#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, May 30, 2007

**Our strengths:  
PURITY, AUTHENTICITY AND UNIQUENESS**

_By Elin Heinesen, Managing Director of SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise._

**Tourism is now the fastest-growing industry in the Faroe Islands. We therefore need to prepare to meet increasing demands. Our strategy is to build on our strengths and to focus on developing a lucrative tourism which at the same time is sustainable and does not affect our nature and culture in a negative way.**

As part of a new political strategy the Faroese Government decided to merge
the Trade Council and Tourist Board in the beginning of this year. This was
done in the realisation of the fact that development of trade and tourism can
depend on each other in many ways. This new organisation was named SamVit -
Faroe Islands Enterprise, and in May they appointed me, Elin Heinesen, as
managing director of the organisation.

**Unspoiled Territory to Explore**  
What advantages do the Faroe Islands have as a travel destination? The fact
that our country is a small archipelago in the middle of the big ocean in the
periphery of western society makes us quite unique and special. Many consider
islands in the ocean to be exotic and romantic by default. And being special
means a lot these days where we see tourists looking more and more for special
activities and cultural, adventurous or spectacular experiences rather than
just lazing in the sun. It seems that people are starting to turn their eyes
to the north rather than the south. Maybe it is because people feel safer
travelling north than south these days. And since the northern countries have
seen far less of mass tourism, there is more unspoiled territory to explore.

**We Mustn't Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water  
**So in a way, the Faroes sell themselves as a tourist destination, but since we have not really developed a real tourism industry yet, it is essential that we do our best to meet this ever-increasing demand. However, it is also very important that we emphasise sustainable tourism and avoid the negative impact of mass tourism. We must be very careful not to 'loose our soul' in our efforts to build a lucrative tourism industry, because it is our purity, authenticity and uniqueness that gives us a competitive advantage.

**Tourism Creates Ground for Other Industries  
**In the Faroe Islands today we are very dependent on our export of fish products, but we cannot go on counting solely on fishery as a main source of income. The fishing industry can be very unreliable. World market prices vary a lot and right now we are experiencing that some species of fish, which have been important resources, are simply disappearing from the sea. The question whether it is because of global warming or something else remains to be answered.

Under any circumstances we really need to stimulate growth in other fields and
develop other kinds of industries. Opening up the Faroe Islands as a tourist
destination is one of our goals, because the tourist industry can lead to so
much more and create grounds for other industries as well.

**A New Course for the Tourism Industry  
**It is very important to organise and improve the services on offer in this country and try to inspire and develop ideas for more services. On the one hand we must develop new services and activities and, on the other hand, increase bed capacity, because demand is surpassing the amount of activities and accommodations on offer for visitors. The Faroese do not have a long tradition for a travel industry as such, so we need to make people in the Faroes more aware of the fact that they can earn a living from tourism. SamVit has set out to improve this and many other things that affect our international relations.

**The Internet Plays a Vital Role  
**In order to achieve our goals, Internet marketing should play a vital role. People are no longer so dependent upon travel agencies to plan their trip; this can now be done in your own time on your computer screen by means of the Internet. And more and more people seek such information of their own accord. It is essential that we work more thoroughly on market segmentation and make relevant interactive functions available on the internet in our future marketing efforts. We are working right now on developing portals on the internet which will target both local networks in the Faroes and potential customers.

The Faroese travel industry needs to start thinking of the Internet as an
integral part of their marketing strategy and show the world what they have to
offer. At the moment, a wealth of information is out there in the middle of
nowhere, but it should be in the middle of everything. That is why we're
already working on developing various new internet marketing strategies. In
principle, a Faroese website carries the same weight on the internet as, for
instance, an American one. Until recently, you were unlikely to find any
material about the Faroes at your local travel agency. Today the Faroes, like
everything else, are just a click away.

But to make people in the outside world aware of our websites we, of course,
have to have effective strategies. This is a very small country and our
budgets are equally small - so we must know how to get attention in a way that
is not too costly. We have to rely heavily on editorial mentioning, so we work
very hard to build up a contact network with journalists all over the world
that might be interested in the Faroe Islands - and give them something to
write home about.

**Inspired by the Irish Model  
**As for strategies regarding the strengthening of tourism as an industry, the Irish tourism model has been a good source of inspiration for us. At the FlyFaroe 2007 convention this spring, travel writer Eoghan Corry spoke about the recent rise of Irish tourism. He explained how the primitive folk image of Ireland was turned into a strength. The Irish simply realised the potential of what they could offer and they soon started utilising these strengths. As an example, Irish folk music and dance, which once was heard and seen only in the country, are now lucrative global industries.

But what exactly did they do? In 1987, the Irish Government started an
economic reform in which corporate taxes were reduced from 33% to 10%. This
immediately attracted foreign investment, which in turn acted as a catalyst
for Irish tourism. One consequence of this reform was that people started
opening their homes to foreign travellers and making a business out of it.
This led to a great increase in bed capacity in hotels and B&Bs, and tourist
numbers started rocketing. The fact that people could get in contact with the
local people in this way, along with the slightly primitive image the Irish
projected, has led to a lucrative tourism industry, which now contributes
greatly to the national economy.

**Our Cultural Heritage as an Attraction  
**The Irish people themselves also received input from the visitors, so everyone was a winner. Expanding the range of B&Bs also proved essential in breathing new life into the smaller, peripheral villages. For many years, Irish tourism had seen mainly backpackers with limited travel budgets. In order to attract the more wealthy travellers, the tourist board set up campaigns aimed specifically at mature and wealthy people. By utilising their rich cultural heritage they managed to attract more differentiated demographics.

It seems obvious to me that the Faroes can benefit from doing this too. We
share many of the Irish characteristics in this respect, and we can easily
make this an industry where many local people can earn a living just like the
Irish. So we are working on making an advertising campaign next year informing
people about the benefits of housing tourists in their own homes.
Simultaneously we're trying to influence the political system so that these
people will receive some tax incentives by doing so.

**The Real Picture is Rough and Dramatic  
**For many years, a visit to the Faroe Islands meant peace and tranquillity, or at least that's what the literature indicated with its sunny, peaceful and polished landscape pictures. But it seems that peace and tranquillity - or polished landscape pictures - are not always the best selling points in tourism marketing campaigns for the Faroe Islands. In fact, peace and tranquillity often equal boredom in many people's eyes - probably precisely the people who really need peace and tranquillity the most - stressed-out people in big cities and metro poles. But they might not realise that - not until they experience in flesh and blood what peace and tranquillity really means. Peace and tranquillity is probably not the main reason why people want to come here. Most people seem more concerned by what there is to do while they're here. They want a variety of activities to choose from.

And they don't necessarily find the polished picture of the Faroe Islands
attractive. The real picture is also, in fact, much more rough and dramatic.
For example, when foreign photographers come here, the resulting pictures are
typically of misty or stormy and rough landscapes. So why not make that the
attraction. I think we have been promoting the wrong image of our country. No
doubt about it, this is a beautiful country, and most of the people who come
here know it. But that's no longer enough. People need to know about the real
Faroe Islands - and they don't want to sit back and watch: they want to feel
alive and vibrant. In other words, they want exciting experiences.

**Sea Angling - an Exciting Activity on Offer  
**There are plenty of activities on offer for tourists, but SamVit and other players on the tourism field are working hard to introduce even more. For example, sea angling has become very popular of late. Local fishermen take tourists out on their boats and the tourists have the opportunity to taste the Faroese fisherman's life and catch their own fish. Afterwards, they are offered a nice meal made from the fish they caught.

Halibut, porbeagle sharks, good-sized haddock... they're all here in the
nutrient-rich waters of the Faroe Islands. UK's main fishing operator, Kings
Angling Holidays is convinced and UK's largest Sea Angling magazine "Sea
Angler" who visited the Faroe Islands in June has a clear view: As more and
more skippers start to specialise in sport fishing and more anglers visit
these wonderful islands, only then will the full sport fishing potential of
this excellent destination be discovered.

  
**Unforgettable Experiences on the Faroes  
**Some offers have existed for many years. Worth mentioning are the tours to the magnificent VestmannabjĂ¸rgini, that have been among the favourites with tourists for a long time. In a small boat, people sail past massive cliffs rising from the sea - an experience which few will ever forget.

Another classic excursion is the "concerto grotto", where musicians and
visitors go on a boat trip into one of the deep caves under the islands. Once
inside, the music starts, and the natural sounds and unique acoustics of the
caves are used as integral parts of the music.

But new offers are on their way. Sea angling is - as I said - about to become
an established activity on offer, while many other activities are still just
good ideas and need further development.

**Extreme Tourism and Ecotourism on their Way  
**For some years now, some tourists have come to the Faroes to enjoy some of the more unusual niche activities, such as diving in sub-sea caves, but this has not yet developed into an established service on offer. A couple of months ago, Faroese TV interviewed some American surfers who had come to our islands to try our waves. They were amazed that no-one seemed to have noticed the potential for surfing on the islands. Other extreme sports such as rock climbing and base jumping are also possible offers we could develop. These activities are not yet part of the mainstream offers to visitors, but this is another area of interest to SamVit.

There are other specialised forms of tourism on the horizon. Ecotourism, for
instance, lies close to our hearts. TIES, The International Ecotourism
Society, defines ecotourism as, "Responsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people."
Ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing forms of tourism today. With all the
unspoiled scenery in Faroe Islands, and with tourist numbers increasing every
year, it is of utmost importance that we do everything we can to prevent the
negative effects of mass tourism. So ecotourism will be, and already is, a
priority for Faroese tourism in the future.

All in all - we can expect a great increase in the number of tourists over the
next few years, so we must prepare. That is exactly what we're trying to do,
and we're very excited about it.

**Get More Information here:**

[www.faroeislands.com](http://www.faroeislands.com/)

[www.visit-faroeislands.com](http://www.visit-faroeislands.com/)

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, May 30,
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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in TĂłrshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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  *[Wednesday, May 30, 2007]: 2007-05-30T12:38:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, August 15, 2007

### **FAROE ISLANDS - THE PERIPHERY IN THE CENTRE**

_By Elin Heinesen, Managing Director of SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise_

**As people living in an increasingly globalised environment the Faroese, much like the rest of the world, need to embrace change to whatever extent necessary. The ability to cooperate effectively and develop strong networks is becoming more important. And still it is crucial for us to hold on strongly to our unique identity if we want to stay competitive.**

The burning question is: What role can a little nation like the Faroe Islands
play in a globalised world? In my view information, communication and
technology are creating a new reality. It's the 'levelled playing field' where
small companies and nations can now compete, whereas before they simply did
not stand a chance. Things like innovation and creativity are becoming
essential in every area of business, and a nation like the Faroes has a
distinct strength in this context. I think it's crucial that we use this as an
opportunity.

To stay competitive, we have to be inventive and learn how to develop new
concepts and fresh thinking. And when setting our goals and objectives, we
have to be strategic and think ahead - yet in following through on plans we
have to be consistent. But nobody can be an expert in every field and that's
why networking is so important… knowing who to turn to when... With all this
new technology - and the Faroes are very much up-to-date - we're looking at
something quite interesting.

**The World is Hungry for Originality**

But what contribution can the Faroe Islands make? In my view, it seems that
remote places like the Faroes are becoming more and more interesting to more
and more people. I believe that in a world of increasing globalisation the
periphery inevitably becomes interesting because it is so different. Just
think of Iceland and Bjørk. I believe that people are hungry for originality
and authenticity - maybe mainly on the mainland where globalisation has
levelled out cultures almost to the point of lost identity. That might be the
reason why peripheral countries like the Faroe Islands can now become the
focus of attention and therefore - in a way - become a new centre.

**A New Frontier**

There are still new frontiers to be discovered in the world - and the Faroe
Islands might be just that: a new frontier - an unspoiled treasure. People are
becoming aware of that. Tourism is now the fastest-growing industry in the
Faroes. But what's so attractive here on this rain-ridden, wind-torn
archipelago? So much so that some of our guests return every year, and some
even decide to settle down for the rest of their lives? Words like powerful,
intense, peaceful and authentic are often used when trying to describe the
feel of the Faroes - and the fact that everything is close, whether you want
it or not. People are fascinated by the contrasts and the Faroe Islands are
truly a land of contrasts: romantic and dramatic - a modern society, in an
unforgettable timeless setting.

The New York Times published an article about The Faroe Islands by the
journalist Stephen Metcalf on the 25th of March this year. The headline went:
"Into the Mystical Unreal Reality of the Faroe Islands". I'll quote from this
article:

**Like Reality and Fairy-Tale in One**

"The Faroe Islands is 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."

This is - in my view - a beautiful poetic description of The Faroes. And let's
stay in the poetic corner. Danish author and jazz singer Suzanne Brøgger, who
visited the islands in March this year, described her experience in a radio
programme in this way: "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 seems to suit my temperament more."

**Bad Weather Has Become Our Advantage**

Indeed, the Faroese have a very rich culture and history. We all share a
profound love for our country and our heritage. But we have not been so proud
of having what we think is probably the worst weather on earth. We cannot
imagine that people from countries with warmer and sunnier weather would be
interested in visiting a place like this. So even if this country has
developed into a modern society fully in line with our neighbours, we have
been keeping a low profile outwards for a long time. Living tranquil is living
well, they say here.

That is the main reason why the Faroese have kept the secret to themselves,
and why the Faroe Islands have not been culturally affected by the outside
world as much as many other countries in this part of the world. Consequently
the Faroese have a very strong cultural identity, which is one of the things
that often amazes visitors. In a world where globalisation - as I said -
levels out cultures to the point of lost identity, things have actually
combined in favour of the Faroese. In that sense bad weather has formed the
surroundings, the skills and the very soul of the Faroese in a favourable way.
If you turn it around this way - 'bad weather' might just be the reason why
you should visit the Faroes!

**The Country Holds Many Surprises**

For millions of years the roaring ocean with its heavy waves has been slowly
eating away at these rocks in the middle of the North Atlantic in a constant
battle with the cliffs - leaving almost vertical hillsides that suddenly drop
hundreds of meters straight down into the deep blue sea. The ocean climate and
the small size of the Faroes may make them one of the wettest countries on
earth, so the landscape is traversed by rivers, brooks and waterfalls wherever
you go. It is a miracle that people and creatures have managed to survive here
in this seemingly inhospitable place for more than a thousand years. You've
got to be creative to do that.

But there is more to it than first meets the eye. This misty fairy land hidden
out here in the North Atlantic holds many amazing surprises. If you travel
just a bit deeper into it you will find narrow fjords and straits and soft
sappy grass in bright green valleys complemented by cosy small villages by the
seaside with closely-packed houses in all colours of the rainbow, where people
live together in peace, feeling content and safe. The crime rate here is among
the lowest in the world, the average life expectancy is among the highest in
the world, and the birth rate (2.6 children) is the highest in all of Europe.

If you delve even further, you will discover that this nation - once so
isolated - has moved to a new level. Today, highly educated Faroese people
work all around the world - scientists, engineers and hundreds of sailors
navigating heavy tankers and carriers across the five oceans. So even if other
people might be unaware of the Faroes, the Faroese themselves are very aware
of the outside world. So what advantages do we have in comparison with the
outside world?

**A Modern Society in the Middle of Everything**

The Faroe Islands might seem remote and peripheral, but they are actually in
the middle of everything - strategically located along important sea lanes in
the north-eastern Atlantic right between the two richest continents on earth -
only a one-hour flight away from the UK, Norway and Iceland and two hours from
Copenhagen, Denmark.

We have other advantages as well. Today, the islands are fully up-to-date in
terms of modern technology. Almost everyone is online, connected to the
outside world by satellites and fibre-optic cables on the bottom of the ocean.
Until recently, the only way to reach the remote villages and islands was
either by small boats or by walking up and down steep mountains. Today the
country is pierced with tunnels through mountains and under the sea, leaving
85 % of the people less than an hour away from each other. It is also worth
mentioning that 45 % of the power consumption is generated by rainwater.

**The Best Fish Products in the World**

The waters around the Faroe Islands are said to be the cleanest in the world.
The perfect mix of the warm Gulf Stream from the south and the Arctic waters
from the north produce a paradise for marine flora and fauna around the Faroe
Islands. Hungry fish stocks come in all sizes to graze and it is no
coincidence that the Faroe Islands is a nation where fish accounts for more
than 97% of the total export volume. Actually the Faroe Islands is one of the
world's leading nations in terms of sustainable fishery.

If we don't find exploitable oil, fishery might very well still have a future
as our strongest industry - especially if we focus on the right themes in our
marketing: As an example - an English research paper concludes that if you eat
fish you get smarter babies. Recently a scientific research project made here
on the Faroes concluded that haddock caught in the ocean surrounding the Faroe
Islands contains up to ten times as much folic acid and twice as much selenium
as haddock caught in other parts of the world. Folic Acid and Selenium are
very important - especially for pregnant women. Right now, a very interesting
project is going on here on the Faroes where a special fish traceability
system is being developed. The system will be launched next year. For us
consumers it means that we will know exactly where and when and by whom the
fish on our table was caught. All this should give our fish products a
significant competitive advantage.

**Heading Towards a Creative and Knowledge-Based Economy**

Since late 19th century, when fishery replaced agriculture and wool as a
driving force in the Faroese economy, almost all of our economy has been built
on fishery and manufacturing fish products for export. And we have been
successful in doing so. This historical fact is probably the reason why
economic and political leaders in this country believe so strongly in building
success on primary products and on manufacturing. I also do believe that it is
important to maintain a viable fishing fleet and a strong manufacturing
sector. But when we're dealing with a globalised market where demands change
every other day, this is not enough. I think the Faroese people and our
economic and political leaders understand that it is vital to increase the
diversity of our businesses and that we must also rely on a more creative and
knowledge-based economy in the future.

**Effective Communication Strategies are Crucial**

I believe in the idea of looking toward the future with confidence yet with
realism. In today's extremely fast-changing world, it is essential to develop
and apply strategies for staying on top of things. Using information and
communication technology effectively can make virtually any project so much
smoother, quicker and less expensive and what's more, it will define the very
nature of projects - you can't afford to miss out on it. But technology alone
won't do the job. It's people that shape technology and business processes and
the human element remains the most important element. This is interesting
because everything is about people and how we interact. And it is crucial that
we use our human resources and the creative potential, we all possess, to the
fullest.

**Succes in Creative Businesses**

We do have some success stories in creative business that have inspired
others. I am referring to successful musicians like Teitur and Eivør - you may
have heard of them - and fashion designers such as Guðrun & Guðrun - or the
G!-festival which has been named as one of the best music venues in Europe
today by several Music Magazines. Their success has been an eye-opener to the
rest of us. Suddenly we see potential and possibilities which, before, we
could only find in our dreams. I think we are only beginning to understand the
impact that our ability to harness our own creative assets will have on our
future.

**Faroe Islands - a Melting Pot of Creativity**

These are fascinating times. The Faroe Islands is a melting pot of creativity.
Music, singing and songwriting, fashion & design, alternative music festivals
and modern art play a very active role in daily life on the Faroes today. The
Faroese are thought to have a special creative Viking gene, especially bearing
in mind the modest population of around 50,000 inhabitants. From this creative
gene pool the menu has it all: Traditional Faroese chain dance, choir music,
folk music, jazz, blues, rock and punk. Almost every village has its own choir
and/or up to several rock bands. The Faroe Islands Symphony Orchestra perform
at least two concerts a year in the Nordic House of surprisingly high quality.
A new generation of young musicians, artists and fashion designers is also
taking on a new and different scene - or catwalk. With one foot rooted in
tradition and the other in a creative sphere, they are taking the leap for
international success. And they might just have a chance merely because of the
fact that their inspiration comes from a life far away from trend-setting
cosmopolitan lifestyles. It is just real. And you can feel it.

**FACTS: **

**Did you know that the Faroe Islands…**

•… are located north of Scotland between the Norwegian Sea and the North
Atlantic Ocean, halfway between Norway and Iceland - situated at approximately
latitude 62° N, longitude 7° W

•… are an archipelago of 18 islands, of which 17 are inhabited. The islands
extend 113 km from north to south and 75 km from east to west.

•… highest elevations reach nearly 890 m above sea level and are found in the
northern islands. The precipitous terrain limits habitation to small coastal
lowlands.

•… climate is greatly influenced by the warm Gulf Stream and by the passage of
frequent cyclones, which arrive from the south and west depending on the
position of the polar frontal zone. Consequently the climate is humid,
unsettled and windy, with mild winters and cool summers. Mean temperatures are
around 3-4°C in January and February and about 10-11°C in July and August.

•… have a land area of 1399 km2 (545.3 square miles).

•… have a population of 48,164 (December 2005).

•… capital is Tórshavn with a population of 19,282 (2004).

•... have their own language: Faroese is the national language, rooted in Old
Norse. Nordic languages are understood by most Faroese, and English is also
widely spoken.

•… religion is Evangelical Lutheran Church: 80% - Christian Brethren (Plymouth
Brethren): 10%.

•… population is largely descended from Viking settlers who arrived in the 9th
century. The islands have been connected politically to Denmark since the 14th
century.

•… is a self-governing territory since 1948 within the Kingdom of Denmark.

•… Prime Minister is Jóannes Eidesgaard (since 3 February 2004).

•… cabinet (Landsstýri) is appointed by the Prime Minister.

•… Parliament (Løgting) is unicameral.

•… main industries are fishing, fish processing, ship building, construction
and handicrafts.

•… labour force counts 24,760 (December 2005).

•… labour force by occupation is fishing, fish processing, and manufacturing
(33%), construction and private services (33%) and public services (34%).

•… has a total export of DKK 3,579,300,000 (2005).

•… has a total imports of DKK 3,911,600,000 (2005).

•… GDP is DKK 9,699,000,000 (2003).

**Do you want to know more?**

If you would like to get to know the Faroe Islands, you can e.g. visit:

[http://www.faroeislands.com](http://www.faroeislands.com/)

[http://www.visit-faroeislands.com](http://www.visit-faroeislands.com/)

For more information on the Faroese business environment and Faroese trade and
industry, please visit:

[http://www.trade.fo](http://www.trade.fo/)

Read Mr Stephen Metcalf's article in The New York Times about the Faroe
Islands "Into the Mystical Unreal Reality of the Faroe Islands":

[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html](h
ttp://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html)

Here is an interesting broadcast about the Faroe Islands from PBS, mainly
focusing on the killing of pilot whales, but covers a lot of other ground. The
website is also a great introduction to various Faroese issues, such as music:

[http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/video_index.html](http://w
ww.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/video_index.html)

Read an article on the Faroe Islands on CNN.com:

[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/06/27/faeroe.islands.ap/index
.html](http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/06/27/faeroe.islands.ap
/index.html)

One of the most exciting music events in the Faroe Islands is the annual music
festival in Gøta, G! Festival. Below is the link to the official website:

[http://www.gfestival.com](http://www.gfestival.com/)

  

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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
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She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
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School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
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  *[Wednesday, August 15, 2007]: 2007-08-15T12:41:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Saturday, November 17, 2007

###  [Another phase, a new
face](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007/11/another-phase-new-
face.html)

The recent merger of the Trade Council and the Tourist Board into one Trade &
Tourism Council is likely to remain high on the new managing director's agenda
for a while--but it doesn't stop her from bringing scores of innovative ideas
to the table. Búi Tyril interviews Elin Heinesen, the new Managing Director of
the Trade & Tourism Council.

**_By Búi Tyril, Annual Business Report 2007_ **

It was widely seen as signifying at least a generational change, if not
ushering in something profoundly new, when Elin Heinesen in early 2007 was
appointed managing director of the recently formed Faroe Islands Trade &
Tourism Council--the merged Faroe Islands Trade Council and Faroe Islands
Tourist Board. Not that selecting a female as head of a government agency will
necessarily lift eyebrows in a modern society; it's rather the person, seen in
her potential as an inspirational leader and charged with combining the two
separate bodies into one unified organization.

Known as a business entrepreneur and something of an artist as well, with a
firm footing in media and corporate communications, Ms Heinesen will
doubtlessly encourage fledgling creatives to realize their international
ambitions. Beyond that, she will be likely to motivate those whose new ideas
may offer anything from incremental process improvements to breakthrough
business models. Her job will probably consist in facilitating international
business contacts to help Faroese companies build their exports, and last but
not least, assisting the Faroese develop their incoming travel business.

Speaking of promotion and tourism, before her first day on the new job--which
entailed leaving her position as editor of a major Danish in-store magazine
and moving back to her native islands in the North after more than twenty
years of expatriate life--Ms Heinesen aired an idea that immediately caught
the attention of many: Why not make some spectacular tourist attraction out of
the soon-abandoned military radar installation on the summit of the Sornfelli
mountain. Hey! did you get that one? (See separate article.)

With good management experience--originally trained as a screenwriter, by the
way--Ms Heinesen will no doubt use her new position to influence the
development of the Faroese business scene. To this end she'll be backed by the
fact that the former Trade Council offered business development advice and
vital export promotion services for Faroese companies in the last twenty-five
years, while the former Tourist Board invested decades of work and financial
resources in market and product development to help build what now is an up
and coming tourism sector in the Faroes.

Progressive thinking has ever been at the heart of Ms Heinesen's personal
values. "Nobody can be an expert in every subject," she says, "but the ability
to take a bird's eye view is often very valuable. I believe in the idea of
looking toward the future with confidence yet with realism. In today's
extremely fast-changing world, it's essential to develop and apply strategies
for staying on top of things. Using information and communication technology
effectively can make virtually any project so much smoother, quicker and less
expensive and what's more, it will define the very nature of projects--you
can't afford to miss out on it."

But technology alone won't do the job; it's people that shape technology and
business processes and, according to Ms Heinesen, the human element remains
the most important element in any organization.

"This is interesting because everything is about people and how we interact…
But information, communication and technology is forging a new reality; it's
the 'leveled playing field' where small companies and nations can be the
winners in a myriad markets. Things like innovation and creativity are
becoming pivotal in every area of business, and a country like the Faroes has
a distinct strength in this context. But I think it's crucial that we use this
as an opportunity."

As people living in an increasingly globalized environment the Faroese, much
like the rest of the world, need to embrace change to whatever extent
necessary, and the ability to cooperate effectively and develop strong
networks is becoming more important.

"To stay competitive, we have to be inventive and learn how to develop new
concepts and think in new terms, to do things in a different way. And when
setting our goals and objectives, we have to be strategic and think ahead yet
in following through on plans we have to be steady. But nobody can be an
expert in every field and that's why networking is so important… knowing whom
to turn to in which situation. With all the new technology--and the Faroes is
incredibly well connected--we're looking at something very intesting."

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Saturday, November 17,
2007](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007/11/another-phase-new-
face.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007/11
/another-phase-new-face.html#comment-form) [
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## Friday, November 16, 2007

###  [Care to dine with a
view?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007/11/care-to-dine-with-
view.html)

**If branding the Faroes involves setting up some spectacular tourist attraction, Elin Heinesen presented what could become the ultimate experience for domestic and foreign visitors alike--a marvel of a Cold War museum offering a majestic view of the mountain tops.**

**  
**

_By Búi Tyril, Annual Business Report 2007_

  

![](webkit-fake-url://8EC56B3A-0BD6-4BB1-B694-C645BD29658F/application.pdf)

  

Before she had even started in her new position as managing director of the
Faroe Islands Trade & Tourism Council, Elin Heinesen had heads spinning
accross the islands. "Yes, we do have a magical country," she said in a public
speech in Tórshavn, on the occasion of the St. Gregor's Mass, an annual spring
day event celebrated on 12 March. "But how can we create truly unique
experiences that could make this country even more magical for visitors?" Then
she proposed what made the headlines: let's convert the abandoned Sornfelli
radar domes and the adjacent facilities inside the mountain into a world-class
leisure, entertainment and cultural facility.

  

"We could think big," Ms Heinesen suggested, "by, for instance, putting up
some spectacular landmarks here for people around the world to become
enchanted by. In fact, we've got some amazing opportunities, of which I'd like
to mention just one, as an idea: 750 meters up in the mountains of Streymoy,
there lies something which could become a truly unique landmark, unmatched
anywhere in the world. The radar domes and the tunnels and caves carved into
the Sornfelli mountain, now abandoned by NATO, are still there--like a secret
fairy tale castle cut into solid rock, with the radar domes as towers rising
on the summit. For many, many years, this fairy tale castle--like the castle
in the tale of Sleeping Beauty--was unapproachable and the public was denied
access to its experience; but now… at last we are allowed to see what's hiding
up there."

  

Faroese media were quick to follow up on the the story and the daily newspaper
Sosialurin printed the entire speech. During the following days and weeks,
representatives from the tourism industry and the political establishment
would weigh in, approving of the idea.

  

"This mountain isn't going anywhere," said Prime Minister Jóannes Eidesgaard
according the the public radio ÚF. "Everything is possible if there is a
political will," he added.

  

Kent Christensen, a former marketing manager of Atlantic Airways and now head
of a travel agency startup, observed: "Creating a leisure and entertainment
center on Sornfelli is a good idea… Such a thing could come in handy when you
promote the Faroes."

  

Back at the speech, which turned out to be wholly devoted to the self-same
subject, Ms Heinesen's went on: "When the weather is clear the view from the
summit is stupendous… also with the fog filling the valley down below… I've
been up there myself once, together with a foreign visitor on a beautiful day,
enjoying the sunset. He told me he had once scaled the roof top of the world
in the Himalayas, where they would have to walk for days in order to reach the
altitude that would afford them a view of the mountain tops--a truly
breathtaking experience. 'You are lucky,' he said, 'because here you just take
a 15 to 20 minute drive from Tórshavn or half an hour from the airport to get
a similar spectacular experience. Standing on the Sornfelli and looking over
this vast array of mountains felt just as breathtaking as if it were in the
Himalayas. This is pure magic!' He found it unbelievable that we're keeping
this pearl so secret."

  

Ms Heinesen mentioned the possibility of using the caves and tunnels of
Sornfelli for cultural and educational purposes as well as a leisure and
entertainment center.

  

"For instance, we could use the tunnels in there for exhibitions… as well as
for concerts, congressional meetings, courses--perhaps even a Cold War museum,
which could attract international attention… We could let someone build a
restaurant up in the domes with a view over all the Faroe Islands…"

  

Regardless of weather conditions, the bunkers and tunnels are likely to
attract many, Ms Heinesen said. Importantly, the construction is already in
place and refurbishments won't even have to be very expensive.

  

"The place is so intriguing in itself that merely being there offers a very
special experience in any circumstances… And the best thing of all: We could
in fact develop the site at relatively low cost inasmuch as it is already
built. The road goes all the way up. There is an area leveled for parking. It
couldn't be more convenient.

  

"This could become a magnificent landmark for the Faroes--unique in the whole
world--with its own history, international history."

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Friday, November 16,
2007](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007/11/care-to-dine-with-
view.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007/11/care-
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## About Me

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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Tuesday, March 4, 2008

###  [What's the hype around the Faroe Islands
about?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/03/whats-hype-around-
faroe-islands-about-i.html)

  
  

### Interview with Elin Heinesen, Managing Director of SamVit - Faroe Islands
Enterprise (Faroe Islands Trade & Tourism Council) 4. March 2008

_

_

**_The Faroe Islands have suddenly received a lot of media attention - why has this happened?_**

  
- These are really exciting times in the Faroe Islands. Never before in all of history, have the Faroe Islands been more visible in such a short space of time as in recent months. I can mention a few examples: In October 2007 Bill Clinton came to visit for a lecture and the world press turned its eyes towards us. Clinton talked very enthusiastically about the Faroe Islands - especially in terms of environmental issues - and he declared that he was now an unofficial ambassador for the Faroe Islands.   
  

- Immediately after his visit, National Geographic Traveler named the Faroe Islands as the most appealing island destination out of a shortlist of 111 island communities. This result was reached by a panel of 522 experts in geotourism. (see[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html)). This has resonated in the world press and provided us with priceless publicity.

  
- The G! Festival - a music festival which takes place in the middle of an idyllic Faroese village surrounded by spectacular nature - was claimed to be the second-best music festival in Europe by several European music magazines (only the Roskilde Festival in Denmark ranked higher). (see[http://www.gfestival.com](http://www.gfestival.com/)). The Icelandic artist Bjørk has written a song called "Declare independence" about the Faroe Islands and Greenland. During live performances the Faroese and Greenlandic flags were raised onstage. An happening, which for a while created quite a lot of media attention. (See the music video here: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGC0VVobi6E&eurl=http://faroe-island.blogspot.com/2007/12/bjrk-declare-independence.html](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGC0VVobi6E&eurl=http://faroe-island.blogspot.com/2007/12/bjrk-declare-independence.html) )

  
- But the Faroese are also trying to take over the world themselves. The Faroese band 'Boys in a Band' won the Global Battle of the Bands competition in London in 2008, earning them the prize of $ 100,000 and a world tour. They blow the house down with their infectious enthusiasm and energy and receive praise from reviewers wherever they perform. (see[http://www.clashmusic.com/news/success-boys-band](http://www.clashmusic.com/news/success-boys-band) and [www.myspace.com/boysinaband](http://www.myspace.com/boysinaband)) The Faroese singer-songwriter Teitur won the title of male vocalist of the year in Denmark at last year's Danish Music Awards ([http://www.teitur.com](http://www.teitur.com/)) and the Faroese singer Lizzie (Ramt i Natten) and the Faroese band The Dreams ([http://www.thedreams.dk](http://www.thedreams.dk/)) have climbed to the top of Danish charts in 2008 while Eivør ([http://www.eivor.com](http://www.eivor.com/)), another Faroese singer, continues to receive a number of Danish and Icelandic nominations and awards. Faroese singer Jógvan also won the Icelandic version of the talent show X-Factor. ([http://www.summarfestivalur.fo/english/?tid=85](http://www.summarfestivalur.fo/english/?tid=85)). And Brandur, also a Faroese singer songwriter, participated in Melodifestivalen - the Swedish nominations for the Eurovision Song Contest. ([http://www.brandur.com](http://www.brandur.com/))

  
- And the world wants to come to us too. Guðrun & Guðrun managed to get the international fashion press to fly to the Faroe Islands in January to participate in a fantastic fashion show in an airplane hangar at the airport which received rave reviews. (You can watch the show here:[http://www.gudrungudrun.com](http://www.gudrungudrun.com/)). In April, Nobel laureate, former presidential candidate, and one of the world's leading environmental activists, Al Gore, visited the Faroe Islands as the keynote speaker at the TransAtlantic Climate Conference - an event that also drew the eyes of the world to the Faroe Islands. (See [http://www.tacc2008.com](http://www.tacc2008.com/)) The world-famous Canadian rocker Bryan Adams performed at a big out-door concert in Tórshavn in June (See[http://www.bryanadams.org/english/tour-ticket](http://www.bryanadams.org/english/tour-ticket)) And later Sporty Spice from the Spice Girls; Melanie, came and had a concert at the Summarfestivalurin in the beginning of August. Et cetera, et cetera.

  
- The international press has started to notice the Faroe Islands. It is not unusual to hear journalists make statements like the one Eric Campbell from Australian TV-show 'Foreign Correspondent' made, "The Faroe Islands could very well be the world's next country!" (See the show here:[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm)) On of the world's leading experts in nation branding, Simon Anholt, similarly said, "The Faroe Islands is the Shangri La of the 21'st century!" In a New York Times article in 2007 with the headline, "Into the Mystical Unreal Reality of the Faroe Islands", the Faroe Islands were described as "the most curious place left on earth" and the journalist Stephen Metcalf described his impression such: "The Faroes are easily the most moodily beautiful place I have ever been". (Read the article here:[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html](http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html))

**_  
_**

_**Where is all this hype surrounding the Faroe Islands coming from?**_

  
- There is reason to believe that there perhaps is a growing demand for what we have to offer. We can see that from the increase in attention we're getting from e.g. journalists and researchers. However, we have also ourselves been trying to generate exposure. We have the talent, we have the technology and we are putting our story forward in the right places. We still haven't seen the big boom, because it is comparatively expensive or difficult to get to the Faroe Islands for most people in the world. The economic crisis in the world right now is also affecting us, of course. But we have seen during many years now that the number of visitors is growing every year. And there is an increasing number of people who offer to be enthusiastic ambassadors for the Faroe Islands. People seem to be looking for someone/somewhere like us because we are a little bit different to the rest of the world..

  
- We may be perceived as a little bit strange, because many people consider us to be remote - but we are actually in a great strategic position in the shipping lane between the two wealthiest continents in the world and are only a couple of hours' flight from the big cities in Northern Europe. There is still something to be said about our remoteness, because our relative isolation from the outside world for centuries has meant that we have been able to preserve ancient traditions. You could say that the 'backwardness' of the Faroe Islands mixed with the sudden modernisation and globalisation of society has pleased the Faroe Islands in a unique position compared to other countries - we are both extremely old-fashioned and extremely modern at the same time. We are in the middle of the modern world with our feet firmly planted in tradition - and we are using this to our advantage.

  
- This contrast gives us a very strong identity that some envy us; the people who visit to experience this, can see and feel this in everything we do. It fascinates people because it is rare in the world of today. Most other countries in the modern western world have been quick to break with tradition and may have thrown the baby out with the bathwater in the name of modernisation, but we are proud of our heritage. There are probably not that many places in the world where young people think it is 'cool' to wear their national dress on national holidays, but in the Faroe Islands they do while living a life that is just as globalised as the rest of the modern world, messaging on their mobile phones, Skype and gaming on the Internet and iPods..

**_  
_**

_**But will you not lose your special national identity, like so many other
peoples, when globalisation really starts affecting your life?**_

  
- We are aware of the danger. There are many Faroese people who do not value the Faroese traditions and wish to distance themselves from the 'old' and would like all of society to become fully globalised and hyper-modern as soon as possible. But there are also many who would like to hang on to the things that make us special or unique, since they consider those things the main reason why we have survived on these islands for so long. I think it is possible to combine things - to be modern and traditional at the same time. We are in the middle of forming a new identity. I see it as an advantage that we are lagging a bit behind other countries in some areas because that means that we can learn from others and perhaps avoid making mistakes that others have made. There will always be risk associated with all development, but we cannot isolate ourselves only to preserve a strong identity. No Faroese people wish to be exhibits in an anthropological museum. Globalisation will affect us, whether we want it to or not, and the Faroese would also like to share the advantages that globalisation brings.

  
- But globalisation - in the sense of global warming and limited natural resources in general - do of course mean that we are also facing a lot of very demanding challenges. Our traditional sources of income are becoming too unreliable. The main industry - the fishing industry - is in a deep crisis at the moment with fast increasing expenses and growing demands from the consumers and low prizes on the world market, as well as a lack of work force. As the educational level in the society rises fewer people want to work in fish factories. And if we're not up for the sustainability challenge markets could close they're doors on us in an instance - some have already done that, like the Russians. It could be the beginning of a tendency to blacklist our fish products in other countries as well. We really need to find other more sustainable ways of harvesting our resources that can produce a substantial sustainable income, fast. And I am thinking of both natural and creative resources. What we must do, is to change… or die…! There is no other way.

  
- What is happening now, is that we are trying to move into a new age in an intelligent way that will provide economic growth in the Faroe Islands while at the same time keeping some of the old values and traditions - even using them as a prime resource! We would like to make society more open and accessible, but in a way that will enable us to preserve the values that we have. Tourism has interesting aspects in that respect. But we need to go about it wisely. We feel that this is possible by e.g. creating long-term strategies for tourism that will emphasise creating services and offers for the visitors that are based on what is here already rather than killing our traditions and change society to achieve some international modern norm - in a mistaken assumption of what we 'think' the modern tourist or other guests would expect and demand. We must not go too far in modernising that we ruin the very things that make us different and therefore interesting/attractive in the eyes of others. I do think that we can strike a balance.

  
- We can choose to appeal to geo-tourists and eco-tourists who prefer to visit places that make an effort to preserve the environment and original values. Eco-tourists are very interested in local culture and history and consciously decide to buy from the locals and live in locally-owned hotels and guesthouses. Their contribution to the local economy is therefore several times the amount that a typical mass-tourist would spend. We are privileged to have the opportunity to welcome tourists with modern conveniences with three and four star hotels, gourmet restaurants and café-life in Tórshavn, but we can also offer them to go to the small villages and islands in the immediate vicinity of Tórshavn where they can participate in traditional Faroese farming life, which to them would be a different and interesting experience - to herd the sheep, building boats or rappelling from ropes on the cliff face. In this way the tourist can even be involved in reviving traditions that are threatened and inject life in the outlying islands where the population is dwindling - dwindling because the traditional village life and work is no longer profitable. It may now become profitable again through tourism.

**_  
_**

_**What do you consider the strengths of the Faroese people?**_

  
- The Faroe Islands is a bubbling cauldron of creativity. The concentration of artists and creative people is remarkable considering the number of inhabitants. I think it has something to do with the cocktail of a wild, raw, achingly beautiful nature and strong traditions mixed with globalisation which all creates a synergy that boosts creativity - especially among young people who are more global in their way of thinking than the older generations and therefore have a better understanding of how people think outside the Faroe Islands. They can use this to their advantage. The Faroe Islands is a combination of many powerful ingredients that are hitting a nerve right now. The zeitgeist works in our favour.

  
- I also feel that the Faroe Islands has the potential to attract lots of creative people who can let themselves be inspired by the contrasts and the special energy that exists in the Faroe Islands. For a number of years, we have seen how artist are drawn to the Faroe Islands. Nowadays, when modern daily life makes such demands of people's creativity, a broader group of people than just artists can benefit from an 'inspirational' visit to the islands. This is one of the areas where we can market ourselves. We just need the imagination to compile the right packages of experiences that we can sell to the right nice-markets. And we need the imagination to tell all the good stories about our products in general too.

  
- The pool of talent and the production facilities are here and they can produce quality that carry the possibility of creating awareness out there. So the attention will come, as long as the products reach the right respondents in the right way. Firstly, the consumer needs to have the opportunity to be introduced to what is on offer. Then we need to make it as easy as possible for them to find out more about the products that they are interested in - the stories and people behind the product. In this respect, we at SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise can pull the load, or rather just push it and it will roll, because the story of the Faroe Islands almost sells itself at the moment. We only need to get others to tell the story for us. We have a multitude of 'ambassadors' who would be more than happy to tell our story - and this is more credible than if we tell it ourselves. The quotes and statements need to be collected and made more visible; we can do that e.g. through our websites and in our general correspondence with the world in general.

**_  
_**

_**But the Faroe Islands is still only a small country with very limited
resources. Can you really become a player on the massive global
marketplace?**_

  
- Yes, I think so. With the technology, internet communication and transport opportunities that exist today, the Faroe Islands can enter the global market on completely different terms than were possible a few years ago. It has become easier to exchange products across boundaries and continents - material and immaterial products. However, the confusion in the market is also great, because the supply is so great. It is confusing to have too many products to choose between. If we look at supply, in general, it is so great that it is impossible to get to grips with. So there is a trend to dive into smaller markets.

  
- We therefore see a trend from macro to micro - i.e. the consumers buy more and more locally produced products - e.g. beer from micro-breweries which when considered as a group amount to serious competition for the major international breweries. The consumers are diving into the big market to find smaller markets, because that makes things much more manageable and easy to identify with. People want their lives to be simpler. This can work to our advantage.

  
- Globalisation has generally favoured mass-manufacture and big industry. It has polarised trends because everyone is affected by everyone. But exactly because of this, there is a reverse trend. Most big cities today are marked by a mishmash of many different cultures. At first glance, the supply seems varied, but may not be when looking at the bigger picture. The supply and offers that exist in the big cities are more or less the same in all big cities, so the big cities everywhere are becoming more and more alike. There are restaurants with the same types of food, amusement parks with the same attractions, zoos with the same types of animals, people listen to the same music and see the same films in the cinema. This is why many city-dwellers are looking for something different and new - something special and exotic - something, that you cannot get in the big city. This is where we think the Faroe Islands can deliver.

**_  
_**

_**What is it exactly that the Faroe Islands has to offer, that you think
people from other countries need?**_

  
- For the first time in the history of the world, this year more people live in big cities than in more rural areas. In the global big city society people's distinctive character is becoming less and less pronounced - everything becomes more similar and therefore indifferent. The variety is roughly the same in most big cities. The search for what is unique has therefore never been greater, because fundamentally, people like to stand out - this is the basic drive behind new fashion trends. Here in the Faroe Islands, you may find something that is very distinctive and different, at the same time that it is safe and familiar to some extent, because the Faroese are in many ways the same as most other Western European people - the way they used to be before many of the modern global trends set in. This makes us particularly attractive to many visitors.

  
- It is also a strength of the Faroe Islands that we have proud and well-rooted handicrafts. We can make quality products and have a special authenticity in our designs that connect the old and coarse with the new and urbane in a particular way that nowadays is generally considered quite cool. Maybe this perception is because we live in an unsafe world that makes us nostalgic. We look back to what we think used to be safe and to a less spoiled and less polluted world. And this is the way the Faroe Islands is, while still boasting modern comforts.

  
- There is also a great need out there to find demarcated and manageable 'islands' that you can cultivate and keep to yourself. Relatively large groups of enthusiastic philatelists throughout the globe have made it their specialty to collect Faroese stamps - exactly because they come from a small country and are therefore in limited supply because of the small print runs. In the same way, we feel that 'identity-starved' people from all over the world, looking for something special to take an interest in, can be made aware of the special selection of other products that exists in the Faroe Islands. They just need access and information - and that is what we want to provide.

**_  
_**

_**It is not easy to break through or stand out in the massive flow of
information of the modern world - how are you planning to market the Faroe
Islands?**_

  
- We at SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise (an amalgamation Tourist Board and Trade Council) have no plans for big expensive marketing campaigns - we cannot afford those. We are under no illusions that our marketing can magically create an enormous demand for Faroese products or that we can create Faroese stars that can sell millions of CDs around the world.

  
- But we can still do something to make a big difference in the end. Instead of spreading our efforts too thin, we can focus our marketing efforts to pinpoints - and therefore make us and Faroese products more visible and easier accessible to the right people. We do this through e.g. the Internet, because it is an effective and relatively cheap medium that makes it possible to communicate globally in seconds. On the Internet everyone is equal, because everyone is just a couple of clicks away. This, however, is not sufficient to achieve our goals - we need more..

  
- SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise is currently betting on the principles of pyro-marketing - i.e. hitting the right niche markets and networking with the right contacts in key positions and the right media which may already have a certain interest in the Faroe Islands or what the Faroe Islands represent. The most important issue is to have something to offer, and we certainly feel that we have that. We therefore work hard to establish contacts, going out to tell our story or to bring key people to the Faroe Islands - so they, in turn, can tell the story of this strange little country in the North Atlantic. This is e.g. what Guðrun & Guðrun did with their great fashion show in January when they brought the international fashion press to a hangar in Vágar airport.

**_  
_**

_**So what do you do at SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise?**_

  
- At SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise, we have expertise in analysing target groups, marketing, communication and storytelling. We have a big network of contacts abroad and experiencing in establishing relevant contacts. Through the many 'ambassadors' that we have out there we can participate in tracking down the right recipients/clients and offer them what they are looking for or need - to tell our story, get them involved and make them interested in what the Faroe Islands have to offer.

  
- We consider Faroese products - anything from fish products to culture and tourism - to be of a high quality and represent a niche in the global market that can appeal to parts of the international audience if only they become familiar with them and are introduced in the right way. By thinking small and targeting selected, segmented and manageable markets in a way that combines authenticity and understanding of the market we can create the spark that is necessary for the fire to catch and spread. It is a matter of focused marketing.

  
- We have great faith in the power of the 'event' and good networking. We believe that the long, slower pushes produce better results in the long run. We believe that culture is a good icebreaker to open doors. So we try to participate in creating special events to create attention and expand our network - for instance events that promote Faroese music, art and design. They usually receive a lot of media attention and are helping us to create very valuable networks that we can utilise.

**_  
_**

_**What do you hope to achieve with your strategy?**_

  
- It is about making the Faroe Islands more visible and recognisable to enable us to sell more of our products in the global marketplace. It is about making people associate something good and identifiable with Faroese products to make those products more sought-after.

  
- I think we can take this strategy far - it is mainly based on storytelling. It is relatively easy to tell people about the Faroe Islands, because the story is so manageable with effective dramatic elements. It is already clear, that it works to tell our story to the right 'ambassadors'. Bill Clinton said, when he was here, that he would like to help tell our story to the world because he felt that we had many advantages by being so small and that we had understood some things that the rest of the world could learn from. He said that if we played our cards right, we could be come a pioneer country. I think it is very important to listen carefully, when other people say such things and seize those opportunities because, in the end, our success hinges on being able to use the momentum that is generated.

  
- Small-scale thinking can also work. Leonhard Cohen had a song: 'First we take Manhattan, then we take Berlin…' We do not have to think big right away. We can 'invade' smaller cities or societies one by one, establish cooperation and begin by exchanging culture, events and experiences. The sister-city model or the Island Games model are successful examples of such small-scale thinking. In addition to exchanging friends and sports we can exchange art and culture as well as other products. These are small steps, but they all add up in the end.

  
- It is about sowing seeds where the soil is fertile. From there the message can spread like rings in water... A small sparkle can lit a big fire. And here, SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise can be the driving force that sets things in motion. We consciously work on these lines. Storytelling creates our minds. Storytelling - published the right places - creates the world.

