List of Faroese people
From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
This is a list of famous or important Faroese people. In a small island-society of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, each person can gain certain meaning for the entire nation. The people listed below, are among those who played or play a distinct role in Faroese culture, politics and history. Many of them are renowned outside the Faroes, especially in Denmark and other Nordic countries.
Contents
Artists
Authors and poets
- Heðin Brú
- Marianna Debes Dahl
- Joen Danielsen
- Hans Andrias Djurhuus
- Janus Djurhuus
- Jens Christian Djurhuus
- Bergtóra Hanusardóttir
- Jens Pauli Heinesen
- William Heinesen (also a painter, graphical artist and musician)
- Guðrið Helmsdal
- Rakel Helmsdal
- Ebba Hentze
- Jógvan Isaksen
- Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen
- Steinbjørn B. Jacobsen
- Poul F. Joensen
- Oddvør Johansen
- Hanus Kamban
- Sissal Kampmann
- Marjun Syderbø Kjelnæs
- Jóanes Nielsen
- Rói Patursson (also a philosopher)
- Kristian Osvald Viderø (also a clergyman)
Cinema and theatre artists and film people
- Soley Danielsen, actress, director and drama teacher
- Jacob Haugaard, actor, comedian, politician, member of the Danish Parliament
- Heiðrikur á Heygum, filmmaker, musician and artist
- Olaf Johannessen, stage and film actor
- Katrin Ottarsdóttir, director
- Helena Patursson, actress, feminist, and writer
- Anton Petersen, film director
- Sakaris Stórá, film director
- Hans Tórgarð, actor, stage director and playwright
Musicians
- Peter Alberg, composer of the Faeroese Anthem
- Lena Anderssen, singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Greta Svabo Bech, singer, provided the vocals for deadmau5's track "Raise Your Weapon"
- Kristian Blak, composer and musician
- Tróndur Bogason, composer and musician
- Boys in a Band, indie rock band from Eysturoy, Faroe Islands; won 1st place in Global Battle of the Bands
- Rúni Brattaberg, opera singer
- The Dreams, Faroese punk/rock/pop band from Tórshavn; singer of the band is Hans Edward Andreassen
- Brandur Enni, singer-songwriter, composer and musician
- Bárður Háberg, musician, songwriter and composer, composes music for pop singers from Japan, Holland, Korea
- Guðrið Hansdóttir, singer-songwriter, composer and musician
- Jens Marni Hansen, singer-songwriter, rock singer and guitar player, participated in the Danish Eurovision (Melodigrandprix) 2010
- Jógvan Hansen, singer and guitarist, participated in the Icelandic Eurovision Song Contest
- Heiðrikur á Heygum, filmmaker, musician and artist
- Óli Jógvansson, musician, songwriter, composer and producer
- Jóannes Lamhauge, singer, songwriter, artist (painter), actor, graphic designer and film director
- Teitur Lassen, singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Høgni Lisberg, singer-songwriter
- Dávur Juul Magnussen, trombonist, the principal trombone chair of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra
- Eivør Pálsdóttir, singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Sunnleif Rasmussen, composer
- Høgni Reistrup, singer-songwriter and guitarist
- Laila av Reyni, singer-songwriter
- Evi Tausen, country singer
- Týr, Viking/progressive metal band, fronted by Heri Joensen
Painters, graphical artists and sculptors
- Astrid Andreasen, textile, scientific and stamp artist
- Aggi Ásgerð Ásgeirsdóttir, painter
- Steffan Danielsen, painter
- Hans Hansen, painter
- Zacharias Heinesen, painter and graphical artist
- Janus Kamban, sculptor
- Sámal Joensen Mikines, painter
- Hans Pauli Olsen, sculptor
- Bárður Oskarsson, children's writer, illustrator and artist
- Tróndur Patursson, painter, glass and iron sculptor, adventurer
- Anker Eli Petersen, graphical and stamp artist, songwriter
- Ingálvur av Reyni, painter, graphical artist
- Vigdis Sigmundsdóttir, painter, artist
- Ruth Smith, painter
- Ole Wich, conceptual artist
Leaders and politicians
Historical
- Sigmundur Brestisson, Viking age chieftain
- Lucas Debes, conservative rebel
- Floksmen, Faroese rebels in the Middle Ages
- Tróndur í Gøtu, Viking age chieftain
- Magnus Heinason, national hero, naval hero and privateer
- Grímur Kamban, first settler
- Naddoddur, Viking and settler
- Nólsoyar Páll, national hero
- Sverre Sigurðsson, king of Norway
Modern
- Atli Dam, Prime Minister, 1970–93 (periodically)
- Jóannes Eidesgaard, Prime Minister, 2003-2008
- Høgni Hoydal, Republican leader
- Kaj Leo Johannesen, Prime Minister, 2008–
- Anfinn Kallsberg, Prime Minister, 1998–2003
- Marita Petersen, Prime Minister, 1993–1994
Scholars, scientists and academics
- Niels Ryberg Finsen, physician, winner of Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology in 1903
- Venceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb, philologist
- Jakob Jakobsen, philologist
- Símun av Skarði, folk high school teacher
- Jens Christian Svabo, philologist
Explorers and travellers
- Magnus Heinason, national hero, naval hero and privateer
- Ove Joensen, in 1986 journeyed alone in a rowboat from the Faroe Islands to Copenhagen in Denmark, a distance of 900 nautical miles (1,700 km), the first and only person so far to do this; the journey took 41 days
- Grímur Kamban, first settler
- Naddoddur, explored Iceland
- Livar Nysted, crossed the North Atlantic Ocean from New York to Great Britain in a rowboat with four rowers; they broke a 114-year-old world record
- Tróndur Patursson, has several times been on adventurous journeys with Tim Severin and others, first in 1976
- Arne Vatnhamar, first Farose person to climb Mount Everest
Clergymen
- Lucas Debes, conservative rebel
- V. U. Hammershaimb, philologist
- Daniel Jacob Danielsen, missionary and humanitarian worker
Athletes
- Heidi Andreasen, swimmer, three-time silver medallist and two-time bronze medallist Paralympian
- Ove Joensen, rowing legend
- Pál Joensen, swimmer, triple European Junior Champion in Beograd 2008; gold winner in 1500m freestyle at the FINA World Cup in Moscow 2009
- Todi Jónsson, former FC Copenhagen professional football player
- Jens Martin Knudsen, football player (goalkeeper)
- Gunnar Nielsen, first Faroese football player to play in the Premier League
- Gilli Rólantsson, professional football player
- Livar Nysted, ocean rower, crossed the North Atlantic in a rowboat together with three others, setting a new world record
- Bjørk Herup Olsen, middle and long distance runner, Danish Junior Champion
- Regin Vágadal, strongman
Chess Players
- Helgi Dam Ziska, highest rated Faroese chess player[1][2]