The first in a series of short podcasts from the 2017 G! Festival. Ras 2 journalist Jóna Nicolajsen talks to an American and Italian who are attending the festival for the first time. Check this space for more interviews as the festival continues.
Jul 13, 2017•6 min
This week, Heri Simonsen talks to Maurice Ross about managing the new Suduroy United football (soccer) team. The team is a merger of three clubs on the southern island that haven't had much success in the past, but are now contending for the Europa League spot in the EFFO League. Then we'll hear a live recording of Marius singing "Shades," which is a song so beautiful it will just rip you to shreds.
Jun 23, 2017•28 min
This week, we travel to Nolsoy to visit a cafe that has turned the tiny island into a live music destination. Maggie's is located in the basement of Terji Rasmussen's house, but this small venue is attracting some big names in Faroese music. We'll talk to Terji about the cafe, and listen to a little music.
Jun 15, 2017•31 min
We've noticed that our podcasts about whales get big download numbers, as do our shows on gay rights. So, we thought, how about doing a show about gay whales? Consider it done! We talk to Eiler Fagraklett, the head of LGBT Foroyar about a Faroese children's book that features... wait for it... a gay whale. OK, maybe it's gay. It's probably gay. So we read from the book and talk a little about how life has changed for LGBT people (sorry, whales) in the Faroes over the last ten years. Then we stan...
May 25, 2017•21 min
This week, we attend a World Cup Qualification match in Torshavn The Faroese take on Hungary in a surprisingly exciting match. Then we go out into the parking lot and swap scarves.
May 10, 2017•32 min
This week, we hitch a ride to the World Cup qualifying match between Hungary and the Faroe Islands. And we get some surprising results from various Faroe Islands football (soccer) matches.
Apr 20, 2017•21 min
This week, we talk to Mary Zahorsky. She was an exchange student in the Faroe Islands back in the 1970s and stayed with our own Elin Brimheim Heinesen. More than 40 years later, Mary returned to the Faroes to see the country again and reconnect with Elin. We ask Mary about her experiences back in the '70s and what it's like to be back. Then we go out dancing. Also, we tip our Faroese cap to KOKS. The restaurant recently became the first Faroese dining establishment to win a Michelin star. NOTE: ...
Mar 21, 2017•30 min
Last November, we discussed the curious case of Ove Logmansbo . He claimed to be a half-Polish, half-Faroese author who set a trio of crime novels in his "native" Faroe Islands. The books, written in Polish, contained some serious factual errors that suggested Ove wasn't who he said he was and that he may not have ever been to the Faroes. This week, it was revealed that Ove Logmansbo is actually Remigiusz Mroz, a famous Polish author who has written 30 books. And yes, he had never been to the Fa...
Feb 23, 2017•41 min
This week, we travel to Seattle to attend the Nordic Lights Film Festival. For the first time ever, the festival is playing a selection of Faroese shorts. We'll talk to festival organizers and to Heidrik, who had two selections playing.
Feb 20, 2017•22 min
This week, we talk to the head of Visit Faroe Islands to learn about the state of tourism in the Faroes today. Not long ago, many questioned why people would want to visit the Faroes at all. Now many are asking, "how much is too much?" Gudrid Hojgaard talks about the opportunities and challenges of this new tourism landscape. We'll also congratulate the U21 Handball team on their recent successes and visit one of the most touristed villages in the Faroes. If you're interested in visiting the Far...
Jan 30, 2017•26 min
As Christmas approached the Faroe Islands, so did a massive storm that brought winds as strong as a category 3 hurricane. Thousands of buildings were damaged and cars were thrown into the sea by the violent winds. We talk to KVF reporter Svein Magnason about the storm and its aftermath, and one small bit of good news that came from it. Then we'll go for a rainy walk in Torshavn and think about the year that has past.
Dec 31, 2016•31 min
As our Christmas present to you, we're sharing a new song recorded by our own Elin Brimheim Heinesen. We'll talk about Christmas in the Faroe Islands, and how she came to record this new Christmas song. While recording this show, Elin talked about a severe storm that was coming to the Faroe Islands. Since then we've been getting reports of winds up to 166 miles per hour. To all our friends in the Faroes: we love you, and stay safe.
Dec 24, 2016•13 min
This week, a special studio session and conversation with Jogvan. He became known to most people when he reached the finals of Denmark's X Factor a few years ago, but he's anything but a preening pop idol. Instead, he's performing raw, emotional music. We also have an emotionally raw conversation between songs. (Bonus: If you listen closely in the background during the interview, you can hear the new Hamferd album being mixed.)
Dec 20, 2016•29 min
This week, we talk to Jon Tyril about HOYMA. Tyril conceived of it as an "un-festival" where acoustic concerts were staged in people's living rooms. The idea has caught on in the Faroe Islands and in other countries. Then, we'll sit on a bench at the harbor in Torshavn and wonder where all the action is on on Wednesday night. (Hint: inside)
Dec 06, 2016•22 min
Strictly speaking, this isn't an episode of the Faroe Islands Podcast. Instead, it's an answer to the questions a lot of Faroese people have been having lately. Mainly: "What is going on in the USA right now?" We'll take a snapshot of life in one corner of America following the presidential election, and perhaps download some immigration forms. A new episode of the podcast about the Faroe Islands is coming soon.