**  
**  
**Fact box:**

_Elin Heinesen is the Managing Director of SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise,
the Faroese Trade Council and Tourist Board. She was born in 1958 and has a
daughter, born in 1990. Before moving back to the Faroe Islands in 2007, she
lived in Denmark for 24 years, most of the time in Copenhagen. The last 5
years before her move to the Faroe Islands she had been the Managing Editor of
KIWI magazine, a women's and consumer's magazine, which she also helped
launch. Elin was also the Marketing Coordinator of Copenhagen City of Culture
1996. She has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing,
media and culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years
as head of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media. She
holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also has
an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well as
being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School). Elin is sometimes referred to as 'the singing manager', since she
also has a background as a singer and songwriter._

**  
**  
**Links:**

National Geographic Destinations Rated: Islands:

[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.
html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/isl
ands.html)

  
Australian program about the Faroe Islands:

[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm](http://www.abc.net.a
u/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm)

  
A beautiful program about the Faroe Isladns from PBS with focus on the killing
of pilot whales.

[http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/video_index.html](http://w
ww.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/faroe605/video_index.html)

  
A very well written article in New York Times about the Faroe Islands - incl.
a video about sheep slaughter:

[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html](h
ttp://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html)

  
An article from CNN:

[http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/06/27/faeroe.islands.ap/index
.html](http://edition.cnn.com/2007/TRAVEL/DESTINATIONS/06/27/faeroe.islands.ap
/index.html)

  
Guðrun og Guðrun's home page - designers:

[http://www.gudrungudrun.com](http://www.gudrungudrun.com/)

  
Exciting film project on the Faroe Islands - not yet finished - with
fascinating music and photos:

[http://www.myspace.com/theponytales](http://www.myspace.com/theponytales)

  
About the Faroe Islands:

[http://www.faroeislands.com](http://www.faroeislands.com/) -
[http://www.visitfaroeislands.com](http://www.visitfaroeislands.com/)

  
SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise:

[http://www.samvit.fo](http://www.samvit.fo/)

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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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  *[Tuesday, March 04, 2008]: 2008-03-04T12:44:00Z

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, September 17, 2008

###  [Frá veiðusamfelag til vitanarsamfelag
III](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/09/fra-veiusamfelag-til-
vitanarsamfelag.html)

_Eftir Elin Heinesen, stjóra í SamViti_

  
**Høvuðsvinna okkara er í kreppu, og tosað verður tí um víðagitna triðja beinið, sum skal bjarga búskapinum. Men hvussu skapa vit betri fortreytir fyri menning av verandi vinnu og fyri ørðum lønandi vinnum? Tiltrúgvin til møguleikarnar tykist ikki stór. "Tað ber ikki til!" verður ofta tikið til. Men júst hesin hugburður er helst størsta forðingin. Vit hava brúk fyri at fokusera á møguleikar og suksessøgur, heldur enn á forðingar og at grenja um gongdina og hvønnannan.**  
  
Skulu vit skapa betri grundarlag fyri neyðugari vinnumenning og
búskaparvøkstri, mugu vit tora at siga: Jú, tað ber til! Tað ber til við at
hugsa øðrvísi og lata upp fyri at síggja møguleikar aðrastaðni, enn vit fyrr
hava sæð teir. Hvussu ber tað til, at New Zealand kann selja seyðakjøt og
Thailand kann selja rækjur í Føroyum? Lond, sum liggja hinumegin knøttin! Hvat
duga tey, sum vit ikki duga?

  
Hetta eiga vit at læra av. Eisini kunnu vit læra av, hvussu lond, vit
samanlíkna okkum við, t.d. hava samantvinnað handilsliga og mentanarliga fatan
í nógv størri mun enn vit. Og vit kunnu læra av, hvussu onnur við stórum
viðburði hava dugað at ment vitanar- og upplivingarsamfelagið ígjøgnum fokus á
nýskapan, nýhugsan, tøkniligt knowhow og vørumenning.

  
**Samstarv flytir okkum inn í nýggja búskapin**  
Fyrst mugu vit flyta fokus. Fremstu kappingarneytar okkara eru ikki at finna
innanfyri landoddarnar, men eru útlendskar fyritøkur. Heldur enn at brúka orku
uppá óneyðuga dýra innanhýsis kapping, eiga vit at vera opin fyri jaligum og
fordómsfríum samskifti innanhýsis í føroyskari vinnu, millum tað almenna og
vinnuna, og millum føroyingar og áhugapartar uttanlands - og ganga saman um at
náa málum, øll hava felags áhuga í.

  
Ein møguleiki er at semjast um heildarætlanir fyri ymisku vinnurnar, ið skulu
tryggja, at politiska skipanin ikki leggur óneyðugar løgfrøðiligar,
handilsligar og aðrar forðingar í vegin, og at vinnan ikki leggur óneyðugar
forðingar fyri sær sjálvari, men heldur samstarvar, har samstarv er møguligt
til gagns fyri allar partar. Hetta samstarvið er alneyðugt, um vit veruliga
skulu flyta okkum inn í nýggja búskapin.

  
Vilja vit ganga nýggjar leiðir, og vilja vit samstarva og netverka eisini
tvørtur um siðbundin mørk og tvørtur um landamørk, har tað ber til, standa vit
nógv sterkari úteftir. Soleiðis tryggja vit eisini nýskapandi og virðisøkjandi
kreftum bestu umstøður, so enn fleiri og fjølbroyttari virðisskapandi fólk
dragast at hesum landi.

  
**Mugu leggja dent á vakstrar- og útflutningsvinnu**  
Men til tess at náa hesum máli má nógv størri fokus vera á vakstrar- og
útflutningsvinnu - serliga á at menna handils-, tænastu-, vitanar-, ferða- og
upplivingarvinnu (vinnur, sum við altjóða heitum eru: BornGlobal og/ella
BornCreative), tí tað er har, vit hava stórar møguleikar fyri víðkan. Tað er
har akademisku førleikarnir veruliga gera mun. Og tað er har framtíðar
møguleikarnir fyri búskaparvøkstri liggja. Tað er ikki løtuverk, men eru vit
framsíggin og proaktiv, økja vit okkara tjansir at skapa ein væl sterkari
búskap, enn vit hava í dag.

  
Einki er til hindurs fyri, at eisini vit kunnu gera okkara vitan, okkara
mentan og okkara umhvørvi til eitt jarnbrot fyri vøkstur og menning her á
landi, og harvið skapa fyrimyndarligan gróðrarbotn fyri framtøk, ið skapa
áhuga út um landamørk og vøkstur fyri samfelagið sum heild. Her er vitanar- og
upplivingarbúskapurin (herundir t.d. ferðavinna) ein hóskandi vegur at ganga
hjá okkum í Føroyum, tí her hava vit kanska betri kort á hondini enn tey
flestu, um vit bara duga at brúka tey. Fyrimunurin við vitanar- og
upplivingarbúskapinum er, at vit kunnu framleiða vørur, sum eru eindømi, og
sum ikki kunnu hópframleiðast - serliga tá upplivingarnar er tengdar at
landinum, vit búgva í.

  
**Framtíðin liggur í nichuvørum**  
Siðbundna vinnan og ídnaðurin liggur í blóðugari kapping við onnur, sum
framleiða nøkurlunda somu vørur nógv bíligari, og steðgar meira ella minni upp
í løtuni. Meðan vinnur, ið framleiða virðisskapandi vitan, unikkar vørur,
tænastur og upplivingar, eru í stórum vøkstri. Tí er tað av serstakliga stórum
týdningi, at vit byrja at fokusera á, hvat vit kunnu framleiða av øðrvísi,
serstøkum vørum og tænastum - ítøkiligum sum óítøkiligum virðum. Samstundis
mugu vit duga at gagnnýta øll, sum kunnu geva sítt ískoyti til nýggja búskapin
- til vørumenning og til munadygga marknaðarføring. Vit mugu bjóða bestu og
mest nýskapandi arbeiðsmegini bestu møguleikarnar fyri at liva og virka her á
landi. Til ber at byrja tíðliga við t.d. at bjóða lesandi praktikkpláss í
føroyskum fyritøkum, har tey kunnu loysa viðkomandi vinnuligar uppgávur.

  
Føroyskar vørur og tænastur umboða nichur á altjóða marknaðinum, sum hava
góðan møguleika at vekja ans millum partar av altjóða keyparaskaranum. Her
ræður um at gera rættar íløgur, og vita, hvar íløgurnar gera størsta munin.
Tvs. málrætta vørumenning og marknaðarføring til úrvaldar marknaðir og
málbólkar á ein hátt, sum bindir saman vørunnar uppruna og trúvirði við
fatanina fyri tørvinum í tí serstaka marknaðinum, har vøran skal seljast.

  
**Hjáútvinsla ein góður møguleiki**  
Vit hava eina siðbundna fiskivinnu, sum als ikki brúkar allar teir møguleikar,
sum liggja í rávøruni - fiskinum. T.d. er Danmark størsta insulinútflytandi
landið í heiminum í dag, tí danir dugdu at menna nýggjar møguleikar burturúr
hjáútvinsluni frá teirra umfatandi siðbundu svínaframleiðslu. Soleiðis eiga
eisini at liggja aðrir - kanska stórir - møguleikar í okkara høvuðsvinnu, sum
vit bara kunnu fáa eyga á, um vit tora at hugsa og gera tingini eitt sindur
øðrvísi, enn vit plaga.

  
Summi eru gingin undan við nýhugsan, so heilt eiðasør eru vit ikki. Men vit
eiga at gera væl meira burtur úr hesum. Kunnu vit t.d. fáa meira burtur úr
fiskalivur ella fiskaskræðu? Kunnu vit fáa meira orku burturúr vindi, aldum og
streymi, sum vit hava so ríkiligt av? Liggja ótroyttir møguleikar í
upplivingar- og ferðavinnu? Her má gransking og íløgur til fyri at skapa
fortreytir fyri vørumenning og dyrkan av nýggjum marknaðum.

  
**Meira beinrakin marknaðarføring**  
Tørvur er á at gera føroyskar vørur og tænastur sjónligari og lættari
tilgeingiligar á altjóða marknaðinum tey røttu støðini - serstakliga umvegis
internetið, tí internetið er ein alráðandi miðil, sum kollveltir
heimsmarknaðin í løtuni. Tað er blivið meira ómakaleyst enn nakrantíð hjá
fólki at leita sær vitan um vørur - og at bíleggja og keypa tær, hóast tær
verða framleiddar hinumegin knøttin. Hetta hevur rættiliga sett ferð á
alheimsgerðina. Keyp og søla fer í stórliga vaksandi mun meira og meira fram
ímillum smærri eindir - peer to peer - sum kunnu liggja nógvar túsund
kilometrar burtur frá hvørjum øðrum. Tað ger ikki mun. Hetta er eitt nýtt
atferðarmynstur á marknaðinum, sum veruliga kann koma okkum, sum eru so smá,
til fyrimuns.

  
Her mugu vit finna fram til, hvussu vit t.d. kunnu gera okkum galdandi á einum
alheimsmarknað, har kappingin er beinhørð og harðnar alt meira, jú fleiri
brúka internetið. Tað er hesari avbjóðing, vit mugu møta. Hvussu raka vit
rætt, og hvussu eydnast vit við einari marknaðarføring, sum kann skapa
kensluna av samleika og samkenning - tvs. inspirera fólk til at hugsa: "Hetta
er 'cool' fyri meg at keypa"?

  
**Hvussu hugtaka vit onnur?**  
Um vit vilja økja okkara umsetning, mugu vit duga at spinna vørur okkara inn í
søgur, sum fáa fólk til at tilleggja vørunum meira týdning ella meira virði,
enn vøran í sær sjálvum ítøkiliga hevur, og soleiðis geva vørunum ein
samleika, sum ger, at tær verða lagdar merki til og kendar aftur. T.d. at lýsa
vørurnar í einum samleikaskapandi og/ella sniðgevingarligum høpi á ein slíkan
hátt, at fólk antin kenna seg aftur, vera hugtikin ella bara halda, tað er
spennandi og 'cool' at keypa júst eina tílíka vøru, tí tað sigur júst teimum
nakað serligt.

  
Tað er tí, tað er so neyðugt, at vit saman finna út av, hvat okkara brand er.
Hvat er okkara styrki. Hvat er okkara 'genious'. Hvussu brúka vit tað? Hvussu
vísa vit okkara vørur fram á ein lættan og brúkaravinarligan hátt? Hvussu møta
vit eftirspurninginum úti í heimi og seta okkara vørur inn í hetta høpi? Og
hvussu fortelja vit søgurnar um vørur okkara á ein áhugavekjandi, hugtakandi
og minnisverdan hátt? Hvørjir eru møguleikarnir at koordinera tað við
ferðavinnu og annað sum stuðlar uppundir brandið? So sum tey t.d. hava gjørt á
Læsø, har siðbundna saltframleiðslan á oynni eisini er ein stór
ferðafólkaattraktión, sum er við til at stuðla uppundir brandið 'Læsø salt'.
(www.sydesalt.dk).

  
**Ganga saman um at branda okkum**  
Øll kunnu sjálvandi royna at gera hetta hvør sær - tvs. hvør fyritøka brandar
seg individuelt og klárar seg sum best soleiðis. Men í stóra samanhanginum eru
føroyskar fyritøkur mikroskopiskar. Ofta er úrslitið bara, at avmarkaða
fíggjarorkan hjá okkara lutvíst sera smáu fyritøkum ger alt ov lítlan mun, og
at fyritøkurnar so ístaðin kappast ósunt og køva hvønnannan innanhýsis, áðrenn
tær nakrantíð eru náddar út í heim.

  
Ein annar - meira konstruktivur møguleiki er at ganga saman í netverk fyri
øll, sum síggja fyrimunirnar í at arbeiða saman fyri at standa sterkari í
kappingini frá útheiminum og skapa ein meira vitanar- og upplivingargrundaðan
búskap í Føroyum.

  
Til ber at seta sær mál og gera heildarætlanir saman - í netverkum ella
tvørfakligum bólkum - t.d. ætlanir fyri, hvussu fiskivinna kann fáa betri
nyttu burtur úr menniskjansliga tilfeinginum, eisini teim væl útbúnu - og
hvussu vit gera hetta tilfeingið meira tøkt. Hetta er ein háttur at seta ferð
á vakstrar- óg útflutningsvinnu og skapa synergi til gagns fyri bæði einstakar
fyritøkur, føroyska vinnu og samfelagið sum heild.

  
_Elin Heinesen, stjóri í SamViti, sept. 2008_

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, September 17,
2008](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/09/fra-veiusamfelag-til-
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## Tuesday, September 16, 2008

###  [Frá veiðusamfelag til vitanarsamfelag
II](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/09/fra-veiusamfelag-til-
vitanarsamfelag-ii.html)

_Eftir Elin Heinesen, stjóra í SamViti_

  
**Fyritreytirnar fyri at skapa kappingarføri snúgva seg í dag í høvuðsheitum um evnini hjá vinnulívinum til at skifta frá reinari rávøru- og ídnaðarframleiðslu sum fremstu búskaparligu drívmegi til meira fjølbroyttar og handilsligar tænastur - harímillum at draga skikkaða arbeiðsmegi til, sum hevur førleikar til at menna og marknaðarføra vørur. **  
  
Førleikar til at samskifta eru avgerandi fyri menningina av nýggjum vørum og
vinnum. Førleikar til at savna og skifta um virðismikla vitan hava týdning
fyri, at nýggj hugskot verða ment - t.d. hugskot til bíligari og burðardyggari
framleiðsluhættir. Førleikar til at kunna, marknaðarføra og selja, hava
týdning fyri, at vørurnar røkka einum so stórum kundaskara sum gjørligt. Tað
er í hesi virðisskapan, at t.d. akademikararnir kunnu koma vinnuni til
hjálpar.

  
At fáa fleiri skikkaði virðisskapandi fólk til at velja at búgva og arbeiða í
Føroyum er ein av okkara allarstørstu avbjóðingum í løtuni. Vit mangla
akademikarar, lesandi, granskarar og nýskapandi íverksetarar, umframt ikki
minst kvinnur og barnafamiljur. At skapa eitt samfelag, sum kann draga at sær
fólk uttanífrá - eisini vitjandi, sum leggja pengar eftir seg - er ein
fyritreyt fyri búskaparvøkstri og fyri størri fjølbroytni í vinnuni. Men
hvussu væl megna vit hesar avbjóðingar? Tað gongur heldur striltið í løtuni.
Tí má ein sjálvrannsakan til.

  
**Virða vit tey, ið skapa óítøkiligu virðini?**  
Vinnan spælir ein stóran leiklut - ikki minst fiskivinnan, sum eins og onnur
vinna má viðurkenna, at tað kann loysa seg at gera størri íløgur í
handilsliga, tænastuveitandi og akademiska arbeiðsmegi, hóast hon í fyrstu
atløgu tykist dýr. Men sum er, leggur høvuðsvinna okkara enn fyrst og fremst
áherðslu á tað siðbundna - at veiða og framleiða, har tað í stóran mun ræður
um at fiska so nógv sum gjørligt so skjótt sum gjørligt og fáa sum mest fyri
rávøruna. Vinnan tykist í ov lítlan mun at vilja hava brúk fyri tí, sum
akademikarar kundu lagt aftrat - t.d. í mun til at fáa meira fyri minni.

  
Halda vit framhaldandi fast í einum ikki-burðardyggum hugburði, sum restin av
heiminum er í ferð við at flyta seg burturfrá, kunnu vit bara rokna við at
verða rakt av kreppu - ikki bara orsaka av høgum oljuprísum, men av svíkjandi
fiskastovnum, av ov lágum prísum fyri okkara vørur, av manglandi arbeiðsmegi
osfr. Hetta er spell, tá veruleikin er, at fleiri og fleiri føroyingar eru
vælútbúnir og kundu givið sítt týðandi íkast til størri virðisskapan og til at
skapa eina meira burðardygga vinnu. Men hetta virðismikla menniskjansliga
tilfeingið tykist ikki at vera virðismett sum uppiborið og als ikki brúkt
optimalt í Føroyum.

  
**Ein kærkomin hjálpandi hond**  
Tey útbúnu ynskja sjálvandi at fáa høvi til at brúka sína vitan og førleikar.
Men sum er nú, brúka nógv av okkara væl útbúnu fólkum sínar førleikar
aðrastaðni. Mong hugsa enn ikki tankan, at tað ber til at koma heim, tí
akademiskir førleikar verða lítið eftirspurdir í føroyskari vinnu - í øllum
førum ikki í siðbundnu vinnuni. Teir verða næstan bara eftirspurdir í tí
almenna. Hugburðurin hjá akademikarum og ikki-akademikarum er ofta ymiskur.
Hetta er við til at skapa spenningar millum tað almenna og vinnuna, sum ofta
tykjast nærmast at mótarbeiða hvørjum øðrum heldur enn at síggja seg sum eitt
ískoyti til hvønnannan. Mong útbúgvin fólk, sum eru komin heim fyri at royna
seg í vinnuni, siga seg uppliva at verða meira ella minni sæð sum ónyttur, ið
ikki vita, hvat 'veruligt arbeiði' snýr seg um, so tí ber ikki til at lurta
eftir teimum. Hetta ger tað ikki hugaligari at koma heim til Føroya at liva og
virka.

  
Samstundis er lønarlagið væl lægri í Føroyum fyri akademikarar enn í londunum
kring okkum, skattlig viðurskifti við flyting til Føroya ófyrimunarlig,
umframt at tað er dýrt bæði at búgva og keypa vørur her. Ei undur í, at nógv
aftra seg við at fara til Føroya at søkja sær arbeiði. Ístaðin fyri at mála
fíggindamyndir og síggja útbúgvin fólk sum mótstøðufólk, ónyttur ella
óneyðugar útreiðslur, átti vinnan at sæð tey útbúnu sum eina kærkomna
hjálpandi hond til eina vinnu, sum er í kreppu og hevur hart brúk fyri hesi
hjálpini.

  
**Gamlir dreingir fáa ikki eftirkomarar**  
Hetta kundi samstundis eisini hjálpt uppá ójavnvágina millum kynini í Føroyum,
har kvinnur eru í

undirskoti - av góðum orsøkum. Kvinnur eru í miðal betri útbúnar enn menn og
arbeiða siðbundið eisini nógv í handils- og tænastuvinnu, men tað er ikki
stórt útboð av teimum størvunum í Føroyum í mun til í økjum við størri
fólkamiðsavnan uttanlands, sum virka sum magnetir uppá okkara kvinnur og
lesandi. Vit síggja tí, hvussu nógvar kvinnur og lesandi ikki venda aftur til
Føroya, um tey flyta av landinum, tí møguleikarnir eru betri hjá teimum í
øðrum fólkaríkari økjum fyri meira lønandi, spennandi og avbjóðandi arbeiði og
fyri at liva minni kostnaðartungt enn her.

  
Um vit ikki gera nakað nú við støðuna her heima, økist vandin fyri, at hetta
landið endar við at vera eitt samfelag av ófaklærdum gomlum dreingjum, sum
búgva á bygd og arbeiða í fiskivinnu. Alt gott um teir annars, men teir fáa
ikki eftirkomarar. Vit síggja longu, fólkavøksturin er uppsteðgaður.

  
**Mugu geva rúm fyri fjølbroytni**  
Um Føroyar skal vera eitt liviligt og spennandi samfelag við eins høgum
livifóti sum t.d. í hinum Norðanlondunum, og við eini væl fjølbroyttari
íbúgvarasamanseting, har lesandi, vælútbúgvin fólk og kvinnur, sum kunnu føða
børn, eisini trívast - er tíðin komin til at hugsa í munadyggum
vakstrarstrategium, sum vinnan og tað almenna mugu ganga saman um at skapa í
felag, so allir partar hála somu línu og rudda vegin fyri hvønnannan.

  
Um ikki lívið skal bløða spakuligt út úr hesum samfelagnum, mugu vit syrgja
fyri at draga nógv fleiri og meira virðisskapandi og reproduktivar kreftir til
Føroya. Vit mugu hava fólkaríkari samanhangandi meginøki í Føroyum, sum geva
rúm fyri størri fjølbroytni - og tí virka meira dragandi fyri fleiri. Vit hava
nógvar avbjóðingar fyri framman, sum vit mugu møta og loysa.

  
**Mugu raðfesta inntøkugevandi átøk**  
Spurningurin er, hví stórir partar av vinnuni og ávísir politikkarar ikki meta
støðuna í mun til stóru myndina, men royna at trumfa áhugamál hjá
lokalsamfeløgum ella ávísum pørtum av vinnuni ígjøgnum. Harvið halda tey fast
í, at vit framhaldandi skulu hava eitt einstreingjað og siðbundið
veiðusamfelag, sum í longdini kortini ikki er burðardygt og útihýsir so nógvum
møguleikum, heldur enn at gera íløgur í virðisskapandi nýskapan, sum kundi
stovnfest vinnuna betri og skapt nógv fleiri arbeiðspláss - m.a. til tey, sum
nú búgva uttanlands, umframt nógv størri møguleikar fyri inntøkum og spennandi
avbjóðingum - júst tað, sum okkara væl útbúna arbeiðsmegin eftirlýsir.

  
Tað gongur uttan iva út yvir samfelagsbúskapin í væl størri mun, enn vit geva
okkum far um, um vinnan og tað almenna ikki hugsa meira yvirskipað og gera
meira fyri at draga - og brúka - útbúnað ella akademiska virðisskapandi
arbeiðsmegi, so vit kunnu styrkja vinnuna og fáa tann neyðuga
búskaparvøksturin, ið t.d. skal bera tær vaksandi almennu útreiðslurnar til
heilsuverk og tunnellir o.a.

  
**Gransking, menning og marknaðarføring má til**  
Um politiska skipanin bara átekur sær ein reglubindandi eftirlitsleiklut og
áleggur landskassanum fleiri og fleiri útreiðslur til ikki-inntøkugevandi
íløgur, har øktu útreiðslurnar verða fíggjaðar við at leggja enn hægri skattir
og avgjøld á fólk, uttan samstundis at gera kakuna størri - tvs. gera íløgur í
átøk, sum geva samfelagnum sum heild størri inntøkur - so verður úrslitið eitt
fíggjarligt trýst á vinnuna og á einstaka borgaran, ið sannlíkt útarmar
gjaldførið og kvinkar príslagið enn longur uppeftir, sum aftur ger, at
samfelagið gerst minni attraktivt fyri tey vælútbúnu at búseta seg og arbeiða
í. Tað bítur seg sjálvt í halan.

  
Tí er tað altavgerandi, at politiska skipanin raðfestir íløgur í skilagóð
átøk, ið mest sannlíkt økja samfelagsinntøkurnar og harvið gjaldførið skjótast
gjørligt.

  
**Hvørja nyttu kann tað almenna gera?**  
Ikki øll halda, at tað almenna eigur at blanda seg uppí vinnumenning. Í
útgangsstøðinum er tað sjálvandi altíð sunnast, at vinnan megnar at standa á
egnum beinum, men í ávísum førum kann tað almenna gera stóra nyttu í mun til
at lata hurðar upp og lætta umstøðurnar fyri vinnu við vakstrar- og
útflutningsmøguleikum. Spurningurin er, hvar tað almenna røkkur - ella hvat
tað almenna kann, sum privata vinnulívið ikki kann ella ikki raðfestir, tí tað
ikki hevur orkuna at gera íløgurnar í tað. Her kann tað almenna traðka til sum
ein virðismikil sparringspartnari fyri vinnuna.

  
Tað almenna kann stuðla ella gera íløgur í virðisskapandi gransking,
hagtalssavnan og onnur amboð, sum vinnan hevur fyri neyðini í mun til at
fremja vørumenning og betri, meira samskipaða og effektiva marknaðarføring av
Føroyum og føroyskum vørum og tænastum, har vinnan ikki einsamøll megnar at
lyfta uppgávuna.Tað almenna kann lata hurðar upp á týðandi millumlanda og
hægri politiskum stigi - t.d. ígjøgnum samstarv við útlendskar almennar
stovnar sum hava týdning fyri fremjan av vinnumálum. Tað almenna gevur ofta
eina ávísa tign til vinnulig átøk við, at almennir persónar/embætisfólk
luttaka og lyftir harvið týdningin av átakinum í eygunum á útlendskum
handilspartnarum og fjølmiðlum. Og tað almenna er meira óheft enn vinnan av
serstøkum handilsligum áhugamálum, tí tað hevur skyldu til at tæna samfelagnum
sum heild og kann tí spæla ein savnandi leiklut, har sum tað gevur eyðsæddar
fyrimunir, at vinnan stendur saman.

  
Meira um, hvat skal til fyri at venda búskaparligu gongdini í næstu grein, sum
kemur í morgin.

  
_Elin Heinesen, stjóri í SamViti, sept. 2008_

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2008](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/09/fra-veiusamfelag-til-
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## Monday, September 15, 2008

###  [Frá veiðusamfelag til vitanarsamfelag
I](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/09/fra-veiusamfelag-til-
vitanarsamfelag-i.html)

_Eftir Elin Heinesen, stjóra í SamViti_

  
**Politiska kreppan, vit uppliva í løtuni, er eitt av eyðkennunum fyri búskaparrembingarnar og hugburðsbroytingarnar, sum føroyska samfelagið fer ígjøgnum í hesum tíðum. Umskifti henda altíð við gníggingum millum gamalt og nýtt. Vit eru mitt í einum ættarliðsskifti - og tað gongur ikki altíð fyri seg við mýkindum. Men uppgerðin er neyðug at taka, um vit ynskja at flyta okkum inn í nýggju tíðina og varðveita okkara vælferð framyvir.**  
  
Hetta er ikki nakað, sum hendir bara her heima hjá okkum. Men munurin er helst
tann, at hjá okkum er størri munur á ættarliðunum, tí menningin frá
veiðusamfelag til vitanarsamfelag hendir yvir styttri tíð.

  
Kring heimin snýr umskiftið seg í løtuni nógv um, at fleiri og fleiri fólk
viðurkenna, at náttúran ikki er nøkur ótømandi kelda, og at vit ikki kunnu
hava búskaparskipanir, sum taka útgangsstøði í, at óendaligur vøkstur er
møguligur, tí veruleikin er, at ítøkiliga tilfeingið er avmarkað. Vit kunnu
ikki troyta náttúrutilfeingið óavmarkað, men mugu liva og virka í
burðardyggari javnvág við náttúruna.

  
Alheimssamfelagið er tí sum heild á veg úr einum eldri hugburði, har fólk mest
mettu sín status í mun til, hvussu nógv, tey kundu forbrúka og upphópa av
ognum, til ein hugburð, har fólk nú meira meta sín status í mun til meira
óítøkilig virði, sum snúgva seg um sínámillum viðurkenning - um hvørji vit
eru, hvat vit gera og hvat vit uppliva, umframt ikki minst hvussu vit kunnu
geva okkara íkast til at varðveita náttúrutilfeingið (við øðrum orðum
burðardygd). Henda hugburðsbroyting kollveltir forbrúksmynstrið og
alheimsmarknaðin í løtuni.

  
**Á veg inn í vitanarsamfelagið**  
Líka mikið hvat vit í Føroyum gera ella ikki, so eru eisini vit tí á veg inn í
ein búskap, har virðir í vaksandi mun eru tengd at meira óítøkiligum
viðurskiftum, sum hava t.d. við samleika, vitan, samskifti, og upplivingar at
gera. Vitanar- og upplivingarbúskapurin hevur í teimum londum, vit samanbera
okkum við, langt síðani yvirhálað veiðu- og ídnaðarbúskapin sum fremsti
virðisskapari. Norðanlond t.d. byggja tí í dag sítt ríkidømi fyrst og fremst
uppá vitan og nýskapan ella innovatión, serliga í mun til burðardygga vinnu.

  
Henda veruleika mugu vit í Føroyum viðurkenna og lata okkum í til, um vit,
eins og onnur, skulu gera okkum nakra vón um at vera kappingarfør í mun til
umheimin. Vinnan kann ikki longur lata sum um, at veruleikin og marknaðurin
enn er skrúvaður saman sum fyri 30, 20 ella bara 10 árum síðani. Okkara
vinnulív má laga seg eftir nýggju meira óítøkiligu vilkorunum og stremba eftir
burðardygd. "Change or die" ella "Innovate or die" verður sagt millum
vinnulívsfólk úti í heimi.

  
**Bestu søgurnar skapa størsta vinningin**  
Vit kunnu ikki longur dúva einans uppá rávøru- og framleiðsluídnað, tí hóast
tað sjálvandi er og altíð vil vera ein stórur marknaður fyri grundleggjandi
neyðsynjarvørum sum mati t.d., eru tað ikki longur bara tær fysisku vørurnar í
sær sjálvum ella fysiskir eginleikar við vørunum, sum hava virði fyri
keyparan. Virði á vørum verður í størri og størri mun mett eftir, um vørurnar
onkusvegna styrkja samleikan hjá keyparanum - t.d. keypa nógv fólk
vistfrøðiligt, tí tað fær tey at føla seg sum betri menniskju at eta sunnari
og gera nakað gott fyri náttúruna.

  
Keyparin hevur lyndi at velja vørur eftir virðum, sum verða løgd aftrat
fysisku vørueginleikunum og rindar ofta upp til fleirfaldað fyri hetta
meirvirði. Tí síggja vit ofta, at vørur kunnu hava fullkomiliga eins fysiskar
eginleikar, men heilt ymiskan prís, tí mesta virði liggur ikki í fysisku
eginleikunum. T.d. kostar ein vanligur pakki við einum kg av salti um 6 kr.
Beint við síðuna av stendur ein annar pakki við somu nøgd av salti, sum kostar
36 kr. Munurin á góðskuni ella framleiðsluhátti rættvísger sum so ikki ein so
stóran prísmun. Tað, sum ger størsta munin, er, at tað stendur Læsø salt á
dýrara pakkanum. Søgan um, at saltið kemur úr Læsø, virðisøkir sostatt saltið
við 600 prosentum! (Les um Læsø salt her: http://www.sydesalt.dk/)

  
Tað er alneyðugt, at vit í Føroyum fata týdningin av, hvussu stórt árin góðar
søgur kunnu hava, og at vit byrja at brúka hesa tilvitan meira í okkara
vinnulívi. Góðar søgur hava ikki bara týdning fyri príssetingina av vøruni,
men ofta eisini í mun til at byggja eina heila síðuvinnu upp kring vøruna,
eins og tey hava gjørt á Læsø, har ein lønandi ferðavinna er bygd upp um
saltútvinsluna.

  
**Kappast um hugskot og søgur**  
Vit síggja, hvussu virðisskapan í størri og størri mun fer fram í gjøgnum
vøru- og konseptmenning - har nýggjar vørur verða uppfunnar, ella verða mentar
til at hóska til serligan tørv ella kring eitt ávíst konsept - umframt
ígjøgnum at vørur verða spunnar inn í søgur og sniðgeving, sum tala til
kenslulív, lívsvirðir og samleika. Okkara kappingarneytar kappast tí mest um,
hvør kann finna uppá mest sermerktu hugskotini og siga bestu søgurnar.

  
Hetta er eitt annað fokus enn tað, vit vanliga hava haft í Føroyum, har vit
higartil hava roynt at varðveita ein siðbundnan reinan ídnað - tvs. fyrst og
fremst fiskiveiðu, ráfiskakeyp og -sølu - sum higartil hevur troytt
náttúrutilfeingið so nógv sum gjørligt, ofta langt út yvir tað burðardygga,
ístaðin fyri at fokusera uppá at skapa meirvirði burtur úr tilgeingiliga
tilfeinginum ígjøgnum innovatión, kreativa vørumenning og ígjøgnum
marknaðarføring og 'storytelling', sum tykist verða undirmett og ofta raðfest
sera lágt.

  
**Føroysk vinna má saðla um**  
Hugburðurin serliga í høvuðsvinnu okkara er serstakliga nógv tengdur at
sjálvari veiðu- og framleiðslumentanini, har vónin verður løgd í at forvinna
so nógv sum gjørligt, tá ráfiskaprísurin er høgur - og annars bara bíða eftir
betri tíðum. Hetta - saman við ytri ávirkanum sum t.d. oljuprísinum - skapar
sjálvandi ein sera viðkvæman óstøðugan búskap.

  
Nógvir føroyingar, sum hava sítt livibreyð í veiðu- og framleiðsluídnað,
tykjast hava ilt við - ella mótvilja ímóti at seta seg inn í alt tað
óítøkiliga, sum í dag hevur fingið so stóran týdning fyri virðissetan av vørum
á alheimsmarknaðinum. Tað lættasta er at lata sum um, at tað óítøkiliga ikki
spælir ein serliga týðandi leiklut. Ístaðin fyri at laga seg til nýggju
vilkorini á alheimsmarknaðinum, verður roynt at verja um ein gamlan hugburð,
har verðin var meira einføld og virðir ítøkilig. Hesin hugburður royndist væl
einaferð, men ikki longur. Nógvar ressursur verða tí spiltar uppá at fáa tað
almenna til at halda kunstigt lív í einari reint rávøruframleiðandi vinnu, sum
í veruleikanum er deyðadømd, um hon ikki saðlar um.

  
**Vit dragna afturúr á alheimsmarknaðinum**  
Veruleikin er tann, at tilfeingið er avmarkað, flutningsútreiðslur verða helst
ikki bíligari, vøruútboðið og kappingin er størri enn nakrantíð, krøvini frá
marknaðinum til burðardygd økjast í hvørjum - og ikki minst, at óítøkilig
virði - so sum førleikarnir til at samskifta - í størri og størri mun avgera,
hvat ið kann umsetast til pengar. Um vit ikki raðfesta virðisskapandi
vørumenning, burðardygd og marknaðarføring hægri, enn vit gera, fáa vit tað
nógv torførari við at skilja okkum frá øðrum, sum framleiða nakað tað sama sum
vit - og nógv torførari við at fáa ein góðan prís fyri vørur okkara. Hetta
gongur út yvir samfelagsbúskapin - í hvussu stóran mun, kunnu vit bara gita
um!

  
Hví gera vit so ikki meira við nýskapan - við at menna vørur og við samskifti
og marknaðarføring, um tað kundi verið loysnin? Tað eru uppgávur, sum t.d. ein
akademisk arbeiðsmegi kann loysa, men tað tykist, sum um at vit enn hava eina
íbygda arga mótstøðu ímóti at 'akademisera' okkara vinnulív.

  
Meira um hetta í næstu greinini, sum kemur í morgin....

  
_Elin Heinesen, stjóri í SamViti, sept. 2008_

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, September 15,
2008](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/09/fra-veiusamfelag-til-
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## About Me

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[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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  *[Tuesday, September 16, 2008]: 2008-09-16T20:19:00+01:00
  *[Wednesday, September 17, 2008]: 2008-09-17T20:49:00+01:00
  *[Monday, September 15, 2008]: 2008-09-15T20:13:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Sunday, November 16, 2008

###  [Celebrity visits generate
publicity](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/11/celebrity-visits-
generate-publicity.html)

**With former US president Bill Clinton and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore in the country's guest book, international media coverage could be causing the Faroes to emerge from obscurity--clearing the way for effective nation branding. Búi Tyril talks to Elin Heinesen, Managing Director of SamVit, Faroe Islands Enterprise, and others.**

  

_By Búi Tyril, Faroe Business Report 2008_

  

When a panel of experts with National Geographic Traveler ranked the Faroe
Islands as the world's most appealing island destination, it was a convenient
piece of news for the Faroe Islands Enterprise (SamVit), the merged Faroe
Islands Trade Council and Faroe Islands Tourist Board.

  

The special appeared a few months after last summer's visit of former US
President Bill Clinton, and was in all likelihood a direct result of increased
awareness of the country. President Clinton arrived with former UN weapons
inspector Hans Blix to deliver the keynote speeches at a Tórshavn gathering of
businesspeople and officials.

  

"This is the biggest news to hit the Faroe Islands since Christianity arrived
about a thousand years ago," Canada's Toronto Star commented when the new
broke that Mr Clinton had accepted the invitation from the House of Industry.

  

One year on, a search engine query on the phrase [Bill Clinton Faroe Islands]
returned 21,100 results.

  

"That's the point," said SamVit managing director Elin Heinesen. "The Clinton-
Blix event was a huge success and it's still having a tremendous impact. The
effects of such stories need time to filter through but… Well, as you see,
this one received extensive media coverage."

  

Next move: Get Nobel Peace Prize winner, former Vice President Al Gore
featured at a conference on the subject of climate change, marine environment
and energy. As this publication went to press, the TransAtlantic Climate
Conference was to be held in Tórshavn on 7th and 8th April, featuring Mr Gore
as keynote speaker, plus a host of experts from several countries.

  

"A new initiative focusing on climate changes in the Atlantic Ocean and
climate challenges related to the ocean," the TACC 08 was aimed "particularly
at researchers, business people, civil society representatives and politicians
in the North Atlantic region and the Nordic countries," said the organizers--
Bitland, House of Industry, SamVit, and NORA.

  

The idea as envisaged by SamVit: International media could be about to
discover the Faroes and should be encouraged to follow through on stories
related to the place--which many of them are happy to do as they'll have a
natural interest in catering to their audience's growing taste for things out
of the ordinary.

  

"What we offer is in demand out there," Ms Heinesen said. "According to the
latest reports on population trends, people living in big cities, for the
first time in recorded history, now outnumber people living in rural areas.
We're noting an increased interest from foreign journalists, scientists,
businesspeople, and tourists. I think what some of them see in our country is
something missing elsewhere, maybe something that used to be there for them
but disappeared somewhere along the way. So what the Faroes has is a mix that
can bring back that feeling of serenity and yet fascinate at the same time."

  

Clearly, whereas mass tourism is not what we're looking at, business travel
and ecotourism are.

  

Ranking the Faroe Islands on the top of its 111-long list of island
destinations--ahead of the Azores and Lofoten with Shetland and Iceland
trailing--Traveler quoted its experts in sustainable tourism and destination
stewardship on the Faroes: "Lovely unspoiled islands--a delight to the
traveler."

  

The magazine added: "Remote and cool, and thus safe from overcrowding, the
autonomous archipelago northwest of the Shetlands earns high marks from
panelists for preservation of nature, historic architecture, and local pride."
Another quote from the panelists: "Spectacular waterfalls and harbors."

  

The feature entitled "111 islands" warned against "tourism overkill" and other
perils. "The world's most appealing destinations--islands--are the ones most
prone to tourism overkill," it said. "Islands symbolize vacation. Escape!
Their very insularity makes them more attractive than a comparable piece of
real estate on the mainland. They are worlds unto themselves--their own
traditions, ecosystems, cultures, landscapes. That's what attracts us. But as
microworlds, islands are also more vulnerable to population pressure, climate
change, storm damage, invasive species, and now, tourism overkill.

  

Traveler and its National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
conducted the fourth annual Destination Scorecard survey, aided by George
Washington University, "to see how the integrity of islands around the world
is holding up. A panel of 522 experts in sustainable tourism and destination
stewardship donated time to review conditions in these 111 selected islands
and archipelagos."

  

Said Ms Heinesen: "The coverage we've received will doubtlessly attract more
tourists. But beyond that, it helps us in terms of nation branding."

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, November 16,
2008](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/11/celebrity-visits-
generate-publicity.html) [0
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###  [It's all in the mix](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/11
/its-all-in-mix.html)

**Interview with Ms. Elin Brimheim Heinesen, Managing Director of SamVit - Faroe Islands Enterprise**

_By Búi Tyril, Faroe Business Report 2008_

Their outlook is increasingly global yet people in the Faroes are proud of
their national identity--after all, the unique Faroese culture is alive and
kicking, their islands are truly beautiful, and their fishing is the envy of
the world.

Rumor has it that the man credited for introducing the term 'nation branding'
not long ago called the Faroe Islands "the Shangri La of the 21st century."
Assuming there is verifiable substance behind the alleged statement, a first
question to follow would be: In using such words about this very small
country, what does an international authority on branding of places mean to
imply?

According to the Economist, "Simon Anholt is one of the world's leading
advisers to governments who wish to build global brands." Now that does lend a
touch of class to whatever he has to say about the competitiveness of any
place. The man behind "the first analytical ranking of the world's nation
brands"--the Anholt Nation Brands Index--has in fact developed a method of
surveying tens of thousands of consumers in dozens of countries on their
"perceptions of the cultural, political, commercial and human assets,
investment potential and tourist appeal of each nation."

True, as a brand, the Faroes may still have a long way to go. It takes
financial muscle to run sizeable marketing campaigns. But something is on the
move, says Elin Heinesen, managing director of SamVit, also known as the Faroe
Islands Enterprise.

"Globalization appears to be an unstoppable megatrend that brings a lot of
great things," Ms Heinesen says. "Its influence penetrates everyday life in
the Faroes as well as everywhere else; but it nonetheless poses many
challenges for communities around the world. One of the major problems with
modern life as experienced in big cities is the eradication of cultural
differences--the lack of diversity undermines people's sense of uniqueness and
distinction. In this context, the Faroes is becoming attractive because of our
special combination, somehow representing the opposite of what many city
dwellers are growing weary of, and yet exciting at the same time."

Once you're there, the funny thing about this closely knit, self governing
community in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is first and foremost its
constantly manifested, stunning contrasts that keep coming at you.

Starting with road infrastructure, the 48,000 strong island nation enjoys
building roads and submarine tunnels for billions of Danish krones (hundreds
of millions of euros). What kind of proportions would that translate into in
your home country? You do the math.

You may try to touch upon any controversial subject in the Faroes; succeed
(difficult for anyone not local) and you'll have people going on forever over
peanuts. But ask anyone for a helping hand--no, don't even ask--and you'll be
treated to genuine generosity of the kind that will make you feel like home.

Again, expect surprise.

Now, try to push a Faroese for a decision on some relatively important issue,
something that bureaucrats elsewhere would spend months on, and you'll be
amazed at the most prompt expediency you've ever seen. Take another angle and
ask any Faroese manager what his or her time schedule will look like over the
next few weeks, and the most likely answer: "Well, it depends…"

Hence the old nickname, the Land of Maybe. But again, note the contradicting
combination of spontaneous swiftness and ready submission to the _force
majeure_ that be.

"The Maybe factor has been on the retreat for half a century but it's
undeniably still there," Ms Heinesen says. "The weather still decides a lot,
and the ocean is still by far our most important source of income."

Indeed, fishing and the ocean is the very life of the Faroe Islands, yet the
majority of the population is employed in private and public services. Then
there's the arts and crafts, Ms Heinesen points out.

"Our traditions in arts and crafts are held in high esteem and I believe their
continuance is extremely important," she says.

"There are strong currents driving opportunities in our direction--foreigners
see something new, different and unspoiled in our culture. At the same time,
we have up and coming Faroese music artists gaining audiences around the
world, and the same goes for several clothing designers."

So while Internet technology and universal awareness of global issues are
placing these islands firmly on the world map, the Faroese are themselves keen
on keeping their cultural balance intact--as well as the ecological one--and
learning to capitalize on it. Otherwise, a community entirely dependent on the
sustainable harvesting of its marine resources would neither survive nor
prosper.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, November 16,
2008](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008/11/its-all-in-mix.html) [0
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## Pages

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## About Me

[![My Photo](//lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SJwg6_2-E18/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAX0/
5jYjPht06T4/s80-c/photo.jpg)](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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  *[Sunday, November 16, 2008]: 2008-11-16T13:37:00Z

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Saturday, May 23, 2009

###  [Faroe Islands at a
Crossroads](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/05/faroe-islands-at-
crossroads.html)

  
  
  

### A presentation held by Elin Brimheim Heinesen for Heads of Diplomatic
Missions in Iceland, 23 May 2009

  
**The Faroe Islands are at a crossroads. Do we want to be a modern globalised society or do we want to hold on to our traditional way of life? Or... is it possible to combine these two?  
  
**We must face the fact that even if the Faroes has the highest birth rate in Europe, this cannot quite compensate for the emigration from the islands. Our economic situation is not as bad as in many other countries, but the world economic crisis is taking its toll here as well, and unemployment rates and deficits of finances are increasing at the moment. We must cope with these problems. But there seems to be a bright light at the end of the tunnel. We're constantly being told by outsiders that we are sitting on a gold mine, but most Faroese have just not realised how to utilise this gold yet...  
  
**Facing Great Challenges  
**It is a fact, though, that we, as it is, face great difficulties if we are reluctant to change. The population of the Faroes has not increased since the 80s. In fact, the number of young people and women on the islands is decreasing, because these people are moving out of the Faroes in growing numbers - most to the Danish mainland. If we hadn't Europes highest birthrate of 2,6 children per couple we would really be in trouble.  
  
We face great challenges, indeed. Unless we do something to attract younger
people and women, our society could develop into a society only for elderly
people and occasional visitors. If we want the Faroes to be a place that also
attracts other people than just tourists in the summer and Faroese living
abroad coming home for holidays, we need to tackle the challenge of
globalisation in a wise and responsible way.

  
**Need To Attract Women And Young People**  
The education level of the Faroese people has risen considerably in the last
30 years, but there is a lack of career-opportunities suitable for a well-
educated workforce. The first challenge is to establish new industries that
attract a more diverse and well-educated workforce - and not least, along with
that, we must create an educational environment that attracts young students,
perhaps from foreign countries as well. It is good that some young people
leave to study elsewhere, but it is not good for society that every ambitious
youngster leaves. We must be able to provide a satisfying livelihood for
people of all ages and sexes and with different educations, so more people
will want to live in the Faroes all year round.

  
While we are eager to move into the 21st century we still deeply value our old
traditional ways of life in the Faroes. We don't want development to totally
destroy society as it is. Of course we want to keep and preserve the good
things we already have for as long as possible. But they should not get in the
way of development and keep us at a standstill, because that would cause more
emigration of especially women and young people, which we so much need -
especially if we want to reproduce and maintain our population level.

  
It is very important that we realise that losing these people is damaging to
our society. And we will keep losing more and more of them if we're not
offering them new and modern challenges, which they crave. It is glaringly
obvious that many of these people are not attracted to jobs in our traditional
trade and industry. So perhaps it is high time that we start to prioritise a
little differently than we have before.

  
**The Fishing Industry  
**Fish and fish products is by far our greatest export. However, it is risky to be solely dependent on fishery which, among other things, is very susceptible to environmental changes and price fluctuations. But most people in the Faroes have been dependent on fishery or farming for centuries. This is what they know and understand. Fishery will and should still provide a significant part of our income, because the Faroes will always be an island community in the middle of a huge ocean full of fish, hopefully, but there is no reason not to explore innovation and development of alternative businesses as well. If not for any other reason then just to make sure that more women and young people also want to live here.  
  
**Must Develop New Business Opportunities  
**Tourism, for instance, is the second largest industry in the world and has a potential for a lot of jobs - in fact a huge variety of different jobs, that greatly appeal to especially young people and women that often like to take service jobs, creative jobs and other jobs where they get to work directly with or for people.  
  
The Faroese have invested billions of Danish Kroner in equipment used for
fishing. It is high time that we now invest more extensively in 'equipment'
used for fishing tourists, because it is potentially a very profitable
business from the mere fact that there are a lot more tourists available for
catching out there than there are tons of fish! People should know that the
value of a single tourist, for instance, is in fact comparable to the value of
half a ton of cod.

  
But just as fish don't jump ashore from the sea, tourists don't just appear on
their own initiative - maybe a few, but the vast majority doesn't. We also
need 'equipment' for fishing tourists. That means that resources must be made
available for the development of products that attract tourists and for
marketing the products so the tourists out there will know about their
existence.

  
**What Is The Attraction?**  
But do we have anything special to offer in comparison to other places? Well,
many foreigners tell us that we are quite unique. In November 2007 the
magazine National Geographic Traveler rated us as island destination no. 1 in
the world. According to their panel of 522 travel experts, we are the best and
most attractive islands in the world ahead of The Azores, Hawaii and the
Bahamas and other fantastic island destinations. Weighing up environment,
ecology and culture, the magazine placed the Faroes first for "integrity of
place". This was a rating that gave this small country priceless publicity
around the world and triggered an avalanche of media attention - at least in
comparison with what we were accustomed to previously where football and pilot
whaling were the only subjects the international media would want to write
about.

