Culture of the Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands have always been isolated from the main cultural phases and movements that have swept across the rest of Europe.
Literature
In the Middle Ages many poems and stories were handed down orally. These works were split into the following divisions: sagnir (historical), ævintyr (stories) and kvæði (ballads, often set to music and dance). These were eventually written down in the 19th century. In the 13th century the Færinga Saga (Saga of the Faroe Islanders) was written in Iceland. It tells the story of the settlement and early history of the islands, though it is doubtful that it is entirely historically accurate. Faroese literature in the traditional sense of the word has only really developed in the past 100-200 years. This is mainly because of the island's isolation, and also because the Faroese language was not written down in a standardised format until 1890. The Danish language was also encouraged at the expense of Faroese. Nevertheless, the Faroes have produced several authors and poets. In the early 1800's the nationalist Nólsoyar-Poul Poulson tried to end the trading monopoly that was affecting the islands. He wrote many poems, including his most famous work 'Fuglakvæði.' Other poets include the brothers Janus and Hanus Hans Andreas Djurhuus, and Rói Patursson. Other famous authors from the Faroes include Heðin Brú (The Old Man and His Dog), Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen (who wrote in Danish) (known for his sole novel Barbara) and William Heinesen (The Black Couldron, who also wrote in Danish).
Both Heinesen and Patursson has been awarded The Nordic Council's Literature Prize.
Painting
Painting has only really taken off in the 20th century in the Faroes. Famous Faroese painters include Sámuel Joensen Mikines, Ingálvur av Reyni, Ruth Smith, Tróndur Patursson and Amariel Norðoy. There are two art museums in the capital Tórshavn. There are also art exhibits at the annual Saint Olav's Day festival in late July.