. The pictures that I took didn’t do justice to the places."

Luis Manso - Exchange student from Spain:

Reminds Me Of The Shire

“I´ve been living in the Faroe Islands for a whole year. Let me tell you what a wonderful place is... It is quiet, relaxed and so nice when it’s sunny and not windy... It reminds me of the scene of the Shire of The Lord of the Rings... The green of the grass is so pure and the blue of the sky is so clean. Awesome! Don´t miss it!“

A tourist’s remark:

Incredibly Fresh Air

“I haven’t had so much fresh air in my lungs in London in 8 years that I have had here in just 20 minutes! It is incredibly fresh! I can’t get enough - I just love it!”

The remark was made onboard Norðlýsið, a schooner which sails sightseeing tours, by an unknown tourist.

A tourist’s remark about the village Gjógv:

Impossible To Leave

“Difficult to come to. Impossible to leave.” 

Remark made by unkown tourist.

Fiona Daniels, tourist from London:

Best Holiday Ever

"I can honestly say that my holiday in the Faroe Islands was one of the best I’ve had. The fresh air, beautiful scenery, wonderful locals and thriving music scene made me want to stay for much longer than the ten days I’d planned. I’m definitely going back next summer for the festivals and another fishing trip!"

Tammy Prest, tourist from Montreal, QC:

Go Cod Fishing!

"The people are really friendly. The landscape is amazing.. Will be back for sure one day! And for the fishermen out there... go cod fishing!"

Kelly Kozlowski, tourist from Massachusets:

Already Planning To Go Back

"I just spent three amazing weeks there and am planning my next trip back."

Simon Heptinstall, Travel writer from UK:

Eat Blubber....

"Eat some blubber for me folks, i'll be back one day..."

Laura Chandler - Young tourist from London:

Best Place In The World

“The Faroe Islands are the best place in the world. The night club Rex is the best club ever!”

Donald Lucas - Tourist from Sierra Leone:

Grass Roofs And Waterfalls Are Cool

“I have been there, it’s amazing! (I was there during a summer.) It’s probably the only place that has more sheep than people, but the people are so warm, friendly and hospitable. I'll say it’s the most peaceful place on earth, in my opinion, and those grass roofs are cool! Not to mention the water falls!”

Roger Redford - Tourist from Manchester:

Biggest Mistake To Leave The Faroes

“I'm from Manchester but I have family from Sandoy. My granddad was in the British Army up there during the war. He met my grandmother who was from Sandur. Said he watched this beautiful woman at the dances for months before he plucked up the courage to approach her... how romantic. Then he married her and took her back to Leigh, near Manchester... a mining town back then, and believe me, not at all romantic.... Biggest mistake of their life leaving the Faroes!”

Jenine Marie Garrioch - Exchange student from BC, Canada:

The Best I Have Ever Met

“I am from BC, Canada but I spent 11 months in Fuglafjørður, Faroe Islands... I LOVED IT!! The people there were the best I have ever met! I can't wait to go back and visit my best friend!”

Nick Anstead - Tourist on www.addictedtotravel.com:

Breathtaking And Fun

“What struck me about these islands was the dramatic mountainous/volcanic scenery. Although the hills are quite bare in many places, when it rained, numerous gushing waterfalls formed cascading down to the sea and sounds - breathtaking. The cost of living wasn't too cheap but the people were very friendly and delighted to welcome visitors. Island hopping on the local ferries was fun, as was hiking from village to village, seeing 1000's of puffins and witnessing almost day-long sunlight. I'll return one day - perhaps island hopping north from the Shetlands next time!”

Berit Willumsgaard - Danish tourist:

What I didn’t know about the Faroe Islands is…

"That it took only two hours to fly to the islands from Copenhagen.
That it was so beautiful – already seen from the flight.
That a landing can be so short.
That 20.000 people live in Tórshavn, the capital.
That everybody speaks Danish without hesitation (Red.: And most people speak English as well).
That the money is Faroese but the currency is Danish.
That Faroese nature is so incredibly beautiful – even on a rainy overcast October day.
That the Faroese are SO helpful.
That there are 6 taxi companies in Tórshavn – and that they do not use taximeters but ‘zones’.
That the Faroese people are so fashionable when you think of they have to import almost everything.
That the houses are so cosy.
That the weather can change so fast.
That there is such a lively nightlife.
That it is more expensive to run a sheep down than a person.
That the horses are able to easily run up the mountain sides with 65 kilos on their backs.
That the Faroese eat sheep heads with potatoes, gravy made of sheep fat, sausages made of sheep intestines, raw blubber from pilot whales and fish and sheep meat that has been hanging on the side of a wall outside for a long time.
That a flight can take off so fast.
I will DEFINITELY return to the Faroe Islands!”

A Final Remark By The Editor:

Unspoiled Frontier

Final remarks by this sites webmaster: “People seem to get more and more interested in finding new unspoiled frontiers to explore – like the Faroe Islands. In a world that spins faster and faster and where globalization evens all cultures out, people long back to nature, purity and uniqueness, and we, here in the North, can deliver that: A fantastic mix of modern society and a very powerful and timeless nature. It is the contrasts that make it so intense and interesting.” The Editor of this website, ELIN BRIMHEIM HEINESEN, is also the Former Managing Director of SamVit – Faroe Islands Trade Council and Tourist Board