  
**Most Unspoilt Islands In The World**  
It turns out that some of our greatest advantages are, that we don't have
McDonalds, we don't have Starbucks, we don't have Hilton. It seems that this
is very much appreciated by our guests that we have escaped globalisation so
far in that aspect. At the same time as people are living the modern life in
the capital city, Tórshavn, where you can find four stars hotels and
restaurants, cafés and nightlife, we've retained our primitive character in
many aspects - especially out in the smaller villages. We're rough and ready
in some respects, such as the way we don't yet have a highly developed
hospitality industry and we haven't taken what we do and turned it into a
tourist simulacrum. We're not trying to artificially recreate our past as
Vikings to 'please' the tourists - we're still truly living reminiscences of a
Viking life built on ancient traditions of which some have survived all the
way from Viking age.

  
**A Competitive Advantage  
**You could say: We are the real thing! Although we have fantastic natural attractions, spectacular sceneries and wildlife, and lie as close as just two hours flight from metro poles like London and Copenhagen, we're not 'touristy' at all in comparison with most other countries in the world.  
  
These facts can in fact become our strongest selling points in the competition
with other tourist destinations. It is extremely important in marketing to be
able to claim difference. We are very lucky that we can honestly claim
difference when it comes to being unspoilt - at least in comparison with other
countries - especially in these days where pollution, climate change and
global warming is very much on the agenda and everybody shouts about how
sustainable and responsible they are in order to get a competitive advantage.

  
But we are in fact a little bit ahead because we know exactly how to live in
balance with nature in a sustainable way, because we've done that forever. But
we don't shout about it, because it has always been like that and we hardly
even notice it ourselves. If we want to keep this advantage I think it is
absolutely crucial that we make ourselves aware of our distinctive qualities,
and we should be very cautious not to jeopardise these qualities - and make
sure that we don't throw the baby out with the bath water in carelessness!

  
**Need To Keep The Balance  
**We have the capacity to increase the number of tourists twice, maybe three times more than we have today - and still remain unspoilt. But in my opinion, we should not aim for greater numbers than that. Right now, I know that there are people in the tourism industry in the Faroes that are quite worried, because tourism is slack - especially the passenger transport companies and the bigger hotels, because they need to fill their seats, cabins or hotel beds to keep their businesses running. They are dissatisfied with the fact that we haven't managed to get more tourists to come. They have started to believe that maybe our islands aren't that attractive after all.  
  
But we should not underestimate our attraction potential. What we have to
offer is rare and in demand out there somewhere. It's just up to us to
cultivate the right offers and to reach out for the right market. Information
travels very fast and widely today and we will put in our best efforts to make
the Faroes better known for exactly the qualities that we know are in demand.
When people out there will know about us, and they will eventually, a whole
other scenario could become reality, maybe all of a sudden, if the world
economic crisis turns around. International travel experts have foreseen this
and have therefore for quite a while been recommending that we should prepare
ourselves. They say the tourists will come. It's not a question of whether
they will come or not, it's a question of when.

  
**Turn Disadvantages To Advantages  
**Our remote location, our doubtful meteorological conditions and the relatively difficult, fairly expensive and not too frequent access to the islands, which in itself scares many people off, might perhaps be the best attraction of them all for some people, because it makes these people able almost to have these islands to them selves. And for this they would be willing to pay a lot of money.  
  
Maybe we should stop trying to rush into mass tourism where we never will be
able to compete anyway. We should instead put our efforts in attracting not
just anyone, but the right people that value and respect us for what we are
and what we have, and would be willing to pay for the experience, instead of
attracting people that consume our country the cheapest way possible as if it
was only meant for their amusement like some kind of Disneyland.

  
There is no need for us to adapt our country to the needs of the kind of
visitors that strain our nature and culture, in fact just harming the tourism
industry in the long run, and thus compromise our integrity as if we were only
exhibits in an anthropological museum. We must do this right. It is, however,
of course important, in the process of analysing and finding out what to do
next, to listen to what other people - foreigners - have to say about us and
look at what they value here. What is it that they find attractive? And we
should act accordingly - but in a way where we make sure that there is a
balance between what we want and what they want. I think that it is evident
already that it is possible to combine those things relatively easily, if we
choose the right strategy.

  
**Nature and Culture Tourism  
**It is a fact that there is increasing world wide interest in responsible tourism such as green tourism, geo- or ecotourism. This kind of tourism is also the fastest growing type of tourism in the world right now with a growth of 20 to 34 % a year in recent years. It is obvious that it pays to focus on this kind of tourism because these tourists spend much more money in the local community than the usual 'mass tourists' do. These tourists don't want to spend money on international hotels or restaurant chains but rather on local restaurants, bed and breakfasts and taverns.  
  
These tourists are also very much interested in local culture and tradition.
They can even contribute to revive some of our traditions that are about to
disappear. They would even come here only for that particular purpose - to
revive traditions like rappelling and catching birds at the sea cliffs or
learning to build the Faroese boat in the old Viking way, just to mention a
few examples.

  
I think that one of the greatest assets the Faroese people have, is their
traditions for handicrafts, musicality and creativity. We have a very
inspiring nature and climate - very changeable - which many claim really
boosts creativity and creates a humble attitude towards overpowering facts of
life, to which we are confronted everyday here on our islands. No wonder that
the Brits that occupied us during World War 2 named us the 'Land of Maybe'.
And no wonder that the amount of magnificent creative artworks is pouring out
of the islands in impressive amounts. But the people here are not shouting
about it because it comes so natural. Most of the world, therefore, never
becomes aware of all the hidden gems that can be found here.

  
**Come And Get Inspired In A Safe Destination  
**What can we do about it? How can we use these resources to benefit us and others? Nowadays, many people in the western world build their livelihoods on their ability to be creative. Many people also have a need for spiritual fulfilment that they don't get in their everyday life in overcrowded stressful big cities. There is a great possibility for us to meet these demands and still hold on to our authenticity. We could build a strong experience economy on that. Millions of people out there might very well need input and inspiration of the sort we have to offer - and in order to get that, they need what they don't get at home. They need simplicity, security, peace of mind and to be refreshed in an environment that inspires creativity and spirituality.  
  
As it happens, the Faroes are just perfect for exactly that! The Faroes have a
lot to offer in this respect! And this is not just me claiming that - this is
what I hear an ever-increasing number of travel experts and other visitors say
time and again.

  
More and more people in the world seem to search for something special to take
an interest in. And many consider the Faroes very special once these islands
have caught their attention. We can offer a more unspoiled less polluted
society and a challenging and literally breathtaking nature than most of our
competitors can - and still with all the modern conveniences and comfort that
makes people feel safe.

**  
**The fact that a lot of people consider the world an unsafe place to be these days, especially after 9-11, makes people somewhat nostalgic. They long for a backwardness towards something that once felt safer. The Faroes is a place that is quite safe in that respect. Actually it is the most crime-free place on earth according to recent research/statistics - and it seems to appeal to people for that reason also. This is something we can use to our advantage.  
  
**Why Aren't There More Tourists?  
**You might ask: But if these islands are so wonderful - why isn't there a lucrative tourism industry here already? Although the Faroe Islands are not far from the European mainland, this destination has until now been considered a little too remote for most people because the islands were not very accessible in the past. It is risky business for the transportation companies to open new or more frequent routes because so few live on the islands (only around 50,000). They cannot afford to wait for customers and so therefore only routes that are able to turn over a profit quickly are likely to be kept open. That has made it difficult to build up a more extensive tourism industry. This has, on the other hand, helped us keep our islands unspoiled - until now at least.  
  
It always boils down to the same problem: Because we are a very small country
we don't have a lot of money on our hands. Even if we can afford to give the
Icelanders a comparatively big loan and build extremely expensive sub sea
tunnels, our tourism marketing budgets are very small in comparison with our
competitors' budgets. Politicians tend not to have the proper understanding of
how huge the potential is in tourism, which means that they don't invest in
it. So we will probably need investment from outsiders to kick this off -
or... we really need to be creative in our efforts to tell the world out there
that there is something valuable for them here. Communication skills are
therefore absolutely essential for us!

  
**New Marketing Opportuinites  
**Fortunately for us the internet is revolutionising marketing today. It is possible now to reach out much further than it was just a few years ago. We can't afford expensive marketing campaigns anyway, so we need to target our marketing to niche markets. And because we can reach much further out, niche markets have become much bigger. I am absolutely sure, that there is much to be gained by focusing on niche markets that demand the qualities I have mentioned before in this presentation. But how do we reach the right people?  
  
It is a fact that big international companies have realised that traditional
marketing is not as effective any longer. Traditional advertising campaigns
seem to have very little effect when it comes to reaching people under the age
of 35. New ways of marketing are therefore on their way instead. Today, even
big companies like Nike are using "word of mouth marketing", social media like
Facebook and YouTube and ambassador strategies quite extensively. They have
realised a long time ago that this is a very effective way of marketing and
put a lot of effort to it.

  
Effective marketing has very much to do with networking - to create attention
by being well connected to key persons around the world that could be your
ambassadors - especially influential individuals or groups - people that other
people look up to, like musicians, footballers and surfers, for instance. It
is also important to be connected to people that really want to engage
themselves - people that, for instance, have fallen in love with our islands -
especially journalists and tour operators who are specialised in destinations,
subjects or themes where the Faroe Islands are a perfect match.

  
It is about lighting small fires here and there by telling interesting stories
that are easy for people to retell to others. We have an increasing number of
'ambassadors' that want to help us make the world aware of our country and its
qualities. We can of course use more ambassadors, so we should make an effort
to get connected to the right people that could help us build exactly the type
of tourism that we want and keep feeding our connections with good interesting
stuff that they would want to tell others as well.

  
Event making is also very effective. Cultural events seem to be very good
icebreakers because many people - and not least the media - are interested in
music and art and are willing to travel far to experience something unique. If
they like it, they will hype it - and the Faroes gets more publicity. Focusing
our efforts to create such events could also pave the way for more knowledge
about the Faroes out there. We already have some success stories to build on
and we should continue this work and encourage the Faroese people to engage in
more event making.

  
We might not have that much money, but we have lots of good cards on our
hands. If we play them well and use all the momentums, that we get along the
way, wisely, we could create grounds for new profitable industries and a
prosperous future for the people living on our wonderful islands.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Saturday, May 23,
2009](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/05/faroe-islands-at-
crossroads.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/05
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[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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  *[Saturday, May 23, 2009]: 2009-05-23T12:56:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Saturday, July 4, 2009

###  [Humans are like
toilets!](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/07/humans-are-like-
toilets.html)

I believe that humans are very much like toilets. People have to take so much
shit.

  
Your feelings are like the water in the cistern. You need water to flush the
shit out continuously, or else the shit will pile up inside you.

  
If too much time goes by and you don't flush, the shit becomes too hard and
stays where it is even if you try to flush. And then you need help to dig it
out and get the flushing to work again…

  
The moral is: You cannot avoid taking shit but don't hold it in! Remember to
flush it right away!

  

In other words: Do not hold your feelings inside. You need to cry. You need to
laugh. Or else you'll end up full of shit!

  
;-)

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Saturday, July 04,
2009](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/07/humans-are-like-
toilets.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/07
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## Wednesday, July 1, 2009

###  [The Faroe Islands - an Adventurous
Hideaway](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/07/faroe-islands-
adventurous-hideaway-by.html)

  

### By Elin Brimheim Heinesen, Former Managing Director of SamVit, the Faroese
Tourist Board and Trade Council

**  
Do you want to step aside from your usual routines, slow down and get away
from a world that spins faster and faster? Do you want to trigger your
imagination and creativity? Do you want to travel to the perfect place for
coming to your senses and feeling alive? Then - go to the Faroe Islands!**

According to National Geographic Traveler, the Faroe Islands are the most
unspoilt islands in the world. Elin Heinesen, the managing director of the
Faroese Tourist Board and Trade Council, reflects on future tourism
development in the Faroe Islands.

  
**What others say about us**  
When one of the worlds leading experts in nation branding, Simon Anholt, was
asked by an editor from Bradt Travel Guides to contribute to a Travel Guide to
Shangri La, a place of fiction, he said: "I consider the Faroe Islands to be
the Shangri La of the 21st century!" It is not unusual to hear statements like
this and like the one journalist Eric Campbell from the Australian TV-show
'Foreign Correspondent' said: "Remote and intriguing, they look like something
out of a Norse fairy tale." He also said: "The Faroe Islands could very well
be the world's next country!". In a New York Times article in 2007 with the
headline: "Into the Mystical Unreal Reality of the Faroe Islands", the Faroe
Islands were described as "the most curious place left on earth" and the
journalist Stephen Metcalf described his impression such: "The Faroes are
easily the most moodily beautiful place I have ever been". Other expressions
often heard are: "otherworldly" or "the Lord of the Rings Country" or even
"the Grand Canyon of the North Atlantic".

  
**Rated best islands in the world  
**Although the Faroe Islands obviously are astonishingly beautiful to many, we still do not see our country included in too many travel catalogues. This is probably all about to change now that the Faroe Islands were rated in the National Geographic Traveler as the best and most appealing island destination out of a shortlist of 111 island communities in the world - ahead of the Azores, Bahamas, Hawaii, Iceland and a lot of other fantastic islands - something that has given the Faroe Islands priceless publicity. The result was reached by a panel of 522 travel experts in November 2007. Another survey will not take place for many years to come so we still hold the position. (See[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html))  
  
**Our goal: an eco-friendly sustainable tourism industry  
**At the Faroese Tourist Board we are definitely not interested in mass-tourism, though. We would rather attract appropriate amounts of money-spending people that want the perfect hideaway. It is our hope that our tourism industry will develop into a profitable, and at the same time sustainable, eco-friendly industry that does not destroy the wonderful nature and culture of these islands, but rather helps us preserve what we love the most. This is a very small country with a very small population and very limited economic resources; that is the main reason why we are not very well known yet. We do, however, have very rich natural and cultural resources.  
  
**Dangers we might face  
**Even if we have, you might say, challenging weather, we should not underestimate our attraction potential. I myself - as well as many people outside of the Faroes - think that the Faroe Islands have tremendous tourism potential, but the islands could also be very vulnerable to tourism overkill. We might ruin our chances of realising this great potential if we start to sell out too much too soon. That is why we should try our utmost to avoid mistakes, because the mistakes we make today could very quickly lead us to lose the very qualities that make us so special and attractive right now.  
  
**What's the attraction?**  
To once again illustrate the attraction of these islands and why I think that
the number of tourists here in the Faroes might increase significantly in the
future - here is how a group of surfers describe the Faroes: "Deserted
beaches. Stunning scenery. Perfect waves. This is every surfers dream… Two
years ago a group of surfers travelled north to the Faroe Islands. What they
discovered stunned them: hundreds of miles of pristine, unexplored coastline;
eighteen-hour-long surf days; a consistent flow of waves pushing in from the
arctic. The stunning photographs Ouhilal returned with showed the Faroes as a
kind of Hawaiian paradise in reverse where sand beaches were replaced by
verdant grass, resort hotels were replaced by hundred-year-old cottages, and
the only crowds were those of grazing sheep."

  
**Carelessness could destroy us **  
This is all good - and surfers might not be the worst tourists to attract.
However, if influential audiences like surfers have become aware of our unique
qualities, I'm sure others will notice us too. The buzz may be starting and we
could soon see the beginnings of something resembling an invasion - not only
of surfers, but others too. We don't know for sure, but the present situation
could change - even dramatically, like it did in Iceland some years ago.

  
Tourism is not a very lucrative industry in the Faroes yet. This makes it
difficult to convince people in the tourism industry that we must be cautious.
I'm afraid some people might be prepared to sell out to attract just anyone to
achieve short-term profits. But this could backfire seriously in the long run.
People are, of course, 'hungry' with the threat of an economic crisis hanging
over their heads and this could make them careless.

  
**Long term strategy**  
While I understand the urge and desire from some sections of the tourism
industry, I believe we must take the necessary time to prepare, to make sure
that we are doing the right things.

We at SamVit are trying to help the tourism industry in making long term
strategies that will help people in the business attract the right tourists,
so they can build businesses that are both lucrative and economically and
environmentally sustainable. We are trying to spread the word by building
strong networks with key persons all over the world - mostly tour operators
and people from the media - that could help us as advisers and collaborators
and help us appeal to and attract the right tourists. Tourism is, after all,
the second largest industry in the Faroes even if it only accounts for 4% of
the GDP; so we are also hoping that these people can help us in our efforts to
get the public in the Faroes - ordinary people, politicians and the industry -
to understand how important it is develop tourism in the wisest and most
responsible way possible.

  
**How do we preserve our best qualities?  
**We need to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of different kinds of tourism - the sooner the better. And we must do what we can to build up the most appropriate and stable form of tourism, develop the appropriate offers and attract not just any tourists, but the right tourists. By that I mean tourists who really appreciate our special qualities - our beautiful nature, our traditions and our distinctive culture - and are willing to spend their money here which we could invest in preserving our best attractions. We need to make sure that tourism will not take away from us the unique qualities we have right now, but instead add to what we already have in a way that helps us prosper while strengthening our best qualities and our integrity as a people.  
  
**Why isn't tourism in the Faroes big already?**  
You might ask: But if these islands are so wonderful - why isn't there a
lucrative tourism industry here already? The Faroe Islands are actually one of
the least 'touristy' destinations left on earth. Although the Faroe Islands
are not far from the European mainland (just a 2-hour flight from Copenhagen
or London), this destination has until now been considered a little too remote
for most people because the islands were not very accessible in the past. It
is risky business for the transportation companies to open new or more
frequent routes because so few live on the islands (only around 50,000). They
cannot afford to wait for customers and so therefore only routes that are able
to turn over a profit quickly are likely to be kept open. That has made it
difficult to build up a more extensive tourism industry. This has, on the
other hand, helped us keep our islands unspoiled - until now at least. And
this might just turn out to be our best advantage, as it is.

  
**New opportunities**  
Most travellers have also, until this day, mostly preferred to travel to
places in the south, where they can lounge in the sun - but global travel
trends now indicate that adventure travel is becoming increasingly popular.
More and more people also want to travel up north to experience the beautiful
and unspoiled nature and interesting culture that can be found there. People
also travel further than they ever did before. It is also possible for us
today, with new communication channels like the internet, to reach audiences
we could not reach before. That means that our islands have suddenly become
much more visible and interesting as a travel destination. And boy do we have
nature and culture here that is worth travelling far for!

  
**The perfect destination for adventurers**  
Now that the Faroe Islands have been discovered by the National Geographic
Traveler and by surfers and others alike - and now that the islands have
become more accessible than they ever were before - we can expect to see a lot
more interest from travellers, especially if we use the right momentums and
are effective in our marketing. There is great potential in attracting
adventurous travellers interested in unspoilt authentic destinations right now
- and fortunately, that is exactly what the Faroe Islands genuinely are.

  
  
**Get an impression  
**See the National Geographic survey that placed the Faroes as the No. 1 Island Destination in the world: [http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html)

See the video presentation: "Where Nature Rules" which was awarded 3rd prize
in the international film competition "Golden City Gate" at the ITB Tourist
Fair in Berlin 12 March 2009:

[http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv](http://w
ww.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv)

  
See a very interesting Australian TV programme "Foreign Correspondent" about
the Faroe Islands:[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_20
0k.asx](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx) .
Read the synopsis here:[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.ht
m](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm) .

  
Read a very well-written article about the Faroe Islands in the New York Times
here:[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.ht
ml](http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html
)

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, July 01,
2009](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/07/faroe-islands-
adventurous-hideaway-by.html) [0
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## About Me

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[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tรณrshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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  *[Wednesday, July 01, 2009]: 2009-07-01T12:59:00+01:00
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, August 19, 2009

###  [The Faroe Islands - maybe the most curious place left on
earth](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/08/faroe-islands-maybe-
most-curious-place.html)

[](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/So1rCc0l7mI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/mk5Jtq1YBwI/s
1600-h/02082007242.jpg)

Before I made the video "Where Nature Rules" (which won 3rd prize at the
international Film Award Ceremony Golden City Gate at ITB in Berlin 12. march
2009) I sketched up some thoughts on what it was I wanted the little film to
express. In the film I narrowed the text down quite a lot - but here are the
thoughts in full length.

  

Watch the video "Where Nature Rules" here: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd-
vBF2-mIo](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd-vBF2-mIo)

  

[](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd-vBF2-mIo)................................
.................................................

  

[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB77vkwlI/AAAAAAAAAEE/eAR4mKiRER4
/s320/_DSC_7337.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB77vkwlI/AAAAAA
AAAEE/eAR4mKiRER4/s1600-h/_DSC_7337.jpg) When your brain is overloaded. When
you're tired of noisy traffic. When you're sick of heavily polluted air. When
you've had enough of stressed out people everywhere around you. When you're
plagued by mosquitoes and a merciless sun. When you can't stand being
constantly sweaty and uncomfortable all the time. When you really need to
breathe freely. When your only wish is to come to your senses and feel alive
and grounded again.

  
[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB7snW3dI/AAAAAAAAAD8/Ut9rgetUJcA
/s320/Oknadalur.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB7snW3dI/AAAAAA
AAAD8/Ut9rgetUJcA/s1600-h/Oknadalur.jpg) Think of the Faroe Islands as the
Land of Space... with an abundance of invigorating fresh air. Like coming home
to a cool paradise with space to stretch your mind and body. To the Shangri-La
of the north. To freedom.

  
[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB69UMRYI/AAAAAAAAAD0/nsvVZpZrwcg
/s320/LJH_20071109_19.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB69UMRYI/
AAAAAAAAAD0/nsvVZpZrwcg/s1600-h/LJH_20071109_19.jpg)Imagine a Land of Secrets.
A little country hidden away from the rest of the world, where people have
been living a simple life for centuries, almost in secrecy. But now - while
technology makes the world smaller - the secret is about to be discovered.
Imagine a group of magical mystical islands out there in the cool misty ocean,
rising steeply, almost a thousand meters from the sea and up above the clouds.

  
[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyB5xOJI3I/AAAAAAAAADs/nR1oQR-Wgw8
/s320/_DSC0898L_DanielePhotography.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk
/SoyB5xOJI3I/AAAAAAAAADs/nR1oQR-
Wgw8/s1600-h/_DSC0898L_DanielePhotography.jpg)Imagine that behind the steep
dramatic cliffs you'll find narrow fjords, sounds and green valleys with
small, colorful cozy villages. Imagine this place never too hot - and never
freezing cold. Always fresh. A mild and gentle country with mild and gentle
people living in it.

  
[](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox7cSOHZ_I/AAAAAAAAAA0/cfCLFXovlSA/s
1600-h/_DSC_7337.jpg)[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyA3URqiaI/AA
AAAAAAADk/Res5SqAnceQ/s320/20Aug06_0123.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLL
Mgysk/SoyA3URqiaI/AAAAAAAAADk/Res5SqAnceQ/s1600-h/20Aug06_0123.jpg)Imagine
this tranquil, peaceful, safe place to be - while on the other hand dramatic
and challenging. One moment the weather is wild and roaring and the next
beautiful and kind - colouring the landscape in a palette of colours you
didn't know even existed.

  
  
[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyA3H3IOjI/AAAAAAAAADc/ustComlRnzA
/s320/LJH_20070318_2.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyA3H3IOjI/A
AAAAAAAADc/ustComlRnzA/s1600-h/LJH_20070318_2.jpg)Imagine this place where the
air is constantly changing between misty or rainy and crystal clear -- one
minute boisterous and violent and the next dead calm. One moment nature barks
fiercely at you - the next it hugs you gently and lovingly.

  
  
[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAYA7_9SI/AAAAAAAAADU/_uLs5-P3Yv0
/s320/SurfInSand.bmp)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAYA7_9SI/AAAAA
AAAADU/_uLs5-P3Yv0/s1600-h/SurfInSand.bmp)Imagine winds that at times in
winter can reach velocities up to 60-80 meters per second creating huge waves
that plunge into the cliffs sending explosions of foam sometimes hundreds of
meters up in the air. Imaging riding these huge waves on a surf board.

  
  
[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAX8pdAfI/AAAAAAAAADM/ncp7yPvG6so
/s320/14Des06_5537.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAX8pdAfI/AAA
AAAAAADM/ncp7yPvG6so/s1600-h/14Des06_5537.jpg)Imagine a place where water is
everywhere in some form or another. The sea is almost always in sight - when
not hidden in fog - and on land endless rows of waterfalls flow pretty much
everywhere down the mountainsides. Sometimes even upwards, depending on wind
speed and wind direction.

  
[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAXnIXFrI/AAAAAAAAADE/EHaKn0UqFd8
/s320/19jan08_V6G3997_OlavurFrederiksen.jpg)](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLL
Mgysk/SoyAXnIXFrI/AAAAAAAAADE/EHaKn0UqFd8/s1600-h/19jan08_V6G3997_OlavurFreder
iksen.jpg)Imagine one of the wettest and wildest countries on earth - the very
place the weather gods chose to be their playground. A place where you can
experience all seasons in one day. A challenging place where you're never
allowed to forget that nature is in control.

  
  
[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAXKgMwdI/AAAAAAAAAC8/bG_H7LtG0DA
/s320/LJH_20071109_21_usm.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAXKgM
wdI/AAAAAAAAAC8/bG_H7LtG0DA/s1600-h/LJH_20071109_21_usm.jpg)Imagine a place
where you have to let go of control. Anticipate nothing but surprises. Imagine
the thrill never really to know when to do what because it's more up to
nature's mood than up to you. Storms or fog might always come in the way -
sometimes for days - and you will simply not survive if you don't adjust to
nature.

  
[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/So1rcbrh_WI/AAAAAAAAAEY/FtZ4l2IvFjg
/s320/02082007242.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/So1rcbrh_WI/AAAA
AAAAAEY/FtZ4l2IvFjg/s1600-h/02082007242.jpg)Imagine how it trains your ability
to be patient and to be fully aware of the instant - whatever it might bring.
Just being present in this world here and now because you need to be prepared
for the unpredictable - always.

  
  
[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/SoyAW6edSXI/AAAAAAAAAC0/taP8DsQuZYk
/s320/_DSC0901L_DanielePhotography.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk
/SoyAW6edSXI/AAAAAAAAAC0/taP8DsQuZYk/s1600-h/_DSC0901L_DanielePhotography.jpg)
Imagine this Land of Brooks and Waterfalls - a place where nature rules - not
people. You can do nothing else but surrender. But if you're patient nature
will reward you with magnificent gifts and pleasant surprises when you least
expect it - like beautiful sunny days.

  
[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-Zs6_y9I/AAAAAAAAACs/uPz-
tk9Vqvo/s320/Pollamjorki.jpg)](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-
Zs6_y9I/AAAAAAAAACs/uPz-tk9Vqvo/s1600-h/Pollamjorki.jpg)Imagine standing on
the highest point on these islands when the air is crystal clear and the
valleys and the fjords under you are filled with milky, fluffy mist. Imagine
the vastness above, under and around you - like standing on top of the whole
world. Imagine being able to see the longest anywhere in the whole world….
endless rows of mountaintops to one side and to the other the never-ending
ocean… and there - far, far away 500 km to the northwest - the top of a
glacier rise just above the horizon - Vatnajøkull in Iceland which under
certain circumstances according to Guinness Book of Records can be seen from
the top of the highest mountain in the Faroes - Slættaratindur. Imagine how
small and humble and thankful for being alive this view would make you feel.

[![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-ZUBNiBI/AAAAAAAAACk/eQDg-2h-
qzs/s320/LJH_20060318_9_usm.jpg)](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-
ZUBNiBI/AAAAAAAAACk/eQDg-2h-qzs/s1600-h/LJH_20060318_9_usm.jpg)Imagine a Land
of Contradictions - a group of islands which in themselves are a
contradiction. They shouldn't even be there - it's a miracle that they're
still standing. The mere presence of these wind-swept rocky cliffs is like an
insisting vertical protest against the vast horizontal flatness of the ocean
that surrounds them.

  

[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-ZBe4GvI/AAAAAAAAACc/N0QQHNs5ym4
/s320/20april08_5331-1024.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-
ZBe4GvI/AAAAAAAAACc/N0QQHNs5ym4/s1600-h/20april08_5331-1024.jpg)Imagine how
fiercely these islands must have fought for millions of years with the forces
of the mighty ocean. Imagine this everlasting battle that created the highest
vertical sea cliffs in the whole world.

  

[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-YtcXz0I/AAAAAAAAACU/92tscIVYYP0
/s320/_DSC0884L_DanielePhotography.jpg)](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk
/Sox-YtcXz0I/AAAAAAAAACU/92tscIVYYP0/s1600-h/_DSC0884L_DanielePhotography.jpg)
Imagine this archipelago - so tiny, and yet so strong and breathtakingly
majestic. Vastness and closeness in one. So far away and yet just round the
corner thanks to modern transportation. In the middle of nowhere in a huge
ocean, and yet in the middle of everything right in the busy sea lane between
two of the wealthiest continents in the world.

  

[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-YYX-
SbI/AAAAAAAAACM/3zFGHy40DG8/s320/429723200_121f7cce5b_b_FaroeIslands-
dk.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox-YYX-
SbI/AAAAAAAAACM/3zFGHy40DG8/s1600-h/429723200_121f7cce5b_b_FaroeIslands-
dk.jpg)Imagine going to this Land of Nowhere - on the one hand perfect for
stillness and meditation, and on the other hand, when you're tired of sitting
still, you can go surfing, boat racing, porbeagle shark fishing, rappelling,
exploring caves, hiking pilgrimage trails, driving Harleys or go sightseeing
from boats or helicopters to some of the most dramatic cliffs in the world.

[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9jdzkGZI/AAAAAAAAACE/siIscOk73rw
/s320/21juli08_2I4B8499_500_501_502_503_504_505Adjust.jpg)](http://4.bp.blogsp
ot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9jdzkGZI/AAAAAAAAACE/siIscOk73rw/s1600-h/21juli08_2I4B8
499_500_501_502_503_504_505Adjust.jpg)Imagine finding a safe haven - a
hideaway where you can escape from a stressed and overcrowded world and find
that Land of Comfort you long for, far from a civilization gone mad, but not
too far away. Just 1-2 hours' flight from some of the big cities in Northern
Europe - like Copenhagen and London. Imagine finding peace and tranquility
like nowhere else in the world in this place where people still trust each
other - actually the most crime-free place on earth according to statistics.

  
  

[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9jL-MaFI/AAAAAAAAAB8/kAmB1TR4z0s
/s320/17Juli04_5870.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9jL-
MaFI/AAAAAAAAAB8/kAmB1TR4z0s/s1600-h/17Juli04_5870.jpg)Imagine being able to
combine all the comforts of civilization with the sense of being back in the
past when the air was not polluted and the water still fresh. Imagine being
able to feel what pure wild nature is all about - and at the same time be able
to enjoy all the qualities of modern life.

  

[![](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9i-F9YJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/sgXbs8NfaF0
/s320/21Aug04-030.jpg)](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9i-
F9YJI/AAAAAAAAAB0/sgXbs8NfaF0/s1600-h/21Aug04-030.jpg)Imagine a cozy colorful
town where you can stroll in a shopping centre in the morning. Go hiking,
sailing or fishing in the vicinity of the town in the afternoon. Sit in a café
or a restaurant enjoying a good meal or a drink in the evening. And stroll by
the sea in the light summer night, go to a rock concert or go dancing in a
night club with fun people all night long. Doing pretty much the same as most
people enjoy doing everywhere else - but in a unique Faroese way. Imagine one
of the most modern countries in the world - yet ancient and pristine at the
same time. Convivial and familiar - and yet so peculiar and mysterious.

  

[![](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9iVrZq_I/AAAAAAAAABs/9mNs-QqbnyI
/s320/LJH_20051115_3_usm.jpg)](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9iVrZq
_I/AAAAAAAAABs/9mNs-QqbnyI/s1600-h/LJH_20051115_3_usm.jpg)Imagine a Land of
Inspiration - a little country with only around 50.000 inhabitants, but still
a whole country - a micro cosmos with everything a modern society requires.
Now you can - more easily than ever - go to these fairy islands and experience
how life unfolds here - the sea, the air, the birds, the sheep, the people,
the music, the language, only spoken by about 70.000 people in the whole wide
world... and so much more to discover. Imagine finding a whole world of
surprises here. A rich culture with an amazing variety to offer.

  

[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9h378_sI/AAAAAAAAABk/52UZOgQ1p44
/s320/IMG_1856-7p_crop_p.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox9h378_
sI/AAAAAAAAABk/52UZOgQ1p44/s1600-h/IMG_1856-7p_crop_p.jpg)Imagine a place that
sings. A little fairyland riddled with all kinds of music where almost every
single village has its own choir. Where the main town even has its own
symphony orchestra of high quality which most people would consider impossible
for a town with only 20.000 people. Imagine skilful locals playing, singing
and dancing traditional folk ballads, jazz, classical, punk, rock,
electronica…. you name it. The diversity is astonishing.

  

[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox82Ltr-cI/AAAAAAAAABc/_Hl4vymgzyw
/s320/LJH_20070329_26.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox82Ltr-
cI/AAAAAAAAABc/_Hl4vymgzyw/s1600-h/LJH_20070329_26.jpg)Imagine a certain
vibrant energy to this place that inspires and boosts creativity - with a
light and colours so special and a peace that touches your soul in such a way
that many visiting painters, musicians, poets and other artists fall in love
with it instantly and feel the urge to come back year after year - or even to
live here permanently - just to be inspired.

  

[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox8qD4F68I/AAAAAAAAABU/M3aij6Vc6bE
/s320/27Aug06_0716.jpg)](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox8qD4F68I/AAA
AAAAAABU/M3aij6Vc6bE/s1600-h/27Aug06_0716.jpg)Imagine a Land of Authenticity -
a place where tourism has not become a big industry yet, so people are not yet
tired of tourists. They still can afford to welcome each and everyone with
heartfelt kindness and openness because the number of foreigners is still
relatively small.

  

[![](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox8fkzZjAI/AAAAAAAAABM/5KF-MPAr0e0
/s320/8aug07_6578.jpg)](http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox8fkzZjAI/AAAA
AAAAABM/5KF-MPAr0e0/s1600-h/8aug07_6578.jpg)But… for how long will it remain
so? It might be just a question of time before more and more people in the
outside world will be aware of this hidden gem. It's there now for people to
experience. So when you feel overloaded. When the complexity of the modern
world overwhelms you…

  

[![](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox8UWa0SLI/AAAAAAAAABE/9jnp0deA_mQ
/s320/10des07_2020.jpg)](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pRDVLLMgysk/Sox8UWa0SLI/AAA
AAAAAABE/9jnp0deA_mQ/s1600-h/10des07_2020.jpg)When you want to be safe from
the restlessness in the rest of the world. When you dream of a simpler life in
close contact with nature - but in a comfortable modern way. When you want it
all - just in a much smaller scale. Remember then this almost secret place out
there in the ocean, not too far away, that not many other people visit - nor
have even heard of. Here you will find the simplicity and the safety you're
searching for.

  
It's not a fairy tale. It exists. And it's called the Faroe Islands - maybe
the most curious place left on earth.

  

Elin Brimheim Heinesen, 2009

__

  

_The photographs (by Janus Hansen, Ólavur Frederiksen, Daniele Photography and
Yazzy Ouhilal) are the same as the ones I used in the video "Where Nature
Rules"._

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, August 19,
2009](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/08/faroe-islands-maybe-
most-curious-place.html) [1
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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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  *[Wednesday, August 19, 2009]: 2009-08-19T23:05:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, September 23, 2009

###  [Samhaldfesti tryggjar vøkstur í
ferðavinnu](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/09/samhaldfesti-
tryggjar-vkstur-i.html)

  

_Fjóðra av fýra greinum um, hvussu tóm hotelkømur verða fylt, _

_e__ftir Elina Brimheim Heinesen, fyrrverandi stjóra í SamViti:_

**  
**

__**Ábyrgdin fyri at loysa trupulleikan við tómum hotelkømurum liggur ikki
bara hjá tí almenna. Øll ferðavinnan - almenn og privat - má arbeiða saman í
felag, um ferðavinnan skal taka dik á seg. Elin Brimheim Heinesen hugleiðir
um, hví ferðavinnan má standa samhaldfast saman - eisini um sín egna stovn -
fyri at gera neyðugar miðvísar heildarætlanir og gagnýta givin høvi best.**

  

****Eg eri ikki ósamd við fólki í ferðavinnuni um, at ferðavinna er forsømd í Føroyum av tí almenna. Politikkarar i Føroyum hava ikki kent sína vitjanartíð og áttu at havt raðfest ferðavinnu hægri fyri langari tíð síðani. Tað merkir tó ikki, at tað almenna eigur alla ábyrgd fyri, at ferðavinna skal hepnast í Føroyum. Hepni byggir á ein felags innsats, har alt má spæla best møguligt saman.

  

Privata vinnan má sjálvandi vera fremsta drívmegin, men politiska skipanin má
taka sín part við t.d. at syrgja fyri einum effektivum infrastrukti - serliga
út í heim, gera lagaligar lógir og reglur, sum ikki virka forðandi fyri
vinnuna, og t.d. stovna tjóðargarðar. Kommunurnar mugu veita best hugsandi
praktisku umstøðurnar sum t.d. halda býir og bygdir reinar og vakrar, so tær
eru verdar at vísa fram, reka kunningarstovur, veita atgongd til almenn
toilett, etablera, reka og viðlíkahalda kampingpláss, seta skelti upp o.a.
Meðan almenna ferðaráðið sum óheftur partur kann savna serfrøði, dagførda
vitan og hagtøl, sum hent amboð fyri vinnuna, og hava leiklutin sum ráðgevi og
samskipari av felags marknaðarførings- og ferðavinnumenningarátøkum - og í
ávísum førum sum veitari av fíggjarligum stuðli til felags átøk - í øllum
førum so leingi sum vinnan enn er so lutvíst avmarkað.

**  
**

**Heildarætlan alneyðug**

At selja eitt land gerst ikki yvir nátt. Royndir aðrastaðni vísa greitt, at
fyrireiking skal til, so alt sampakkar og spælir sum best saman. Semja má vera
millum allar partar við áhuga í at menna ferðavinnu um at gera eina
heildarætlan, sum stingur út í kortið, hvørji grundvilkor mugu fáast í
rættlag, hvørjir marknaðir skulu troytast, og hvørji tilboð skulu mennast.
Tilboð og pakkar mugu mennast, sum svara til og stuðla uppundir eina ávísa
samanhangandi, dragandi ímynd av Føroyum - t.d. sum besta, mest óspilta
oyggjaland í heiminum, tí tað er besta boðið uppá eitt 'trekkplástur' í
løtuni. Nógvir útlendingar vænta hetta av Føroyum, nú National Geographic
Traveler serfrøðingarnir hava lýst Føroyar so.  Ein ætlan má eisini leggjast
fyri, hvussu tann góða søgan skal spjaðast á røttu miðunum - ikki bara
einaferð, men yvir longri tíð.

  

Føroyingar hava nógv góð tilboð at lokka við, men hava eisini størri
avbjóðingar enn onnur. Serlig ferðamál sum Føroyar, ið liggja í lutvíst dýrara
endanum við avbjóðandi veðri og lutvíst avmarkaðum, kanska óregluligum
flutningi, eru ikki støð, tey flestu velja at ferðast til - í øllum førum ikki
frá einum degi til tann næsta. Men tað merkir tó ikki, at vøran ikki er góð
ella marknaðurin ikki er nóg stórur fyri Føroyar. Nógv onnur ferðatilboð eru
bara nógv lættari atkomilig og bíligari fyri somu málbólkar, og føroyingar
mugu tí kýta seg serliga nógv.

  

Tað er ikki minst týdningarmikið at vita, at eitt ávíst tol má til eisini, tí
reaktiónstíðin hjá ferðafólki, sum møguliga hava áhuga í at ferðast til eitt
ókent land sum Føroyar, kann vera fleiri ár. Tey, sum yvirhøvur vita, at
Føroyar eru til, ímynda sær kanska bara at koma einaferð í lívinum til Føroya.
Tey skulu veruliga vilja tað og brúka kanska ár uppá at fyrireika seg mentalt
til at taka stigið til at fara eina slíka ferð. Ferðavinnan í Føroyum kann
einans royna at gera tað lættari at taka stigið.

  

Onkur higanifrá má skumpa undir regluliga fyri at gera vart við og minna hesi
fólkini á Føroyar - aftur og aftur - so tað blívur til meira enn bara við
tankan. Um fólk skulu fáast at vitja fyrst einaferð - og so aftur og aftur -
krevur tað, at upplivingin var so mikið góð, at tey fáa hug at endurtaka hana.
Og tað krevur áhaldandi marknaðarføring av serligum skilvísum tilboðum, sum
laga seg eftir hesum ávísu málbólkunum - og eftir tørvum, sum skifta við
tíðini.

**  
**

**Leikluturin hjá almenna ferðaráðnum**

Hetta er ikki nøkur løtt uppgáva - at fáa veruliga gongd á ferðavinnuna og at
sannføra bæði almenning og politikkarar um, at hetta er ein vinna, sum er verd
at byggja á, serliga nú tá vinnan tykist at vera í afturgongd. Skal vend koma
í og uppgávan loysast nøktandi, má ikki steðgast í hálvum gekki. Øll mugu vera
fyrireikað uppá at gera eitt langt seigt hál.

  

Ferðavinnan kann bert lata seg væl í til uppgávuna, um fólk áhaldandi ganga
sama stev, og um nóg nógvar ressursur verða settar av til at gera hálini ár
undan ári. Tað privata tykist ikki at hava orkuna at lyfta uppgávuna
einsamalt. Mest upplagda niðurstøðan er, at skattakrónur mugu setast av til
endamálið eisini. Tað er hóast alt ikki tað ringasta at brúka skattakrónur
til, tí íløgan kann koma fleirfaldað aftur. Spurningurin er, hvønn leiklut tað
almenna eigur at spæla, tá íløgurnar skulu brúkast.

  

Tað verður, sum er, væntað av tí almenna, at tað traðkar til, har vinnan ikki
hevur orkuna at taka um endan. Eitt alment ferðaráð hevur sum óheftur partur
kanska meira orku enn tað privata til at arbeiða langskygt, lyfta seg uppfrá
og hyggja frameftir, um tað fær góðar umstøður at arbeiða í, tí sum er, hevur
vinnan úr at gera bara við at fáa endarnar at røkka saman í tí dagliga - og tí
ikki nógv yvirskot til at lyfta seg uppum tað dagliga.

  

Um almenna ferðaráðið fær hóskandi ressursur at arbeiða við, kann tað - eftir
míni bestu sannføring - víðka nógv um inntøkumøguleikarnar hjá vinnuni t.d.
við at samskipa marknaðarføringina hjá privatu veitarunum, menna amboð, veita
hagtøl og vísa á nýggjar leiðir og potentiellar málbólkar - m.a. gjøgnum
samstarv við ferðavinnufyriskiparar og almennar ferðavinnustovnar aðrastaðni.
Roynt hevur verðið eftir førimuni við tøku ressursunum, men tað hevur higartil
rokkið ov lítið, tí kappingarneytarnir uttanlands hava og brúka so nógvar
ferðir meira.

**  
**

**Ferðaráðið lítla politiska undirtøku**

SamVit - og undan tí Ferðaráðið - vísti aftur og aftur á, hvussu átrokandi tað
er, at politikkarar raðfesta inntøkugevandi íløgur hægri - ikki minst í
ferðavinnu - við t.d. at seta fleiri pengar av til marknaðarføring av Føroyum
og til menning av ferðavinnuni. Hetta eru íløgur, sum eru átrokandi at gera
meira enn nakrantíð júst í krepputíðum, men politiskur vilji var ikki tá til
at játta størri upphæddir til sjálvan stovnin við ábyrgdini fyri menning av
ferðavinnu.

  

Eg kann ikki svara uppá, hví stovnurin ongantíð fekk breiða undirtøku frá
politiskari síðu, men eg veit, at onkur t.d. gav stovninum ábyrgdina ella
'skyldina' fyri, at ymisk ítøkilig viðurskifti ikki eru í lagi - t.d. at
kamping- ella skeltisviðurskiftini í Føroyum eru ov vánalig, ella at ikki
fleiri golfbanar eru í Føroyum, og at tað helst mundi vera tí, at
ferðafólkatalið ikki er økt. Men hetta er at gera ov skjótar niðurstøður. Hesi
fólkini munnu hava yvirmett valdið, eitt ferðaráð kann ella skal hava. Tey
hava helst eisini misskilt leiklutin hjá almenna ferðaráðnum.

  

Sum landstovnur hevur ferðaráðið ikki nóg nógv starvsfólk til at kunna fara
niður í allar smálutir og heldur ikki pengar at seta av til at útbyggja
ítøkiligar lokalar ferðafólkatænastur so sum kampingpláss, golfbanar ella
skelting. Hetta er ein praktisk uppgáva, sum ávikavist tað kommunala og tað
privata hava ábyrgd fyri at taka sær av - í øllum førum alla aðrastaðni enn í
Føroyum. Ferðaráðið kann bert leggja lag á við tilmælum og leiðreglum um,
hvussu praktisku uppgávurnar loysast best og mest professionelt, og so dúva
uppá, at onnur fylgja ráðunum í tilmælunum um at fáa ávís viðurskifti í lagi -
eins og SamVit og undan tí Ferðaráð Føroya hava gjørt.

  

Endamálið við einum almennum ferðaráð má sjálvandi fyrst og fremst  vera at
brúka sína avmarkaðu orku og serfrøði uppá marknaðarføring av landinum sum
heild t.d. við at samskifta við miðlar og ferðafyriskiparar kring heimin, at
gera neyðugar ferðafólkakanningar og leggja langskygdar ætlanir fyri
marknaðarføring og menning saman við vinnuni. Hetta er eitt neyðugt og
virðismikið grundarleggjandi arbeiði, sum úrslit ikki síggjast av beinanvegin,
men sum vísir sítt virði uppá longri sikt. Men tað hevði politiska skipanin,
eftir øllum at døma, lítið tol at bíða eftir.

  

Summir politikkarar yvirmettu eftir øllum at døma skjótleikan, ein kann vænta
sær av arbeiðnum í einum ferðaráð, og virdu serfrøðina og arbeiðið hjá
stovninum SamViti lítið, hóast veruleikin er, at stovnurin longu hevði skapt
nógv góð úrslit við m.a. at hava verið við til at geva Føroyum serstakliga
nógva og góða umrøðu í heiminum - helst meira enn nakrantíð fyrr - umframt
veitt Føroyum nógvar góðar ambassadørar. Eingin kennir langtíðarávirkanina av
hesum enn.

  

Endin var undir øllum umstøðum, at politikkararnir stillisliga góðtóku, at
stovnurin var niðurlagdur og starvsfólkini flutt inn í Uttanríkisráðið. Hetta
varð gjørt við einans einari grundgeving: Fyri at spara pengar, varð sagt. Men
stutt eftir hava politikkarar nú kortini avgjørt at gera størri íløgur í
almenna marknaðarføring av Føroyum, ið tað nú bara er Uttanríkisráðið, sum
skal gagnnýta.

**  
**

**Er politisk marknaðarføring skilabesta loysnin?**

Arbeiðið, sum SamVit gjørdi, skal nú gerast í einum aðalráð. Spurningurin er:
Er hetta skilabesta loysnin fyri ferðavinnuna? Er tað tann mest effektiva og
støðufasta loysnin at flyta ressursurnar til marknaðarføring og menning av
ferðavinnu inn í politisku skipanina, longur burtur frá vinnuni? Nú er tað jú
meira ein politiskt valdur ráðharri, sum hevur evsta rætt at gera av, hvussu
Føroyar skulu marknaðarførast við almennum pengum og ikki líka nógv vinnan
ella serfrøðin innan økið, sum skulu avgera tað. Hetta kann ráðharrin so - um
hann ynskir tað - gera eftir sínari sannføring eina tíð, til tann næsti
ráðharrin kemur framat og ynskir at gera tað øðrvísi. Ein kann bert vóna, at
politikkararnir lurta eftir serfrøðini, so onkur samanhangur verður, tí
politikkarar verða skiftir út, sum politisku vindarnir blæsa - og harvið er
vandi fyri, at marknaðarføringin av Føroyum verður, sum vindurin blæsur.

  

Men tað er ikki tað, henda greinin skal snúgva seg um. SamVit er kortini ikki
til longur, so lat tað fara. Tað ræður nú um at at hugsa frameftir og geva
ferðavinnuni eitt skump rætta vegin, líkamikið hvussu politisku karmarnir eru.
Stovnar kunnu hvørva ella verða umskipaðir, men ferðavinnan hevur enn somu
avbjóðingarnar. Tann veruleikin hvørvur ikki.

**  
**

**Ferðavinnan og tað almenna mugu standa saman**

Skal ferðavinnan hepnast við at tryggja sær sjálvum betri kor, er tað
sjálvandi ein grundarleggjandi fyritreyt, at vinnan og virkandi almenna
ferðaráðið finna tað góða samstarvsstevið - líkamikið um tað eitur Ferðaráð
Føroya, SamVit ella Visit Faroe Islands í Uttanríkisráðnum. Bert í felag kunnu
partarnir tryggja, at tær fáu ressursurnar, sum eru tøkar, verða brúktar á
besta og mest effektiva hátt og veruliga koma ferðavinnuni til góðar.