Nov 29, 2016•15 min
This week, we learn more about Ove Logmansbo, who may be a half-Polish, half-Faroese man who has written a crime novel set in the Faroes, or may be something else entirely. Heri Simonsen talks to Kinga Eysturland about Logmansbo's book, "The Enclave" and why it appears to be written by someone who has never been to the Faroe Islands.
Nov 19, 2016•20 min
This week we talk to Tyr frontman Heri Joensen. His band is about ready to tour Europe, but several shows have been cancelled after activists called threats into venues that booked Tyr. Learn why the threats were made, and Joensen's reaction to them. Also, we visit a film noir bus shelter and learn about the Faroe Islands' surprising start to 2018 World Cup qualifying. (not at the same time) If you want to see Heri's video reacting to his cancelled shows, you can see it here ....
Oct 13, 2016•27 min
A short interview following the Faroe Islands National Team's 0-0 draw with Hungary.
Sep 09, 2016•12 min
A short update as we travel the Faroe Islands looking for new stories. We hunker down inside as 50 MPH winds batter the 150 year-old home we're staying in. Then we'll talk to Olga Loburak, who is from Ukraine but has lived in the Faroe Islands for 15 years.
Sep 06, 2016•12 min
On this week's show, an update on our Gofundme campaign, and a look back at one of our favorite episodes. We follow a Faroese man who talks Torshavn each morning and walks his dog. While he does so, he takes bout 60 photos from the same location and posts them to Facebook. We follow Jogvan A Dul as he makes his rounds and find out why he started this unusual habit. You can see the photos he took that day at his Facebook gallery . We're replaying this show on the occasion of the passing of Jogvan...
Sep 02, 2016•36 min
This week, our good friend Heri Simonsen talks to Scottish filmmaker Mike Day about his documentary "The Islands and the Whales." The film got it's Faroese premiere this week. Then, we'll chill out at the post office for a few minutes. Also, we're headed back to the Faroes to record more stories for the podcast, and we need your help to make it happen. Head on over to our GoFundMe page and toss a couple of bucks into the tip jar.
Aug 11, 2016•38 min
This week, we complete our visit to Stora Dimun. We'll hike to its highest peak, and speak to the woman who's family has inhabited this island for more than 200 years.
Jul 30, 2016•48 min
On this episode of the podcast, we talk about where the podcast has been for the past 2 months, and what you can expect on the show in the future. If you've found yourself asking, "what's up with the podcast lately?" then this show is for you.
Jun 20, 2016•12 min
On April 30, 2016, the Faroese parliament legalized same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands. In the wake of this historic vote, we talk to Eiler Fagraklett, the head of LGBT Foroyar. We'll talk about what it was like to be in the Law Thing when the vote was cast, and we'll revisit some of the important moments in the fight for gay rights in the Faroes over the past five years.
May 05, 2016•40 min
The Law Thing has voted to legalize same-sex marriage in the Faroe Islands today In honor of that historic vote, we take a look back at the first large scale LGBT Pride march in the Faroes. Believe it or not, it was only four years ago. Now you can relive the moment and get a little misty now that you know how the story ends. We'll have full coverage of the vote and the celebrations that followed soon.
Apr 29, 2016•27 min
This week, we travel to an island many Faroese people have never been to: Stora Dimun. The small island is home to two families, lots of sheep, a few horses and cows, and a lot of jaw-dropping scenery. We'll take a helicopter out to the island and then take a hike that's not for the faint of heart. Also, bacon and waffles.
Apr 25, 2016•23 min
This week, another in our series on the immigrant experience in the Faroe Islands. We talk to Kinga Eysturland, who was raised in Poland, speaks perfect American English, and is married to a Russian who is a Faroese citizen who is obsessed with Uruguay. We'll talk about the joys and struggles of being a foreigner in close-knit society structured mainly around families. Then we'll go to a living room in Gota and hear the beautiful and haunting voice of Eivor. As a reminder, this is the last week ...
Mar 31, 2016•30 min
This week, we wrap up our coverage of the 2015 G! Festival by venturing into the campground and speaking with the hearty souls who sleep and party there. Then we'll listen to a little music from Teitur and Eivor and engage in an early morning ramble about the festival. Also, time is running out to sign up for this July's Nordic Obsession Tour. The deadline is April 4th. Learn more and reserve your place at the Nordic Obsession website ....
Mar 14, 2016•45 min
This week, we talk to Chris Ould about his crime novel set in the Faroe Islands: The Blood Strand. We'll talk about why this English author set his novel in the Faroes, and what he learned while writing it. Then we'll stroll to the most beautiful place on earth and just soak in the atmosphere. Reminder: Time is running out to sign up for this summer's Nordic Obsession Tour. To learn more and travel to the Faroe Islands with us this summer, visit the Nordic Obsession website ....
Feb 22, 2016•36 min
This week, we hear music from Uni Debess, Marius, Monkey Rat, and the Hackney Colliery Band. Also registration is still open for this year's Nordic Obsession tour of the Faroe Islands. Learn more at the Nordic Obsession website.
Jan 27, 2016•31 min