The Faroe Islands march to their own beat
Posted on Thursday 30 September 2010
in Beach & Islands, Scenic Beauty, Denmark
By Dylan Thomas
Despite technically being part of Denmark, the Faroe Islands boast a unique culture all their own, one that is worth experiencing for Kiwis looking for a fresh perspective.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a typical refrain among the approximately 50,000 residents of this island chain is "we are part of Denmark but not Danish." Although the government in Copenhagen controls much of what goes on there, the culture in the Faroe Islands is all their own.
Many residents on the island speak English, making travel to Faroe easy and hassle-free for Kiwis. Yet at the same time, the people keep alive ancient Norse traditions that date back to the Vikings.
One of these is a musicality inherent in the people that translates into rituals among the residents, including village-wide "chain dances." This usually involves every member of a community linking arms as they chant in a Faroese dialect. Another more controversial tradition is an annual whale hunt that international groups are increasingly trying to convince residents to abandon.
In addition to this unique culture, visitors to the islands will also catch a glimpse of beautiful emerald-green valleys and mountains that make it one of the more beautiful treasures in Europe.
Travelers can get to the islands by booking flights to Copenhagen, then hopping a smaller flight to Faroe.
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