  

Eftir áheitan frá fólkunum í niðurlagda SamViti varð ein serdeild sett á stovn
í Uttanríkisráðnum, sum skal taka sær av ferðavinnu burturav. Eg vil heita á
ferðavinnuna um framyvir at standa saman um ferðavinnudeildina, og á ein
skynsaman og konstruktivan hátt at royna at loysa trupulleikarnar saman við
deildini. Tí um ferðavinnan bara sýnir ónøgd og ikki vísir forstáilsi fyri
arbeiðsumstøðunum hjá sínum almenna sparringsparti, kann hon sjálv vera við
til at undirgrava deildina, sum nú er virkandi 'ferðaráð'. Politikkarar kunnu
sannlíkt taka avleiðingina við at skerja ferðavinnudeildina (ella taka hana
av, eins og gjørt var við SamVit) til stóran skaða fyri áhaldandi arbeiðið við
menningini av ferðavinnu.

  

Arbeiðið hjá almenna ferðaráðnum fæst í øllum førum ikki at rigga, um tað
verður avbrotið aðruhvørja løtu, alt eftir hvussu rumbluta politiska
landslagið tilvildarliga sær út til einuhvørja tíð. Ferðavinnan fær einki
burturúr at løga byrsuna og geva politikkarum ammunitión til at skjóta eftir
ferðaráðnum, so teir fáa páskot til at niðurraðfesta ella avtaka tað.
Ferðaráðið inniheldur hóast alt sera virðismikla serfrøði, royndir, vitan og
ikki minst kontakt-netverk, sum vinnan kann njóta gott av, og um stovnurin
ikki er til, missir ferðavinnan virðismiklar ressursur - bæði menniskjansligar
og fíggjarligar ressursur. Tí eigur ferðavinnan, eftir míni meting - mest fyri
sína egnu skyld - heldur at byggja verjugarð um sítt egna ráð og samstarva so
tætt sum gjørligt við tað fyri at fáa sum best burturúr almennu pengunum.

**  
**

**Varandi virði taka tíð at byggja upp**

Um arbeiðið við marknaðarføring og menning av ferðavinnu skal halda óavbrotið
og ótarnað fram framyvir, má ferðavinnan í felag gerast samd um, um hon
yvirhøvur vil hava eitt alment ferðaráð - á hvønn hátt og til hvat - og síðani
adressera síni væl undirbygdu ynski til politikkararnar, tí tað eru teir, sum
gera av, hvussu og í hvønn mun ferðavinna skal raðfestast, hvørjir karmarnir
skulu vera, og hvørjar íløgur skulu gerast av fíggjarlógini.

  

Politikkarar mugu fyri sín part semjast um eina visjón - skal Føroyar
útbyggjast sum ferðaland ella ikki - og so vísa í verki, at teir raðfesta
hetta á fíggjarlógini, heldur enn at turka alla ábyrgd fyri eina haltandi
ferðavinnu av á eitt ferðaráð, teir sjálvir frammanundan hava skorið inn á
bein og gjørt tannleyst. At taka brádligar kollveltandi avgerðir í heilum t.d.
um at avtaka ella heilt at umskipa stovnar, sum vara av ferðavinnuni, hjálpir
í øllum førum ikki uppá støðuna, men bumbar í ringasta føri bara arbeiðið mong
ár aftureftir.

  

Ferðavinnan, politikkarar og almenningurin mugu gera sær greitt, at sjálvandi
krevur tað tíð og ressursur at byggja nakað nýtt upp, um varandi virði skulu
skapast. Úrslitið av menningar- og marknaðarføringsinnsatsinum hjá einum
almennum ferðaráð er langskygt og kann tí heldur ikki avlesast beinanvegin, og
innsatsurin skal tí heldur ikki dømast beinanvegin, men hava tíð at prógva
sítt virði.

Latið tí framyvir potentielt virðismiklar kreftir fáa tíð og fult høvi til at
finna seg til rættis og prógva seg, tí tað hjálpir í øllum førum ongantíð at
nullstilla tilgongdir annaðhvørt ár, so alt skal gerast av nýggjum hvørja
ferð.  Tað er harðliga brúk fyri kontinuiteti, um langskygda arbeiðið skal
eydnast.

**  
**

**Eingin orsøk at fella í fátt**

Eingin einstakur partur hevur alla ábyrgdina fyri støðuna hjá ferðavinnuni í
Føroyum. Øll kunnu gera sína lítlu ávirkan, sum tilsamans skapar úrslitini -
og tað gerst best í einum jaligum anda.

Góðu tit, sum arbeiða í ferðavinnu. Eg loyvi mær tí at enda hesa greinarøð við
at koma við nøkrum ynskjum til tykkara. Ferðavinnan í Føroyum ger eitt megnar
arbeiði, sum er. Eg veit, hvussu strævið tað kann vera við ofta ósmidligum
lógum og reglugerðum og at fáa endarnar at røkka saman. Men fallið ikki í fátt
fyri tað, um vinnan er sløk í løtuni. Eg vóni, at hvør einstakur ikki letur
mistreysti og misálit fáa ræðið. Øll, sum eru bitin av at arbeiða í
ferðavinnu, vita, hvussu nøktandi arbeiðið eisini kann vera, so eg vóni, at
fólk heldur savna seg um víðarimenna tað jaliga og brúka allar tær jaligu
afturmeldingarnar frá vitjandi, sum hóast alt koma allatíðina í einum jøvnum
streymi. Vónandi verður lært av tí. Hyggja vit aftureftir, er nógv hent hóast
alt, sjálvt um tað gongur seint.

  

Tá tað í løtum ikki gongur eftir vild, er lætt at fella fyri freistingini at
brúka almenna ferðaráðið (og fyri so vítt eisini politisku skipanina) sum
hentan prügelknabe. Ikki tí eingin kann havast at nøkrum, men at brúka alla
orkuna uppá at plasera apur, loysir ikki trupulleikarnar - tvørturímóti. Tað
fær í øllum førum ikki fleiri ressursur til høldar. Orkan er betur brúkt við
at nýta hugflogið til at finna loysnir og gagnnýta júst tað, sum hvør dugir
best, í góðum samstarvi við onnur.

**  
**

**Tað loysir seg at samstarva**

Tað ideella er sjálvandi, at vinnan er so lítið bundin at almennari hjálp sum
gjørligt, men so leingi sum tað almenna og tað privata arbeiða saman, vildi eg
hildið tað verið fyrimunarligt fyri allar partar at arbeiða í einum
viðurkennandi umhvørvi, har fólk vænta tað besta av hvørjum øðrum. Hetta
skapar virðismiklar synergi-effektir og nógv betri og skjótari úrslit, umframt
at fleiri menniskjansligar ressursur koma til sín rætt, so nytta fæst burtur
úr teimum. Ferðavinnan - bæði í almennum og privatum høpi - hevur hóast alt
eitt felags mál, sum best verður rokkið í einum jaligum samstarvsanda -
nemliga at tað skal loysa seg at liva av ferðavinnu, og at ferðavinna skal
vera til gagns fyri alt samfelagið.

  

Innanhýsis kapping skal til, men ikki stríð. Tað má vera ein sunn og
uppbyggjandi kapping - ikki kapping, ið brýtur niður, so einki loysir seg hjá
nøkrum. Kapping kann vera sunn - eins og tá fleiri skóhandlar eru samdir um at
liggja saman í einari sølumiðstøð fyri tilsamans at hála fleiri kundar til
allar handlarnar. Teir kunnu samstundis leggja seg eftir at føra hvør síni
ymisku skómerki, soleiðis at kundin bara hevur eitt enn størri útboð at koma í
sølumiðstøðina eftir. Júst sum hesir skóhandlar síggja ein fyrimun í at liggja
saman og í at samstarva, vóni eg, at ferðavinnan ásannar, at allir partar i
ferðavinnuni mugu leggja ætlanir í felag fyri at tryggja eitt so breitt
fjølbroytni av tilboðum sum gjørligt - og fyri at øll í felag kunnu gera betri
hál har úti í verðini framyvir.

  

Samstundis vóni eg, at vinnan viðurkennir fyrimunin í at menna eina so
serføroyska ferðavinnu sum gjørligt. Ferðafólk koma til Føroya fyri at uppliva
tað serstaka her - ikki fyri at enduruppliva tað, tey eins væl kunnu uppliva
heima hjá sær sjálvum. Bert um føroyingar viðurkenna hetta, kunnu Føroyar
veruliga liva upp til heiðurin at vera besta og mest upprunaliga, óspilta
oyggjaland at ferðast til í heiminum.

  

**_Um greinarøðina "Hvussu verða tóm hotelkømur fylt"_**

_Hetta er fjóðra og síðsta greinin av fýra hjá Elini Brimheim Heinesen um,
hvussu støðan hjá ferðavinnu í Føroyum møguliga kann fáast at batna. Tríggjar
greinir hava staðið í blaðnum áður. ****_

  * _ __Fyrsta greinin snúði seg um, hví altjóða rákið hóast alt er til gagns fyri Føroyar og um, hvat tað merkir fyri framtíðar ferðavinnumøguleikar í Føroyum._
  * _Onnur greinin snúði  seg um avbjóðingarnar hjá ferðavinnuni - um, hvat skal til fyri at møta hesum avbjóðingum best, og hvussu tað almenna kann hjálpa vinnuni._
  * _Triðja greinin snúði seg um, hví fleiri - bæði almennar og privatar - íløgur mugu til fyri at seta gongd á ferðavinnuna, og hvussu nógv skal til._
  * _Fjóðra og síðsta greinin snýr seg um, hví ferðavinnan má standa samhaldfast saman - eisini um sín egna stovn - fyri at gera neyðugar heildarætlanir og gagnnýta gylt høvi best._
  

  

**_Fá meira at vita:_**

  * _National Geographic Traveler kanningin, sum hevur Føroyar sum nummar eitt: __[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html)_
  * _[](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html)_ _Sjónbandið: "Where Nature Rules", sum fekk triðju virðisløn í altjóða films kappingini "Golden City Gate" á ITB ferðasølustevnuni í Berlin 12 Mars 2009: _[_http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv_](http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv)_ _
  * ___Áhugaverd australsk sending "Foreign Correspondent" um Føroyar: _[_http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx_](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx)_ . Les um sendingina her: __[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm)_
  * _[](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm)__Ein sera væl skrivað grein um Føroyar í New York Times: __[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html](http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html)_
  * _[](http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html)__Ein ensk podcast-sending um Føroyar, útvarpað hvørja viku á internetinum: _[_http://faroepodcast.blogspot.com/_](http://faroepodcast.blogspot.com/)
  

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## Wednesday, September 16, 2009

###  [Skal ferðafólkatalið økjast, má innsatsurin eisini
økjast](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/09/skal-ferafolkatali-
kjast-ma-innsatsurin.html)

  

_T__riðja av fýra greinum um, hvussu tóm hotelkømur verða fylt,_

_eftir Elina Brimheim Heinesen, fyrrverandi stjóra í SamViti:_

**  
**

__**Eins og fiskur ikki svimur upp á land av sær sjálvum, koma ferðafólk
heldur ikki til Føroya av sær sjálvum. Onkur má út at gera nøkur hál á røttu
miðunum. Tað krevur orku, sum ferðavinnan einsamøll  ikki tykist at hava í
løtuni. Elin Brimheim Heinesen hugleiðir í hesi greinini um, hví fleiri - bæði
almennar og privatar - íløgur mugu til, og hvussu nógv.**

  

****Ferðavinnan kann sjálvandi royna at fáa Føroyum so nógva 'ókeypis' umrøðu sum gjørligt (hóast einki er heilt ókeypis) tí, sum tey flestu vita, kosta lýsingar og lýsingarherferðir astronomiskar upphæddir úti í stóru verð. Men sjálvt um Føroyar hava fingið so nógva umrøðu seinastu árini sum ongantíð fyrr, m.a. tí nógvir marknaðarføringspengar eru brúktir uppá at fáa journalistar og ferðafyriskiparar til Føroya - so munar eisini tað ov lítið. Tað skal meira til. Og tíanverri tykist ferðavinnan at vera ov lítil í Føroyum, sum er, til at kunna lyfta uppgávuna einsamøll.

  

Undirritaða - og nógv onnur við mær, serliga útlendingar - eru sannførd um, at
her liggur gull og flýtur. Tað ræður bara um at brúka orku uppá at finna røttu
miðini og fara út og gera hálini. Men føroyingar tykjast at mangla orkuna -
umframt trúnna og viljan - til at gera íløgurnar í at fara út og fiska gullið
upp.  Tað er nóg mikið til av fiski, men "tað nyttar ikki at fiska uttan
línu", sum Johannes Jensen, stjóri á Hotel Føroyum, tók til herfyri. Seyðurin
er har, men "onkur má fara út og reka seyðin í rættina", sum Uffe Bærentsen,
fyrrverandi stjóri á Hotel Føroyum, eisini hevur gjørt vart við.

**  
**

**Gyltasta høvi í langa tíð at selja Føroyar **

Føroyingar hava fingið eitt ómetaliga gylt høvi, sum gleppur teimum av hondum,
um høvið ikki verður gagnnýtt til fulnar nú. Fólk tykjast ikki at hava gjørt
sær heilt greitt enn, hvussu nógv verd tann appelsinin er, sum føroyingar
fingu blakað í turbanina fyri ikki so langari tíð síðani. Men henda appelsinin
er bara nakað verd, um føroyingar duga at gagnnýta hana. Nemliga tann støða,
Føroyar fingu frá National Geographic Traveler sum besta og mest óspilta
oyggjaland í verðini. Hetta letur ein veldugan - og í løtuni vaksandi -
marknað upp fyri føroyingar, nemliga tað skjótt vaksandi talið av náttúru- og
mentanaráhugaðum ferðafólkum í heiminum, har ein boðskapur um tað besta, mest
upprunaliga og óspilta oyggjasamfelagið fellir eitt turt stað.

  

Áðrenn Føroyar fingu hetta virðismikla spjaldrið á seg, hevur eingin - heldur
ikki í vinnuni - enn megnað at finna júst tað sokallaða "Unique Selling
Point", sum sigur spaðar tvey. Nú hevur føroysk ferðavinna verið so heppin at
fáa sítt Unique Selling Point forerandi! So tað ræður um at gera nakað
munagott burturúr at brúka tað. Hetta er sterkasta søluargumentið, føroyingar
hava havt nakrantíð, tí tað er eitt spjaldur, sum heimsins fremstu og mest
virdu ferðaserfrøðingar hava sett á Føroyar - og ikki bara nakað føroyingar
sjálvir halda uppá. Og tað hóskar sum fótur í hosu til alheimsrákið beint nú.
Tað gevur veldugar møguleikar.

  

Men tað krevur, at ferðavinnan livir upp til ímyndina og syrgir fyri, at
boðskapurin verður spjaddur kring heimin - ikki bara einaferð, men aftur og
aftur - annars dettur gylta høvið niðurfyri. Tað kostar. Tað er rætt. Men tað
loysir seg at blaka pengar eftir tí, tí møguleiki er fyri at fáa pengarnar
fleirfaldaðar aftur, verður tað gjørt rætt. Tað er henda boðskapin,
ferðavinnan má gera greiðan fyri almenninginum.

**  
**

**Fjarskotnari lond hepnast, so Føroyar kunnu eisini**

Men enn tykist at vera ein útbreiddur ótti fyri, at tað ikki loysir seg fyri
føroyska samfelagið at gera størri (almennar) íløgur í ferðavinnu. Helst hevur
eingin enn megnað at sannført fólk um, at tað lønar seg. Tá fólk hava fatan
av, at tað gongur aftur eftir hæli, og sjálvt ferðavinnufólk tykjast at ivast
í, um Føroyar hava nóg stóra atdráttarmegi, hvør torir so at gera íløgur í
ferðavinnu? Um ferðavinnan sjálv ikki tykist sannførd um virði av Føroyum sum
ferðaland, hvussu kann hon so sannføra Føroya fólk um, at tað kann loysa seg
at blaka pengar eftir ferðavinnu? Og hvussu kunnu føroyingar sannføra onnur
úti í heimi um at keypa eina ferð til Føroya, tá tey sjálvi ivast í, um ein
slík ferð er tað verd?

  

Føroyingar tosa t.d. ofta um, at hetta veðrið er einki at bjóða ferðafólki,
men eg eri persónliga sannførd um, at tað hvørki er veðrinum ella landinum,
tað er galið við. Tað hava National Geographic Traveler kanningin og óteljandi
jaligar ferðafrásagnir frá útlendingum sannført meg um. Ferðafólk eru
tvørturímóti ofta jaliga bilsin um, at veðrið er betri og náttúran meira
stórsligin, enn tey høvdu væntað. Tað eru eisini fleiri dømi um, at lond hava
hepnast við ferðavinnu, sum liggja longur burtur av leið enn Føroyar, við
kanska færri attraktiónum, enn Føroyar hava - eisini lond við kanska líka so
ella meira avbjóðandi veðurlag. Tað ræður 'bara' um at skapa hóskandi karmar
um upplivingarnar og gera tær lættari tilgeingiligar.

  

Tær undranarverdu og heilt serstøku náttúruupplivingar, Føroyar kunnu bjóða,
bera langt, men jaliga upplivingin hjá ferðafólkunum er eisini í stóran mun
tengd at, hvørjum karmum upplivingarnar upplivast í - tvs. bæði hvussu góðar
tænasturnar eru, og hvussu væl ferðaupplivingin sum heild hongur saman frá
byrjan til enda.

**  
**

**Ikki tilvildarligt, hvar fólk ferðast**

Royndir aðrastaðni vísa, at rættiliga góð úrslit kunnu náast, um tað almenna
og tað privata ganga saman um at finna eitt hóskandi fokus fyri menningina av
ferðavinnu - tvs. gera neyðugar kanningar av marknaðinum og út frá teimum gera
heildarætlanir fyri menning og marknaðarføring av ferðavinnutilboðum, har alt
hongur logistiskt saman. Tað ræður fyrst og fremst um, at fáa logistikkin til
at virka betri - tvs. at gera tað lættari fyri kundarnar allan vegin, frá tí
at kundin sær vøruútboðið, ger av at keypa eina ferð og til hann/hon er á
staðnum og upplivir landið.

  

Tað er ein sannroynd, at talið av ferðafólkum veksur vanliga proportionalt við
innsatsinum - tvs. alt eftir hvussu nógv tilboð og tænastur eru í útboði, og
hvussu væl tey verða marknaðarførd. Tað snýr seg um at duga at fanga eitt rák
og gagnnýta tað - tvs. heilt einfalt at hava eina hóskandi mongd av ítøkiligum
tilboðum, sum møta eftirspurninginum, at bjóða út til hóskandi málbólkar á
hóskandi miðum. Føroyingar fara heldur ikki sjálvir út at ferðast uppá má og
fá til tilvildarlig lond. Fólk fáa hugskotið onkustaðni frá, og leita eftir
ítøkiligum tilboðum at keypa, sum hóska til teirra persónliga tørv, tá tey
fara aðrastaðni. Tað skal fella teimum lætt. Annars tíma fólk ikki.

**  
**

**Føroyar frammanfyri nógv onnur lond**

Ferðavinnan í Føroyum ynskir sær sjálvandi støðugan vøkstur og óttast í løtuni
fyri sínum livibreyði, tí hon hevur upplivað eina minni afturgongd. Hesin ótti
skal sjálvandi takast í álvara, og okkurt má gerast her og nú fyri at venda
gongdini. Men samstundis er neyðugt ikki at fella í fátt, at peika eftir
syndabukkum ella gera panikkloysnir. Politikkarar hava higartil havt lyndi til
at kvetta á stokkinum, um alt ikki gongur eftir vild, men tað er eingin loysn.
Alt arbeiðið, sum hevur verið gjørt higartil í ferðavinnuni, hevur hóast alt
ikki verið av leið, og tað, ið hevur verið gjørt væl, hevur uppiborið at vera
viðurkent og má ikki blakast burtur. Tað má bera til at byggja víðari á tær
góðu royndirnar.

  

Fyrst og fremst er neyðugt at fáa grundarleggjandi fakta uppá pláss fyri at
kunna gera røttu metingarnar. Er ferðafólkatalið í Føroyum t.d. lítið ella
stórt í mun til aðrastaðni? Hvat kunnu føroyingar realistiskt vænta sær við
teimum tøku ressursunum?

**  
**

**Vanligar atfinningar**

Tað er í hesum sambandi vert at minnast til, at samlaða íløgan, sum higartil
er gjørd í ferðavinnu, sambært kvalifiseraðum metingum, hóast alt hevur megnað
at hála um 40-50.000 útlendsk ferðafólk til landið um árið (og um 80-90.000,
tá um 30-40.000 cruisepassagerar eru uppíroknaðir!) tey nógvu seinastu árini.

  

Í mun til stóru grannalondini liggja Føroyar sostatt í roynd og veru
frammanfyri, tá ein hugsar prosentvísa talið av ferðafólkum í mun til
fólkatalið. Tað eru fá lond í verðini, sum kunnu reypa sær av at hava eitt
árligt ferðafólkatal, sum er hægri enn talið av íbúgvum í landinum, hóast
einstøk landaøki kunnu vísa á lutvíst óvanliga nógv ferðafólk í mun til
fólkatalið í økinum - t.d. Bornholm í Danmark, ella Mallorca í Spania. At koma
hartil er tó ikki hent eftir einum degi, men er úrslit av einum miðvísum,
professionellum marknaðarførings- og menningararbeiði, sum er farið fram í
nógv ár.

  

Ofta verður t.d. tosað um, at tað er ov galið, at føroyingar ikki megna at fáa
fleiri ferðafólk til landið uttanfyri hásesongina, men til tess er at siga, at
hagtølini í øðrum samanberiligum londum vísa akkurát tað sama har - har er
lítil munur. Lutvísa prosenttalið av ferðafólkum býtist yvir árið júst sum í
Føroyum við hægstu kurvunum í juni-juli-august. Tað er jú í
summartíðarskeiðnum, at flest fólk ferðast. Men sjálvandi ber til at royna í
størri mun at fáa handilsferðandi og ráðstevnugestir til Føroya, sum oftast
ferðast vetrarhálvárið.

  

Eisini havast fólk at, hví so nógv eldri fólk ferðast til Føroya. Hví koma
ikki fleiri yngri, verður spurt. Til tess er at siga, at her fylgja Føroyar
eisini sama mynstri sum í flest øðrum londum.  Í altjóða høpi eru tað heilt
einfalt tey, sum eru yvir 45, sum ferðast nógv mest, tí tey hava flest pengar
og eru minst bundin. So har eru Føroyar eisini lítið øðrvísi enn flest onnur
lond. Tað er ein fyrimunur at fáa júst hesi fólkini á vitjan, tí tey fara væl
um og leggja lutvíst væl fleiri pengar eftir seg, enn yngri málbólkar.

  

Og hvat fæst so burturúr? spyrja fólk. Tað er torført at siga neyvt, men hvørt
ferðafólkið - tvs. vanligt ferðafólk, sum gistir millum tveir dagar og nakrar
vikur - leggur i meðal um 8-10.000 kr. eftir seg (cruisepassagerar tó væl
minni - kanska um 1.000 kr. hvør.) Hetta eru mett meðaltøl, grundað á altjóða
kanningar. Sum er, leggja tey umleið 40-50.000 ferðafólk, sum ferðast í
Føroyum, sostatt sannlíkt á leið 400 mió. kr. eftir seg um árið. Hetta merkir,
at gjørdu íløgurnar koma fleirfaldað aftur til samfelagið. Tað er hóast alt
ikki heilt einki, hóast ferðavinnan kundi ynskt sær at fáa meira burturúr
hvørjum ferðafólki ella fleiri ferðafólk, tí Føroyar hava kapasitet til
fleiri.

**  
**

**Hvussu nógv skal til?**

Eg eri vís í, at ferðavinnan megnar at fáa væl meira burturúr, um tað verður
gjørt eitt meira samskipað og miðvíst arbeiði - bæði í mun til
marknaðarføringina, og í mun til útboðið av tilboðum og møguleikum at ferðast
til landið. Men eisini fyri at fáa dagatalið og forbrúkið hjá hvørjum
einstøkum ferðafólki, sum kemur til landið, upp. Tilboð og tænastur kosta
sjálvandi, men krevja fyrst og fremst gott hugflog, vilja og eitt sindur
lagaligari fortreytir fyri at mennast, men tað slepst ikki undan, at serliga
marknaðarføring og kanningar, sum skulu vísa úrslit, kosta - meiri enn tær
upphæddir fyrrverandi SamVit, Atlantic Airways, Smyril Line og onnur áður hava
havt at brúka av higartil.

  

Almenna ferðaráðið, sum marknaðarførir Føroyar og ger neyðugar
ferðafólkakanningar, hevur áhaldandi víst á, at fleiri ressursur mugu til fyri
at fáa meira gongd á ferðavinnuna. Summi hava fatað hetta sum kravmikið, men í
mun til hvat skal tað metast? Vert er at minnast til, at tað ikki bara er
ferðavinna, men eisini allar aðrar vinnur í Føroyum, ið fáa gagn av, at
Føroyar gerast sjónligari. Møguleikin at fáa íløguna fleirfaldaða aftur, er
eisini ógvuliga sannlíkur.

  

Tey seinastu árini hevur SamVit fingið um 14-15 mió. kr. av fíggjarlógini um
árið - í ár fekk SamVit tó bert 13 mió. (áðrenn stovnurin varð lagdur saman
við Uttanríkisráðnum). Av teim 13-15 mió. kr. kundu kanska bara ein triðingur
brúkast beinleiðis til marknaðarføring av Føroyum uttanlands, tí SamVit hevði
sum kunnugt eisini nógvar aðrar skyldur at røkja. SamVit hevði sostatt minni
upphæddir til at 'selja' eitt heilt land fyri í øllum heiminum, enn ein minni
fyritøka t.d. í donskum høpi, hevur til at selja sínar vørur í Danmark.

  

Bara sum eitt dømi kann nevnast, at ein einstøk heilsíðulýsing í einum
vanligum donskum vikublað kostar 40-50.000 kr., so tað kann skjótt roknast út,
at tað vóru ikki ráð til at gera lýsingarherferðir í nógvum londum kring
heimin við teimum upphæddum, SamVit hevði at ráða yvir.

**  
**

**Skal ítøkiliga avlopið prógvast? **

Skal munagóður vøkstur væntast, mugu munabetri íløgur gerast í at gera Føroyar
sjónligari. Tað verið seg privatar og almennar íløgur - alt ger mun. Tað er
einfalt: Fyri at fáa dupult so nógv burturúr, má strangt tikið roknast við, at
dupult so stórar íløgur mugu gerast.

  

Men skal tað almenna fíggja marknaðarføring fyri vinnuna? spyr onkur helst.
Eigur vinnan ikki at klára tað sjálv? Tað kann onkur uttan iva meina av
røttum, men sum er, tykist vinnan ikki at hava fíggjarliga orku til at venda
skeivu gongdini. Stórir vinnumøguleikar verða forspiltir, um ikki meira
fígging fæst til vega til marknaðarføringsátøk, skjótt. Tí er tað gleðiligt,
at landsstýrið nú hevur avgjørt at gera eyka íløgur í marknaðarføring av
Føroyum sum ferðaland.

  

Politikkarar hava annars verið sera afturhaldandi og vilja altíð vita, akkurát
hvat fæst burtur úr t.d. at játta pengar til ferðaráðið, sum stendur fyri
marknaðarføringini... helst neyvt í krónum og oyrum. Men hetta ber ikki til at
svara so neyvt, m.a. tí nóg stórar upphæddir hava ikki verið játtaðar til at
fáa neyðug hagtøl inn, sum kundu víst úrslitini. Ein kann undrast, hví
politikkarar ikki tykjast at krevja tað sama í sama mun, tá avgerðir verða
tiknar um at gera stórar íløgur í at bora ávísar tunnlar, uttan at tað við
vissu kann prógvast, at tað gevur nakað ítøkiligt avlop í bræði - enn minni
útgreinað í krónum og oyrum.

  

Fólk vita, at ein vælvirkandi fiskivinna krevur íløgur. Tað kostar nógv at
fiska, hagreiða og selja fisk - at keypa fiskiskip, virki, amboð og at menna
sølulið. Hóast eingin trygd er fyri, at vinnan gevur avlop tey fyrstu mongu
árini, so gera fólk íløgurnar kortini. Tað snýr seg jú m.a. eisini um
arbeiðspláss. Mær er sagt, at tey seinastu 10 árini eru íløgur gjørdar uppá
heilar 2 mia. kr. í ein fiskiflota, sum tíanverri hevur ilt við at gjalda
rentur og avdrøg av síni egnu skuld. Tað er kanska ikki so løgið, tá ein hevur
í huga, at fiskiflotin arbeiðir undir sera truplum umstøðum við ofta lágum og
skiftandi fiskaprísum, har fiskiskipini eru noydd at fiska av sera óstøðugum
og ofta niðurfiskaðum stovnum, sum eru avmarkaðir við kvotum ella fiskidøgum.

  

Harumframt er tað truplari enn fyrr at fáa tey ungu til at fara til skips ella
til at arbeiða fisk í landi. Men kortini tykist tað ikki at vera tann stóri
trupulleikin at fáa fígging til at gera íløgur í fiskiskip, sum kosta upp til
trýsiffraðar upphæddir.

**  
**

**Ongar avmarkandi kvotur í ferðavinnu**

Sjálvandi mugu føroyingar gagnnýta alt tað tøka tilfeingið - eisini fiskin.
Heimsins besti fiskur svimur kring oyggjarnar, føroyingar eru bestu
serfrøðingar innan økið, og fiskivinnan er partur av føroysku fólkasálini - so
sjálvandi skulu føroyingar javnt og samt gera íløgur í fiskivinnu. Eg havi
stóra virðing fyri teimum fólkum, sum hava áræði at gera hesar íløgur, og
fegnist um, at virkisfýsin fólk búgva í hesum landi, sum hava trúnna og vilja
leggja so nógv fyri.

  

Men tað kundi verið ynskiligt, at fleiri privatir íløgarar i Føroyum vildu
lagt líka so nógv fyri, eisini tá tað snýr seg um t.d. at byggja ferðavinnu
upp. Fiskivinnan hevur helst nátt einum lofti fyri burðardygd, tí hvussu nógv
fiskiskip klárar fiskatilfeingið at bera? Men ferðafólk eru eitt so gott sum
óavmarkað tilfeingið, har ongar kvotur eru ásettar (enn), umframt at enn er
langt til loftið fyri burðardygd, so her liggja nógvir óbrúktir
vinnumøguleikar. Tað hevði skjótt kunnað gjørt stóran mun, um tað var sama
forstáilsi í almenninginum fyri, at tað krevur eisini íløgur at fiska
ferðafólk. Onkur má gera íløgur í at finna røttu miðini og gera hálini.
Føroyingar missa stórar inntøkumøguleikar við ikki at gera tað.

**  
**

**Blaka pengar burtur við ikki at gera íløgur**

Tað snýr seg kortini ikki um serliga stórar íløgur í mun til, hvat fæst
afturfyri. Ein dupult so stór íløga enn tann, ið verður gjørd árliga í løtuni,
svarar hóast alt bara til ein lítlan brøkpart av kostnaðinum av einum meðal
trolara, tá ein hugsar um, at íløgan sannlíkt kann úrslita í dupult so nógvum
ferðafólkum, verður hon brúkt skilagott. Dupult so nógv ferðafólk kundu lagt
upp ímóti eina knappa mia. kr. eftir seg um árið - meira enn ein
Sandoyartunnil kostar! Um almennar íløgur skulu gerast í inntøkuskapandi
virksemi, man júst ferðavinna vera tað skilabesta at gera almennar íløgur í.
Eg veit satt at siga ikki, hvat tað er, føroyingar hava bíðað eftir, tí nógvir
pengar verða burturblakaðir við ikki at gera  íløgurnar.

  

Tað stutta av tí langa er: Tað skulu pengar til at tjena pengar. Størri
upphæddir mugu inn í renslið fyri at fáa gongd á ferðavinnu, so hon kann geva
eitt størri íkast til samfelagsbúskapin. Men tað skal eisini trúgv,
samstarvsvilji, tíð og fyrireiking til. Er vinnan nóg jalig, treisk og áhaldin
- og fær hon neyðugu undirtøkuna, fer arbeiðið uttan iva at loysa seg væl í
síðsta enda.

  

  

**_Um greinarøðina "Hvussu verða tóm hotelkømur fylt"_**

_Hetta er triðja greinin av fýra hjá Elini Brimheim Heinesen um, hvussu støðan
hjá ferðavinnu í Føroyum møguliga kann fáast at batna. Tvær greinir hava
staðið í blaðnum áður. Tann síðsta greinin kemur í blaðið í næstum._

  * _Fyrsta greinin snúði seg um, hví altjóða rákið hóast alt er til gagns fyri Føroyar og um, hvat tað merkir fyri framtíðar ferðavinnumøguleikar í Føroyum._
  * _Onnur greinin snúði seg um avbjóðingarnar hjá ferðavinnuni - um, hvat skal til fyri at møta hesum avbjóðingum best, og hvussu tað almenna kann hjálpa vinnuni._
  * _Triðja greinin snýr seg um, hví fleiri - bæði almennar og privatar - íløgur mugu til fyri at seta gongd á ferðavinnuna, og hvussu nógv skal til._
  * _Fjóðra og síðsta greinin snýr seg um, hví ferðavinnan má standa samhaldfast saman - eisini um sín egna stovn - fyri at gera neyðugar heildarætlanir og gagnnýta gylt høvi best._
  

**_  
_**

__**_Fá meira at vita:_**

  * _National Geographic Traveler kanningin, sum hevur Føroyar sum nummar eitt: __[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html)_
  * _Sjónbandið: "Where Nature Rules", sum fekk triðju virðisløn í altjóða films kappingini "Golden City Gate" á ITB ferðasølustevnuni í Berlin 12 Mars 2009: _[_http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv_](http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv)_ _
  * _Áhugaverd australsk sending "Foreign Correspondent" um Føroyar: _[_http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx_](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx)_ . Les um sendingina her: __[http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm)_
  * _Ein sera væl skrivað grein um Føroyar í New York Times: __[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html](http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html)_
  * _Ein ensk podcast-sending um Føroyar, útvarpað hvørja viku á internetinum: _[_http://faroepodcast.blogspot.com/_](http://faroepodcast.blogspot.com/)
  

  

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## Wednesday, September 9, 2009

###  [Meira jaligt hugflog í
ferðavinnu](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/09/meira-jaligt-
hugflog-i-feravinnu.html)

_Onnur av fýra greinum um, hvussu tóm hotelkømur verða fylt, _

___eftir Elina Brimheim Heinesen, fyrrverandi stjóra í SamViti_

___

_

  

**Skal gongd koma á ferðavinnu, má vinnan varpa ljós á potentialið í ferðavinnuni. Elin Brimheim Heinesen hugleiðir í hesi greinini um avbjóðingarnar hjá vinnuni, og heitir á ferðavinnuna um at vísa, at her liggur gull grivið, sum kann koma samfelagnum til góðar, og sum tað kann loysa seg fyri íløgarar og fyri landið at raðfesta og blaka pengar eftir.**

**  
**

Almenningurin spyr: Hvussu ber tað til, at ferðafólkatalið minkar og
hotelkømur standa tóm í hásesong, tá ferðavinnan heldur uppá, at føroyingar
hava eitt so fantastiskt land at bjóða fram? Eingin sigur seg heilt kenna
svarið, men øll kenna á sær, at tað má vera okkurt galið - helst ikki við
vøruni, men við marknaðarføringini av henni. Tíðum verður peikað á, at almenni
stovnurin, sum hjálpir ferðavinnuni at marknaðarføra Føroyar sum ferðaland -
fyrst Ferðaráðið, síðani SamVit og nú Uttanríkisráðið - hevur ábyrgdina.

**  
**

**Orsøkir til trupulleikarnar  
**Hevði tað verið so væl, at almenna ferðaráðið kundi loyst allar trupulleikar fyri vinnuna. Men tíanverri hava trupulleikarnir nógvar ymiskar orsøkir, sum ferðaráðið ikki einsamalt kann hava ávirkan á. Heimskreppan hevur sjálvandi sína neiligu ávirkan. Ein onnur orsøk er ivaleyst tann, at tað - hóast góðan vilja - í nógv ár ikki hevur eydnast nóg væl hjá ferðavinnuni sum heild at traðka sama stev. 

  

Men eg eri sannførd um, at størsti trupulleikin er, at so lutvíst fá fólk
búgva í Føroyum. Tað merkir við øðrum orðum, at føroyingar hava mikroskopiskar
ressursur í mun til onnur lond, sum kappast verður við. Tað, sum higartil er
sett av til marknaðarføring av Føroyum sum ferðaland, munar so evarska lítið
úti í stóru verð, sum "larmar" alt meira við tíðini, so tað gerst alt
torførari at vekja ans. So einfalt er tað.

**  
**

**Kappingin harðnað  
**Tær størstu ferðavinnufyritøkurnar í Føroyum  - so sum Atlantic Airways, Smyril Line, Greengate Incoming o.o. - eru sera smáar sæð í mun til samanberiligar fyritøkur aðrastaðni. Einsamallar hava tær tí eisini lutvíst lítla orku til at marknaðarføra seg og Føroyar. Tí er tað so umráðandi - júst í Føroyum, meira enn aðrastaðni - at tað almenna traðkar til við eini hjálpandi hond fyri at fáa gongd á.

  

Tað, sum hevur verið gjørt higartil, hevur munað alt ov lítið í mun til tað,
vinnuni tørvar fyri at vaksa. Somu upphæddir muna í veruleikanum minni og
minni ár undan ári, tí altjóða kappingin er harðnað alt meira seinastu árini.
Umvegis internetið verður rokkið longri enn nakrantíð fyrr, men "larmurin" á
marknaðinum er eisini ógvusligari enn nakrantíð, nú talið av miðlum - t.d.
prentaðum miðlum, loftmiðlum og heimasíðum, sum longu finnast í milliardatali
- økist í hvørjum.

  

Føroyar eru evarska lítlar og drukna lætt burtur í øllum larminum, so lítið,
sum føroyingar hava megnað at gera um seg har úti í stóru verð.
Kappingarneytarnir fylla so nógv meira í myndini, tí teir hava - og brúka -
nógv fleir ressursur. Hetta er bara ein veruleiki, føroyingar mugu síggja í
eyguni og laga seg til. Føroyar verða ongantíð líka so sjónligar sum onnur
størri lond, men kunnu kanska verða nóg sjónligar i mun til, hvat hóskar til
tørvin í Føroyum, sum jú ikki er líka so stórur sum í størri londum.

**  
**

**Eingin hevur 'skyldina'**   
Nógv undrast stórliga á, hví ikki fleiri fólk vitja oyggjarnar, tí óteljandi
jaligar ferðafrásøgnir frá útlendingum, ið hava verið í Føroyum, umframt
plaseringin, Føroyar fingu frá National Geographic Traveler, benda á, at
potentialið má vera stórt. Tað tykist bara ikki at verða brúkt til fulnar.

  

Eingin einstakur partur kann tó einsamallur ákærast fyri, at Føroyar ikki eru
nóg sjónligar. Syndabukka-peikarí forðar góðum samstarvsanda og tekur bara
fokus frá tí, sum hevur nógv tann størsta týdningin - nemliga, hvussu
átrokandi tað er, at øll ferðavinnan samstarvar, og at tað almenna (les:
løgting og landsstýri) raðfestir marknaðarføring av Føroyum og - ikki minst -
at gera kringumstøðurnar fyri ferðavinnu lagaligari, so tað betri kann loysa
seg fyri íløgarar at gera íløgur í ferðavinnu. At seta partafelagsskattin upp,
hjálpir t.d. ikki í hesum føri.

  

Ferðavinna er tann vinnan, sum í løtuni hóast alt hevur mest sannlíku
vakstrarmøguleikarnar í Føroyum. Men vinnan hevur brúk fyri fíggjarliga betri
umstøðum og lagaligari reglum á ávísum økjum, skal hon vaksa og fáa orkuna til
at marknaðarføra seg meira og fáa boðskapin út, um alt tað góða, føroyingar
eiga at bjóða her í Føroyum.

**  
**

**Ferðavinna ikki klientur, men eitt aktiv  
**Ikki tí at eingin skal kunna finnast at almenna ferðaráðnum, men ferðaráðið kann og skal ikki syfta alt einsamalt. Øll, ið fáast við ferðavinnu - tvs. privatir tænastuveitarar, kommunur og almenna ferðaráðið - mugu standa saman og gera sín part, um munabetri úrslit skulu náast. 

  

Fólk fáa lætt fatan av, at tað ikki loysir seg at gera íløgur í ferðavinnu, um
ferðavinnan ikki vísir greitt, at hon hevur trúnna og viljan. Um ferðavinnan
ikki sjálv tykist heilt at trúgva uppá møguleikarnar, hvussu skulu onnur so
fáast at trúgva uppá ferðavinnu sum ein vinnumøguleika, roknast kann við? Um
ferðavinnufólk ikki tykjast at finna út av at samstarva, og ov nógv fokus er á
ónøgd við ella misálit á hvønnannan, hvussu skulu tey so fáa onnur at trúgva,
at tey kunnu hepnast við tí, tey fáast við? Almenni stovnurin, sum fæst við
ferðavinnu, tykjast hesi fólkini ikki at standa saman um, so hví skulu
skattakrónur spillast uppá hann? Og hevur ferðavinnan uppiborið meira, enn hon
longu fær? Er ikki ríkiligt sett av til tað?

  

Men tað er ikki soleiðis, fólk eiga at spyrja. Ferðavinnan er ikki nakar
klientur, sum skal hava almennan "stuðul", tí "tað er synd í - ella hart hjá
teimum, sum arbeiða við ferðavinnu". Fólk skulu harafturímóti síggja
ferðavinnu sum tað, hon veruliga er: Eitt stórt aktiv fyri alt landið, sum
vert er at gera íløgur í - eisini almennar íløgur - tí hon gevur longu eitt
risa íkast til samfelagsbúskapin - og kann potentielt geva fleirfaldað so
nógv, um føroyingar tora at gera fleiri íløgur í hana!

  

Eg sakni meira jaligt og íblásandi hugflog í ferðavinnuni, sum kann íbirta
trúnna millum fólk uppá, at ferðavinna veruliga er samfelagsgagnlig og verd at
gera íløgur í, hóast tað kann ganga tíð, áðrenn avlopið vísir seg.

**  
**

**Íløgur skulu til, men í hvat?  
**Men hvat er tað ítøkiligt, íløgur skulu gerast í? Ferðavinnan er komin langt á summum økjum, meðan annað er forsømt, og nógv meira kann gerast. Eingin ivi er um, at tað er ov lítið til av ressursum, sum er - ikki bara til marknaðarføring, men so sanniliga eisini til at fáa neyðug hagtøl og brúkarakanningar til vega, sum kunnu fortelja ferðavinnuni, um hon satsar rætt, umframt til menning ella víðarimenning av lokalum tilboðum til ferðafólk kring landið. At menna røtt professionell tilboð og byggja marknaðir upp krevur eitt stórt fyrireikingararbeiði. Tað krevur ressursur at fyrireika seg. Tað krevur samskipan. Tað krevur áhaldni. Og tað krevur ikki minst vitan - m.a. um tað, ið gjørt verður, er á rættari leið og nóg effektivt. 

  

Men eingi fullfíggjað ella álítandi ferðavinnuhagtøl hava verið tøk tey nógvu
seinastu árini. Eingin veit t.d. heilt neyvt, hvussu nógv útlendsk ferðafólk
koma til landið, hvagani tey koma, hvørji tey eru, hví tey koma og hvat teimum
dámar, tí pengar hava ikki verið til at gera ferðafólkakanningar, sum eru
lutvíst dýrar at gera, og Hagstovan hevur ikki havt ressursur til at savna og
viðgera hesi hagtøl. SamVit royndi at savna nakað av hagtalstilfari og setti
eina hagtalsverkætlan í gongd saman við Hagstovuni o.ø. fíggjað av
Vinnuframagrunninum, men nú tá almenna ferðaráðið er blivið partur av einum
aðalráð, ber ikki til longur at søkja grunnar um pengar til slíkar
verkætlanir.

  

Seinastu árini hevur tí bert borið til at gita og gera kvalifiseraðar metingar
av ferðafólkahagtølum út frá onkrum smávegis indikatiónum her og har. Tað ger
tað sera torført hjá vinnuni at vita, hvar hon flýtur, og hvar hon skal seta
inn - t.d. viðv. marknaðarføringini.

**  
**

**Hvat kann vinnan nýta tað almenna til?  
**Her tykist neyðugt, at tað almenna og tað privata taka lógvatak saman og í felag finna svarið til fleiri ósvaraðir spurningar, so sum: Ber til at røkka nóg breitt út við marknaðarføringini við teimum tøku ressursunum, vinnan hevur? Hvat skal til? Hvat nú, um marknaðarføringin er góð, men bara ikki nóg væl distribuerað ella nóg áhaldandi, tí vinnan heilt einfalt ikki hevur ráð til tað? Kunnu ella skulu almennar íløgur í marknaðarføring leggjast aftrat fyri at muna nóg væl her?

  

Ein annar spurningur er, um marknaðarføringin hjá teimum, sum marknaðarføra
Føroyar, sampakkar nóg væl. Verða allir atkomiligu
marknaðarføringsmøguleikarnir brúktir nóg effektivt, um øll arbeiða hvør sær?
Hvussu ávirkar tað ímyndina av Føroyum, at partarnir fara út hvør í sínum lag
við marknaðarføring, ið kanska peikar í heilt ymiskar ættir? Kann tað almenna
gera nyttu her við at spæla ein savnandi, samskipandi leiklut í samstarvi við
vinnuna?

  

Og hvussu við tí, ið verður marknaðarført: Svara tey tilboð, ferðavinnan
bjóðar út á marknaðinum, nóg væl til tað, sum marknaðurin eftirlýsir í dag -
ella til ímyndina av Føroyum t.d., sum National Geographic Traveler o.o. hava
spjatt kring heimin? Kemur boðskapurin um tilboðini út til røttu málbólkarnar?
Verða røttu miðlarnir brúktir? Verður nýggja tøknin brúkt effektivt?
Marknaðurin broytir seg jú á nógvum økjum alla tíðina. Er vitanin hjá vinnuni
um eftirspurningin, sum hann er í dag í mun til fyrr, nóg væl dagførd? Og
hevur vinnan ráð til at kanna hetta - og so laga seg leypandi til marknaðin?
Ella skal tað almenna traðka til her og veita vinnuni vitan og kanningarúrslit
at brúka sum amboð?

  

Hevur vinnan fatur í øllum teim bestu ferðafyriskiparunum t.d.? Eru onnur sløg
av ferðafyriskiparum kanska meira viðkomandi í dag? Kanska skal arbeiðið
gerast á ein annan hátt í dag, enn fyri bara fáum árum síðani. Alt hetta ber
ikki til at vita, um tað ikki verður eftirkannað, og tað gerst neyvan uttan
hjálp frá tí almenna.

  

Men kanska er tann týdningarmesti spurningurin, sum vinnan má seta sær sjálvum
her og nú: Er ynskið ella viljin nóg stórur hjá einstøku pørtunum til at ganga
saman og samskipa marknaðarføring og menningararbeiði? Og í hvønn mun ynskir
vinnan luttøku og hjálp frá tí almenna til hetta arbeiðið?

**  
**

**Mugu semjast fyri at koma víðari  
**Eingin ivi er um, at føroysk ferðavinna hevur stórar avbjóðingar. Ein av grundarleggjandi fyritreytunum fyri at hepnast, er eftir mínari meting heilt einfalt tann: at vilja og tora at standa saman - og gagnnýta allar kreftir, bæði privatar og almennar. Ferðavinnan hevur ikki ráð til at ganga í smáum skóm. Føroyingar tykjast ofta at hava lyndi til ikki at hava nóg nógv álit á onnur enn seg sjálvi - og als ikki á tað almenna! Tí gera fólk ofta tað minst torføra - tvs. arbeiða í einingi hvør sær. Men um verandi ressursur skulu gagnnýtast á best møguliga hátt, má og skal álit, opinleiki og samstarv til - bæði millum tað almenna og tað privata og millum privatar ferðatænastuveitarar.

  

Loysnir finnast best og skjótast í einum jaligum anda. Vilji má vera til at
møtast og laga seg. Hendur mugu rættast út til eitt íblásandi og konstruktivt
samstarv, har fokus er á møguleikar heldur enn  á forðingar. Tíbetur eru tað
fleiri og fleiri, sum síggja fyrimunin í tí, tí í síðsta enda loysir tað seg
best fyri allar partar at leggja orkuna saman, so øll fáa gagn av úrslitinum.
Uttan semju og samanhald fær ferðavinnan í øllum førum ikki sannført hvørki
politikkarar og íløgarar um, hvønn týdning tað hevur at gera størri íløgur í
at fáa fleiri ferðafólk til landið.

  

Eingin ivi er um, at føroyingar fáa tað talið av ferðafólkum í Føroyum, sum
ráð eru at fiska eftir. Ynskja politikkarar at síggja vøkstur í
ferðafólkatalinum, má ferðavinna eisini týðiliga raðfestast. Politikkarar mugu
taka ferðavinnu í álvara og lurta eftir, hvat serfrøðin á økinum sigur um,
hvat tørvur er á. Almennir og privatir íløgugrunnar mugu vera jaligir í mun
til at játta stuðul og lagalig lán til ferðavinnuverkætlanir. Íløgur mugu
setast ikki bara í marknaðarføring, men eisini í álítandi hagtøl, umframt í
menning av einum høgligari og meira álítandi infrastrukturi - innanhýsis og út
í heim. Ikki fyri ferðavinnunar skyld í sær sjálvum, men tí tað er neyðugt
fyri alt samfelagið - og ikki minst: tí tað heilt einfalt kann løna seg.

**  
**

**Øll mugu taka undir við tí  
**Harumframt er ein møguleiki at seta MVG niður fyri ferðafólkatænastur - t.d. gistingarhús- og matstovuvirksemi, útferðar- og flutningstænastur o.a. Hetta hevði verið ein vælkomin og hollur stuðul og  ein lutvíst ómakaleysur máti at tryggja, at vinnuni er lív lagað, so meira gongd kemur í samfelagshjólini. Tað er alneyðugt at skapa fleiri arbeiðspláss í Føroyum, sum serliga ung og kvinnur dragast at. Júst hesirbáðir samfelagsbólkar tørva eina 'saltvatnsinnspræning', um hesi fólkini skulu tíma at búgva í Føroyum. Hetta kann verða gjørt við at bjóða eitt breiðari starvsútboð, sum hesi fólkini dragast at. Og har gevur júst ferðavinnan nógvar møguleikar.

  

Síðst, men ikki minst: Skal ferðavinna í Føroyum veruliga hepnast, er neyðugt
við undirtøku frá almenninginum og einum felags innsatsi frá øllum samfelagnum
so ella so. Føroyingar sjálvir mugu verða teirra egnu bestu ambassadørar við
t.d. at læra sítt egna land, søgu og mentan at kenna - og virðismeta tað, m.a.
við at ferðast meira í egnum landi og brúka føroyskar vørur, gistingarhús,
matstovur og aðrar tænasturnar meira, so tað kann loysa seg at framleiða
føroyskt og hjá ferðavinnuni at fáast við ferðatænastuveiting alt árið. Tað
ger dagliga lívið hjá øllum føroyingum bæði hugnaligari og stuttligari.

**  
**

**Hvat kann ferðavinnan sjálv ítøkiligt gera?   
**Eg eri sannførd um, at tey, ið arbeiða í ferðavinnu brúka sína orku best uppá at forfína júst tað, tey eru best til. Eg loyvi mær tí at enda hesa grein við eini áheitan til hvønn einstakan tænastuveitara í ferðavinnuni um áhaldandi at menna sína egnu styrki - m.a. við atliti til, at ferðafólk eftirspyrja nakað serligt, nakað serføroyskt, sum tey ikki kunna uppliva aðrastaðni í verðini. Tað gerst eisini nógv lættari at selja tað, Føroyar hava at bjóða, um øll ikki bjóða akkurát tað sama, men eru partur av einari viftu av nógvum ymiskligum tilboðum. Um øll allatíðina menna síni serstøku tilboð og hvør sær allatíðina tryggja, at júst tey veita best møguligu tænastuna á sínum øki, samstundis sum tey syrgja fyri at teirra tilboð hóska inn í heildina - úr sjónarhorninum hjá kundanum - so verður ett størri fjølbroytni í tilboðunum til stóran fyrimun fyri ferðafólkini og harvið eisini fyri vinnuna. Um øll haraftrat kunna um síni tilboð saman við øðrum føroyskum veitarum - tá verða øll tilboðini eisini sjónligari og meira sølubær hvør sær. T.d. ígjøgnum ein felags ferðavinnuportal.

  

Um fólk í ferðavinnu varðveita trúnna á, at úrslitið kemur, um bara tey ger
sær ómak við at fylla sítt pláss best møguligt út í øllum puslispælinum, fáa
tey kanska eisini "ráð" og yvirskot til at finna saman við øðrum pørtum í
ferðavinnuni um at gera heildartilboð. Støðið lyftist sum heild, møguleikarnir
økjast fyri allar partar, og øll standa sterkari og fáa nógv meira burturúr,
um ferðavinnan virkar sum ein heild. Harvið verður eisini eitt jaligt signal
sent til almenningin - og politikkarnar/íløgarar - um, at ferðavinna er verd
at taka í álvara og gera íløgur í.

**  
**

**Nýggir møguleikar fyri vøkstri  
**Hóast ferðavinna bara stendur fyri um 4 prosentum av BTÚ, sum er, er hon næststørsta vinna í Føroyum, næst eftir fiski- og alivinnu. Parturin er tó helst størri, um ymiskt vanligt tænastu- og mentanarvirksemi verður lagt aftrat, tí slíkt virksemi kann eisini í ávísan mun roknast sum ferðavinna. Sum skilst bendir nógv á, at føroysk ferðavinna hevur góðar møguleikar fyri at vaksa - fleiri enn nakrantíð fyrr. Við miðvísum arbeiði kann ferðavinnuparturin fáast at vaksa seg nógv størri, um føroyingar leggja seg eftir tí og gera kravdu íløgurnar.

  

Umframt at National Geographic Traveler hevur varpað ljós á Føroyar sum mest
óspilta oyggjaland í heiminum - at surfarar og aðrir útlendingar hálova
oyggjarnar - og at oyggjarnar eru vorðnar meira atkomiligar, hóast einstøk
bakkøst hava verið - so ferðast fólk eisini longri, enn tey nakrantíð hava
ferðast fyrr. Í dag er tað lættari hjá fleiri at finna upplýsingar um, at her
er ein náttúra og ein mentan, sum tað kann loysa seg at ferðast langt fyri at
uppliva. Tað er møguligt í dag, við nýggjum nógv bíligari samskiftismiðlum at
náa út til fjøldir, sum als ikki kundu náast fyrr í tíðini. Tað merkir eisini,
at til ber at byggja sterk altjóða netverk, og at vitan um Føroyar skjótt kann
spjaðast víða um. Internetið gerst ein alt meira og meira brúktur miðil - og
um nøkur ár smeltar bæði útvarp, sjónvarp, internet, teldur og fartelefonir
saman. Tað verður har, nógv teir flestu brúkararnir fara at orientera seg.
Longu í dag brúka tey ungu nýggju miðlarnar meir enn teir gomlu.

  

Men hetta krevur hart arbeiði og dugnalig fólk, sum hava fingurin á
alheimspulsinum og duga væl at samskifta og brúka møguleikarnar í nýggju
miðlunum, tí altjóða kappingin og miðlalarmurin er eisini ógvusligari enn
nakrantíð. Vónandi fáa tey fólkini, sum átaka sær hetta arbeiði, bestu
umstøður at virka undir. Fáa tey tað, fær ferðavinnan uttan iva eina bjartari
framtíð.

  

  

**_Um greinarøðina "Hvussu verða tóm hotelkømur fylt"_**

_Hetta er onnur greinin av fýra hjá Elini Brimheim Heinesen um, hvussu støðan
hjá ferðavinnu í Føroyum møguliga kann fáast at batna. Tær síðstu tvær
greinirnar koma í blaðið í næstum._

  * _Fyrsta greinin snúði seg um, hví altjóða rákið hóast alt er til gagns fyri Føroyar og um, hvat tað merkir fyri framtíðar ferðavinnumøguleikar í Føroyum._
  * _Onnur greinin snýr seg um avbjóðingarnar hjá ferðavinnuni - um, hvat skal til fyri at møta hesum avbjóðingum best, og hvussu tað almenna kann hjálpa vinnuni._
  * _Triðja greinin snýr seg um, hví fleiri - bæði almennar og privatar - íløgur mugu til fyri at seta gongd á ferðavinnuna, og hvussu nógv skal til._
  * _Fjóðra og síðsta greinin snýr seg um, hví ferðavinnan má standa samhaldfast saman - eisini um sín egna stovn - fyri at gera neyðugar heildarætlanir og gagnnýta gylt høvi best._
  

**_  
_**

__**_Fá meira at vita:_**

  * _National Geographic Traveler kanningin, sum hevur Føroyar sum nummar eitt: __[http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html](http://www.nationalgeographic.com/traveler/features/islandsrated0711/islands.html)_
  * _Sjónbandið: "Where Nature Rules", sum fekk triðju virðisløn í altjóða films kappingini "Golden City Gate" á ITB ferðasølustevnuni í Berlin 12 Mars 2009: _[_http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv_](http://www.samvit.fo/media/Where_Nature_Rules_The_Faroe_Islands.wmv)_ _
  * _Áhugaverd australsk sending "Foreign Correspondent" um Føroyar: _[_http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx_](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/faroe_islands_200k.asx)_ . Les um sendingina her: _[_http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm_](http://www.abc.net.au/foreign/content/2007/s2050734.htm)
  * _Ein sera væl skrivað grein um Føroyar í New York Times: __[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html](http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/travel/tmagazine/03well.faroes.t.html)_
  * _Ein ensk podcast-sending um Føroyar, útvarpað hvørja viku á internetinum: _[_http://faroepodcast.blogspot.com/_](http://faroepodcast.blogspot.com/)_ _
  

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, September 09,
2009](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/09/meira-jaligt-
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## Tuesday, September 8, 2009

###  [Are The Faroese People Senseless Terrorizing Murderous Dolphin
Killers?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/09/no-respect-for-
whales.html)

[![](http://heinesen.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/04
/Faroese_estock_commonswiki_162772_o-300x199.jpg)](http://heinesen.info/wp/wp-
content/uploads/2012/04/Faroese_estock_commonswiki_162772_o.jpg)****

****Some people outside the Faroes think that Faroese people are senseless primitive murderous inbred drunken brutal beasts who once a year kill thousands of intelligent dolphins for fun as a 'coming of age ritual' just to leave most of the whales to rot on the beach and feeding the rest of the poisonous meat to their innocent children. As if the Faroese were the most ignorant and worst enemies of nature you can find on the face of the earth. Sadly many people believe these fantastic stories.** **

  
I understand the disgusted feelings it evokes in people to see the pictures
that have been spread around. I admit that pilot whale killing looks like a
brutal bloodbath with all those people participating in the kill running
around on shore and in the water, seemingly for no purpose - and with all that
blood in the sea.

  

But the graphic pictures don't reveal the whole truth. Far from it. I
understand it looks shocking to people who haven't seen anything like this
before and don't know what is going on. To them it seems incomprehensible. So
they judge it based only on their immediate feelings of disgust. Which one
can't blame them for. They see it from their own angle - and in their view:
how can anyone in their right mind kill dolphins that way - such wonderful
creatures!?

  

I must say for myself: I do NOT support pilot whaling unconditionally. I don't
like to see animals being killed - like most people. I hate it. I wish humans
could be less dependent on meat consumption. I think that dolphins as well as
other whales are fascinating and wonderful creatures. So far I'm not that
different from most people in the western world.

  

What makes me different, though, is that I'm Faroese. I grew up in the Faroe
Islands where people have been killing pilot whales for food for at least 1200
years (according to research based on archeological excavations). I do not eat
pilot whale meat myself though (I don't like the taste of it. Actually I
almost don't eat meat at all - just occasionally. But I like the blubber,
though, together with dry fish).

  

What made me write this blog post is, that I don't recognize the picture at
all painted of my people in all these anti-whaling campaigns and petitions
flourishing all over where people sign up to express their disgust about the
Faroese pilot whaling tradition. It makes me so sad to see all the prejudice
and all these wildly exaggerated wrongful rumors about my people that have
been spread through out the world by people - either on purpose as part of
shock tactics to get their anti-whaling point across, or because they don't
know better - when the truth is that for the Faroese people the pilot whale
killing has always been a matter of survival - and still is in a way. It
certainly does not help the whales to agitate people. I'll get back to that
point further down in this blog post.

  

I will try to explain - in an honest, truthful way - what is going on, seen
from a Faroese angle. And I will kindly ask you, the reader, to forget - just
for a moment - all that you've seen and/or heard about pilot whaling in the
Faroes, and set all the emotions of disgust and anger it created aside, and
just try to read this blog post without any prejudice.

  

**First, let's correct some misunderstandings **

The "dolphins" the Faroese kill are not bottlenose dolphins (like 'Flipper')
who most people are familiar with, but long-finned pilot whales which is
another species, though it is in the same family - only the pilot whale
behaves more like a big whale than like a dolphin. But that might be beside
the point for many, so I won't dwell with that. The fact is that the Faroese
have always looked upon pilot whales as a source of food in pretty much the
same manner as most people in the world look upon cattle or pigs as a source
of food (even though pigs, for instance, actually are quite sentient, social
and intelligent animals, perhaps just as much as pilot whales).

  

Almost any foreign article I've read about pilot whaling in the Faroe Islands,
claims that the pilot whale killings take place "once a year". I don't know
from where this misunderstanding originates. Perhaps it came about because
Faroese officials have used the phrase: "annual kill", which doesn't refer to
a single event - they actually just refer to the amount of whales killed on
average over the course of a year. In fact pilot whale killings can take place
several times during a year, and some years no killings take place at all.

  

It is also claimed that pilot whaling only takes place in the summer. This is
also a misunderstanding. Pilot whaling takes place randomly when pods of pilot
whales are spotted, for instance from land or from small boats sailing close
to shore in the waters between the islands. Since there is more boat traffic
in Faroese waters in the summer, the likelihood of a pilot whale kill taking
place in the summer is greater than in the winter, but pilot whaling can and
does take place in other seasons as well.

  

Many foreigners refer to the pilot whale slaughter in the Faroes as a
'ritual', which the Faroese perform as a 'celebration' of the 'coming of age'
of young men. This is ridiculous. This misunderstanding probably comes from
some words and phrases being mixed up. Some people probably get the
connotation 'ritual' and 'tribe' when they hear the word 'tradition', and
forget that their own habit of eating turkey for Christmas dinner is also a
'tradition'. Some Faroese might have said at some point, that they think that
boys somehow become grown men when they participate in a whale kill the first
time, because this reality of life and death somehow toughens them up, but
this is far from saying that the kill is done for this purpose only!

  

It is also often claimed that the pilot whale killing is a 'celebration' and a
'feast' - almost like a carnival, which outsiders find quite offensive. But
this is highly exaggerated. One must understand that in the old days the
Faroese, obviously, were very pleased that by killing the pilot whales, they
had obtained enough food to ensure their own survival in a long time, which
they understandably thought was worth celebrating. Moreover, it was not
possible for many who participated in the killing to sail home the same day or
evening. Accordingly, they stayed in the village and then everybody gathered
to sing and dance together to greet each other, keep warm and talk about their
achievement. Today this particular part of the tradition is no more, though
some of the whalers sometimes might gather afterwards to drink a few beers at
the local pub, if they like, just because they are happy to see each other.

  

I would think this is quite normal human behavior, but sometimes it seems that
people elsewhere way too willingly misunderstand all this, perhaps because
they subconsciously search for something to confirm their own prejudice. Their
initial reaction to the often very dramatic descriptions and portrayals of the
whale killings they come across is, understandably, disgust. Perhaps they just
need to justify their own feelings. Since dramatic descriptions by often quite
ignorant - or biased - outsiders far outnumber the Faroese viewpoint in global
media and / or online, people might have small chances to get acquainted with
all the facts, which perhaps could explain the incomprehensible. Which is why
I write this blog post.

  

**Pilot whale killing not as brutal as it seems**

Even if it might be hard to believe, the pilot whale killing is in fact not as
brutal as it seems. It's not about a lot of insane people just throwing
themselves into a killing frenzy making as much harm to the whales as they
possibly can - which many people seem to believe, and want others to believe
too by spreading these inflammatory messages. But most of these people have
never been there themselves and have never spoken to any Faroese people asking
them what is going on.

  

Behind the spectacle is a highly developed killing method - a joint effort -
which makes sure that the killing is done as quickly as possible to minimize
the whales' suffering as much as humanely possible. Killing such big animals
is challenging. Suffering can, unfortunately, never be totally eradicated,
just as any other animals' suffering killed for food elsewhere in the world
can't be eradicated. But of course suffering can be minimized - which the
Faroese are eager to do even if it doesn't seem so to an outsider.

  

There is a purpose for all those people being there at the kill. Everyone has
a task that takes certain skills that have been passed on from generation to
generation. The more people participate in the pilot whaling the quicker it's
over with.

  

Some of them drive the whales to shore with boats to make as many whales as
possible swim up unto the beach.

  

Some of them wade into the water to pull the remaining whales the last bit of
the way up onshore with (rounded) hooks in the blowholes - which is the
quickest way to do it. The sharp hooks one sometimes can see in pictures of
the killings are ONLY used to move whales away that have already been killed.

  

Some people stand ready on the beach to cut the whales' spine with a knife in
one movement in the second the whale is positioned to make sure that the whale
is killed as quickly as possible. Lately a new killing method has been
developed - a special tool, which cuts the spine in an instant. This means
that every single whale dies within 4-5 seconds (!) on average - not minutes,
as one often sees, outsiders claim.

  

Some take the killed whales away to somewhere where the meat is cut, divided
and distributed in the community. Every single bit of meat and blubber is used
for food and everyone gets their share for free. There is a law that demands
that nothing must go to waste and that any leftovers, like bones, the scull
and intestines unfit for consumption, must be taken away within 24 hours.

  

So some take the bones, the scull and intestines and dump them in the ocean in
deep water with strong currents, where they probably would have ended up
anyway if the whales had died of natural causes.

  
And some take their children to see how all this is done from A to Z. Not for
entertainment but to teach them the facts of life on these islands and how
people survive here. That is how it's been done for many centuries.

  

Yes, there is a lot of blood - these are very big animals. They loose a lot of
blood instantly when they're killed properly. The quicker the sea gets red
it's a sign that the killing has been swift and effective.

  

Usually the number of whales in a pod counts from 50 up to 200 animals. The
actual killing of ALL the whales in a pod is over with in approximately 10-15
minutes, perhaps up to 20 minutes if there are many whales in the pod, but
very, very rarely more than that. Not more than it takes to kill pigs in a
slaughter house.

  

**Traditional diet in danger - not because of the Faroese, but because of the outside world**

As I mentioned before, excavations show that pilot whales have been part of
the diet on the islands for at least 1200 years. According to scientific study
there are presumably 750,000 pilot whales in the North Atlantic, at least ([ht
tp://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/pilotwhale_longfinned.htm]
(http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/cetaceans/pilotwhale_longfinned.h
tm)). The Pilot whales are not on the list of endangered species. The [IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species](http://www.iucnredlist.org/) considers this
species "Low Risk Least Concern."

  
The Faroe Islanders have monitored their whale killings since 1584, and the
numbers show that they have taken an average of 850 pilot whales yearly since
then - some years more, some years less, some years none at all. That is
approximately 0,1 % of the whole population on average taken every year. (Not
1% as I've seen claimed many places. No, it's ten times less than that: zero
point one percent!). This means that the pilot whaling in the Faroes does NOT
threat the pilot whale population as a whole. NOAA states that the bycatch to
fishing gear is the primary threat to pilot whales. Long-finned pilot whales
are entangled, incidentally taken, or interact with a number of fishing gear,
that include gillnets, longlines, and trawls. Also threatening this species
are heavy metals, pesticides, pollutants, and various contaminants in the
marine environment that have been found in this species' blubber.

  
According to the Faroese themselves, they haven't seen the number of pods
swimming by the islands decrease - seen over time - all these years they have
killed pilot whales. Of course, there has always been some fluctuation of
natural causes, for instance, because some years the pilot whales' own diet -
the squids - swim further from the Faroese shores than other years. But the
Faroese are convinced that the killing is still sustainable. If the number
should decrease it's pretty certain that the Faroese aren't to blame. It's
most likely because of changes in the whales' natural environment caused by
pollution.

  

Note that it is Faroese researchers who have been studying the pilot whale and
who have brought the world's attention to the problem with contamination of
the whale population and the dangers of mercury poisoning. Why would the
Faroese do that if they didn't care?

  

In reality, the Faroese are very conscious of the fact that they must take
care of nature - including the whales and the whale stocks. The Faroese are
very aware of how important it is to preserve this natural resource, to keep
it healthy and keep the killing sustainable because their people have been
vitally dependent on whale meat for centuries. So they do not kill more than
needed and not enough to endanger the species - just like they've always done.
There are cases where whale pods have been driven back to sea because
authorities have estimated that people have received enough whale meat.

  

People do not eat more than the researchers recommend - but it is also
important to note that even if the researchers have issued a warning they also
acknowledge the fact that the whale meat is rich in poly-unsaturated fats, and
essential vitamins and minerals, such as selenium, which means that there are
still health benefits to be gained by eating whale meat if one just makes sure
that the intake is limited.

  

**Crucial for survival in the old days - and still is in a way**

Pilot whale killing was absolutely crucial for survival back in the old days
where it was almost impossible to get hold of vegetables (and difficult to get
hold of the vitamins that go with them) at this latitude. People shared the
meat in solidarity with each other. It was distributed to the local community
according to rules made a thousand years ago, where especially elderly and
sick people and widows were taken into consideration - a tradition the Faroese
have kept intact until this day. They still don't kill whales for commercial
purposes.

  

It has simply been a question of helping the whole community to survive in a
very harsh and inhospitable environment on some isolated islands in the middle
of the North Atlantic. The pilot whale is therefore still highly valued by the
Faroese as a life saving contributor and a symbol of a unique solidarity
between the islanders.

  

But why do the Faroese still kill pilot whales in modern times? Is it
necessary? This is a tricky question because it's a little complicated to
explain why people here still find killing pilot whales somehow necessary -
even if the meat is polluted. Quite incomprehensible, isn't it?

  

People might understand why it was necessary in the old days, but now? Why
now? Well... Faroese economy is still heavily reliant on primary production
and has only recently begun to make inroads into secondary and tertiary
provision. It is, even today, often difficult to run business and make ends
meet in this remote area. It is expensive to import and buy vegetables.
Economy fluctuates much more here than in other countries in the modern world
because the Faroese income is dependent on nature's fragile balance and often
quite irregular cycles.

  

As late as in the early 90'ies there was a huge economic crisis that
consequently had almost a fourth of the people migrate from the islands. Parts
of the remaining population survived by helping each other, for instance
exchanging goods without having money involved. In these years whale meat was
a very important part of the meat consumption. A fourth of the whole meat
consumption was pilot whale meat.

  

It means that in the eyes of the Faroese the pilot whale has up to this day
been one of the most important key factors for their survival - especially in
times of economic crisis. Crises and recessions occur relatively often in
islands like the Faroes with harsh natural environments and fragile homogenous
economies. These predicaments usually hit the island people hard.

  

Faroe Islanders are therefore used to rescue themselves by going back to
basics from time to time - even if they on a daily basis seem to live a modern
life today. But the Faroese are - from bitter experience - never far from the
next crisis in their mind - and thus never far from the basics of life either.

  

Today the world economic crisis rages and has hit the Faroese people as well.
One of the two biggest banks in the Faroes went bankrupt this year and we have
still not seen the magnitude of the consequences following this severe bank
crisis.

  

Now that we are all affected by the ongoing world economic crisis, it is, for
instance, natural for the Faroese to think that if the crisis gets even worse
in the future, killing whales might still be very important for survival. So
why give it up and forget all about the skills of killing pilot whales? These
skills might come in very handy one day if everything else crumbles. The rest
of the world may very well suddenly be on fire and then the Faroese will find
themselves cut off and all alone out there, far away in the ocean - totally
dependent on what is available on site.

  

That is part of the reason why the Faroese have been so reluctant to give up
on this tradition, even if they regard themselves as a modern civilized people
in many ways today and usually, in better times, aren't as dependent on whale
meat as they have been before. But they want to preserve their inherited whale
driving and killing skills because they still feel that they live in an
environment that demands of them that they trust more in themselves, i.e. in
their bare hands together with nature's mercy, as the best guarantee for
survival.

  

Rather than settling for being entirely dependent on import and the modern
worlds complicated and fraud full economic systems, they rely on what ever
they're able to harvest directly from their surrounding natural environment.
They feel very strongly about this because they are proud of their old
traditions that helped them survive for so long. Of course they choose to hold
on to what ever makes them feel the safest, the strongest and the least
vulnerable.

**  
**

**Misunderstood by the world outside**

Let's give it an extra thought. Of course it is difficult for people from
outside the Faroe Islands to understand the Faroese people's behavior;
especially if they haven't ever experienced that their life was dependent on
what they could harvest directly from wild nature. It's only natural that they
find it disturbing, if they focus solely on the unfortunate animals and not on
the livelihood of the people who live in places where you can't grow
vegetables and where people for so long had to survive with whatever means
they had available.

  

Most people would probably feel quite helpless if they had to kill an animal
with their bare hands in order to get a meal on their table. But they don't
have to do anything disgusting like that because they live a modern civilised
life with all necessities within close reach. With those living conditions
it's very easy to forget that they're actually themselves dependent on the
killing of animals too.

  

Of course they know it, but they probably prefer not to think too much about
it. I guess they don't like to think of themselves as some kind of predators.
But the fact is, that most people eat animals without giving it a single
thought that somebody had to kill the animal, for them to be able to eat it.
The modern world has created a whole industry out of people's need to displace
these facts. We do whatever we can to distance ourselves from the fact that we
- humans - exploit animals by making it as invisible and painless (for
ourselves) as possible that we breed animals to kill them so we can eat their
meat. We don't want to know about it so we hide it away so we don't have to
look at it.

  

Considering this, I'm not surprised why people get so angry with the Faroese.
How can people who never see animals being slaughtered and don't have any
direct contact with animals (other than pets of course) feel otherwise than
they do? How can people that almost only see wild animals in zoo - or as they
are portrayed on TV or films made for entertainment - be any other than
sentimental about these animals. How can they NOT get shocked by the bloody
images of whale slaughter. It's very understandable.

  

But can they be sure that their own life style is a better alternative? Can
they be sure that it is right to judge so harshly so quickly just based on the
feelings some seemingly brutal pictures evoke in them? Can they be sure that
they're not blinded themselves by their own self-righteousness? Are they
themselves in a position to point at others?

  

What they don't know (or perhaps don't want to know) is, that they might
themselves, very likely, be a much bigger threat to nature and the whale
populations of the world than the Faroese will ever be. Their modern way of
living is based on a heavily polluting mass industry which has much more
unfortunate consequences for nature in the long run - including the whales.
Their food consumption is dependent on an often extremely polluting
agriculture, or on all the poor animals that have become domesticated living
their whole life in captivity, often under horrible circumstances, totally on
the mercy of humans, bred only for one purpose - to be meat for humans. The
Faroese old way of living has, on the other hand, proved to be a much more
life-sustaining way with much less impact on nature - allowing the animals to
live a free life until the moment they are killed.

**  
**

**What can we all learn?**

What to do about it? I don't know.... Is it possible to learn from each other
and make the gap smaller between the old Faroese traditional - and actually
more eco friendly - way of living and the modern life....? That's the big
question....

  

Are pilot whales more special creatures than so many other - also sentient
creatures humans kill for food? Should they get special treatment for that
reason? (As I've stated before, the pilot whales are not on the list of
endangered species.) I really don't know. I'm just asking the question. Who's
to decide where the limit should be to which animals should be allowed to kill
for food and which not? If the degree of animals social skills should be the
criteria that determines which animals are fit for killing for food or not,
why do we kill pigs or hens? They are highly sociable animals. If intelligence
should be the criteria, pigs should definitely not be on the list. Latest
research shows that squids are highly intelligent creatures, but we eat them
anyway - yes, even pilot whales eat squids! What do we make of that? Define it
as inhumane, unacceptable behavior?

  

And if the suffering of the whales is the big concern, well, is there someone
who can come up with a better way to do the killing, to make it more "humane"
(whatever that means)? I am absolutely sure that the Faroese will be open to
reason and very happy to take some friendly advice. They have proved that they
have done so in the past - they have listened to criticism, if it's been fair,
and have changed their ways.

  

To ask the Faroese to stop this practice and just become vegetarians would
seem a little unrealistic considering how expensive it is to buy vegetables in
the Faroes because all vegetables must be imported from far away. And it would
seem a little hypocritical to ask the Faroese to start importing more meat
from other animals - maybe treated less humanely than the whales. This meat
would also have to be imported and transported over long distances in heavily
polluting freight vessels that seriously damage the habitat of the whales -
the ocean - and cause the contamination of whales... No, there is no simple
solution.

  

So... if you are really interested in doing the best for the whales (and not
just blindly following some inflammatory out-roar pleasing your own need to
burst your aggression out) then try to get the facts right and act as
respectfully as you would want the Faroese to act. Get into a constructive
dialogue, please.

  

This is an important topic to discuss! If you're interested in knowing more
about this topic, read also the page about pilot whaling on my other website: 
[http://www.heinesen.fo/faroeislandsreview/pilotwhaling.htm](http://www.heines
en.fo/faroeislandsreview/pilotwhaling.htm) - especially the last 3-4 sections
about why all the anti-whaling campaigns have failed - and perhaps just
endanger the pilot whales even more....!

  

The point I'm trying to make is this: The more people outside the Faroes
condemn the Faroese, and the more they punish the Faroese by not buying their
export goods or by not travelling to the islands, the more isolated will the
Faroese be from the rest of the world, and the more they will tend to stick to
their old traditions - which in the end means that more pilot whales will be
killed!

  

And here at last - if you have managed to read this far - I want to tell you
about a very good source, if you want to get the facts right. There is a
website where you can find all the facts about pilot whaling - about the
tradition, research, international whaling treaties, as well as the
scientific, the political and the legal and judicial facts, down to the last
detail: [http://whaling.fo](http://whaling.fo/) - check it out!

  

Elin Brimheim Heinesen, 8. September 2009

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Tuesday, September 08,
2009](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009/09/no-respect-for-
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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Sunday, February 21, 2010

###  [Lots of new interesting udates on
www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com)

**Updates on **[**www.faroeislandsreview.com**](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com/)** in week 7, 2010:**  
  
- Anna Is Through To Another Round in X-Factor  
- Shrimp war: Faroe Islands blast Canada's ports ban in fishing dispute.  
- bARBARA i gONGINI Continues To Get Rave Reviews  
- Funny Story About Faroese Drunken Sailors in 1972  
- Another Timelapse Video From The Faroes  
- Funny Ride From Tórshavn To Klaksvík  
- Interview With Dutch Film Director And Author Threes Anna making research in the Faroes  
- Oil-Industry: Three Wells In Prospect Off The Faroes  
- Shrimp War Continues: Faroes And Greenland Make Breaking News In Canada  
- Remember the old 'hit' "Farewell Faroe Islands"?  
- Anna Nygaard Made It To The Next Round Of The Danish X-Factor Show  
- Faroese Short Film "A Bad Day" Screens At European Indie Film Festival 2010  
- Canada closes ports to Faroe Islands  
- Copenhagen Fashion Week 2010: Faroese Designers Get Good Reviews  
  
Check it out on
[www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com/). Enjoy!

  
Become a fan of Faroe Islands Review here: [www.facebook.com/pages/Faroe-
Islands-Review/177913231687](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faroe-Islands-
Review/177913231687)

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, February 21,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02/lots-of-new-
interesting-udates-on.html) [0
comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02/lots-of-new-
interesting-udates-on.html#comment-form) [
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Labels: [Faroe Islands](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search/label/
Faroe%20Islands)

## Sunday, February 14, 2010

###  [Week 5-6 on
www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02
/no-respect-for-whales.html)

**If you haven't visited [www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com/) lately, check it out! There are lots of new updates. Here is an overview of the latest updates in week 5-6, 2010:**

  

FAROE STORIES TOLD ON STAMPS

Faroese stamps are an exciting treasure chest for stamp collectors and others
interested in Faroese history, geography, nature, mythology and foklore.

  

SINGING PEOPLE - THE YOUNG GENERATION

Watch the trailer to Singing People, a 30-minutes documentary filmed in the
summer 2008 about the young generation´s identity on the Faroes.

  

NEW SECTION

Watch webcams

  

THE FAROE ADVENTURE OF A FOOTBALL FAN - PART TWO

Episode 41 of the Faroe Islands Podcast is out! Guest: Dave Scally

  

FAROE ISLANDS IN GROUP C IN UEFA 2010

Follow the Uefa Euro 2012 qualifying draw - as it happened.

  

SYNARCHY RELEASES TWO NEW SONGS ON MYSPACE

Faroese heavy metal band Synarchy just posted the demos of two of the featured
songs from the upcoming album.

  

NEW BOY CAN MAKE A FAROESE IMPRESSION

Unkown Newcastle new boy Joan Simun Edmundsson has been backed to make an
impact on Tyneside.

  

LONELY PLANET PRIZES THE FAROE ISLANDS

Quote: "The proud, stoical Faroese character has been forged from Viking
blood, Christian piety, Scandinavian openness and an awe for the humbling
nature that's all around."

  

PRE_SELECTION TO EUROVISON SONG CONTEST 2010

Denmark: Listen to Jens Marni Hansen sing the song Gloria

Iceland: Watch Jógvan Hansen sing the song One More Day

  

INTERVIEW WITH ROCK SINGER JENS MARNI

Jens Marni speaks to Escdaily.com: Jens Marni is one of the ten participants
of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix

  

WHALE SLAUGHTER CLAIM MISLEADING

Quote from article opposingviews.com: "The recent video depicting the
slaughter of long-finned pilot whales in the Faroe Islands was misleading..."

  

TÝR: VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH HERI JOENSEN

Sheila Doki of Metalholic.com conducts an interview with guitarist/vocalist
Heri Joensen of Faroese Viking metallers TÝR.

  

THE FAROE ADVENTURE OF A FOOTBALL FAN - PART ONE

Episode 40 of the Faroe Islands Podcast is out! Manchester City football
team's fan Dave Scally became a celebrity in the Faroe Islands after his
intrepid North Atlantic pilgrimage. Guest: Dave Scally

  

INTERVIEW WITH SINGER JÓGVAN HANSEN

Jógvan Hansen, participant in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 preselection in
Iceland speaks to esctoday.com

  

PÁLL FANGI _ THE 3rd FEATURE FILM IN FAROESE

View the trailer to one of the first three feature films in Faroese language.

  

EL CUADERNO DEL FEROÉS

Blog en español

  

FISHING DISPUTE HEATS UP

The conflict between Canada and Denmark (Faroe Islands and Greenland) is
heating up over the northern shrimp.

  

Enjoy, folks!

  

Best regards

Elin Brimheim Heinesen, editor of

[www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com/)

  

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, February 14,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02/no-respect-for-
whales.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02/no-
respect-for-whales.html#comment-form) [
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## Thursday, February 11, 2010

###  [Is Faroese Silence
Rude?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02/faroese-
mentality.html)

  

Today I said goodbye to Threes Anna - a Dutch writer and film director (view
her website here: [www.threesanna.com](http://www.threesanna.com/)). She
leaves tonight with the ferry Norrøna after having done research for three
weeks in the Faroe Islands for a future novel.

  

Threes Anna and I have met four times while she was here - and we have talked
a lot about the Faroes and the Faroese people. Yesterday we talked about the
fact that she had sent Emails to a lot of Faroese people prior to coming to
the islands but she got no answer back from most of them.

  

She was not complaining about it - only wondering how it could be, because at
first glance it seems like a rude way to behave but when she had met some of
these people they turned out to be really nice and sweet people. So she asked
if this was a special Faroese phenomena.

  

It got me thinking. I have heard other foreigners say exactly the same thing.
So here are my thoughts about Faroese silence - I wrote it in an Email to
Threes this afternoon:

  

It's true that the Faroese often choose just to say nothing (like not
answering Emails!) because that's (in their opinion) the safest way to behave.
They really don't think that their opinion matters that much to anyone else.
So they choose just to say nothing. Then there is nothing to argue about
either. Writing is even more dangerous because you can't see (or foresee) the
reaction of the receiver, so people prefer to meet in person before they say
anything.

  

This often proves to function well locally in the Faroes, where nobody expects
anything else and people easily bump into each other by chance all the time.
Here people also have developed a kind of silent body language between them.
They read each other by their body language and thereby know what other people
think (or at least they think they know). There is no need for saying that
much.

  

The old men sitting on the bench by the harbour can sit there beside each
other all day long saying nothing and still think they communicated very well!
:-)

  

But this does not work well in the rest of the world! That is what people here
will have to understand - IF they want to make other people feel more welcome,
they need to be better at communicating with words!

  

I think, though, that the young people understand this better. Many younger
people are much more outgoing than the older people. If you had met Sunneva
from the bar Sirkus you would have met an example of exactly that.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Thursday, February 11,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/02/faroese-mentality.html)
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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
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of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
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as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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  *[Sunday, February 14, 2010]: 2010-02-14T12:19:00Z
  *[Thursday, February 11, 2010]: 2010-02-11T15:50:00Z
  *[Sunday, February 21, 2010]: 2010-02-21T17:15:00Z

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, March 24, 2010

###  [Pilot Whaling again: Know ALL the facts from source, not from distant
opinion, before you decide on your own
position](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/03/pilot-whaling-
again-know-all-facts-from.html)

Some months ago I wrote a blog about Pilot Whaling in the Faroe Islands,
explaining why the Faroese still kill Pilot Whales despite the fact that so
many people outside the Faroes protest against it.

  

(Read the blog "Are The Faroese Senseless Terrorizing Murderous Dolphin
Killers?" here: [http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.h
tml](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html)).

  

I got an E-mail the other day with some questions about the same issue. Here
is part of that E-mail:

  

"I have a question which I hope you can answer.  I've tried to clarify errors
that are circulating on the web and a persistent one is this:

  

_Many pilot whales are now left to rot as they are no longer needed as food.
The last two years the meat has been deemed too toxic for human consumption,
so the killings are purely for the entertainment._

  

I have seen some similar comments about carcasses being left to rot on the
beaches. I personally find this hard to believe, as it would make the beaches
unsafe from a health perspective. Is there any truth in this, as far as you
know? What DOES happen to the remains, once the flesh has been distributed?"

  

And this was my answer:

  

(Sigh...) Not that I don't want to take people's feelings or views about
Faroese whale killing seriously. I appreciate that people are concerned and
want to do good. But many of the stories about the issue flourishing on the
net are just highly dramatized and appear almost absurd to me.

  

Sometimes I have the feeling that this world becomes more and more artificial
and "Hollywood-like" because many people seem to have this need to invent
stories about "bad people" doing "wrong things" in reverse to themselves as
"good people" (or the "heroes") doing "the right thing". These stories give
the "good people" a meaningful purpose in life and not least: the right to
tell the "bad people" how to behave. It's nice to feel like a 'better' person.
It's a good feeling to 'know for sure' what is right and what is wrong. It
makes life much less complicated.

  

But it's a little eerie and sad at the same time because it is also self-
righteous to think that you 'own' the only 'truth' and that you have the right
to impose this 'truth' on others. It seems that this self-righteousness makes
people loose their sense of reality and forget all about self-criticism in the
process. Truth becomes pliable. It's as if people really need someone to blame
for something, much more than they need to understand reality and get the
facts right. Is it because people nowadays are more or less brainwashed by
Hollywood into thinking that we live in a simplistic black and white world
with no nuances between the bad and the good... just like the world often is
portrayed in Hollywood movies...? Has Orwell's vision in the book "1984" come
true: "The past was erased, the erasure was forgotten, the lie became truth."?

  

There are some pretty attractive benefits to be gained in this make-believe-
world. Having a "just cause" you're willing to fight for gives you a higher
status and perhaps even faithful followers who will regard you as a heroic
figure. Your status as "hero" might give you such popularity in some circles
that you can create a whole industry out of selling your cause to others. Who
doesn't want to be part of a community with a cause - something imortant to
live and die for? It might become so important for you that you shot your eyes
or ears even to the obvious truth if it somehow contradicts your cause.

  

So many people are not questioning what they're being told. They seem willing
to just blindly follow what immediately seems political correct ... like
wolves howling with other wolves. To justify this, it is important, in this
case, to make the Faroese behavior look as bad as possible. So a little
altering of reality to make it suit one's agenda makes the trick. It is of
course much easier to feel righteous and get agitated over something that
seems deadly wrong - or perhaps even looks like pure 'evil acts'. But that is
a too simplistic way to look at it. It also manipulates the truth. And it's
not just to the Faroese.

  

The quote you refer to is, once again, highly exaggerated. Faroese people do
not kill whales for entertainment. That's a preposterous claim. Perhaps this
rumor arose because of an old song Faroese people used to sing in the old days
that said it was "a joy" to kill whales. But you have to place the lyrics of
this song in the right context. In the old days people lived in a very harsh,
merciless environment. They needed to encourage themselves to struggle and do
all the hard work which was absolutely necessary for survival back then. And
killing whales was "a joy" in that sense that it meant food on the table for a
long time.

  

It is not true either that whale carcasses are left to rot on the beach - or
anywhere else for that matter. This is also an unjust claim. People wouldn't
dream of wasting anything, because whale meat and blubber is still considered
a delicacy. Every single bit of meat and blubber is therefore still used for
food. We also have a law that demands that nothing must go to waste and that
any leftovers, like bones and intestines which can't be eaten, must be taken
away within 24 hours. Bones and intestines are dumped in the ocean in deep
water with strong currents, where they probably would have ended up anyway if
the whales had died of natural causes.

  

It is true that the whale meat is contaminated to a certain extent and that
people do not eat as much whale meat and blubber as they did before, but they
still eat it. The mercury levels are not THAT dangerously high - there are
still health benefits of the meat and blubber, if the intake is limited. The
meat and blubber can be preserved for a long time in freezers or as salted or
dried meat so you could say that the meat from a catch just lasts longer
today.

  

So most people in the Faroes have not stopped eating whale meat and blubber,
though they're not eating it as often as before. Many don't serve it to their
children any more. Also young women prefer not to eat the meat and blubber
because health authorities have recommended them not to.

  

Let me quote an info note about this issue from the Foreign Ministry in the
Faroe Islands, which can be found here:
[http://www.whaling.fo/Files/Filer/whaling/pilot_whale_meat_and_blubber_-
_info_note_(2)%5B1%5D.pdf](http://www.whaling.fo/Files/Filer/whaling
/pilot_whale_meat_and_blubber_-_info_note_(2)%5B1%5D.pdf)

  

"Over the past two decades, extensive international research has been
undertaken into the health effects of contaminants from whale meat and blubber
in the diet of Faroe Islanders, led by Dr Pál Weihe of the Department of
Public and Occupational Health in the Faroes. The first published results of
these studies, suggesting a correlation between high levels of mercury intake
and some subtle aspects of neurological development in Faroese children, were
presented and discussed widely in the 1990's. These results led health
authorities in the Faroes (the Chief Medical Officer, the Department of Public
and Occupational Health, and the Food & Veterinary Agency) to issue in July
1998 comprehensive revised recommendations for safe limits on the consumption
of pilot whale meat and blubber.

  

The recommended levels of consumption are no more than 1-2 meals of whale meat
and blubber per month. As a precautionary measure, women of child-bearing age
are advised not to consume blubber at all until they have had their children
and are no longer breast-feeding, and to refrain from eating whale meat 3
months prior to, and during, pregnancy and while breast feeding. These limits
are intended to safeguard consumers against the risks, while also
acknowledging the health benefits of whale meat and blubber, which are rich in
poly-unsaturated fats, and essential vitamins and minerals, such as selenium."

  

Bottom line:  The quote you refer to is again an example of a claim that very
clearly is a conclusion made too hastily, based on deficient data and lack of
knowledge... probably made by people trying to justify their aversion against
whale killing with something they, perhaps, believe are the facts. It's just
that many of these so called 'facts' are not correct - far from it. The
internet is full of incorrect facts or claims about pilot whaling in the Faroe
Islands. But why would many deal with important facts like these so
recklessly? Why do so many put more effort into justifying their own personal
beliefs than into getting it right, selecting just to hear what they want to
hear and blissfully ignore other arguments? And then pass on the unconfirmed
rumors as the 'truth'...? That is why I sometimes get the impression that this
really is more about people's personal feelings than it is about anything
else.

  

It's perfectly alright with me that people have an aversion against whale
killing but it is a pity if they base it on incorrect information that
unjustly destroys the Faroese people's reputation.

  

Thank you for being willing to also view "the other side" and regard it with
respect even if you don't support the whale killing. I respect that. There
aren't that many people of your kind "out there".

  

Kind regards

Elin

  

I got an answer back right away where the sender said  - among other things:

  

"I feel it's important that people know ALL the facts (from source, not from
distant opinion) before deciding on their own position."

  

I couldn't agree more! :-)

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, March 24,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/03/pilot-whaling-again-
know-all-facts-from.html) [3
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## Sunday, March 7, 2010

###  [Check the latest updates on
www.faroeislandsreview.com!](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com)

**Updates on [www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com/) week 8 and 9, 2010:**  
  
- Anna Still In The Run In Danish X-Factor With the UK-hit "American Boy"  
- Sailing with Smyril Line's ferry Norrøna  
- Beautiful Timelapse Photography From The Faroe Islands  
- Interview With Singer/Songwriter Guðrið Hansdóttir  
- Football - The Premier League in the Faroes  
- Row Row Row Your Boat - about the national sport of the Faroes  
- Britain claims Rockall - again. Adventurer wants to sleep on the rock this summer.  
- Anna Rocked At The X-Factor Show With Christina Aquilera's "Fighter"  
- Shrimp Dispute With Canada: Faroe Islands In A Fume Over Port Closures  
- France very interested in Faroese Band Budam  
- Cross The Atlantic In A Small Flatsboat: You'll Get Swamped...!  
- The Story Of The Sunken Ship SS Sauternes - "Jólaskipið"  
- Atlantic Airways summer 2010 services: Twice A Week Between London And The Faroes  
- Two Faroese Musicians To South by Southwest Festival in Austin, US - Høgni and Guðrið Hansdóttir  
- Football - Kerr Seeks To Revive Tiny Islands  
  
Check it out on
[www.faroeislandsreview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com/). Enjoy!

Become a fan of Faroe Islands Review here: [www.facebook.com/pages/Faroe-
Islands-Review/177913231687](http://www.facebook.com/pages/Faroe-Islands-
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Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, March 07,
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## About Me

[![My Photo](//lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SJwg6_2-E18/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAX0/
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[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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## Blog Archive

  * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2012 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=6) (6)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ June ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ May ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_05_01_archive.html) (3)
  * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2011 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=7) (7)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ March ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html) (5)
  * [ ▼ ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2010 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=14) (14)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ December ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ November ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ June ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html) (4)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ April ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ▼ ](javascript:void(0)) [ March ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html) (2)
      * [Pilot Whaling again: Know ALL the facts from sourc...](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/03/pilot-whaling-again-know-all-facts-from.html)
      * [Check the latest updates on www.faroeislandsreview...](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/03/check-latest-updates-on.html)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ February ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html) (3)
  * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2009 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=9) (9)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html) (5)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html) (1)
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    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ November ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html) (2)
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    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ March ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html) (1)
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    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ November ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ May ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html) (1)

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## [www.FaroeIslandsReview.com](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com)

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  *[Wednesday, March 24, 2010]: 2010-03-24T00:11:00Z
  *[Sunday, March 07, 2010]: 2010-03-07T19:56:00Z

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Thursday, April 1, 2010

###  [Check the latest updates on www.faroeislandsreview.com! Week
10-13](http://www.faroeislandsreview.com)

Wednesday Mar 31, 2010:

ARCH ENEMY To Headline Faroe Islands' G! Festival

Budget Traveler: A Faroe Islands Vacation For a Truly Unique Experience

  
Tuesday Mar 30, 2010:

Podcast Episode 48 is out! The Faroe Islands As Film Location?

  
Monday Mar 29, 2010:

Football On The Net: Matters Of Size

  
Saturday Mar 27, 2010:

The Times About The Faeroe Isles: 'Silence. Isolation. It's breathtaking'

  
Friday Mar 26, 2010:

Canvas is still sailing for Petaluma artist Hans Skalagard

  
Thursday Mar 25, 2010:

Football: The Lands that FIFA Forgot

  
Tuesday Mar 23, 2010:

Podcast Episode 47 is out! Interview With TUTL's Founder Kristian Blak - Part
II

SIC To Record Album "Fighters They Bleed"

Gudrid Hansdóttir in Momo's, Austin

  
Monday Mar 22, 2010:

Faroe Islands And The Sweetness Of Seclusion

  
Sunday Mar 21, 2010:

Interview With Short Film Director Bjarki Thomsen

  
Saturday Mar 20, 2010:

Greenland Vikings Had Celtic Blood

  
Friday Mar 19, 2010:

Faroe Islands and the European Union

  
Thursday Mar 18, 2010:

The Faroe Islands Self-Government Arrangement

  
Wednesday Mar 17, 2010:

US Market Open To Faroese Salmon Farmers

  
Tuesday Mar 16, 2010:

Podcast Episode 46 is out! Must Be The Music - Interview with Kristian Blak -
Part I

  
Saturday Mar 13, 2010:

Bakkafrost To Be Listed At Oslo Børs

Travelling: Life Drawing Reportage From The Faroes by Olivier Kugler,
illustrator

  
Friday Mar 12, 2010:

Anna Eliminated From Danish X-Factor Show

Trash Metal News: SIC Taps HATESPHERE Drummer For New Album

  
Wednesdayg Mar 10, 2010:

Interview With Hogni in Spinner

  
Tuesday Mar 09, 2010:

Podcast 45 i out! Sneak Previews Of Future Podcasts

Hotel For Sale: Dream Of A Future As Hotel Owner in the Faroe Islands?

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Thursday, April 01,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/04/check-latest-updates-
on.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/04/check-
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## Pages

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## About Me

[![My Photo](//lh5.googleusercontent.com/-SJwg6_2-E18/AAAAAAAAAAI/AAAAAAAAAX0/
5jYjPht06T4/s80-c/photo.jpg)](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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## Blog Archive

  * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2012 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2013-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=6) (6)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ June ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ May ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_05_01_archive.html) (3)
  * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2011 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2012-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=7) (7)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ March ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html) (5)
  * [ ▼ ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2010 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2011-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=14) (14)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ December ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ November ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ June ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_06_01_archive.html) (4)
    * [ ▼ ](javascript:void(0)) [ April ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html) (1)
      * [Check the latest updates on www.faroeislandsreview...](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/04/check-latest-updates-on.html)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ March ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ February ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html) (3)
  * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ 2009 ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00Z&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00Z&max-results=9) (9)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html) (5)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_08_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ July ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ May ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html) (1)
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    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ November ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008_11_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ September ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html) (3)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ March ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2008_03_01_archive.html) (1)
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    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ November ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html) (2)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html) (1)
    * [ ► ](javascript:void(0)) [ May ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2007_05_01_archive.html) (1)

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  *[Thursday, April 01, 2010]: 2010-04-01T23:08:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Thursday, June 10, 2010

###  [Hate Campaigns Only Make It
Worse](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-now-there-is-
worldwide-attention.html)

**The Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" about dolphin slaughter in Taiji in Japan has drawn worldwide attention to the practice of killing dolphins. I don't think that the Grindadráp practice - the pilot whaling in the Faroe Islands - can be compared to the dolphin slaughter in Japan. But many people do compare it. There is no doubt that the documentary "The Cove" will bring attention to the Faroese practice of Grindadráp also - perhaps raise and international outrage against it, once again. **  
  
I can see it coming. In many ways it is already happening. The Faroese are
quite defenseless against a massive international outrage, because they are so
few - only 48.000 - against millions of people who really don't know much
about how people in arctic regions like the Faroes live and survive. But I'm
not sure that such an outrage will have any significant effect in regard to
saving the pilot whales in the sea surrounding the Faroes.

  

**"Wipe them off the face of the earth"**  
****The Faroese will stop eating whales anyway - probably very soon. Most people in the Faroes have already stopped. But they will stop killing pilot whales because of the contamination of the whale meat - not because of international anti-whaling petition campaigns or boycotts.

  
Earlier campaigns seem only to have postponed solutions because most of them
have described the practice of Grindadráp and judged the people in the Faroe
Islands in a way the Faroese could not identify with, at all. Thus the Faroese
were not open to influence. The only thing that the anti-whaling campaigns so
far have seemed to do is just to condemn and dehumanize the people of the
Faroes - all of them, also the people living in the Faroes who do not kill or
eat whales.

  
Many people in the world have come to hate the Faroese because of these
aggressive campaigns. So much so that they wouldn't care if a nuclear bomb
made a big crater on the islands and killed everyone there. We see such
arguments all the time. As a Faroese myself, it is very hard to hear people
say such things. And I understand why some Faroese get sad and angry because
they feel that this hostile attitude is so unfair.

  
I'm afraid that any new campaigns caused by this new interest in the issue now
launched by "The Cove" will hit the people in the Faroe Islands hard. That
would, perhaps, be okay if it could make a positive difference. But I'm afraid
that it will not make any difference - not for the good anyway.

  

**A Hollywood-like world**

I have not seen "The Cove" documentary yet, but I have an impression of it
because I've read about it and seen trailers. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid
that it might be like so many other anti-whaling campaign films - just made
made more professionally.

  
I have, unfortunately, seen too many anti-whaling campaign films using
Hollywood's narrative techniques to emphasize a particular position - i.e.
dramatizing emotionally manipulative effects, typically a set-up with
protagonists and antagonists: "the good people" (or "the heroes") against "the
evil people" - not giving the other side a chance to argue their position.
These films might be excellent pieces of artworks but do not give a fair,
accurate or nuanced portrait of reality as it is.

  
"The Cove" has obviously fascinated a lot of people in the world, and I am
sure it is a masterpiece seen from a film narrative perspective. But from
experience I'm a little afraid that it's angle might be too unilateral - like
in so many other films with the same message. There are so many agitating
propaganda-like videos, circulating the net - many about pilot whaling in the
Faroe Island - often full of overly dramatized, misunderstood and incorrect
claims about the Faroese people and their whaling practice - not focusing on
creating understanding between people, but mostly on finding villains or
scapegoats to put the blame on for the problems in the world - as if the world
were a place of Hollywood fiction.

  
**You can't reason with people who have already made up their minds**  

It's not that I don't sympathize with people who love animals and want to
protect them. I just don't agree with them when their love turns into so much
hatred that it overshadows their sound reasoning.

  
To be fair: A few anti-whaling campaigns are fair enough in their claims, but
I have experienced that a great deal of these campaigns don't respect facts.
They're very emotional and almost entirely built on non-confirmed rumors - and
they don't acknowledge that there might another just as valid view on the
matter. The "other side" is just portrayed as pure evil. Many of the anti-
whaling film-clips, YouTube is so full of, are examples of this.

  
The people who make these films are not interested in listening to the other
side. They have made up their mind in advance about people like the Faroese,
and they will believe anything they hear that confirms what they already
think. They don't bother to check, if the information they get is right or
wrong.

  
**The goal justifies the means... or does it?**  
So many of the claims in these films or petition campaigns are simply not
true. Some of the people behind them - or people that spread and distribute
them all over in social media and elsewhere - say that they don't care about
these 'insignificant details' because the whale slaughter is cruel and wrong
no matter what. They feel that they are in war against animal cruelty. And in
a war the goal justifies the means. Even trespassing ethical borders. So it
doesn't matter to them if the claims in these films might not be quite
accurate, as long as the films serve the purpose, to help stop whale killing
practices.

  
But I believe that you should never trespass ethical borders, no matter what,
because then you become part of the problem yourself. I believe these films in
fact do more damage than good because they dig ditches and incite people
against each other. Of course they do. Nobody accepts it if other people throw
accusations at them based on inaccurate or incorrect rumors accusing them of
being brutal beasts. Not the best way to create grounds for listening, I would
say….

  
**Postponing instead of accelerating solutions**  
So it is necessary to get the facts right and to be accurate and truthful. And
it is crucial to make an effort to understand why people do what they do -
come to the bottom of the matter and not just condemn it as evil acts, even
though it might seem so on the surface. People might have reasons to do what
they do that you just don't comprehend…. yet.

  
I'm afraid that unilateral propaganda is not opening a dialog and promoting
understanding both ways - it's just creating enemies and making everyone more
fixed and determined that they should hold firmly on to their opinion.
Consequently it brings the situation to a standstill instead of clearing the
way for dialog and a positive development. It just pushes the goal further
ahead and postpones solutions that perhaps could have been reached much
earlier if people chose to communicate with each other more respectfully and
with a will to find out and understand each other.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Thursday, June 10,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-now-there-is-
worldwide-attention.html) [1
comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-now-there-is-
worldwide-attention.html#comment-form) [
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[Links to this post](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-
now-there-is-worldwide-attention.html#links)

###  [A Right To Eat What Is
Available](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-to-eat-what-
is-available.html)

**If you are opposed to Faroese food traditions, consequently, you will also have to question if the Faroese even have the right to inhabit their remote islands any more. In fact you will have to question whether any people should live in arctic areas! Because how can people live such places if the rules of metropolitan people should apply?**  
  
The people in arctic areas can't grow vegetables because of the scarce sun and
the harsh climate. And they can't live off the natural resources at hand
because people elsewhere don't want them to maintain their traditional ways of
supplying food by hunting. And they can't import their food because the food
transportation pollutes the environment too much. The agricultural products
they have to import might also have been produced unsustainably. Also there is
no guarantee that the imported meat comes from animals treated more humanely
than the whales. … How can these people even live in these areas then…?

  
Would it be fair to ask the Faroese just to move somewhere else? Where to? Or…
should they perhaps be allowed to continue to do what is least damaging to the
world's ecological balance and eat what is available to them locally? But…
even that option is ruled out now, because much of the food provided this way
has become too polluted. What option is left to them then?

  
**Alienated urban people**  
The Faroese are quite unhappy and sad about the fact that the old traditional
and sustainable ways of utilizing the natural resources at hand are in
imminent danger of being exterminated. Increasing centralization and
urbanization - with more and more people living in big cities - has alienated
humans from their true origin - nature itself.

  
When people see animals today, they don't connect them any longer to what's on
their dinner table. Animals are something we have for pets or see on TV or in
Zoos. People have very little knowledge of where their food really comes from
and how it is processed because they're not part of that process personally
anymore.

  
People have so little contact now with most animals that the animals have in
fact become almost completely alien to them. In order to feel comfortable with
animals - and perhaps their own bad consciousness - people have begun to
humanize the animals. They project them selves into the animals to identify
with them. The mass media and the entertainment industry have "disney'fied"
our relation to animals - especially people in urban areas who live relatively
protected lives and never have to deal with being directly or personally
responsible for providing and killing their own food.

  
**An artificial world**  
It might be an unpleasant discomforting fact, but it is nonetheless true that
most people are meat eaters - and thus in fact predators who need to have
animals killed to meet those needs whether they like that fact or not.

  
But having grown up with Disney's way of portraying animals - not least
Flipper in TV and Kelkoo (the Orca) in the cinema - it is difficult to face
this truth about ourselves and much easier to displace the facts and just let
somebody else do "the dirty work" somewhere where we don't have to watch it
happen, so we can forget all about it - forget that every meat eater actually
eats sentient beings. You could say: in that sense no meat eater is better
than any Faroe Islander - they're just being hypocrites living in an
artificial, fake world, as some Faroese would put it.

  
I think, actually, that the Faroese might have a point there that other people
should take into consideration. They don't have to agree with the Faroese -
just understand why the Faroese think and behave like they do and that they're
not doing it because they're evil people. They are just doing it, because they
live in a place where hunting has been the most natural way of providing food
for more than a thousand years - it still is.

  
**Aggressive campaigns make matters worse**  
Shouting 'bastards', 'murderers', 'nuke'em' and other more or less hateful
obscenities at the Faroese as if they are the worst scum of the earth will
never make the Faroese understand the campaigners view or make them change
their way of thinking.

  
The 'tragic irony' of it all, some would say, is that if the campaigners
succeed in their effort to blacklist the Faroese people, getting large crowds
of people outside the Faroes - or even countries - to boycott Faroese products
or to refrain from traveling to the islands; this will isolate the Faroese
people even more, making them less susceptible to other ways of thinking that
could change their minds, and it might very likely cause an economic crisis in
the Faroes which, consequently, will force the Faroese to continue living off
what is at hand in their own environment more extensively - e.g. killing pilot
whales... despite of the fact that the meat is contaminated. Simply because
they might not have any other option. So maybe it is a much better idea to
back off a little and not be so aggressive with the Faroese if one really
wants to save the whales… and the Faroese children from contaminated food.

  
**Save the world - not only the whales**  
We need to stop condemning each other and be more understanding in order to
achieve peace and tolerance, which in my view is absolutely essential - and
crucial - if we want to find fast and effective solutions to all the extremely
serious problems we face in this world - first and foremost pollution and not
least the problem of how to provide healthy and sustainable food to the
world's increasing population, wherever they live on the planet. We need to
think thoroughly about how we are going to feed the 6-7 billion people on
earth in a less polluting and more sustainable way in the future. We really
need to focus on and address the problems that are the real threats to
everyone's lives - humans as well as animals.

  
I understand the deep and sincere wish to protect the whales, but if one
really wants to protect wildlife and the habitat in which it lives, it is
perhaps not the most efficient way to do that by agitating and creating hatred
against a very small population of only 48.000 people, which beforehand are
relatively isolated, quite vulnerable and just trying to survive in their own
way like they've always done, for instance by killing a few pilot whales a
year, already very much aware of the problems and on their way to stop eating
the contaminated whale meat.

  
Alas, it is not enough to put all one's efforts into saving only the whales
just by making life intolerable for the whalers. It is much more necessary for
more people to put their full effort into stopping pollution and humankind's
damaging behavior to save, not only the whales, but all animals, ourselves and
our environment as a whole.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Thursday, June 10,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-to-eat-what-is-
available.html) [2 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06
/right-to-eat-what-is-available.html#comment-form) [
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[Links to this post](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/right-
to-eat-what-is-available.html#links)

###  [An Old Life Style Near
Extinction](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/old-life-style-
near-extinction.html)

**The Faroese are in a crisis in these times because a very important part of their meat supply has been declared unfit for human consumption; namely pilot whale meat. Even though they have been warned not to eat pilot whale meat, they are still afraid to give up on the skills of pilot whaling because they're accustomed to provide food this way. They can't imagine living without this traditional food. If they stop pilot whaling completely, they will also be much more dependent on expensive imports, which creates other problems - also environmental problems.**  
  
**Why don't they just stop?**  
If you were told that it might be hazardous for you to eat something you have
always considered normal and have been eating regularly - with pleasure -
since childhood, wouldn't it be difficult for you too to stop eating it?

  
It's very common in the world as a whole that people don't always listen to
warnings. Which is why we have so many people literally dying of obesity and
heart diseases. It's not that they don't know it is unhealthy for them to eat
what they eat, the way they do. They're just used to eat stuff like that in
this way. And it is just very difficult to change what you're accustomed to,
even though you might be confronted with the fact that it is 'wrong' or even
dangerous for you.

  
When the Faroese heard that they could not eat pilot whale meat anymore, it
was just as shocking for them as it would be shocking for most people in the
world if they suddenly were told to stop eating burgers - because meat from
cattle for some reason would be declared unfit for human consumption. The
Faroese are trying to deal with this situation now. But it is not easy.
Because what is the alternative…? What should they put on their plates
instead?

  
It would seem a little hypocritical to ask the Faroese to replace whale meat
and start importing more industrially produced meat from other animals - maybe
treated less humanely than the whales, all considered.

  
To ask the Faroese just to become vegetarians, for instance, might be
difficult, considering that the Faroese can't grow fruits and vegetables, and
how expensive it is to buy fruits and vegetables in the Faroes because of the
long distance freight costs.

  
**Adapting a new modern life-style**  
You _can_ grow a few… very few potatoes, some kind of roots and rhubarbs, for
instance. But far from enough to cover the population's need for fruit and
vegetables and the essential vitamins that go with them. The Faroese have
imported fruit and vegetables at least since the 50's by freight ships only.
The population has doubled since then and this import has slowly increased to
quite substantial amounts today.

  
But the fact is, that it is expensive to buy fruit and vegetables in the
Faroes in comparison with much cheaper prices on the European mainland.
Furthermore, the Faroese do not get them as fresh as they are in European
supermarkets. Until recently it was regarded unfamiliar and strange - and for
most some kind of a luxury to eat fruits and vegetables. In recent years,
though, prices have come down to a level where most people can afford to buy
fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, though it's still relatively
expensive.

  
It was, until recently, much easier and cheaper to cover the need for proteins
and vitamins by eating pilot whale meat - a diet the Faroese are much more
accustomed to than eating fruit and vegetables. But people are aware now of
the dangers eating contaminated whale meat. Consequently, today most people in
the Faroes - especially in the bigger villages and the capital - have gone
through some kind of a transition period where people eat more and more fruit
and vegetables - adapting to a more European-like life style.

  
Well, this might be the only alternative for the Faroese now that the whale
meat has become too contaminated. But is it really a better solution?

  
**Which life-style is the most destructive?**  
As I said earlier, all of this food has to be imported and transported over
long distances. The food comes in heavily polluting freight vessels that
damage the habitat of all living creatures living in and off the ocean -
including the whales. This transport contributes severely to the contamination
and in fact, in the end, also the extinction of whales and many other
animals... So in a way it doesn't solve the problem. It just moves the problem
somewhere else.

  
Many Faroese think that people who care about the whales should rather try to
understand who's the real 'sinner' here when it comes to endangering the
whales as well as the natural balance in this world - and put their attention
and efforts into solving that problem rather than leading hate campaigns
against a small number of people in the North Atlantic who are already victims
of one of the biggest problems in the world - namely pollution and all the
side effects that come with that.

  
Instead of living off what our close natural environment provides, like the
Faroese did for a long time, people of the world - also the Faroese - have
become increasingly dependent on the modern world's farm factory food
providing systems. These systems are basically built on a heavily polluting
agriculture, an extensive not less polluting transport system and a
destructive mass industry that utilizes domestic animals, often in a torture-
like way, exploits and pollutes nature, exhausts the soil and contaminates
meat, including whale meat.

  
(To know more about this, watch, for instance, the documentary film ["Food
Inc."](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqQVll-MP3) or read, the book: "Eating
Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer, and you will know what I mean. Watch
[interviews with the author Foer
here](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/04/eating-animals-jonathan-
s_n_345558.html?mediaKey=f5a7f39e-c8ca-48a8-8539-f6b1ff4b1106&isShareURL=true)
and [here](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/10/jonathan-safran-foer-on-
e_n_493810.html?mediaKey=88532cf3-c595-4e12-94eb-
a2366cacdfdb&isShareURL=true).)

  
**Old sustainable ways of living near extinction**  
It is difficult for many Faroese to understand this: What gives people outside
the Faroes the right to impose this kind of modern life style onto them? Why
should they buy products produced by an industry that is much more dangerous
to life on earth than their own survival methods are? Is the modern world's
industrial way of providing food really a better alternative? Is it less
cruel? Less dangerous? More life-sustaining? More nature-friendly? Aren't
pigs, cattle and chickens cute too? Aren't they also sentient beings? Aren't
some of these animal species as social and intelligent as pilot whales? What
is the difference? Why is it more 'natural' and 'humane' to breed and kill
these animals in enormous farm factories? Where is the natural boundary to,
which animals are okay to exploit and which not?

  
The Faroese therefore ask: Why should we completely adapt a modern life style,
which - seen in the big picture - in fact is much more destructive than our
own old ways of living and supplying food were? Is it people like us living in
arctic regions who are just trying to live off their surrounding nature
respectfully in a sustainable way, keeping nature's balance intact, who are
the real threat to the whales - or to the world - here?

  
The Faroese have - as some of the very few people in the western world - been
trying to keep their old ways alive until this day because it is a tradition
that in their understanding represents survival in solidarity and a well
tested, sustainable and basically much more balanced and more life-sustaining
lifestyle with much less impact on the world's ecological balance - at least
up until this day if it hadn't been for the pollution.

  
So they ask: Is it right to condemn people like us more than other people? Why
are we made into the scapegoats of the world more so than so many others? Why
don't the people of the world boycott Italy also for killing the near extinct
tuna and condemn all Italians? (The tuna fish is in fact also an intelligent
and a very social animal). Why don't they condemn and boycott all Canadians
for killing the seals? Icelanders for the whales, Spaniards for the
bullfights? These people might, perhaps, have much less reason to preserve
their traditions than the Faroese have. So why is there so much anger directed
specifically against the Faroese? This is very difficult for the Faroese to
understand.

  

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Thursday, June 10,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/old-life-style-near-
extinction.html) [0 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06
/old-life-style-near-extinction.html#comment-form) [
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###  [Holy Cows Of Today Or A Food
Source?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/let-me-state-right-
away-i-think-that.html)

**The world has come off balance to such an extent today that our survival is threatened. We have good reasons to fear the consequences if mankind goes on using nature's resources the way we do now. Many people have this feeling that our world has become more and more artificial and that we are destroying all that is natural and pure, which in the end destroys ourselves also.**  
  
Whales have somehow become the primary symbol of natural purity and wonder.
Many people feel a close emotional relationship to whales. They are such
impressive grandiose creatures - the largest mammals ever to inhabit the
planet. They are very likeable because they are social and relatively
intelligent animals - and also mysterious because they live in an environment,
which is alien to us humans. We admire them and fear their extinction. If the
whales were gone it would somehow mean that the world is coming to an end.

  
It is as if people have come to identify with the whales and their struggle
for survival so much so that the whales have become the 'holy cows' of the 21.
century, worshipped by many people in the world. The practice of killing such
magnificent creatures is so alien to whale worshippers that it is very
difficult for them to understand - and even harder to accept - that some
people in the world still see the same animals first and foremost as a food
source.

  
**A statement**  
Let me state right away, before i go further: I think that restoration and
maintenance of the world's ecological balance is of utmost importance - it's
absolutely crucial if mankind wants to survive in the future. I'm for
protection of wildlife. I'm against killing of any animal species near
extinction. I find whales to be wonderful, fascinating creatures that we
should protect as best possible. I'm against commercial whaling. I'm against
animal suffering - whether it is cruel treatment of livestock or the practice
of killing whales in an unnecessary cruel fashion.

  
I wish people would be less dependent on farm factory meat production, because
most of this industry is far from sustainable; it creates an unnatural,
artificial and inhumane environment for it's livestock, it decreases natural
diversity and it pollutes and damages the environment all humans and animals
inhabit, which, consequently, might kill us all.

  
That said, let me also state that I'm from the Faroe Islands where people
still regard pilot whales as a food source. The Faroese have for a long time
been killing pilot whales in a way that quite a lot of people outside the
Faroes find disturbing. Personally, I don't find this practice - locally
called the Grindadráp - as appalling as people outside the Faroes do. You
might ask: How can I say that, if I really mean what I said first? Well, this
is exactly what I will try to explain in this blog.

  
**What kind of 'tradition' is that?**  
I understand perfectly why people outside the Faroes find pilot whaling quite
disturbing - even shocking, if it has been presented to them only in form of
very graphic pictures, perhaps followed by often quite exaggerated, angry
claims accompanied by dramatic music. There are a whole lot of rumors and
hoaxes wandering around the net about Grindadráp. People outside the Faroes
have this misconception of the Grindadráp that it is a "tradition" in the
sense that the Faroese uphold it only because it is kind of a traditional
ritual - like some kind of a "carnival" or a celebration of the coming of age
of young men or a worshipping of killing and inflicting pain for it's own sake
- not because it is a necessity to these people.  People also believe that
pilot whales are near extinction. That is not true. Pilot whales are some of
the most common whale species in all the oceans of the world.

  
Of course, the Grindadráp must seem absolutely insensitive and meaningless to
people, if they have this conception of the practice. If it was a 'tradition'
in this sense - and the whales were near extinction, it could never justify
this practice - or the violence and the bloodiness of the kill. And because of
this misunderstanding people tend to judge it as mere cruelty and barbarism
and as an absurdity that should not be allowed to take place in a modern
society today.

  
In other parts of the world it is normal - or in other words: a 'tradition' -
to kill turkeys, for instance, so people can have them for a traditional
Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner (even though they have the option of choosing
a vegetarian meal instead, if the wanted to). To the Faroese, their whaling
practice is just as 'normal' and just as much a 'tradition' in this sense. The
practice of Grindadráp is regarded by the Faroese not only as an important
part of their inherited skills, their history and culture, but indeed also as
a necessity - an important way of supplying food and a key to their survival,
also today.

  
**Livelihood in arctic regions**  
There are a few things many people outside the Faroes don't realize. Just like
people in many other scarcely populated arctic regions, where natural
resources in form of plants are very scarce, the Faroese have developed a
hunting tradition in order to survive. You can't grow vegetables in the Faroe
Islands because of the harsh climate, not in a scale that could bread feed the
whole population. To the Faroese - as for most people in arctic regions - it
has therefore always been necessary to utilize the few natural resources at
hand on land and in the sea to be able to provide food enough.

  
Since the Faroese came to these islands more than 1200 years ago, they have
had to live off their livestock - like sheep and a smaller amount of cattle -
that could feed on the grass and the few plants that can grow there - only
edible for animals. But this was not enough to get essential proteins and
vitamins. Fishing and hunting wild animals was also necessary - also cute and
perhaps intelligent animals. And sometimes it had to be in a violent way,
because it could not be done otherwise.

  
The Faroese feel that there is no question that they still have the 'natural
right' to use pilot whales as a food supply (as long as the pilot whales are
not an endangered species), because they have had this practice for at least
more than a thousand years. Just like other people feel they have the 'natural
right' to kill turkeys, chicken, pigs or cattle because the have done so
traditionally for God knows how long.

  
The only difference is that in most other places they have taken the step
further than the Faroese and have made their food supply into an industry -
the animals they want to eat are bred in enormous amounts for the sole purpose
to kill them for food.

  
**Which tradition is better?**  
One can always argue which tradition is better than the other - and people do.
People discuss, for instance, which tradition is crueler. People discuss
whether one method is more or less sustainable than the other. And people
discuss whether it is more right to breed the animals first and keep them
captive for their whole lives feeding them edible but unnatural altered
substances to make them grow unnaturally fast, before you kill them and eat
them rather than let them live a free and healthy life as wild animals before
you kill them and eat them.

  
Many believe that the pilot whales are killed in an unnecessary cruel and
inhumane way, but the Faroese say that the killing looks more violent than it
actually is; that it is not crueler than what goes on in most farm factories
and slaughterhouses, and that there is no faster way to do it.

  
There's no doubt that the Grindadráp practice evokes strong feelings on both
sides.  So how can people in the Faroes and outside the Faroes reach a common
understanding? Is it possible?

  
How can people, living in metropolitan areas surrounded by areas with highly
developed agricultures, understand the conditions of people living in poorly
populated arctic places with harsh climate - like the Faroes. While many
people outside the Faroes claim, that it is not necessary to use ancient
hunting methods any more to get your food supply, because you can import
industrially produced food, the Faroese argue that if they are not able to use
the natural resources they have access to, they will be much more dependent on
expensive imports, which creates other problems. They need to be able to hunt
in order to be less dependent. I will get back to this issue and discuss it in
my next blog.

  
**Cruelty or pragmatism?**  
****The truth of the matter is, that in the eyes of the Faroese, you still have to have a pragmatic, fatalistic view on life - at least in places high up north like the Faroes. Not least in these times of crisis and climate change where you'll never know when you suddenly might have to take personal responsibility for providing your own food. Most people in the modern world's metropolitan areas have never experienced this: not to have any other option than to kill an animal in order to survive - cruel in the eyes of others, but necessary. But with an increasing worldwide food crisis already taking place these harsh living conditions, which have been normal to arctic people, might soon become very real to all of us.  
  
The Faroese have never chosen to kill pilot whales because they had intentions
of being cruel. Of course not. They just didn't have any other option in the
past. They have just kept doing what they've always done for food. They still
live in a relatively vulnerable area. They still build their livelihood on
very few natural resources. They're always under the threat of being struck by
new crises. Which means that they might very soon be left with not many other
options again than to hunt for food.

  
They don't consider themselves any crueler than any butcher, working in a
slaughterhouse providing food for people, which is considered a normal job in
most countries. To the Faroese it is just as normal that some people provide
pilot whale meat to their community, as it is normal for butchers in other
countries to kill and slaughter cattle so others can eat the meat.

  
**A philosophy of sharing versus self enrichment**  
I won't go into the discussion whether one or the other way is right or wrong
- or which method is better or crueler. I just want to say that people who eat
meat because they've done so traditionally 'for ever' should probably hesitate
and think about it before they judge the Faroese.

  
What I'm trying to say is that basically the Faroese are not more barbarians
than any meat eater is. They have been living peacefully in these islands for
more than a thousand years and they have maintained nature's balance all this
time out of respect for nature and each other - obviously because they were
utterly dependent on both to be able to survive in this arctic area.

  
After a whale kill they share the whale meat for free in the community as
they've always done. They have never turned the whaling into an industry or a
commercial, unsustainable practice to gain profit to them selves. To them it
was a question of helping each other to survive. So this is not - and has
never been - an act of cruelty, but an act of solidarity and a necessity to
secure survival.

  
In my next blog I will discuss, which options are left for the Faroese - if
they stop killing pilot whales.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Thursday, June 10,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/06/let-me-state-right-
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  *[Thursday, June 10, 2010]: 2010-06-10T19:55:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Monday, September 13, 2010

###  [The pilot whale kill that went
wrong](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09/pilot-whale-kill-that-
went-wrong.html)

_ _

__

_**The pilot whale killings, which have taken place in the Faroe Islands this
summer, especially the one in Klaksvík, which a member of the Sea Shepherd
organization claims he witnessed "under cover" and reported about to the world
media, have, once again, created worldwide outrage and generated tons of
protests from all over the world - also from a row of NGO's.**_

_

_

_This does, of course, instill respect, because these are powerful
organizations with the means to influence a lot of people in the world. That
is precisely why it's a shame that some of the allegations in their protest
are simply incorrect, while others are questionable, but that is expected,
because they are based on beliefs. Nevertheless, it makes it difficult to have
a fruitful dialogue holding beliefs against each other. When two sides have
different beliefs, it is therefore even more essential to stick to the facts
and get them right. It is also essential to separate facts from beliefs and
emotions._

_

_

_**Sea Shepherd tactics **_

_It was the report from Peter Hammarstedt, Sea Shepherd activist, from the
Klaksvík kill, which triggered the current reactions. But as almost always
when it comes to Sea Shepherd, their reports are exaggerated and emotionally
manipulative - for instance the claim that baby whales are cut out from their
mother's bodies and just left to rot... When one's errand is first and
foremost to make anti whaling propaganda, graphic and dramatic sounding
examples like these are always very effective, especially if you want to get
people really agitated and angry. But it is not true that the baby whales are
left to rot. Yes, they are cut out of their dead mothers bodies and are killed
like all the other whales in the group. Sounds harsh, yes, but it is done,
because - except from the bones and intestines - they are used just as
everything else from the whales._

_

_

_**Another explanation**_

_However, the way this particular whale kill in Klaksvík was carried out was
not acceptable...! I was not at the site, but I've seen TV footage from the
whale kill - and it didn't look pretty! I'm not insensitive and I understand
perfectly why people would be outraged by what they saw on TV. As a matter of
fact: the Faroese people are generally opposed to whale killings carried out
like this. They agree that incidents like this must never happen again._

_

_

_I'm not making excuses for this kill, because I would, personally, never
applaud any kind of unnecessary brutality myself. I'm just trying to explain,
because I think it is important to understand why it happened - and not just
judge the whalers as evil maniacs that enjoy torturing whales, because that is
not the case. _

_

_

_It is important to understand that these people regard pilot whales as a food
resource. You might disagree with this viewpoint, but the whalers are carrying
out a job, which in their own view is pretty much the same job, a butcher
carries out in a slaughterhouse - only in a different, more difficult
environment._

_

_

_**What went wrong?**_

_What made this particular kill more difficult than usual was that the
Klaksvík bay has been changed because of stone fillings on one side of the
bay. This meant that it was hard for the whalers to get all the whales to
beach themselves on the sand beach - like they usually do - where it would
have been much easier to make a swift kill. Some of the whales where caught in
deep water by the stone fillings where some whalers had to use quite forceful
methods to pull some of the whales up onto the stones to get them killed._

_

_

_What people might not understand is that it is almost impossible to kill a
whale in deep water where you can't stand firmly on the bottom. That is why
they dragged the whales up unto the stones. The problem was that it was almost
impossible to do this, which caused the whales to be harmed. This is not an
incident, which happens normally - but as I understand it, the whalers did
what they did in desperation, because of the impossible circumstances to make
a proper quick kill. _

_ _

_It was not possible in this case neither to move the whales to shallower
water or let the whales go free, because the whales will swim right back into
their deaths, since their instinctive urge is to stay with their group. Sad,
but true. This must, of course, have seemed quite dramatic - especially to an
outsider, who has a whole other view on whales and does not know, that this is
NOT the normal way of carrying out a pilot whale kill._

_

_

_**Not a normal kill**_

_Outsiders don't know that this was not a normal whale kill. It went wrong -
not all together, but for some of the whales. Most whales in the kill beached
themselves on the sand beach and were killed in a swift way as they normally
are. It was very unfortunate that a few of the whales did not swim up onto the
beach, but where caught by the stones. _

_

_

_Unfortunately, incidents like this happen, but very rarely. There is a slight
risk that things can go wrong during a hunt - like in hunting of any wild
animals. If it happens in the last moments of a kill, there seems to be no
way, entirely, to avoid some force - or 'brutality' - to get the kill done as
quickly as possible. And this is sadly what happened this time._

_

_

_It was unfortunate, first and foremost for the whales caught by the stones...
but also for the Faroese people, because of course the news spread throughout
the world immediately - and the story is used everywhere right now by the anti
whaling campaigners as proof of the Faroese whaler's brutality - to anger
people all over the world and make them boycott the Faroes._

_

_

_**The Faroese want to prevent this from happening again** _

_I for my self think, that the kill should never have been allowed to take
place in this particular bay... Now we at least know - what the whalers
obviously didn't anticipate - that there is a risk in this particular bay that
some of the whales might make a sudden turn in the last moment and swim
towards the stone fillings and not the beach. _

_

_

_People in the Faroes worry about this and have been discussing it eagerly in
the Faroese media. The local animal protection society protested against the
way the killing was conducted, and most people here are sorry about this
incident and agree that we must do everything possible to prevent such things
from happening again. _

_

_

_Politicians have suggested to ban whale killing in this particular bay and
have also made suggestions to make rules that only allow people with special
licenses to participate in a whale kill to minimize the risk of errors that
might lead to situations like these, which get out of control. Some people
even talk about banning whale killing as a whole. _

_

_

_**The Faroese are not ignorant to animal suffering**_

_I don't think, though, that this last suggestion will happen right now,
because people here also know, that what happened in Klaksvík was an
exception. And it doesn't change the way people in the Faroes look upon pilot
whales. They are still regarded as a food source. But I am sure that something
will happen as a consequence of this that will help prevent that whales suffer
more than absolutely necessary in future whale killings. _

_

_

_Even though many Faroese still support whale killing, because hunting and
eating whale meat is so integrated in the culture, they are not ignorant to
animal welfare. They are able to realize when something is inhumane and should
be dealt with._

_

_

_But this is - of course - not the picture the Sea Shepherd is interested to
paint of the whalers or the Faroese out there. To them this is war... a war
against the acts of the Faroese whalers - and in a war you're allowed to use
any method to make your opponents look as bad as possible..._

_

_

_**Does not help to dehumanize the whalers** _

_But I'm concerned that it does not help the pilot whales much to dehumanize
the whalers... I think that the best way to protect the whales from suffering,
is to appeal to the whalers as the humane beings they are - because as such
they are open to reason.... and emotion also, of course. Acting as if you're
dealing with monsters, will not create grounds for a reasonable dialog, but
just make people shut their ears. Nobody likes to be accused of being a
monstrous maniac._

_

_

_Okay, I just wanted to cast a little more light on, how the Faroese look at
these events. This explanation, though, might not make much difference to
those who have difficulties accepting that the Faroese regard pilot whales,
first and foremost, as a food source, while to them whales - including pilot
whales - are sacred creatures. I realize that it might be impossible to reach
common understanding between people with such opposite views on the matter._

_

_

_ _

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, September 13,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09/pilot-whale-kill-that-
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  *[Monday, September 13, 2010]: 2010-09-13T00:15:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Wednesday, November 3, 2010

###  [Why I Fail To See The Purpose Of Typical Anti Whaling
Rhetoric](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-i-fail-to-see-
purpose-of-typical.html)

**I have in former blog posts tried to explain the Faroese tradition of pilot whaling. Let me state right away: The main purpose of this blog post is not to defend pilot whaling. It is to question the rhetoric of extreme anti-whaling activists. **

  

I'd like to give you an example of a claim, very typical for many anti-whaling
activists. This is part of an argument I read in a debate forum about whaling:

  

"_Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that lowbrow, knuckledraggers like
you exist and are being vocal about your "right" to slaughter marine mammals.
I suppose it never occurred to you that every creature on this planet did not
evolve for the sole purpose of being killed or exploited by man. It truly
amazes me that anyone would even consider killing anything as magnificent as a
whale, or any other creature for that matter. You would think, or at least
hope, that mankind would have evolved beyond the Neanderthal urge to bash
everything it sees over the head and drag it back to the cave. Apparently, and
you are a testament to this, that is not the case. I guess those of us who are
more enlightened and actually give a damn about the other creatures we share
this planet with can only hope that your primitive, ape-like kind will soon
reach the extinction that is long overdue and leave the rest of Earth's
inhabitants alone!"_

  

It's obvious that this man (could be a woman, but lets' say it's a man) feels
very strongly about this issue. He starts by saying:

  

_"Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that lowbrow, knuckledraggers like
you exist and are being vocal about your "right" to slaughter marine mammals."
_

  

I get it… People in favor of killing whales are so primitive that they must
have a Neanderthal-like look… He's probably referring to the 'stupidity' of
these primitive people. Funny comparison, perhaps, but if this had been said
about Afro-Americans, for instance - jokingly or not - one could rightly
accuse this man of being a rabid racist.

  

He goes on claiming that people who do not think like him, might not think at
all - or as he puts it himself:

  

_"I suppose it never occurred to you that every creature on this planet did
not evolve for the sole purpose of being killed or exploited by man."_

  

This is a statement, which should be followed by a more detailed explanation,
because it raises more questions than it answers. The main questions might,
for example, be: If not every animal is evolved for the sole purpose of being
killed or exploited by man, which animals are? And why is it that these
animals are more suitable for exploitation than others? And why is it that
others are not? Clearly, in this man's view, the whales are not... but why? I
guess he is trying to explain that in the next sentence:

  

_"It truly amazes me that anyone would even consider killing anything as
magnificent as a whale, or any other creature for that matter."_

  

This shows that this man has attached himself emotionally to animals as a
whole, but especially to whales. To him whales are a symbol of something
'magnificent', almost sacred, which - in his view obviously - has the right to
be untouched by man. As sympathetic as this might seem, it is not a rational
claim. It is based on emotions and belief.

  

Many whaling activists claim that whales are so highly developed and so
intelligent that they might even be superior to humans in intelligence. But he
forgets to mention that many of these intelligent whales he allegedly wants to
protect are meat eaters themselves, and thus kill other creatures - sometimes
including humans. I guess we have no other option than to accept that fact.
But why is it okay for highly super-developed animals like whales to kill
other animals, if it's not okay for humans?

  

This man is of course entitled to believe what he likes, but then he goes on:

  

_"You would think, or at least hope, that mankind would have evolved beyond
the Neanderthal urge to bash everything it sees over the head and drag it back
to the cave."_

  

To me this is a peculiar claim, because mankind has probably never in history
killed more animals than it does today. Furthermore, I fail to see any logic
in this argument, because ancient food providing methods were probably much
more humane than today's highly evolved modern industrial ways of providing
food, which include mass breeding of domestic animals. In comparison with the
cruelty, revealed in slaughterhouses all over the world, where massacres occur
everyday, hunting of wild animals seems almost insignificant, unrelated and
irrelevant - at least when we talk about sustainable hunting of not endangered
species.

  

Note, that I do not in any way endorse killings of endangered species, but I
really can't see why sustainable hunting should be much worse than the
industrial way of mass-killing animals, which to me seems much more torturous
and holocaust-like than killing and hunting free animals in the wild has ever
been. But anyway...

  

I wonder why he expects the human race to have evolved significantly in such a
short span, which a million years is in the big perspective. Just because
we've developed very fast in a technological sense the last 200-300 years, it
doesn't mean that basic human nature as such has changed much since the time
of the Neanderthals, who, by the way, were extinct 30.000 years ago. We're not
even related to them, since we're a whole other different species called Homo
Sapiens. Anyway, as he rightly states:

  

_"Apparently, and you are a testament to this, that is not the case."_

  

This is true. We have not evolved much - emotionally. But what makes him
believe that he himself and his allies are any 'better'? As he then goes on to
state:

  

_"I guess those of us who are more enlightened and actually give a damn about
the other creatures we share this planet with can only hope that your
primitive, ape-like kind will soon reach the extinction that is long overdue
and leave the rest of Earth's inhabitants alone!"_

  

Take a good look at this sentence. This man is obviously so angry that he's
lost sense of what he really is saying. The first thing you notice is, that
this man holds himself and his allies in such high esteem that he assumes that
he and they are "more enlightened" and, thus, the only ones who care about
this planet and about those who inhabit it - while others who disagree with
his views about animal killings are labeled as "ape-like" - i.e. lesser
evolved - and should not be allowed even to exist! He' can't think much of
apes, since he compares these atrocious human beings to apes.

  

But when it comes to ethics or moral standards, are we humans, basically,
really so different from animals, aside from our technological advancement?
Does history prove that we have evolved much beyond other species in that
field? Just to mention an obvious example. Is intelligence any guarantee of
higher moral standards?

  

My point is: Isn't it self-exalting megalomania beyond any rationale to
believe that humans are any better than animals? And to believe that whales
are almost humanlike - at least when it comes to intelligence - and therefore
better than any other animals?

  

What about the intelligent animals that happen to 'think' that it is okay to
kill other animals? Should they be wiped out too? Do whales never attack other
creatures - including human beings? How can we convince them to stop killing
other creatures? Maybe we should suggest that it would be a good idea for them
to become vegetarians… Joking aside. Whales are mostly kind creatures like
many other creatures, but do whales have moral standards that exceed moral
standards of other creatures - including humans?

  

Why do some people think that whales are superior to other animals? What about
all the stupid animals? Is it okay to kill them just because they are stupid?
And why would we want to rank animals like that? Or humans for that matter…
How would we do that? I mean: Which criteria would we have to use?

  

If we should follow this man's logic - and fulfill them, it could have
disastrous consequences… So what is this really about? I don't say that this
man is wrong in everything he believes, but what really is disturbing to me
is, that he obviously hates people who happen to disagree with him, so much
so, that he wishes to wipe them all off the face of the earth!

  

Let me quote our anti-whaling activist again: _"(We) ... can only hope that
your primitive, ape-like kind will soon reach the extinction that is long
overdue and leave the rest of Earth's inhabitants alone."_

  

It runs shivers down my spine when I hear such claims because they remind me -
in  an eerie, familiar way - of what a certain person, which rose to great
power for a while in the past century, consistently claimed year after year
until he made enough people believe in him and all hell of World War II broke
loose. This man was also known for having a quite sentimental love for
children and animals.

  

The hatred, which is revealed in this last sentence, is not in any way
consistent with this man's claim that he loves all creatures on this planet.
After all, some obviously don't qualify to fall into the category of those
worthy of this man's love…. The inconsistencies in this man's claims are so
obvious. But still, he fails to see the inconsistencies himself.

  

The problem is always that the self-righteous are too self-righteous to notice
their self-righteousness.... What exposes their self-righteousness, though, is
their firm conviction, which almost always is based on emotion and beliefs
rather than on facts.

  

I couldn't say if this is true for this man, but ignorance and insecurity does
often turn people into irrational fanatics. The more insecure you are, the
more you need to hold firmly on to something to believe in… And the more
firmly you hold on to something you believe in, the more you attach yourself
emotionally to your beliefs - so much so that you're unable to accept anything
that contradicts your belief. And thus you become: a fanatic.

  

This man is far from alone. Claims like his are seen in many, many forums on
the net. Many are far more hateful and aggressive. And weirdly, other people
admire the viewpoint this man and others express. They encourage it and think
these activists are heroes, because they stand up for the poor whales' rights.
Which confirms to this man and his allies in the extreme wings of the anti-
whaling movement that they really ARE more 'highly evolved' and better persons
than others.

  

He doesn't like the fact that people kill animals for food - or not for any
reason. It gives him the impression that he must love nature and animals more
than other people who happen to think that humans need to kill animals for
food, as they've done for millions and millions of years. It's easy for an
anti-whaling activist to jump to such conclusions about themselves. Those, who
aren't as opposed to the killing of animals as this man is, are - in this
man's view - emotionally handicapped, and therefore they're labeled inhumane
primitive 'knuckledraggers'.

  

As a result of the fact that the activists really believe they them selves are
more 'humane' than others, they think they have the right to tell others - the
primitive monstrous people - how to behave.

  

But this seems to be extremely naïve and reveals very little understanding of
the fact that life is not just black and white. The man I've cited above
obviously lives in an almost childlike universe, where good and bad is split
up. He seems - just like a child - to be so convinced that he represents all
that is good in this universe, while all bad things are being projected onto
other human beings who do not share his beliefs. He even dreams of an Utopia
where he can be freed from all evil - including the bad, bad whalers.

  

This clearly shows that he and his allies have become so alienated to the true
nature in themselves - which includes both good and bad, as it does for
everyone living on earth - that they seem to have lost any sense of reality.

  

It's only when man is incapable of seeing and acknowledging the bad in himself
that he is truly capable of committing evil things. It's eerie that he and
many others fail to see this.

  

I can't see how this man's belief is any different from other religious
beliefs - and as we know: fanatic religious beliefs is perhaps the most
dangerous phenomena on earth. Religious beliefs have lead to wars that killed
more people than any other phenomena - including natural disasters - in
mankind's known history, because people really believed that their cause was
SO right and unquestionable - and SO important that it gave them the right to
rise above others and, in the name of God (read: good), actually kill other
people. Believing in one's own pure goodness is to take the direct route to
pure evil...! 9/11 is just one example in a very long row. History shows -
again and again - what self-righteousness can lead to.

  

One can of course discuss back and forth, whether pilot whaling has a
significant or severe impact on the pilot whale population or not - or whether
it is right or wrong what a few whalers in the Faroe Islands, for instance, do
to a small number of a not endangered whale species as part of a traditional
way of providing food - a sustainable tradition, which has been taking place
for more than a thousand years, perhaps even longer. In fact it is not much
different from the Indian tradition of killing buffalos on the American
prairie in the old days - a hunting method, which had been done sustainably
for thousands of years before guns and rifles where introduced by the white
man, which, consequently, lead to the extinction of almost the whole buffalo
population, which you hardly can blame the Indians for. The pilot whale
population is not so unlucky yet, though the increasing levels of methyl
mercury and PCB in whales causes great concern for the health of the animals
and those who eat them. But are the Faroese to blame for that?

  

Regardless of that discussion, the obvious self-righteousness and lack of
doubt expressed in this, quite typical anti-whaling activist's arguments cited
above, is what disturbs me the most, because such rhetoric does not solve any
problems - it just increases the gap between the two sides, entrenches rigid
positions, and creates frustrations and even hatred. If one really is
concerned about the whales and wants to reach actual results in favor of the
whales, why on earth would one choose to express oneself in such a
confrontational, unconstructive way? Which is why I don't get the rhetoric of
extreme anti-whaling activists...

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, November 03,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/11/why-i-fail-to-see-
purpose-of-typical.html) [0
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## Monday, November 1, 2010

###  [Are The Faroese People Caught In A Conflictive Time-
warp?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/11/are-faroese-people-
caught-in.html)

**This is a response to a comment made ****by an anonymous reader ****to my blog post: "The Global Disney World" **([http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09/global-disney-world.html](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09/global-disney-world.html))**.**

  

Dear Anonymous,

Thanks for a thoughtful reply. I appreciate your reflections to my blog post
"The Global Disney World". I'd like to make some comments to your thoughts -
and ask some questions, because I'm not sure that I'm quite getting what
exactly you are trying to say. It puzzles me. Let's start with the beginning.
You say:

  

_"The Faroese people today are caught in a conflictive time-warp, from which
many other societies have since evolved. There is nothing unusual or
exceptional in any society's resistance to change. In terms of "human nature"
it is far more familiar and comforting to cling to a traditional lifestyle
than to venture into the new and unknown."_

  

From what you are saying, it seems that you have the impression that the
Faroese are somewhat untimely backwards or 'old-fashioned' in their way of
thinking, because they have preserved some old traditions. You and others
might perceive these traditions as conflicting with a more 'modern' mindset,
but the Faroese don't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but between the lines I read a
- slightly patronizing - attitude, as if you're really saying to the Faroese:
Hey, you're in the 21st century. Why don't you wake up to reality and evolve,
just like the rest of us…

  

But what is it exactly you'd like the Faroese to evolve into? Do you believe
everything 'old' is dispensable, just because it is old?

  

Since you choose to be anonymous and I have no way of knowing who you are,
where you come from, or what relation you have to the Faroes, and why you're
concerned with the Faroese, I don't know either how much knowledge you have
about life in the Faroes. But from what you are saying, you seem not to be
quite familiar with life in the Faroes - or aware of that the Faroe Islands
is, in fact, a very modern society in most matters.

  

Although the Faroese have been able to hold on to some old traditions, they
have not at all been reluctant to change as a whole. For the last 150 years
the Faroese have been very eager to evolve and to adapt to the industrial
world as far as it was possible in this relatively remote area with it's
limited resources. The Faroese have in fact been very successful at this,
which today's high standard of living in the Faroes proves.

  

But this evolvement is not always for the good. As I state in my blog: "It's
true that the Faroese have, like so many others, been seduced by the modern
life's luxury and amenities. It is true, that they are also infected by the
western world's material greed. And it's true that they in many ways live as
people in other Western countries, first class. But by entering into the
modern industrial world, the Faroese have made themselves vulnerable, like all
others who also depend on oil. We see how the Faroese currently are fighting
fiercely with others about ocean resources in order to get enough fish to be
able to afford buying oil for their fishing vessels and maintain the living
standards they have achieved."

  

As a Faroese I'm not too proud of the latest development in our fishing
industry.  I think that in the long run the Faroese would be much better of if
they rather stuck to the admirable qualities in their lifestyle from the old
days, which are all about social responsibility and sustainability.

  

I acknowledge that the Faroese have the same obligation as everyone else on
earth to take part in the efforts to save this planet from destruction. And we
do not do that well if we're exploiting nature in an unsustainable manner.
Unfortunately, when it comes to fishing (not pilot whaling!) some Faroese are
getting a little off course for the time being.

  

But I have to say that this greedy way of dealing with nature is not the way
the Faroese used to deal with nature in the past. It seems to be the modern
world's ways of dealing with business, which urges some Faroese to adapt to
unsustainable practices, very common elsewhere.

  

I do not think that the Faroese are any better than anyone else… I mean: as
human beings. But they had found a very fine balance which they are about to
overturn, which is sad.

  

At the same time as the Faroese live this modern life - very similar to life
in other Nordic countries - on the industrial world's terms, which also has
brought them wealth, they have still managed to preserve parts of their old
knowledge of how to live a simple life and survive in solidarity with each
other on nature's terms in a sustainable way.

  

They have not done this merely because of some kind of nostalgia - as you seem
to believe - but primarily because the Faroese homogenous economy, almost
entirely based on fishing, has shown to be very vulnerable. Some years
everything goes really well - oil prices are low, fish prices are up - and
people get relatively much money on their hands, which they often choose to
invest in improving the conditions in the society - for instance the
infrastructure, of which we can enjoy the benefits in harder times. At other
times a combination of unfortunate factors tip the economic stability with
dire consequences for many Faroese, who have lost everything during these
periods. The deceitful modern monetary system seems to further increase the
severity of these crises.

  

The Faroese have relatively often experienced periods, not so far apart, where
they could not rely on their usual lifelines. The crises set in, in a quicker,
more dramatic manner than most people on the European mainland are used to in
their countries. The Faroese have grown accustomed to this fluctuating economy
and the risks that follow. For instance, during World War II all connections
to the 'mother country' Denmark were cut. There was a severe bank crisis in
the mid 50'ties. Then again we had the oil and fishing crisis in the mid
70'ies. But also in modern times in the 90'ies where a bank crisis forced the
Faroese to their knees once again. And now again we have a world crisis which
started in 2008, which of course has affected the Faroese severely too. One of
our two main banks just crashed recently - and we haven't yet seen all the
severe consequences, which surely will follow after this crash.

  

As I have explained already in my blog, our old local survival kit, if I may
say so, has come in very handy in these periods of hardships. This is the main
reason to why the Faroese still partly rely on old ways of surviving -
including pilot whale hunting.

  

Note that my primary goal is not to defend the continuation of pilot whaling
as such, but simply to explain the circumstances and the reasons, why it still
exists. Bottom line, I guess the Faroese fail to see that they really have any
better alternative, because other options seem - from their viewpoint -
scarier and even more hazardous.

  

_"Presently, change is upon us all. Nature governs our existence, and nature
is, as always in a constant state of change. Unfortunately, through no fault
of the Faroese, eco-systems and the very bio-diversity of our planet has been
adversely affected in recent history by mankind's greed and disrespect of
nature through commercial and industrial exploitation and greed."_

  

This is exactly my point in my blog. Couldn't agree more. My point is, that
nature has always governed human kinds existence. Some humans have just been
more aware of that than others, which is why they have been better at taking
care of nature than others. I happen to believe that the Faroese have done
just that with their way of living with and off what was available in their
own environment in a sustainable manner. This is what I'm talking about, when
I say that perhaps the world could learn something from the Faroese.

  

You say: _"The destruction of our oceans and it's limited resources must be
addressed globally. In a time of new environmental awareness and our
unprecedented ability to communicate beyond man-made borders, the message to
your shores is one in the same for all mankind."_

  

Yes, of course... and it should be. Agree. Of course the Faroese should still
take care of nature in a responsible way. They have done so in the past. So
they should do that now too, instead of adapting to the destructive ways of
the modern world.

  

_"If we continue to live as we have in the past, the depletion of our ocean's
resources is inevitable."_

  

Yes, it's true - given that "we" means "people living in the industrialized
world". But I'd like you to clarify: When you say "we", do you include the
Faroese? I ask, because the way the Faroese have been living 'in the past' has
not endangered nature as much as the way people in the industrial world have
lived. Very far from it.  So it doesn't seem to be a very good idea to 'force'
the Faroese to adapt to modern, industrial exploitative ways of today
completely and thus endorse them to make the same mistakes as everyone else.
Which by the way, actually is about to happen, 'as we speak', unfortunately.

  

_"It will be virtually impossible to resort back to survival techniques of the
past when the ocean's resources are gone."_

  

Very true again... on the other hand: I believe that if it comes so far - or
close to it - every man will try to do what ever it takes to survive, and
forget about the future, because nobody will have enough energy to think about
what's best for the future, I'm afraid. They will have too much to do,
struggling for their own lives here and now. The Faroese will perhaps be no
better than anyone else. I assume it will not be pretty, anywhere...!

  
But given the fact that there are only 48.000 people living in the Faroes - a
number which hasn't increased for the last 20 years - I'd say, seen in the big
picture: How big a threat can they really be to the world's resources in
comparison with the masses in the rest of the world? Not to take the
responsibility away from the Faroese, but shouldn't we try to view things in
the right perspective?

  

_"It may sound dramatic but the international scientific community is
predicting dire consequences as our global population increases while
unsustainable food sources have and continue to decline at an alarming rate.
Overfishing and pollution as well as climate change are now of global
concern."_

  

Agree again. This is very much a concern of mine too, as I have stated in my
last blog post as well as in former blogs posts, which I am sure you must have
read… or?

  

_"Warning signs in nature are evident, as in the Faroes we see the very pilot
whale meat that sustained your people's existence through countless
generations, now poisons and threatens the health and survival of your future
generations."_

  

Which is why I, in several of my blog posts, urge everyone - also outside the
Faroes - to take a look at their own behavior. Because the modern way of life
contributes much more severely to this alarming development than the Faroese
pilot whaling as such has ever done.

  

This does NOT take the responsibility away from the Faroese. They are also
obliged to live in this world not harming the overall balance, but the Faroese
can only deal with their own lives first and foremost, and do what is within
their own power. I can assure you that all this is very much subject to debate
in the Faroes, so the Faroese are not a bunch of ignorant morons (not that you
said that, but many think so...) The truth is, that the Faroese are very much
concerned - and that they are not blind to these warnings, even if it may seem
so to an outsider.

  

_"Nature's reaction to man's contribution of toxic waste can now be measured
and has found it's way to your shores. In 2008 your Dr Pal Weihe issued a
gov't advisory warning that pilotwhale meat was "unfit for human consumption".
His research conducted on Faroese test subjects found a high incidence of
irreversible neurological impairment and other disablities attributed to the
excessive PCBs and methylmercury levels found in pilotwhale meat. Yet,
grindadrap continues."_

  

Yes, true. I have read the advisory warning. And the report. It has caused
great concern here in the Faroes, as I said.

  

I have stated in a former blog post that, personally, I am not for the
continuation of the Grindadráp, regardless. I acknowledge that it must stop if
there is evidence that proves, beyond any doubt, that eating pilot whale meat
is directly life threatening - or severely damaging people's health. The
research, which has been done, should of course be taken very seriously.
However - though this particular scientific paper's conclusion is that pilot
whale meat ought to be regarded as unfit for human consumption - it is not
perfectly clear on exactly HOW hazardous it is to eat pilot whale meat - for
instance, in comparison with other kinds of widespread available food.

  

Don't be mistaken. I'm not saying that I don't believe in Pál Weihe's
research, and I can assure you that people in the Faroes are very worried
about this. But it is confusing to the Faroese, that there have been reports
which claim that not all scientists/doctors agree with the conclusions in the
report made by Pál Weihe's and others. There have been other scientific
researches that contradict the conclusions in Pál Weihe's report.

  

At the same time we are bombarded with information about all kinds of other
hazardous foods. I am talking about common industrially produced food, which
we all buy in the supermarket or at the burger or pizza chains, full of
hormones and other questionable, health threatening, perhaps even poisonous
additives. We remember cases of cow disease, for instance, and we are also
worried about contaminated foods mostly caused by extreme monocultures in the
agriculture industry. We've learned that if you eat only MacDonald burgers for
a month or so, you could actually die. If you smoke you're in extreme danger
of getting cancer and all kinds of diseases too. It doesn't make people stop
though.

  

Therefore people here believe that pilot whale meat is, after all, perhaps not
the worst food to eat - if you only limit the intake and let children and
pregnant women avoid it. It is still very nutritious food, despite the fact
that there are too high levels of mercury and PCB in the meat.

  

_"This resistance to change at all cost is cause for worry and makes little or
no sense to outsiders, many whose governments have officially classified
dolphin meat as hazardous waste decades ago. Is it unfair to warn or advise
the Faroese to stop this consumption from a humanitarian perspective?"_

  

No, it is not unfair. Not at all - but I have difficulties believing this is
the greatest concern of most of the people who claim they worry about the
Faroese. It seems more to me that this is first and foremost used as an excuse
to try to get the people of the Faroes to spare the whales. So why not call a
spade a spade?

  
As I have stated earlier, Faroese people are not resistant to change - not if
the change is for the better. They just fail to see if changing this
particular tradition - the pilot whaling and everything that comes with it -
really makes their way of life any better for anyone. Go to
[www.whaling.fo](http://www.whaling.fo/) to study this issue further, if you
like.

  

_"Cruelty of the slaughter itself aside, as one Faroese friend once told me
"nature can be cruel"... but as I see it, we must ALL acknowledge and adapt to
these changes in nature before it's cruel vengeance disallows us the
opportunity."_

  

Well, I am sure that the Faroese will listen to arguments, which make sense to
them. I am also quite sure, that they will be much less reluctant to change
their ways than the global industry, the agriculture and the transport
companies are. These are in fact the true dominators and destroyers of this
world. Tell the multinational companies to stop polluting, because they kill
people and animals by doing that - perhaps in a subtle and slow, but still
very cruel way. But will they listen?

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, November 01,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/11/are-faroese-people-
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Sunday, December 19, 2010

###  [THE GLOBAL DISNEY-
WORLD](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09/global-disney-
world.html)

_By (C) Elin Brimheim Heinesen, Head of Media and Development Department in
Kringvarp Føroya, Faroese National Radio & Television._

  

![](http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
snc1/hs142.snc1/5251_132158168144_780808144_2371566_4813736_a.jpg)

The Faroese build their livelihood

mostly on available resources in the

ocean - including pilot whales.

**Paul Watson and his Sea Shepherd activists, as well as others have declared war against the Faroese whalers and announced that they will be present in the Faroes in the summer 2011 to stop any attempt to drive or kill pilot whales.**  
  
**The Oscar-winning documentary "The Cove" about dolphin slaughter in Taiji in Japan, has also brought attention to the pilot whale slaughter in the Faroe Islands. Many accuse the Faroese of being "sick in the head." But the Faroese believe that their practice is perfectly environmentally sound, and that it is the world out there, which has gone mad. In their opinion the world needs to learn from the Faroese much more than the other way round, if it wants to save itself from catastrophe.**  
  
Denmark's little brother in the North Atlantic, Faroe Islands, has now for a
long time been at odds with a number of environmental and animal protection
organizations, which fight against whaling - including the killing of pilot
whales. But when the Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen visited the
Faroes this summer, he said that, personally, he had nothing against pilot
whaling. Lars Løkke Rasmussen believes that the Danish Kingdom should support
the Faroese, despite the many international protests, because, as far as he
can see, pilot whales are killed in an appropriate way. As husband to a
Faroese wife, Lars Løkke Rasmussen knows the Faroese position from the inside
better than most. But there were many around the world, who were outraged by
the Prime Minister expressing such an opinion.

  
Why does the Faroese pilot whale killings incite so much anger around the
world? And what on earth makes the Danish Prime Minister support the pilot
whale catch? Faroese people say that an important part of their identity is
lost if they were forced to abandon the pilot whaling. But why is pilot
whaling so important for the Faroese identity? Why do the Faroese stubbornly
stick to this practice, although it obviously damages their reputation, not
least their most important exports, which is the export of fish?

  
**Faroese In Conflict With The Outside World**  
It is a fact that Faroese actions are no longer visible only to themselves.
What they do is not only their own business any more. Just think of the
current situation where fishing nations around the North Atlantic have been
unable to agree on the distribution of mackerel quotas why the Faroese
Fisheries Ministry has awarded the Faroese fishing vessels with quotas, which
the others consider too big. It has made Scottish and Norwegian fishermen
furious. At the moment they try to prevent the Faroese fishing vessels from
landing mackerel in their ports.

  
In a world where resources are getting scarce, the Faroese can no longer be
completely indifferent to what others think about their actions - no matter
whether they themselves believe that they have the right on their side and the
others are wrong.

  
**Identity Evident In Cultural Divide**  
A controversy on mackerel quotas is perhaps not so much about identity and
identity differences. But opposing attitudes to pilot whaling are an example
of a conflict between the Faroese and others, which illustrates a very
interesting issue, where the Faroese - at least the older generation -
currently experiences a huge cultural gap between themselves and the outside
world. This is something that definitely is about identity and identity
differences.

  
The sense of identity occurs right there - in the breach of surfaces, where it
becomes most obvious that we're not like the others - in the differences
between the ways to act and express ourselves. That is where we feel we have
an own identity. What is it exactly that makes the Faroese identity distinct
from other national identities? What is it, for instance, the Faroese do,
which is totally alien to others. The pilot whaling is a very good example.

  
**International Abhorrence Against The Faroe Islands**  
The Faroese have lived relatively isolated on these North Atlantic islands for
one and a half millennium - and have never really been in conflict or have
never provoked anyone outside the Faroe Islands (except from the Danes a few
times in national community affairs, perhaps).

  
This was largely how things were until the 80s when the first pictures of the
bloody pilot whale slaughter were shown in some major newspapers in England -
after which there emerged an angry roar of unprecedented dimensions in the
world against the Faroese, who suddenly became known as the worst scum, you
could imagine.

  
All of a sudden it became evident to the Faroese - in a very direct manner,
that there are other people in this world who have an entirely different
worldview than they have. Suddenly, they were deluged with protests from
people throughout the world. Suddenly they had to be accountable to others and
explain themselves about something, which to them had been quite natural for
at least 1200 years.

  
There are still thousands of protests pouring in through the mail slots in the
Faroese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Board. Also the Danish
Government gets its share. People from all corners of the world express, very
passionately, how shocked they are about the killing of pilot whales in the
Faroes. In their eyes, this is an outdated, cruel and brutal way of killing
wonderful, innocent and intelligent animals, which in no way should be
accepted in the modern world today. In return, the Faroese should be punished
by boycotts and exclusion from the international community until they have
learned to behave.

  
**Incompatible Concepts Of Nature**  
It is possible that the Faroese were shaken at their foundation - at least
initially, but it was not enough for them to stop killing whales. They keep
holding on to their practice, despite continuing protests from the outside
world. So why do the Faroese whalers not agree with the world out there? Are
they just heartless, thick-headed idiots? How can it be that in this modern
age, these people still choose to perform so-called "medieval atrocities"?

  
This conflict is something that has helped to force the Faroese to become more
aware of who they are and why they do what they do - or at least what some of
them do. The Faroese have, for example, learned that there seems to be a huge
gap between - on the one hand those who live directly by and use nature - and
then on the other hand, those who want to preserve nature completely
untouched, but not always live in this very nature...

  
For those who protest against whale killing, whales are an almost holy symbol
of the unspoiled, promised nature, which the terrible human race is about to
eradicate - and what will be the end of us all together when the last whale is
killed? While to the Faroese the pilot whaling is a living symbol of an -
unspoiled - old hunting culture, which related to nature in a practical and
pragmatic - and somewhat less romantic - way and utilized it in a sustainable
manner - something, which the new world seems not to understand at all.

  
**Shock Tactics Get Media Attentio**n  
If everyone tried to cool down a bit, perhaps they would find out that this
conflict is something that everyone can learn something from - not just the
Faroese, but also everyone else - about themselves and how to survive in the
world on nature's terms.

  
But this is not the way the piano plays. It's hard to get heard in a world
where people are heavily bombarded with media stories all the time. The media
are competing fiercely and mercilessly with each other on who can tell the
most incredible, most sensational, most tearful stories. Many are therefore
tempted to use emotionally manipulative shock tactics and excessive, showy
rhetoric to get the attention they need. And the media swallow it raw.

  
This is undoubtedly one reason why, for example, anti-whaling activists use
such methods when they want to 'sell' their message. But the activist's
eagerness to paint with a cruel brush results too often in stories full of
factual errors. They can only appreciate that so few media ever bother to look
carefully for the holes in their stories.

  
The Faroese have at least learned how much nonsense the media bring and how
manipulative media can be. They have learned about the incredible power and
influence media have in this world; how the most powerful media determine what
people think - and how hard it is to do something about it. They have learned
that there is a media created reality. They're just not yet as familiar with
the mechanisms of the media world as others because they are novices and rough
diamonds in this area vs. others. Just think about the fact that television
first made its entry in the Faroe Islands in the early 80s!

  
**Reality Fictionalized**  
It is therefore not an easy task for the Faroese having to behave in a world
where increasing numbers of people form their worldview almost entirely
through the media and entertainment industry. Most people are now exposed to a
constant, massive flow of media sensations, in which reality is fictionalized
and fiction becomes 'reality'. Many seem gradually to be almost more familiar
with the media created 'reality' than with the real reality, if I may say so.
The reality, as presented in media becomes normal, and it seems increasingly
difficult for many to distinguish between reality and fiction. In such an
alienated world, dramatic stories - eg. about a "cruel massacre of innocent
dolphins " - resound perfectly in many ears. People 'buy' the story right
away, so to speak, and 'forget' to call into question what it is they see or
hear.

  
Most people never get to hear the other side. Faroe Islands is a very small
country, which cannot afford to get its message across. Anti-whaling activists
allegations will therefore stand unchallenged.

  
**Activists Need To Point Out Scapegoats**  
Many people are scared and frustrated with the development in our ailing
world. Especially those who live in the western world, who deep down know that
their extravagant lifestyle greatly contributes to the destruction of mother
earth. But it is something that many probably prefer not to think too much
about. It's part of human nature that we do not like to blame ourselves for
problems. People need a vent for frustrations and they need to soothe their
guilty conscience. So they like to contribute to "save the world" with a
signature to petitions, for example, so they at least have the feeling that
they do something to support - apparently - good causes like campaigns against
the "cruel slaughter of innocent pilot whales". This will buy a little
indulgence to ease their conscience.

  
It's this kind of mechanisms in the human psychology, activists can take
advantage of - and the fact that so many people know so little about this
small group of people, who live in a remote place in the North Atlantic, and
who happen to eat pilot whales. Who does such a thing in the 21st century! It
is very easy for activists to make this small group of people into the world's
scapegoats. It also helps a lot that most people in the world aren't allowed
any longer to see what happens to animals in enormous farm factories and
slaughter houses where meat is produced in huge masses to satisfy the
insatiable market for meat products. There's a reason to why the industry
tries to keep this practice a deep secret. Meanwhile the Faroese - naively
perhaps - perform their bloody pilot whale slaughter in the open for everyone
to see, who cares to look.

  
**Hollywood-style Media Stories**  
The activists have been adept at getting attention, and they are much better
and more trained than the Faroese in telling captivating media stories. By
this they can win supporters and earn money, so they can get even more space
in the media and entertainment industry. But in reality they do not make much
difference to the cause they supposedly work for ... perhaps rather the
opposite: There is much to suggest that the intrusive and often rude and
disrespectful attitude of the activists, only intensify conflicts, slow the
process down and defer solutions.

  
If the activists really were interested in making a difference and change the
Faroese attitude to eating pilot whale meat, they might have more success by
trying harder to talk sense to the Faroese - for example, make enlightening
films about pilot whales, perhaps in Faroese language, showing respect for
Faroese intelligence - rather than making a lot of noise throughout the world,
moving people's attention to their own role and highlight their own so-called
'heroic deeds', whereas the Faroese are presented as 'barbarians' and
dehumanized. How much positive responsiveness from the Faroese can they expect
to get out of that? What is the purpose of trying to portray the Faroese, as
if they deliberately want to insult the whole world with their actions, while
in fact they're only providing food for themselves the way they've always
done?

  
The Faroese have never made a secret of what they do in the Faroes and they
certainly do not reject a respectful dialogue with others about how to improve
their methods, if it's possible to further improve it. But some activists just
turn out to be more interested in keeping distance than to approach the
Faroese. They probably need the Faroese to be their enemies to maintain and
strengthen their own hero-image and to keep alive the stories about themselves
in the best Hollywood-style, for instance, as "under-cover" agents "revealing
the atrocities committed in the Faroe Islands" in imminent danger of being
discovered and attacked by the "brutal whalers."

  
Such dramatic imaginative stories provide much greater resonance in the media
world. Most media do no longer respect the principle of presenting the world
as objectively as possible. They will rather worship hero figures fighting
against evil, because such stories, based on Hollywood's narrative principles,
sell a lot better.

  
**Balance vs. Exponential Growth**  
The Faroese themselves see the pilot whaling as one of the few reminiscences
left in the world after an old and artless way of life, well-tested through
more than a millennium, where survival is based on local self-reliance, shared
responsibility and solidarity, natural balance and sustainability. It is
possible that this is a hard - and sometimes apparently cynical - life. It has
its hardships and victims. But it's necessary, if you want to live on what is
available in your close neighbourhood, the Faroese say. This is indeed some of
the principles, which experts all over the world say we need to restore, if
humanity wishes to have a future.

  
Why should the Faroese be forced to let go of this way of life completely and
go all the way and implement a modern lifestyle, which implies 100% dependence
on an unstable, unsustainable system, which rewards greed because it's based
on the illusion of infinite exponential financial growth? The catastrophic
consequences of such a system are - as we have seen already - that resources
become extremely unevenly distributed and are used up, while the ground, the
seas and the air become polluted and poisoned with accelerating speed, and
sentient animals are tailored into consumer products by the billions and
treated no different than exactly that: products among other products. This
system is basically life-threatening and exposes us all too serious danger in
the long run - not just humans but all living creatures on earth - including
whales.

  
Isn't this much more horrifying than the pilot whale slaughter as such?
Shouldn't all these activists, who claim that they are so much in favour of
environmental and nature conservation, rather spend their energy on reversing
this deadly progress and do something serious about the system that creates
this development?

  
**Can One Escape The Media Web?**  
But who cares? How many media bother to concern anyone with such issues and
put them on the agenda? Simple and easily digestible stories about heroes, who
save poor innocent whales from malicious people, are much more interesting and
manageable. That other stuff is too confusing, so let's close our eyes, so we
can lull ourselves into a much more comfortable false sense of security. This
is the reality the Faroese - and everyone else is up against ...

  
How should the Faroese relate to this reality created by the entertainment
industry, which is so predominant in today's world? How can they stick to
themselves and their identity, when the foreign media waves wash over the
islands like tsunamis and threaten to wipe out their identity? How to tackle
the fact that activists and the media out there use them to create lucrative
sensational stories designating them as the villains? How to tackle the risk
they face of sudden exclusion from the global community unless they start to
behave like 'all others'?

  
What should the Faroese make of the fact that they live in a world where a
global financial crisis rages because of an illusory monetary system based on
false trust, while oil resources are running out, and where they - most likely
- suddenly might find themselves isolated out in the North Atlantic, only able
to survive by means of renewable energy, available on site - water, wind,
currents, waves, their own muscle power, using skiffs and sailboats and the
plants and animals that live there - on land, in the air and in the sea ...
yes, whales not least ...

  
**Admission Ticket To A Good Lifeline**  
The above scenario is very likely the serious challenges ahead, which the
Faroese (and others) face. But it's, perhaps, very difficult for many to
imagine that such a kind of reality might be waiting just around the corner,
because we are indeed 'safe' here in our lavishly decorated lounges in our
lifted end aboard the Titanic. The water has not reached up to our deck yet.
The lights flicker maybe a little, but we are sitting in first class and the
orchestra continues to play as if nothing is going on. And we cannot see what
happens in the darkness out there.

  
But all probability calculations show us that water is rising faster and
faster and may already have reached the point where the ship is floating so
heavily that it will tip and then slide straight downward in a sharp curve,
pulling the whole ship down with it, fast.

  
But ... maybe the Faroese have just a slight advantage, if or when the world's
oil resources run out or the oil becomes so expensive that the global
infrastructure collapses. Instead of having to cling to the sinking ship, the
Faroese are fortunate to have access ticket to one of the rescue boards, which
might prove one of the safest to sit on after the sinking.

  
**Wisdom From Before The World Went Mad**  
The Faroese are in the relatively fortunate position that it's not that long
ago that they entered the modern age. At the same time as the Faroese live
this modern life - very similar to life in other Nordic countries - on the
industrial world's terms, which also has brought them wealth, they have still
managed to preserve parts of their old knowledge of how to live a simple life
and survive in solidarity with each other on nature's terms in a sustainable
way. Alongside the modern life the Faroese have kept these old traditions
alive. They have passed this old wisdom on generation after generation.

  
They have not held on to this life style merely because of some kind of
nostalgia, but primarily because the Faroese homogenous economy, almost
entirely based on fishing, has shown to be very vulnerable. Some years
everything goes really well - oil prices are low, fish prices are up - and
people get relatively much money on their hands, which they often choose to
invest in improving the conditions in the society - for instance the
infrastructure, of which they can enjoy the benefits in harder times. At other
times a combination of unfortunate factors tip the economic stability with
dire consequences for many Faroese, who have lost everything during these
periods. The deceitful modern monetary system seems to further increase the
severity of these crises.

  
The Faroese have experienced several of these severe crises in modern times,
which have forced many of them to live a very simple life from time to time.
This means that many of them have not yet forgotten the old traditional self-
sufficient way of life, based on other, more sustainable principles than the
fraudulent system, which most of the world is relying on today.

  
The Faroese might therefore likely be able to "switch" back faster than most
others, just because many of them have not forgotten how people survived back
then, before the world went mad in an illusory oil adventure, wrapping itself
into a pecuniary pyramid-scam carousel that spun the world out of control in a
consumption celebration frenzy.

  

**Are The Faroese Lesser "Evolved" Than Other People In The Western World?**

Some believe that the Faroese are somewhat untimely backwards or 'old-
fashioned' in their way of thinking, because they have preserved some old
traditions, which others might perceive as conflicting with a more 'modern'
mindset, but the Faroese don't see it that way. Is everything 'old'
dispensable, just because it is old?

  

It is a myth that the Faroese are lesser "evolved" than most other people in
the Western world. Although the Faroese have been able to hold on to some old
traditions, they have not at all been reluctant to change as a whole. For the
last 150 years the Faroese have been very eager to evolve and to adapt to the
industrial world as far as it was possible in this relatively remote area with
it's limited resources. The Faroese have in fact been very successful at this,
which today's high standard of living in the Faroes proves. But this
evolvement is not always for the good.

  

The Faroese have the same obligation as everyone else on earth to take part in
the efforts to save this planet from destruction. And they do not do that well
if they're exploiting nature in an unsustainable manner. Unfortunately, when
it comes to fishing (not pilot whaling!) some Faroese are getting a little off
course for the time being. But this greedy way of dealing with nature is not
the way the Faroese used to deal with nature in the past. It seems to be the
modern world's ways of dealing with business, which urges some Faroese to
adapt to unsustainable practices, very common elsewhere.

  

The Faroese had found a very fine balance which they are about to overturn,
which is sad. They have evolved, like so many others, by being seduced by the
modern life's luxury and amenities. They are also infected by the western
world's material greed. And it's true that they in many ways live as people in
other Western countries, first class, which demands a high level of
consumption.

  

But by entering into the modern industrial world, the Faroese have made
themselves dependent on oil, and thus vulnerable, like all others who also
depend on oil. We see how the Faroese currently are fighting fiercely with
others about ocean resources in order to get enough fish to be able to afford
buying oil for their fishing vessels and maintain the living standards they
have achieved.

  
**Identity Strengthening Survival Strategies**  
But the Faroese have not commercialized the pilot whale catch. In this case
they stick to the old tradition of communal sharing, so they have yet, still -
unlike the rest of the world - preserved some kind of barter economy to some
extent. Many of them get a portion of their food directly from nature's
larder, and they still share food with each other - such as meat and blubber
from pilot whales. This practice has proven to be of great advantage for them
at a number of occasions when economy crises have hit them hard from time to
time.

  
The Faroese have relatively often experienced periods, not so far apart, where
they could not rely on their usual lifelines. The crises set in, in a quicker,
more dramatic manner than most people on the European mainland are used to in
their countries. The Faroese have grown accustomed to this fluctuating economy
and the risks that follow. For instance, during World War II all connections
to the 'mother country' Denmark were cut. There was a severe bank crisis in
the mid 50'ties. Then again we had the oil and fishing crisis in the mid
70'ies. But also in modern times in the 90'ies a bank crisis forced the
Faroese to their knees once again. A lot of people were ruined and a fifth of
the population was forced to emigrate. But already after eight years the
Faroese fought themselves out of the crisis, had paid their debts and re-
established their economy - something experts otherwise predicted would take
at least 20 years.

  
And now again we have a world crisis which started in 2008, which of course
has affected the Faroese severely too. One of their two main banks just
crashed recently - and we haven't yet seen all the severe consequences, which
surely will follow after this crash.

  
Their old local survival kit, if I may say so, has come in very handy in these
periods of hardships. This is the main reason to why the Faroese still partly
rely on old ways of surviving - including pilot whale hunting.

  
When the crisis hit, the above principles and the Faroese supportive culture
proved to be very effective. This is one of the main reasons, why everything
up until now has turned out so relatively well, because people helped each
other through the crisis by sharing available resources as much as possible
and by providing each other services - without interfering money into it. By
this, everyone got an increased opportunity to be able to survive with the
skin on the nose. It's this kind of valuable survival strategy that have
strengthened the Faroese common identity, which is the source of their courage
and capacity to face challenges - also in the future.

  
**Nature As A Pantry Or Zoo**  
People could perhaps learn something from this. But instead of thinking about
how to save themselves, while the water rises deck by deck, threatening soon
to engulf us all, they are much more keen on spending time and effort to put
these "primitive savage islanders" in place out there in the middle of the
ocean and get them to stop perceiving nature as a pantry.

  
Instead, the Faroese - and everyone else is forced to accustom themselves to
just enjoy the sight of all the beautiful sceneries in nature and the cute,
cuddly animals in it as pure pastime and entertainment. Welcome to the Global
Disney World. But for how long can the human race afford this luxury? How long
will it be able to survive that way?

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, December 19,
2010](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09/global-disney-
world.html) [3 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/09
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[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
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  *[Sunday, December 19, 2010]: 2010-12-19T00:21:00Z

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Monday, March 28, 2011

###  [Hvar eru vit á veg í
Føroyum?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/03/hvar-eru-vit-
veg-i-froyum.html)

  
_Eg fekk hug at endurgeva hesa grein, sum eg skrivaði í 2006, nú samgongan
hongur í einum tunnum tráð og tað - møguliga - skjótt stundar móti vali aftur.
Nú skulu vit aftur vera vitni til ein bardaga um sessir, har realpolitikkurin
verður burturgoymdur, meðan politikkarar brúka meira orku uppá at skilja seg
frá hinum í valstríðnum, enn uppá at finna saman um loysnir. Ein fær hug at
spyrja: Hvat skal tað til? Er tað neyðugt? Fer ein nýggj stjórn veruliga at
gera nakran mun kortini? Ella er tað meira sannlíkt, at eitt nýval ikki fær
okkum av fetanum, men brýtur bara kontinuitetin av og frystir menningina
niður, óvist hvussu leingi? Hava vit ráð til tað? Hava vit ráð til at spilla
tíð á henda hátt - serliga nú í krepputíðum, har vit veruliga hava brúk fyri
effektivum realpolitikki? Júst í tí høpinum er henda greinin enn líka aktuel:_

  
Alheimsgerðin:

**Hvar eru vit á veg í Føroyum?**  
  
_Eftir Elina Brimheim Heinesen_

  
**Sjónarringurin má gerast breiðari, um Føroyar skulu klára seg á alheims marknaðinum í framtíðini. Visjón 2015 hevur sett ferð á eitt alneyðugt kjak um, hvussu føroyingar skulu síggja seg sjálvar í einum størri perspektivi. Men enn halda nógv fast í avoldaðum ideologiskum ímyndum og brúka - av gomlum vana - mestu orkuna uppá kegl um partapolitikk ístaðin fyri at taka støðu til tær veruligu avbjóðingarnar.**  
  
Politiska kjakið í Føroyum er beiskt, nú vit meira og meira gerast partur av
alheimssamfelagnum. Tá talan fellir á støðutakanina til alheimsgerðina - til
tjóðskaparligu virði okkara í mun til viðurskiftini við útheimin, serliga
Danmark og ES - er ein av stóru spurningunum: Hvussu kunnu vit varðveita
tjóðskaparligu virði okkara undir umstøðum, har umheimurin streingir meir og
meir á.

  
Tá sambandskreftirnar aftur fingu betri fótafesti, royndi ytri
tjóðveldisvongurin at teknað eina dapra mynd av framtíð føroyinga, tá valdið
eftir teirra tykki var yvirtikið av einum afturhaldandi landsstýri, sum setti
menning okkara sum tjóð ártíggjundir aftur. Ein skilir vónbrotið, men eru
atfinningarnar relevantar, tá vit hyggja at tí stóra samanhanginum? Hvussu
nógv hevur tað í roynd og veru at siga fyri menningina í Føroyum, hvør ið
situr við róðri?

  
Eg lurtaði fyri eini tíð síðani eftir áhugaverdari sending á Danmarks Radio
P1, har danski rithøvundurin og kunningartøknisserfrøðingurin Ole Grünbaum
tosaði um danska samfelagskjakið um tjóðskaparlig virði. Eitt kjak, sum er
frammi nú orsaka av økta trýstinum, mangir danir kenna frá stóru tilflytingini
til Danmark - serliga frá muslimsku londunum. Danska kjakið um tjóðskaparlig
virði kann á nøkrum økjum samanberast við føroyska kjakið um tað sama.

  
Ole Grünbaum vísti í hesum samanhanginum á, hvussu heimssamfelagið hevur
broytt seg so ómetaliga nógv seinastu 30-40 árini, og hvussu hetta hevur
broytt fyritreytirnar fyri hugburðin, og á hvønn hátt gamal hugburður ikki
longur er tíðarhóskandi.

  
**Tjóðskaparkjakið - ein anakronisma**  
Vit kunnu samanbera tjóðskaparkjakið eitt sindur við kapitalismukritikkin, sum
serliga var frammi í 70'unum. Ole Grünbaum helt fyri, at í dag er sosialisman
sum samfelagsskipan deyð. Fyri tað ber tó væl til enn at finnast at
kapitalismuni. Men tað er bara ikki tann sama kapitalisman, sum ræður longur.
Fyrstu 60-70 árini í fyrru øld var ímyndin av kapitalismuni ein tekning av
einum feitum heilsølumanni í høgum hatti og jakkaveli við serviettinum bundnum
um hálsin og við eini stórari steik á gaflinum, sum hann át gramliga, meðan
tey fátæku svøltandi hugdu at honum. Henda myndin gav meining tá. Hon vísti
eina klára mynd av fíggindanum - honum, fólkið skuldu gera uppreistur ímóti.
Men í dag er kapitalisman annaðleiðis.

  
Kapitalisman kann ikki longur identifiserast við persónar. Kapitalisman er ein
real time alheims telduskipan. Tað eru pensiónskassar - tvs. lønmóttakarar sum
tú og eg - ið eiga ein sera stóran part av vinnulívinum í verðini. Tú kanst
siga, at kapitalisman hevur sigrað, tí hon er í okkum øllum. Tá ið funnist
verður at kapitalismuni í dag, er tað ofta á ein hykleriskan hátt, tí fólk
'gloyma', at vit øll eru kapitalistar. (Spyr bara bankaráðgeva tín). Vit mugu
eisini hyggja at okkara egnu kapitalismu.

  
**Hvat er frælsi?**  
Kapitalisman er ikki tjóðarmonopolistisk longur, segði Ole Grünbaum.
Tjóðskaparliga frælsisstríðið, sum blómaði í 60'unum og 70'unum, tá nógv
hjálond fingu loysing, er í nógvum førum endað í einari sjálvsandsøgn -
serliga fyri tey londini, sum sóu sosialistisku samfelagsskipanina sum eitt
alternativ til kapitalismuna. Tey allarmest kollveltingarsinnaðu londini, sum
rivu seg leys frá koloniharrunum og vildu gerast heilt óbundin av øðrum, eru í
dag vorðin døpur kollveltingarfornminnissøvn - t.d. Cuba, Zimbabwe ella Norður
Korea, har fólksins besta vón er, at leiðararnir doyggja.

  
Frælsi fyri eitt land er tí - eftir Ole Grübaum'sa meting - ikki at melda seg
út úr heimssamfelagnum, at avbyrgja seg og bert ansa sær sjálvum. Frælsi er
ikki ideologiirnar, sum gerast ein samfelagslig spennitroyggja. Nei, frælsi er
at vera við í felagsskapinum! At vera við í netverkinum, tí tað er har, frælsi
liggur. Tað er har, menningin fer fram. Tað er har, vælferðin liggur. Tað er
har mentanin er, sum er til at halda út at vera í.

  
**Hykleriskt at bólka hvønnannan**  
Royndirnar eru enn nógvar - eisini í Føroyum - at skapa gamlar ideologiskar
ímyndir um tey 'óndu hini', sum postmodernistarnir kalla tað. Ein konstruerar
seg sjálvan við at konstruera tey 'óndu hini'. Eins og sosialisman gjørdi tað
við kapitalismuna. Eins og (nógv) tjóðveldisfólk gera tað við sambandsfólk (og
umvent) og/ella við danir. Eins og Dansk Folkeparti ger tað við muslimsku
tilflytararnar í Danmørk. Og tey vinstraradikalu gera tað við Dansk
Folkeparti. Øll henda ideologiska konstruktiónin við teim 'óndu hinum', sum
ein eisini kann kalla 'leguhugsan' - er ikki longur aktuell. Øll hava bara
ikki heilt givið tí ans enn í Føroyum.

  
Nógv hevur verið tosað um samanleggingar av fyritøkum í vinnulívinum seinastu
30 árini, meðan minni verður hugsað um, at minst líka nógvar samanleggingar
eru farnar fram millum mentanir og ideologiir. Í dag ganga mørkini millum einu
síðuna og hina síðuna mitt niður ígjøgnum hvønn einstakan av okkum. Vit eru
ikki longur bara til eina síðu, men til báðar. Vit eru øll bæði national og
transnational. Vit eru øll bæði vinstra- og høgrahall. Vit eru øll bæði
tjóðveldisfólk og sambandsfólk…!

  
Tí er tað hykleriskt, tá ið ein vil identifisera tey 'óndu hini' við ávísar
bólkar í samfelagnum, har ein metir seg sjálvan at vera millum tey góðu og
reinu - tey kroniskt óseku - meðan hini eru "tey óndu". Í hesum sambandinum er
freistandi at spyrja: Eru allir sambandsføroyingar veruliga minni føroyingar
enn tjóðveldisføroyingar? Og eru allir tjóðveldisføroyingar minni
kosmopolittar enn sambandsføroyingar?

  
**Hvør stýrir útviklinginum?**  
Ein kundi spurt: Men er tað ikki neyðugt at halda lív í politiska
samfelagsliga kjakinum, har partarnir standa beint yvir av hvørjum øðrum og
halda seg hvør sær hava rættin, meðan hini fara skeiv? Jú, tað kann vera sera
undirhaldandi, men um ikki kjakið snýr seg um nakað, sum hevur rót í
veruleikanum, er tað jú líka mikið.

  
Sum sagt eru vit í dag bæði national og transnational. Tað vil m.a. siga, at
samfelagsgongdin í veruleikanum ikki verður avgjørd í serliga stóran mun inni
í løgtingshúsinum ella úti í Tinganesi. Fólkið kann ikki velja eina ávísa
leið, sum fólkið meinar, er tann rætta, við at velja ein ávísan meiriluta inn
í løgtingið, tí gongdin verður í veruleikanum ikki avgjørd har. Heimsins gongd
verður avgjørd í einari røð av netverkum, har nakrar (fáar) avgerðir kanska
koma innum tingsins gátt - tær flestu ikki. Har eru stjórnir, har eru NGO-
felagskapir (privatir hjálparfelagskapir), har eru Greenpeace og
antiglobalistarnir, sum er heimsins størsta fólkarørsla í løtuni. Har eru
altjóða felagsskapir, har eru alheims fyritøkur. Har eru films- og
tónleikaídnaðurin - tónleikastjørnur, mótaskaparar og aðrir trendsetarar osfr.
Landsstýrið og løgtingsmeirilutin er bara eitt lítið netverk út av so nógvum.

  
**Vit eru heimsborgarar**  
So kunnu vit gera politiskar stevnuskráir og liggja og kjakast so galið vit
vilja í lítlu Føroyum, til vit liggja næstan deyð og bløðandi eftir á
víðvøllinum. Men tað hevur bara ongan týdning fyri stóra samanhangin, sum vit
øll eru partur av meira enn nakrantíð. Vit kunnu ikki halda á at liva í
illusiónini um, at Føroyar enn liggja óspiltar og órørdar í
Norðuratlantshavinum, og at einasti mátin at varðveita okkara serkenni og
reinleika er at leggja sjógv millum okkum og onnur. Hetta er vanahugsan, sum
er avgomul. Og vanar eru sum vera man tíverri rættiliga seiglívaðir.

  
Veruleikin er, at tá vit keypa útlendskar vørur í sjálvtøkuhandlunum - tá vit
byggja hús við útlendskum viði - tá vit selja fisk okkara - tá vit ferðast
uttanlands sum ferðafólk, embætisfólk ella handilsfólk - ella bara tá vit
hyggja at fylgisveinasjónvarpi ella rógva á alnótini, sum vit gera meira og
meira, og soleiðis fylgja við í heimsins gongd, eru vit øll partur av
heimssamfelagnum, eins væl sum av okkara egna lokala samfelag. Vit eru ikki
bara føroyingar - tað eru ikki bara fjøll, fuglur, fiskur, seyður, grindadráp
og kristnitrúgv, sum ger okkum til tað, vit eru. Vit eru eisini heimsborgarar.
Tað er í allarhægsta grad eisini samskifti við umheimin, sum ger okkum til
tað, vit eru, og sum ikki minst mennir okkum sum menniskju - og andslív og
mentanarlív okkara.

  
**Forðingarnar**  
Vit koma ikki víðari, so leingi vit hava tvíbýttar politiskar vengur, sum
halda lív í gomlum svørt-hvítum fíggindaspøkilsum - tjóðveldisvongurin í
sínari ímynd um reinleika føroyinga einumegin í mun til danska koloniharradømi
og samansvørjingar móti føroyingum hinumegin. Og ímyndini um Føroya-elskandi
tjóðveldisvongin einumegin í mun til 'hentu býttlingar' dana í Føroyum
(sambandsvongin) hinumegin. Meðan sambandsvongurin í sínum lag heldur lív í
síni klettafastu trúgv uppá, at tað einasta 'rætta' er at tvíhalda um
ríkisfelagsskapin, og ímyndini um at ein og hvør, sum hóttir
ríkisfelagsskapin, hóttir eisini eksistensgrundarlag føroyinga. So leingi vit
tvíhalda um hesar ímyndir - ja, so kemur lokala politiska kjakið einans at
snúgva seg um, hvørji tey óndu eru, og hvørji tey góðu eru.

  
Hetta er bara við til at økja um óhepnu frástøðuna millum politisku partarnar
og millum Føroyar og heimssamfelagið - og ger okkum enn meira maktaleys, tí
vit nokta at spæla við har, sum veruligu avgerðirnar verða tiknar. Ístaðin
brúka vit alla orku okkara uppá innanhýsis persónligt kegl og klandur. Hetta
var m.a. orsøkin til, at Suður-Afrika, hóast ómetaliga stórt náttúrligt
ríkidømi, gjørdist avbyrgt og eftirbátur á nógvum økjum, og at Apartheid livdi
so leingi í Suður-Afrika. Øll orkan bleiv brúkt til at keglast um
rasuatskiljing ella ikki, meðan tey 'veruligu evnini', so sum at finna
konstruktivar politiskar loysnir í konkretum málum og fyri samfelagið sum
heild, ongantíð fingu ordiliga loyvi at koma á dagsskránna.

  
**Hvussu koma vit víðari?**  
Svart-hvíta kjakið førir ongastaðni, og leiðir bert burtur frá teimum stóru
evnunum, sum veruliga hava týdning fyri framtíð Føroya at tosa um - nevniliga:

  
Hvat merkir 'frælsi' í roynd og veru? Øll ynskja frælsi - men frælsi til hvat?
Eingin ynskir at vera trælur - sjálvt ikki sambandsfólk. Øll vilja hava
sjálvsavgerðarrætt og ávirkan á egna lagnu. Hvat kunnu vit gera sjálvi í
Føroyum fyri at økja um sjálvsavgerðarrætt føroyinga, okkara sjálvsvirðing og
okkara vælferð? Hvørjir eru bestu møguleikarnir fyri hesum - uttanfyri ella
innanfyri altjóða felagsskapirnir? Hvønn leiklut kunnu vit sum føroyingar
spæla í heimssamfelagnum? Hvussu kunnu vit spæla ein aktivan leiklut? Hvønn
leiklut fáa vit, um vit fara burturúr ríkisfelagskapinum? Skulu vit halda
okkum uttanfyri altjóða felagskapir - ella skulu vit melda okkum inn í t.d.
EU?

  
Hetta eru relevantir spurningar at fáa greiðu á, tá vit vilja finna út av,
hvussu vit gera samfelagið so demokratiskt sum gjørligt, og hvussu vit vilja
tryggja, at tann einstaki fær so stóran avgerðarrætt yvir egið lív sum
gjørligt. Sjálvsavgerðarrættur eigur ikki at snúgva seg um ideologi og dogmur
um at varðveita eina reina óspilta tjóð mótvegis einum hóttandi umheimi (t.d.
Danmark/EU), men í roynd og veru bara um at loysa nakrar praktiskar spurningar
í mun til tann alheims veruleika vit liva í í dag (um vit vilja tað ella
ikki).

  
Her mugu vit vera konstruktiv, um vit skulu náa úrslit, og ikki so bundin av
vanahugsan, sum heldur okkum fast í slítandi ósemjum um hugburð og hugtøk, sum
ikki eru til longur. Í øllum førum ikki í sama hami sum fyrr. Tí so leingi vit
tvíhalda um svart-hvíta hugsunarháttin, ja, so leingi vengurnir hvør sær ikki
rættiliga viðurkenna, at í einum og hvørjum tjóðveldisfólki býr eisini eitt
lítið sambandsfólk - og at í einum og hvørjum sambandsfólki býr eisini eitt
lítið tjóðveldisfólk - koma vit ikki av fetanum.

  
Elin Brimheim Heinesen, 2006

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, March 28,
2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2010/03/hvar-eru-vit-
veg-i-froyum.html) [0
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veg-i-froyum.html#comment-form) [
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## Monday, March 21, 2011

###  [Why I'm not condemning pilot
whaling](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-im-not-
condemning-pilot-whaling.html)

**I'm not insensitive to animal suffering. I do understand why outsiders are concerned about pilot whaling in the Faroes. But in spite of this, I do not condemn pilot whaling completely. This might seem contradictory to people, who think pilot whaling is absolutely appalling and should be banned right away. But I have some compelling reasons for looking at pilot whaling the way I do, which I'll explain further in this blog post. **

  

  

I'm NOT for pilot whaling unconditionally. I do acknowledge that environmental
pollutants in pilot whale meat - and the fact that some researchers recommend
not to use it for human consumption any more - is a major problem, which
probably will put an end to pilot whaling eventually. But aside from this, of
course, very serious issue - I could accept the continuation of pilot whaling
- but just under certain circumstances, which I'll get further into later in
this post - but only as long as the Faroese people only kill pilot whales for
food (and not as a recreational activity) and do not eat more than what is
within safe limits as issued by health authorities - and as long as they are
willing to improve their killing methods as much as possible to minimize the
animals' suffering - and as long as pilot whaling doesn't endanger the pilot
whale as a species.

  

**Sustainable At Least For Half a Millenium**

Endangered species must of course be protected, but is the pilot whale
endangered? The Faroese have always known that they depended very much on this
natural resource, so they've been - and still are - very conscious and aware
of that they can't exploit the pilot whale population beyond it's capacity, if
they want to keep the 'grinds' coming.

  

To keep track they've kept a full public record of all whale killings since
the 16th century. You won't find such scientific recordings many places in the
world, conducted in such a thorough way for such a long time. The Faroese are
still making continuous studies of the pilot whale population to prevent over-
extraction - and they're very keen on administering their resources as best
possible. According to several independent studies made around the world, the
pilot whale is not an endangered species, so the Faroese still allow
themselves to kill up to around 800 per year on average, which is less than
0,1 % of the whole - estimated - population of 1.000.000. Others claim the
number is around 600.000 - but 800 a year is still not a big amount in
comparison, even though some would only regard zero killings as satisfactory.

  

I know this does not convince people in the whale protection movement of which
many tend to think that all pro-whaling arguments are just bad excuses for
unacceptable human behavior. But this is not true in the Faroese case, in my
view.

  

**Like Burgers to Americans**

It might seem 'easier' for the Faroese just to stop the pilot whaling. Why not
just abandon this practice and thus spare the whales and get the pressure from
the outside world off their shoulders? It is hard for outsiders to understand
that this long lasting food providing tradition - unbroken in more than a
thousand years - was one of the main sources of nutritional food for the
Faroese up until only a generation ago. That is why pilot whale meat still is
just as 'natural' for most Faroese to eat, just as burgers are for Americans -
and just as difficult to abandon.

  

I do not want to get into an argument here whether the practice of pilot whale
killing is any better or worse than the practice of mass breeding domestic
animals for food, but people in the Faroes fail to see that meat from the farm
industry in other countries could be any better than the meat they are used to
eat. The pilot whale meat is - or was - perfectly organic, if it wasn't for
the fact that the industrialized world has poisoned our oceans - the living
habitat of the whales.

  

**Still More Organic Than Imported Meat**

Most of the world - even arctic areas far away from the densely populated
industry areas - is polluted. And food production everywhere is
"artificialized" or modified to such an extent, that it makes almost any food
unhealthy and even dangerous for humans to eat, more or less. The Faroese
often also take into consideration that the pilot whales after all do live a
free life until just before they die, which can't be said about the domestic
animals, from which most of the meat comes, that most people in the world eat.

  

Bottom line is that people still need food to survive. Hunting and killing not
endangered animal species, living in and around the local environment - as
untouched by human hands as can be in the world today - still seems to be a
better way to provide food for the Faroese in a sustainable way, much less
polluting in itself than industrial agriculture or transportation of imported
food from far away, is. So I do understand why people in the Faroes want to
continue to kill these animals for food, in spite of pollution - rather than
keeping a completely unhealthy, unnatural and unsustainable food providing
system alive, which only contributes to further destruction of our world.

  

**New Reality Might Make Whaling a Necessity Again**

Killing any living creature is no easy task, especially not wild animals - and
even more so if we're talking about killing very large wild animals almost
with your bare hands in an environment alien to humans: namely seawater. In
fact, it is remarkable that this is even feasible and that it can be done as
quickly and efficient as it happens, after all. Unfortunately, it is not
always possible to avoid animal suffering completely under these
circumstances. The blood loss is also very visible in seawater, which makes
the killing seem even more dramatic.

  

But for people living in arctic regions where local resources are scarce, this
is considered one of the harsh, but necessary fact of life. They simply do not
feel they have many other options, if they want to survive on what's available
on site. This is perhaps very hard to imagine for city dwellers living in more
hospitable climates, who never have had to face such a reality. But this way
of getting enough nutritional food was an absolute necessity for the Faroese
until not very long ago - in fact in my life time - and not unlikely, it might
become a probable reality again in a future, not so far from now, when
scarcity might become much more common again, and the Faroe Islands might
become much more cut off and isolated from the outside world than they are
now.

  

This is a serious problem, whish also must be considered. I know that the
Faroese have been living a quite modern life for the last 30-40 years or so
and are considered to be "rich", where the old way of providing food suddenly
didn't seem as necessary or appropriate any more - at least to the outside
world. I'ts difficult to imagine that this might change again. Perhaps
rapidly. What the outside world doesn't seem to understand is, that the
Faroese have almost just entered the modern age - much later than most other
people in western societies. (They didn't have TV before the early 80'ies for
crying out loud). They've just gotten used to living a modern life - right
before this new form of life seems to crumble and fall apart again!

  

**The World After Peak Oil**

It's been confirmed by many, that the world might very well have passed peak
oil - with dire consequences for everyone living on this planet awaiting just
around the corner. The most severe global financial crisis, the world has ever
seen, takes place right now. An increasing number of people realize that this
is not just a 'normal' recession, but much severer than that. It's a clear
consequence of the lasting fact, that oil is no longer as abundant as it was.
This will inevitably lead to a scenario where many countries will not have
easy access to cheap oil any more. The world might - perhaps much sooner than
expected - face a reality, where cheap oil simply is no longer available for
everyone.

  

This situation seems to approach us much faster now than we could imagine just
a couple of year ago. The world population passes 7 billion this year and the
demand for oil increases faster than we can produce it. Oil producing
countries will of course firstly keep the oil, they have left in the ground to
themselves, which soon might leave nothing to the oil-importing countries.
This is a very frightening outlook for the future -  especially for remote
lying countries like the Faroe Islands with arctic climate, and thus more
dependent on liquid energy than most other countries.

  

To grasp the seriousness of this issue - as I see it, you might find this
interesting:

[http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-
life#](http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-life#)

**The Faroes Extremely Oil Dependent**

Oil depletion - heavy pollution and climate change - financial crunch... you
name it... hits the Faroe Islands hard right now.  The Faroe Islands is
totally dependent on imported oil, which drives their whole fishing fleet
(which is their primary food source and provides more than 95 % of their whole
export). The fishing industry hasn't had any surplus for several years and the
biggest Faroese fish export company faced bankruptcy a few months ago, as well
as one of the two biggest banks on the islands. Unemployment is rapidly rising
- it's almost 9 % at the moment. All transportation of people and goods to and
from the islands by air or by sea is also a 100 % dependent on oil. It's
extremely expensive to travel to and from the islands in comparison (you can
fly halfway the world for the same amount from other countries) - and ferry
connections to two out of four surrounding countries have already been closed
down.

  

If this alarming development continues, this might soon leave the Faroese with
no other option than to return to former ways of survival - or something that
resembles. The older generation is, fortunately for the Faroese, still alive.
They have kept the inherited knowledge intact and they are able to teach the
younger generation, how they managed to survive in the old days, where the
Faroese had to rely almost entirely on what was accessible in the surrounding
nature.

  

**The Faroes In The Future**

I wonder what will become of the Faroese people in the future, if they were
prevented by outsiders from getting their food from their local environment.
What alternative food provisions are available for the Faroese when oil has
become too expensive to afford any more - and they cannot afford to import
food in sufficient quantities any longer either? They will have no other
options than to use everything they have ... eat the sheep, the fish and the
whale meat, which is the only food within reach that they - only just - might
be able to provide in sufficient quantities.

  

They will have to reduce or diminish their living standards quite
substantially again, but they have plenty of water, wind, waves and currents,
which they can use to produce electricity (right now already around 50 % of
Faroese electricity production comes from renewable energy resources) and they
can still have sheep grassing in the mountains, run their fish farms close to
shore, and pilot whale drivings can be conducted without modern fuel driven
boats, using sail- and rowing boats, just as it was done before. It will be a
life very different from what the young generation has grown used to right
now, but there might probably be no other choice than to accept the new
conditions.

  

**Food Sovereignty**

You might also google the words "food sovereignty", to understand better,
where I'm at.

According to this site: [http://www.whyhunger.org/news-and-alerts/why-
speaks/553.html](http://www.whyhunger.org/news-and-alerts/why-speaks/553.html)
- food sovereignty:

  

- is the right of peoples to define their own food and agriculture

- is the right to protect and regulate domestic agricultural production and trade in order to achieve sustainable development objectives

- is the right to determine the extent to which they want to be self reliant; to restrict the dumping of products in their markets

- is the right of local fisheries-based communities to have priority in managing the use of and the rights to aquatic resources.

- does not negate trade, but rather, it promotes the formulation of trade policies and practices that serve the rights of peoples to safe, healthy and ecologically sustainable production.

  

Well, let this be my end remarks for now. I hope you understand my viewpoint,
even though you might not agree with me.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, March 21,
2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-im-not-condemning-
pilot-whaling.html) [43
comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/why-im-not-
condemning-pilot-whaling.html#comment-form) [
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## Friday, March 4, 2011

###  [Varskó til politikkarar, miðlar og fíggjarvald
3/3](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-politikkarar-
milar-og_4513.html)

Sleppið lívshættisligu hvørvisjónini

  

**Í okkara lítlu verð her í Norðuratlantshavi kenna vit okkum ofta fjart frá heiminum kring okkum, men kreppan, vit uppliva í løtuni, er partur av eini heimskreppu, elvd av eini í botn og grund órealistiskari og óskynsamari fíggjarskipan. Vit verða noydd til at síggja hetta klárt, um vit vilja fyribyrgja eini enn størri og álvarsligari kreppu. **

## [Byggir samfelagið á lygn?](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Støðan, sum heimurin er komin í, kann sjálvandi í ávísan mun tulkast sum
úrslit av ódugnaskapi millum heimsins politisku og fíggjarligu leiðarar og
ráðgevandi serfrøðina í bæði búskapi og politikki, serliga í londunum, sum eru
eyka hart rakt av alheims kreppuni. Men hvussu kann tað bera til, at so nógv
skilagóð fólk, sum sita við ábyrgd, hava yvirsæð so mong ávaringartekin? Hví
eru tað so fá, sum veruliga hava gjørt nakað munagott fyri at fyribyrgja hesi
støðuni? Hvat er tað, sum hevur blindað tey?

  

Í orðabókum verður orðið 'hvørvisjón' ella 'illusjón' soleiðis greinað: "ein
misvísandi hugmynd" ella "okkurt sum snýtir ella misleiðir fatanina" ella
"fatanin av onkrum, sum veruliga er til, men sum verður lýst á ein hátt, sum
elvir til skeiva tulking av tí veruliga".

  

Stórir partar av heiminum liva í dag við eini samfelagsskipan, ið byggir á
hugmyndina um óendaligan vøkstur - eisini her í Føroyum. Hugsanin er, at jú
meira, vit keypa og brúka, jú meira profitt fyritøkurnar fáa burturúr, jú
betri gongur tað. Henda hugmynd er við tíðini vorðin so sjálvsøgd, at
spurnartekin hevur næstan ikki verið sett við hana í longri tíð. Politikkarar,
búskaparfrøðingar og miðlar kappast enn um at tosa um vøkstur sum einasta
parametur fyri framgongd og menning rætta vegin. Samstundis skapar
samanrenningin av áhugamálum hjá politisku leiðslunum og miðlunum, sum í
stóran mun verða stýrdir av fíggjarvaldinum, eina fatan millum manna um, at
henda leið bæði er haldbær og gagnlig fyri einstøku londini og fyri heimin sum
heild. Tað er enntá eydnast at billa fólki inn, at skipanin byggir á eina
"frælsishugsjón". Men tað tykist meira og meira greitt, jú fleiri trupulleikar
vit uppliva, at hetta er ein hvørvisjón.

## [Jú longri lygnin ræður, jú verri avleiðingar](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Joseph Goebbels, propaganda-ráðharrin hjá Hitler, segði í sínari tíð: "Um tú
tekur eina lygn, sum er nóg stór, og endurtekur hana aftur og aftur, fara fólk
at enda at trúgva henni. Lygnin kann bert haldast á lívi, so leingi staturin
megnar at verja fólk móti politisku, figgjarligu og/ella hernaðarligu
avleiðingunum av lygnini. Tað hevur sostatt avgerandi týdning fyri statin at
brúka allar sínar heimildir til at halda mótstøðu niðri, tí sannleikin er
lygnarinnar deyðsfíggindi - og harvið er sannleikin eftirfylgjandi eisini
størsti fíggindin hjá statinum." (Joseph Goebbels).

  

Men ein lygn er ikki burðardygg í longdini. Fyrr ella seinni tømist hon fyri
meining og so máast grundarlagið undan henni, so hon dettur sundur - og so
verður hennara sanna andlit avdúkað. Tá sanna andlitið hjá Hitler og stjórn
hansara avdúkaðist, datt lygn teirra sundur við einum øgiligum dundri og
braki, har fólk í milliónatali lógu deyð eftir á vígvøllinum.

  

Í dag liva vit uppá eina aðra lygn: At bara vøkstur og meira forbrúk er
vegurin fram. Spurningurin er, hvussu leingi aftrat henda lygnin fer at kunna
halda. Jú longri, vit bíða við at avdúka hana, jú ógvusligari verða
avleiðingarnar.

## [Vakstrarhugsjónin ein hvørvisjón](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Veruleikin er, at vælferð okkara hvílur fyrst og fremst á útvinnan og brúk av
bíligum, men avmarkaðum tilfeingi, harav fossil brennievni er avgjørda
grundarlagið. Hugsa bert um, hvussu nógv verður útvunnið úr hesum - plastikk
og asfalt t.d. Hetta tilfeingið kann ikki endurnýggjast og verður fyrr ella
seinni uppi. Heldur fyrr enn seinni, tí nýtslan bara veksur og einki tamarhald
er á vøkstrinum. Vit hava enn ikki funnið nakað, sum fult og heilt kann setast
í staðin, og trupulleikarnir í núverandi orkuveitingarskipanunum vaksa
skjótari, enn vit náa at loysa teir. Hóast vit finna kolvetni, sum skal eitast
at nøkta tørvin í 100-200 ár framyvir, so megnar framleiðslu- og
flutningskervið kortini ikki at fylgja við, m.a. tí at fólkavøksturin, og
tískil tørvurin, veksur eksponentielt - tvs. alsamt skjótari.

  

Vakstrarhugsjónin, sum okkara núverandi samfelagsskipan byggir á, hevur
avdúkað seg sum ein hvørvisjón. Tann sosiala, politiska, búskaparliga og
umhvørvisliga leiðin, vit ganga í løtuni hevur so dyggiliga prógvað, at hon
als ikki er farbær. Trúgvin á óendaligan vøkstur er infantil utopisk
sjálvsgyklan. Men tey, ið sita við valdinum, lata eyguni fast aftur - og vilja
ikki viðurkenna henda veruleika og kunnu tískil heldur ikki loysa
trupulleikarnar, ið standast av honum.

## [Ovurnýtsla týnir heimin](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Tey, ið ráða fyri borgum, hava givið følsk lyfti um, at til ber at fáa "eitt
betri lív" gjøgnum ovurnýtslu. Vanligi borgarin hevur fingið fyrigyklað, at
tað er gott at keypa alskyns vørur, honum í veruleikanum ikki nýtist. Men
ráðini eru ikki longur til at byggja enn fleiri risa handilsmiðstøðir og keypa
enn fleiri bilar til at koyra í til handilsmiðstøðirnar, sum brúka enn meira
benzin - harav tað mesta er fíggjað fyri læntar pengar.

  

Farið er framvið hægsta punktið á kurvini - sonevnda peak oil-punktið - tvs.
har oljuframleiðslan her eftir ikki longur fer at kunna fylgja við
eftirspurninginum eftir olju - við ógvusligum avleiðingum fyri heimsbúskapin.
Vit uppliva longu nú eina heimsumfatandi fíggjarkreppu, sum í stóran mun
hongur saman við hesum.

  

Men vit halda á at royna at økja um nýtsluna, samstundis sum vit útpína og
oyðleggja jørðina fyri at framleiða óneyðugar marglætisvørur, har av ein
risastórur partur als ikki verður brúktur, men blakaður burtur til onga
verðsins nyttu, antin av handilsmiðstøðunum, áðrenn vørurnar yvirhøvur verða
seldar - ella av húsarhaldunum sjálvum, antin tí farið er framvið síðsta
søludag, ella tí fólk veruliga ikki hava brúk fyri vøruni. Og hetta hendir,
alt meðan 1 mia. heimsborgarar svølta og 4.000 fólk - harav 700 børn - doyggja
av hungri í meðal um tíman! Vit kunnu stutt sagt ikki loyva okkum at innrætta
heimin soleiðis!

## [Frælsi at vera skuldarbundin?](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Skulu vit framhaldandi leggja lív okkara í hendurnar á fólki, sum billa okkum
inn, at okkara vælferð og allur framburður er grundaður á óavmarkaðan vøkstur,
tá vit við vissu vita, at hetta ikki ber til í longdini? Tilfeingið er, sum
sagt, avmarkað. Dálka og útpína vit skjótari, enn náttúran nær at rætta tað
uppaftur, sigur tað seg sjálvt, at tað gongur galið.

  

Einum nýtist heldur ikki at vera búskaparfrøðingur fyri at rokna út, at fólk
ikki kunnu blíva við at brúka meira enn tey forvinna. Rokningin má gjaldast so
ella so, og hetta gongur út yvir onkran onkustaðni ella onkuntíð. Kunnu vit
blíva við at fíggja eitt so høgt og tilgjørt livistøði fyri læntar pengar?
Kunnu Føroyar og onnur lond halda á at fíggja livistøði sítt við lánum úr
øðrum londum, sum ofta sjálvi eru skuldarbundin, og sum eisini senda
rokningina víðari? Hvør skal gjalda marglætislevnaðin í síðsta enda?

  

Um vit framhaldandi lata okkum skunda til at keypa og brúka støðugt meira og
lata okkum lokka til at taka fleiri lán fyri at fíggja henda lívsstíl, so
førir tað einans við sær, at tað má arbeiðast meira og meira fyri at kunna
gjalda lánini aftur. Ella eisini noyðast vit at senda rokningina víðari onnur,
sum als ikki hava átt nakran lut í okkara marglæti.

  

Kunnu vit halda á at lata fólk skuldarbinda seg so nógv, at tey gerast
skuldartrælir mesta av lívinum - ja, kanska mugu flyta skuldarbyrðuna fleiri
ættarlið fram - og so blíva við at billa inn í fólk, at vit liva í "fría
heiminum"? Hvat munnu okkara børn og teirra børn, sum skulu bløða fyri okkara
skuld, fara at halda um arvin frá okkara ættarliði?

## [Luttaka í risastórum pyramiduspæli](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Henda ábyrgdarleysa atferð, stuðlað av politisku og fíggjarligu leiðarum
okkara, saman við eini skipan, sum loyvir hesum ábyrgdarloysi, hevur ført til
botnleysa skuld og ta hættisligu støðuna, sum vit uppliva nú í nógvum
"framkomnum" londum. Er tað rætt og skilvíst at halda lív í eini slíkari
skipan, sum í botn og grund byggir á somu grundreglur, sum sonevnd
pyramiduspøl gera? Nøkur fá vælbjargað vinna sær stórt ríkidømi og vald, meðan
vanligi borgarin endar við at liva niðurbundin sum skuldartrælur fyri at
fíggja vandamiklu og ikki-burðardyggu ovurnýtsluna, sum ríkar tey fáu upp, men
oyðileggur lívsgrundarlagið fyri øll onnur.

  

Fíggjarskrædlið fer sum ein hvirluvindur um heimin allan í løtuni og hevur
skumpað nógvar landsbúskapir út í óføri."Ríki" heimurin er vorðin so
skuldarbundin, at nógv lond hava ongan tjans til nakrantíð at rinda skuldina
aftur. Hugsa bara um Grikkaland, Ísland, Írland - og fleiri onnur lond, sum
fella sum korthús í løtuni á hesi kontu. Halda vit veruliga, at tað steðgar
har? Sjálvt USA skyldar nú so nógvar pengar, at meira og meira bendir á, at
hetta einaferð so sterka heimsveldið kann fara á húsagang við óhugnaligum
avleiðingum fyri allan heim. Halda vit, at vit sleppa undan? Tað er  avgjørt
ikki nógv, ið bendir á tað.

## [Onnur fíggjarskipan neyðug](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Verandi fíggjarskipan er serstakliga effektiv, tá tað kemur til at skapa
veruligt ríkidømi um til ríkidømi, sum í veruleikanum bert finst á pappírinum
ella í telduskipanum. Men hon byggir á eina hvørvisjón uttan veruligt
innihald, sum í veruleikanum bert førir við sær hættisligar fíggjarligar,
sosialar og umhvørvisligar avleiðingar fyri samfelagið sum heild. Rík fólk
gerast á henda hátt enn ríkari, men tað er samstundis eisini beini vegurin til
kollektivt sjálvmorð.

  

Aðrir mátar at veita borgarunum neyðugar fíggjartænastur, sum eru
fyrimunarligari, og minni kostnaðarmiklar, mugu finnast. Hví skal
skattaborgarin t.d. bløða fyri ábyrgdarloysið hjá fíggjarstovnunum? Eru
fíggjarstovnarnir veruliga so avgerandi týdningarmiklir, at teir hava
uppiborið, at almennir kassar av sær sjálvum lata seg upp og bjarga teimum úr
avleiðingunum av teirra egna hættisliga virksemi? Fíggjarstovnar framleiða
einki, sum hevur veruligt grundleggjandi virði fyri samfelagið og nøkta ongan
tørv, sum ikki kundi verið nøktaður á onkran annan hátt.

  

Í síðsta enda snýr tað seg um, hvørjum endamáli, vit ynskja, at
fíggjarheimurin skal tæna - ella hvørji verulig virði, hann skal byggja á.
Skal hann raðfesta pengar fram um lív? Skal hann raðfesta ríkidømi til tey fáu
ella vælferð fyri øll? Um kannað varð eftir, høvdu tey flestu uttan iva ynskt,
at verandi óstøðugu fíggjarstovnar verða skiftir út við meira álítandi
stovnar, leiddir av ábyrgdarfullum fólkum, sum taka atlit at samfelagnum sum
heild og ikki bara tæna sjálvsøknum áhugamálum hjá teim fáu, sum skulu eitast
at "eiga" bankarnar. Fíggjarstovnar mugu nøkta ein veruligan tørv í
samfelagnum, sum samsvarar við veruleikan her í 21'ndu øld, nú vit eru vorðin
greið yvir, at tað ikki ber til at halda á sum fyrr við óskerdum vøkstri, men
at vit mugu seta javnvág og burðardygd í hásæti ístaðin. Men hvør skipan
skapar best gróðrarbotn fyri hesum?

## [Eingin samfelagsskipan enn gagnað øllum](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Hóast bæði góðar og drúgvar útbúgvingar og eina rúgvu av royndum, hava alheims
politisku og fíggjarligu leiðslur og ráðgevar teirra ikki megnað at sæð
skriftina á vegginum. Tey hava ikki megnað at stýrt londunum á skilvísan og
burðardyggan hátt og hava ikki tryggjað sær, at framd mistøk verða rættað -
heldur ikki í teim sokallaðu 'demokratisku' londunum. Tey hava stutt sagt ikki
tænt fólkinum - hvørki tí felags besta ella frælsi hins einstaka, sum ein
skuldi trúð, demokratiskar leiðslur áttu.

  

Ístaðin síggja vit, at lobbyistar og serlig áhugamál fáa loyvi til at ávirka
lóggevararnar til at gera lógir, sum mest tæna stuttskygdum egináhugamálum hjá
teimum fáu, men ikki áhugamálunum hjá vanliga borgaranum. Her er í
veruleikanum talan um oligarki, har ávirkanin og reella valdið liggur í
hondunum á teim fíggjarsterku. Hvar er frælsið og demokratisku rættindini, tá
samfelagsins byrður sum vanligt enda á herðunum hjá miðal hampafólki, sum í
dýrum dómum skal gjalda fyri marglætið, mistøkini og fyrilitar- og
ábyrgdarloysið hjá teim fáu valdmiklu? Søgan endurtekur seg. Vit kalla bara
mekanismurnar okkurt annað í dag.

  

Men hvat kann setast ístaðin fyri hesa skipan? Tað er eyðsýnt, at eingin
samfelagsskipan enn - hvørki til vinstru ella høgru - hevur megnað at umsita
samfeløgini og náttúrunar tilfeingið, soleiðis at tey eru til størst møguligt
gagn bæði fyri livistøðið og fyri frælsi hjá øllum borgarum.

## ["Business as usual" ber ikki til](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Tað er alstórur tørvur fyri sunnum skilvísi, nú heimsins fólk mugu finna út
av, hvussu siglt verður úr hesi hættisligu kós, heimurin í løtuni siglur. Ein
tilgongd má finnast, sum sær heilt burtur frá fastløstum politiskum ideologium
og atlitum til fíggjarstovnar og serfrøði, sum í veruleikanum bert tæna sær
sjálvum og - tilvitað ella ótilvitað - ikki taka hædd fyri samanhangunum
millum allar menniskjaskaptu vandarnar, ið hótta heimin.

  

Halda vit fram við "business as usual", halda vit eisini fast í eini
hættisligari hvørvisjón. Vit kunnu ikki halda fram við at vóna, at alt á ein
ella annan hátt fer at gangast væl kortini, um bara vit lurta eftir okkara
vanligu serfrøði og okkara politisku leiðslum, tí tað er ikki hagani,
broytingarnar til tað betra fara at koma. Okkum nýtist nakað annað - ein heilt
nýggjan hugburð. Hugskot frá øllum síðum mugu sleppa framat - ikki bara tey
hugskotini, ið tey, sum sita við valdinum, hava góðkent sum stuðulsverd.

  

Almenna kjakið fer enn fram í miðlunum fyri ein stóran part, men sum er, er
hetta kjakið ikki konstruktivt. Tað avmarkar seg fyrst og fremst til at peika
fingrar eftir persónum: Hvør visti hvat nær? Hvørji eftirlit svóvu í tímanum
og sviku, tá tað galt? Um kósin skal rættast upp aftur, hevur tað sjálvandi
týdning at fáa fram í ljósið, hvussu tað kundi ganga so galið bæði her og
aðrastaðni, so vit kunnu fáa strangari eftirlit og avmarkingar av frælsinum
hjá pengagreðingum til at misbrúka skipanina bert til egnan stuttskygdan
fyrimun. Men hetta er bert viðgerð av sjúkueyðkennum. Tað tekur ikki orsøkina
til sjúkuna burtur - tað vísir ikki frameftir. Tað sæst á øllum brøgdum, at
tað mugu nógv meira radikalar broytingar til. Alternativar loysnir mugu
finnast, og miðlarnir mugu í nógv størri mun bjóða seg fram sum pallar, har
hesi alternativ verða gjørd sjónlig og viðgjørd á skilvísan hátt.

## [Alternativ til okkara samfelagsskipan](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

Sanna alternativið til ta óskynsamu og fyrilitarleysu skipan, ið ræður í dag,
er ikki ein totaliter Sovjet-kend sosialistisk ella kommunistisk
samfelagsskipan, sum endar við bert at tæna diktatoriskum bureaukratum. Tað er
heldur ikki eitt skinn-demokrati, sum í veruleikanum er eitt oligarki - eitt
krógvað diktatur-kent vald, ið letur alla ávirkan í hendurnar á globalum,
vakstrarmaniskum risafyritøkum, sum bert hugsa um egináhugamál, og sum seta
seg so tungt á marknaðin og á heimsins mentala landslag, at tað køvir og
skerjir initiativið og frælsið hjá tí einstaka, við sera skaðiligum
avleiðingum fyri allan heim.

  

Nei, alternativið má vera ein sonn fólkaræðislig skipan, sum byggir á sunt
skilvísi, matvørusjálvhjálpni í so stóran mun sum gjørligt og lokalt
grundfestar, sjálvbjargnar búskapir, sum æra sonn marknaðarprinsipp og virka á
burðardyggan hátt undir greiðum reglum, stjórnaðir og stuðlaðir av veruliga
demokratiskum stjórnum, sum taka atlit at bæði frælsi hins einstaka, at
samfelagnum sum heild og at náttúrunar vistfrøðiligu javnvág, soleiðis at
eisini børn og barnabørn okkara kunnu rokna við at hava eina framtíð.

  

Størsta avbjóðingin fyri framman er at náa at fáa tíð til at skipa okkara
samfeløg skilvísari, áðrenn ov seint er! Her er eingin tíð at spilla. So hetta
er ein áheitan til tey ráðandi í hesum landi um, sum skjótast - áðrenn vit
ikki hava ráð til tað longur - at rakna við, taka seg um reiggj og raðfesta at
brúka eftirverandi fíggjarorkuna til tað, sum tryggjar lívsgrundarlag okkara
best undir teim treytum, sum fara at ráða, tá vit ikki longur hava lætta
atkomu til bíligt kolvetni og tí mugu leggja álit okkara á alternativar
orkukeldur.

  

**_  
_**

## [Íblástur:](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

### Frágreiðingar

[http://vmr.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF](http://vm
r.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF)

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html](http://hawaii.
gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html)

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html](http://hawaii.gov/dbe
dt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html)

[http://www.peakoilassociates.com/PeakOilAnalysisOctober6-2007.pdf](http://www
.peakoilassociates.com/PeakOilAnalysisOctober6-2007.pdf)

[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/executive-summary-
koch-indus.pdf](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3
/executive-summary-koch-indus.pdf)

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Exponential_growth)

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide)

### [Blaðgreinir](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html](http://www
.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html)
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-department-energy-
climate-change](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-
department-energy-climate-change)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-potash-corp-
global-crisis](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-
potash-corp-global-crisis)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-
unsustainability-threatens-business?INTCMP=SRCH](http://www.guardian.co.uk
/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-unsustainability-threatens-
business?INTCMP=SRCH)

[http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/ECE689934/trussel-mod-kritisk-
journalistik/](http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/ECE689934/trussel-mod-
kritisk-journalistik/)

[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm](http:/
/www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm)

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

### [Bøkur](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

[Richard Heinberg: The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Socie
ties](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865715297?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&crea
tive=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0865715297&adid=1CCY135PW4WT228PW7ZN&#re
ader_0865715297)

[Richard Heinberg: Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines](http
://www.amazon.com/dp/086571598X?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=32764
1&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=086571598X&adid=0NKC5BKC4WP3ZH47GSY7&#reader_08657
1598X)

[Stephen Leeb, Glen Strathy: The Coming Economic Collapse: How You Can Thrive
When Oil Costs $200 a Barrel](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002IT5P1U?tag=lifeafte
rtheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B002IT5P1U&adid=
0XNGS2TB657PT686PBZ1&)

[Jeff Rubin: Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the
End of
Globalization](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400068509/ref=rdr_ext_sb_pi_sims_2)

[Stephen Leeb: Game Over: How You Can Prosper in a Shattered Economy](http://w
ww.amazon.com/dp/0446544809?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&li
nkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0446544809&adid=1KC5TB10TNE9888XTX4K&)

[John Michael Greer: The Long Descent: A User's Guide to the End of the
Industrial Age](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865716099?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=
14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0865716099&adid=1KJZVMJFS6EBE8
GD0PC7&)

[Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed](http://www.
amazon.com/dp/0143036556?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkC
ode=as1&creativeASIN=0143036556&adid=00ESQKDS16DH5SKF98XP&#reader_0143036556)

[David Strahan: The Last Oil Shock](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0719564239?tag=li
feaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0719564239
&adid=0P63PNVBYH4F6YK61SP8&)

### [Heimasíður](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

[http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-
life#](http://carolynbaker.net/)

[http://carolynbaker.net/](http://carolynbaker.net/)

[http://permatopia.com/](http://permatopia.com/)

[http://www.180grader.dk/Politik/200-maend-styrer-
danmark](http://www.180grader.dk/Politik/200-maend-styrer-danmark)

[http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497](http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497)

[http://www.peak-oil-news.info/](http://www.peak-oil-news.info/)

[http://peakoil.blogspot.com/](http://peakoil.blogspot.com/)

[http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/](http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/)

[http://www.3k88.com/](http://www.3k88.com/)

[http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm](http://www.organic
consumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm)

[http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html](http://www.lifeafterth
eoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html)

[http://howtosavetheworld.ca/](http://howtosavetheworld.ca/)

[http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/](http://www.dark-
mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/)

[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-
energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns
/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/)

[http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-
vision](http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-vision)

### [Sjónbond og filmar](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

[http://www.collapsemovie.com/](http://www.collapsemovie.com/)

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL](http
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)

[http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/](http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/)

[http://www.thecorporation.com/](http://www.thecorporation.com/)

### [Bíblian](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=1487641920880012276)

[http://www.biblian.fo](http://www.biblian.fo/)

  

_Gamla Testamentið:_ Fyrra Sámuelsbók 2:7 - Job 31:24-25, 28 - Sálmarnir
49:16-20 - Orðtøkini 11:4 - Orðtøkini 11:28 - Orðtøkini 23:5-6 - Orðtøkini
28:20 - Orðtøkini 30:8-9 - Prædikarin 5:10 - Jeremias 5:27-31 - Jeremias
9:23-24 - Ezekiel 28:2-10

  

_Nýggja testamentið:_ Matteus 6:19-21 - Matteus 6:24 - Markus 4:18-19 - Markus
10:21-27 - Lukas 3:11 - Lukas 6:30 - Lukas 8:14 - Lukas 9:25 - Lukas 12:15-21
- Lukas 12:22-32 - Lukas 12:29-34 - Lukas 12:47-48 - Lukas 14:12-14 - Lukas
14:33 - Lukas 16:9-12 - Lukas 16:13 - Lukas 16:19-31 - Ápostlasøgan 2:44-45 -
Ápostlasøgan 4:32 - Ápostlasøgan 4:34-35 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í
Korint 4:8-21 - Seinna bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í Korint 2:17 - Bræv
Paulusar til samkomuna í Filippi 4:11-12 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í
Tessalonika 2:5 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til Timoteus 6:6-11 - Fyrra bræv
Paulusar til Timoteus 6:8-11 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til Timoteus 6:17-19 -
Brævið til Hebrearar 13:5 - Bræv Jákups 1:9-11 - Bræv Jákups 5:1-6 - Fyrsta
bræv Jóhannesar 3:16-18 - Opinbering Jóhannesar 3:17-19

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Friday, March 04,
2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-
politikkarar-milar-og_4513.html) [1
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###  [Varskó til politikkarar, miðlar og fíggjarvald
2/3](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-politikkarar-
milar-og_04.html)

Miðlakvørnin gruggar heldur enn at avdúka

  

**Flestu av heimsins leiðarum, ráðandi serfrøðingum og miðlum eru ofta tætt knýttir at fíggjarvaldinum, sum í sær sjálvum hevur ført heimin út í fíggjarligt skrædl. Vandi er tí fyri, at myndin, almenningurin fær av heimsins støðu, ikki er heilt í samsvar við veruleikan. Hvat gera føroyskir miðlar fyri at avdúka sonnu myndina?**

## [Miðsavnan av valdinum](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Vit síggja eitt alheims rák, har fíggjarliga valdið verður miðsavnað hjá færri
og færri fólkum. Talan er neyvan um nakra tilvitaða samansvørjing, men tað er
tankavekjandi, at nógvir leiðarar og serfrøðingar verða fíggjaðir ella á annan
hátt beinleiðis ávirkaðir av júst teimum fólkum, sum sita á pengunum - teimum,
sum hava valdið til at velja, hvønn, tey vilja lata fígging til, og hvørja
gransking tey vilja fíggja - og sum tískil lætt kunnu stýra ráðandi serfrøðini
tann vegin, ið hóskar teimum best. Samstundis er tað eisini tankavekjandi, at
fleiri og fleiri miðlar úti í heimi verða lagdir saman í alt størri altjóða
miðlafyritøkur, sum eisini eru tætt knýttar at fíggjarvaldinum - og at alheims
dagsskráin í stóran mun verður løgd av júst hesum somu miðlum.

  

Fría pressan er undir stórum trýsti. Nakrir av heimsins stóru siðbundnu
miðlum, sum vunnu sær støðu sum journalistiskt óheftir miðlar, tá teir lítla
ella onga kapping høvdu, liva enn høgt uppá ta tign, hetta gav teimum, og seta
kanska enn dagsskránna í miðlaheiminum í ein ávísan mun. Men fleiri av hesum
miðlum mugu sanna, at tann óheftað støða, teir fyrr høvdu, verður útholað alt
meira, nú fleiri og fleiri miðlar gerast ogn hjá valdmiklum miðlamagnatum, sum
seta ófrávíkilig krøv um avlop. Miðlarnir mugu í dag laga seg nógv meira til
harðar marknaðartreytir, har kappast verður undir heilt øðrum fortreytum enn
áður, nú ein ørgrynna av reinum undirhaldsmiðlum eru komnir á marknaðin at
kappast við.

## [Lítil munur á alment og privat fíggjaðum miðlum](http://www.blogger.com
/post-edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Partaeigararnir, sum eiga part í miðlunum, streingja í sínum lagi á fyri at
fáa avlop av sínum íløgum. Men heldur ikki almennir miðlar sleppa undan
trýstinum. Eru miðlarnir almennir, kunnu politikkarar spenna ella loysa
skrúvuna, alt eftir hvussu nøgdir ella misnøgdir, teir eru við miðilin. Eisini
teir sokallaðu 'óheftu' miðlarnir kenna seg tí trýstar til at framleiða meira
populistiskt tilfar, sum fellur 'í smak' hjá politikkarunum - og verða sostatt
beinleiðis ella óbeinleiðis stýrdir av áhugamálunum hjá teimum, sum eiga ella
á annan hátt fíggja miðlarnar.

  

Hesir miðlar eru tí - sum ein óbeinleiðis avleiðing - farnir at líkjast meira
og meira miðlunum, ið teir kappast við, sum bert hava handilslig endamál. Ja,
fólk eru enntá farin at halda, at tað als ikki er neyðugt við alment fíggjaðum
miðlum longur, tí tey síggja ikki tann stóra munin millum handilsligar og
alment fíggjaðar miðlar meir! Fría, óhefta pressan stendur sostatt í vanda, um
fígging ikki longur fæst til hana.

## [Ávirkanin á føroyskar miðlar uttanífrá](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Hóast altjóða miðlafyritøkur ikki eiga føroysku miðlarnar, so tykist tað tó
greitt, at føroyskir miðlar eru ávirkaðir av - og ofta 'mima' - sama slag av
tíðindaflutningi, sum gongur aftur í øðrum miðlum uttanfyri Føroyar. Miðlarnir
í Føroyum endurtaka í stóran mun tað, sum verður varpað út í teim stóru
miðlunum uttanfyri Føroyar um heimsstøðuna - serliga í teim gomlu,
heiðurskrýndu miðlunum, sum byggja á aldargamla siðvenju, har journalistiskur
integritetur higartil tykist hava verið settur í hásæti, og har
tíðindaflutningurin tí mestsum av sær sjálvum verður roknaður fyri at hava
stórt trúvirði.

  

Tað er eitt kent fyribrygdi í miðlaheiminum, at jú fleiri miðlar bera somu
tíðindi - og jú størri miðlar, jú meira 'sonn' halda fólk tíðindini vera. Øll
herma meira og minni eftir hvørjum øðrum - serliga teim stóru miðlunum, so
teir seta í stóran mun dagsskránna fyri alheims tíðindaflutningin. Føroyskir
miðlar so at siga 'keypa' hesar 'viðtiknu sannleikar' og bera teir víðari -
uttan at seta stórvegis spurnartekin við teir. Okkara miðlar so at siga lena
seg uppat trúvirðinum hjá teim tignarligu miðlunum úti í heimi. Teirra
trupulleiki gerst tí eisini okkara.

## [Miðlarnir stýrdir av peningaáhugamálum](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Men tennirnar eru í stóran mun trektar úr teim miðlunum, sum okkara miðlar
ofta "herma eftir". Tað ber í øllum førum til at staðfesta, at meginparturin
av alheims miðlunum í longri tíð ikki tykjast at hava skilt álvaran í ráðandi
heimskreppuni, tí teir megna ikki at fáa stórt meira burturúr heimskreppuni í
sínum tíðindaflutningi, enn at spyrja teir somu politikkararnar og búskapar-
ella samfelagsserfrøðingarnar, (ið sum sagt ofta sjálvir eru partur av somu
skipan), um "vanligi borgarin kann vænta meira niðurgongd í búskapinum - ella
um vit kunnu rokna við, at gongdin skjótt fer at venda aftur..."(!).

  

"Kritiska" viðgerðin í flestu av temum stóru miðlunum í heiminum stingur
sjáldan djúpri enn, at tá tað longu ER gingið galið (so sum tá stórir bankar
ella fyritøkur fara á heysin) so leypa miðlarnir á tey, sum sótu í
ábyrgdarsessunum, og sum longu hava felt seg sjálvi, og kappast um at føra tey
til skafottið til háð og spott og ávaring fyri almenningin. Men kanska fekst
meira burtur úr at brúka orkuna til at finna fram til aftanfyriliggjandi
strukturellu trupulleikarnar, sum loyvdu hesum fólkum at gera mistøk, og
harvið fyribyrgja, at tað ikki hendir aftur. Men nei. Fólkini verða feld, men
skipaninar yvirliva, so tá ein tíð er farin, enda vit aftur júst sama stað.

  

Dagligi miðlaveruleikin er, at vit sjáldan síggja miðlar gera annað enn at
skava á yvirflatuni. Kanska tí annað ikki kann loysa seg? Miðlarnir kring
allan heim eru fyltir av tómum undirhaldi og grunnskygdum miðlatilfari, sum
rættiliga einvíst tykist dáma best at dyrka inneftirlítandi tilfar, sum hevur
fokus á einstaklingin, á tað sjálvupptikna og á nærumhvørvið. Evni so sum
sjálvsmenning, útsjónd, móti, spiritualitetur/ átrúnaður o.a.t. fáa lutvíst
stórt pláss. Ikki tí at tað er nakað sum helst galið í hesum evnum í sær
sjálvum, men tá tað verður gjørt so einvíst, so virkar tað avleiðandi og fær
fólk at gloyma álvarsligar hóttanir uttanífrá, sum í veruleikanum eru nógv
meira viðkomandi og nógv tað mest týdningarmikla at kunna og gera almenningin
tilvitandi um.

## [Journalistar undir vaksandi trýsti](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Verulekin er, at journalistiska dygdin og trúvirði er í størri vanda enn
nakrantíð, tí vaksandi kappingin og krøvini á miðaløkinum úrslita í títtari og
títtari skoðbráum og krøvum um størri og størri tíðindanøgd fyri minni og
minni pening. Hetta er ein sjálvstyrkjandi tilgongd, sum streingir hart á
journalistar í miðlum kring allan heim og hevur ført við sær, at ein serligur
skjóttflótandi skriviborðs-miðlaveruleiki verður framdyrkaður, ið skoytar á
tromini og ikki torir (ella ikki hevur tíð ella orku) at fara í dýpdina. Hesi
vilkor trýsta sjálvt teir mest samvitskufullu journalistarnar til at leypa
uppum, har garðurin er lægstur.

  

Fólk hava vant seg so mikið nógv við henda endaleysa streymin av skjótt søgdum
tíðindum og grunnum tíðindastubbum í miðlunum, at fólk hava lyndi til at
halda, at hetta er einasti mátin, miðlarnir kunnu endurspegla veruleikan -
enntá journalistarnir sjálvir. Nógv okkara eru vorðin so von við henda mátan,
at vit gloyma at seta spurnartekin við tað. Men eitt ella annað stað kennist
tað helst innantómt fyri mong. Tað mesta fer bara framvið uttan at vit gáa
stórvegis um tað.

## [Undirhaldsvirðið framum sannleiksvirðið](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Nú tá miðlarnir sjálvir hava tynt sogið so nógv, mugu teir í hørðu kappingini
um miðlabrúkararnar í stóran mun síla teirra egnu endurspeglan av veruleikanum
eftir einum leisti, har tað, sum er mest sensasjonelt, verður raðfest hægst.
Tað ræður í nógvum miðlum ikki longur líka nógv um at avdúka sannleikar, sum
tað ræður um at framleiða "góðar søgur", sum selja - tvs. søgur, sum fólk tíma
at lesa, síggja ella hoyra. Samstundis fær alt tað, sum IKKI kemur fram í
miðlunum, tí tað ikki eru nóg góðar ella áhugaverdar søgur, minni relevans, tí
vit fáa jú einki at vita um tað.

  

Journalistar/ritsjórar tosa um at raðfesta "ta góðu søguna". Men hvat er "ein
góð søga"? Er tað tann søgan, sum lýsir sannleikan neyvast? Ella er tað søgan,
sum øsir kenslurnar mest? Forteljitekniskt tykjast journalistiskar søgur
serliga í sensasjónsmiðlum alt meira bygdar upp og frambornar eftir einum
leisti, sum í veruleikanum hoyrir heima í fiktiónini - men sum journalistar í
hesum miðlum er farnir at brúka í sínum søgum, tí hesin leisturin er
effektivur, tá tað ræður um at vekja ans.

  

"Vesentligheitskriteriið" í hesum miðlum tykist mest verða stýrt av, hvat ið
hevur mest forargingar- og/ella undirhaldsvirði. Vinklar verða spentir á tamb
fyri at kroysta tær mest sensasjonellu yvirskriftirnar úr søgunum, so tær
gerast meira 'spennandi' og betur fanga eygað. Forteljiteknikkur og figurar
frá fiktiónini - antagonisturin / protagonisturin (hetjan / bakbeistið) - eru
fluttir inn í journalistikkin. Heldur enn at leita eftir sannleikanum, tykjast
journalistarnir at leita meira eftir hetjum og bakbeistum - allarhelst
bakbeistum - at manna sínar søgur við. Teir fara tí eftir manninum, heldur enn
eftir bóltinum.

## [Kritiskur journalistikkur bert eitt eiti](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Hetta líður avdúkandi journalistikkurin undir. Kritiskur journalistikkur er í
mongum miðlum kring heimin eftirhondini bara eitt eiti av sær sjálvum. Gamaní,
ein rúgva av atfinningarsomum spurningum verða settir intervjúofrunum, so tað
sær út sum "kritiskur journalistikkur", men ofta tykjast journalistarnir lítið
áhugaðir í at lurta eftir svarunum. Hvat nú um tey, sum eru útvald til at
spæla "bakbeistið" í søguni, vísa seg at at vera heilt vanlig fólk - og als
ikki so beistaktig? So fer luftin jú úr "góðu søguni"! So tað ræður um ikki at
geva "ofrunum" ov nógva talutíð - ella at benda tað, tey siga, so tað hóskar
til fyritreytirnar í søguni - har ein so altíð kann umbera seg við, at ein
rættur journalistur ikki má vera "mikrofonhaldari". Eg havi hoyrt, at hetta er
ein vanlig viðmerking á donskum redaksjónum í skemti at siga: "Grav nu ikke
for dybt, så du dræber historien!"

  

Nógvir journalistar vilja halda uppá, at teir eru høgt hevjaðir upp um at
dyrka slík undirhaldsprinsipp í teirra journalistikki - og tað er eisini
møguligt, at nógvir teirra eru tað, ella at hetta ikki er eitt tilvitað
endamál í øllum førum. Men til ber at staðfesta, at tað gerst alt vanligari,
at intervjú eisini í meira seriøsum miðlum - ístaðin fyri at halda fokus á at
avdúka okkurt, sum kann brúkast til nakað - líkjast undirhaldandi kappingum
um, hvør er besti retorikarin, hvør dugir best at seta hvønn uppá pláss - ella
hvør kann útstilla hvønn persón mest sum syndabukk, vit onnur kunnu forargast
um.

  

Tað er møguligt, at hetta ikki er tilvitað, men nógvir av heimsins miðlum
tykist at avmarka seg alt meira til at tekkjast lægsta felagsnevnara, har tað
ræður um at finna "offur", sum miðlakvørnin kann mala til fars og spýta út
aftur sum grunt undirhald ella øsing fyri fjøldina, heldur enn at tæna nøkrum
góðum endamáli. Tað kann onkuntíð fatast sum, at jú meira dám av einum Jerry
Springer-líkum "freak show", ein sending/grein hevur, jú meira innari
svínahundurin verður kitlaður, jú betri.

## [Kitla innara svínahundin](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Fyri summi kann tað persónliga gerast ein vanlukka at verða mald í
miðlakvørnini. Fyri onnur er tað vorðið gerandiskostur og bara ein partur av
arbeiðsvilkorunum - kanska serliga fyri tey veruligu bakbeistini. Um so er, at
miðlarnir endiliga finna eitt satt bakbeist at koyra í kvørnina, fær tað so
nakrar avleiðingar fyri viðkomandi at vera avdúkaður? Nei, sjáldan, tí í
morgin hava miðlarnir kastað seg yvir eina nýggja sensasjón, eitt nýtt offur,
ein nýggjan syndabukk, eitt nýtt "freak show", sum upptekur sinnini, so fólk
sleppa at smáøsa seg og at nøkta grenji-genið.

  

Í dagsins skjóttflótandi miðlaveruleika gerast dagsins tíðindi skjótari og
skjótari "óaktuell" og verða løgd til viks og gloymd, so okkurt nýggjari kann
sleppa framat. Hvussu nógv fólk - politikkarar o.o., sum javnliga eru undir
ágangi frá miðlunum - hava ikki upplivað, at tey bara skuldu vápna seg við
tolni og "ríða stormin av", so kundu tey halda fram, sum um einki var hent?
Hvørja nyttu gera miðlarnir tá?

## [Spæl fyri gallarínum varðveitir valdið](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Kunnu vit av røttum kalla slíkt "avdúkandi journalistikk"? Er hetta
fingrapeikaríið og dagsins øsi-fix ikki meira at samanbera við eitt spæl fyri
gallarínum, sum miðlar og makthavarar spæla við hvønnannan fyri at halda
hvørjum øðrum uppá pláss, har tey sita - nemliga við valdinum? Hesi liva jú í
sera stóran mun av hvørjum øðrum. Miðlarnir spæla við fyri at hava okkurt at
eksponera og gera søgur um - og fyri at tryggja sær sína fígging ikki minst,
meðan makthavararnir spæla við mest fyri at fáa eksponeringina - næstan sektin
á á hvønn hátt, bara tey eru sjónlig. Eru miðlarnir ov grovir, fellir
sympatiurin ofta til "ofrið", so tað man ikki vera so hættisligt at stilla upp
í miðlunum kortini.

  

Men fáa tey, sum lurta, hyggja ella lesa, veruliga nakað burtur úr hesum
almenna sýnisglugga fyri politikkaranna og miðlanna glæntrileik? Fáa tey nakað
viðkomandi at vita, sum fer afturum spælið, lærir tey nakað nýtt og førir tey
víðari fram móti skilabetri loysnum á samfelagsins trupulleikar...?

## [Stuttskygd áhugamál stýra](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Sannleikin er helst tíanverri, at her eru kreftir uppá spæl, sum ikki tæna
nøkrum góðum altruistiskum endamáli, men heldur stuttskygdum egináhugamálum á
báðum síðum - bæði hjá miðlunum sjálvum og hjá teimum, sum brúka miðlarnar.

  

Fyri nógvar miðlabrúkarar ræður tað um at hava okkurt til at avleiða seg
sjálvan við - okkurt, sum kann doyva ella fáa ein at gloyma eins egna keðiliga
veruleika - antin við at droyma seg burtur til okkurt betri - ella við at
lesa, hoyra ella síggja okkurt forargiligt ella syrgiligt, sum kann fáa ein
til at hugsa: So ringt er tað hóast alt ikki statt hjá mær - ella: Tað er í
øllum førum ikki mín skyld, men hansara/hennara skyld, dett bakbeist! Í báðum
førum snýr tað seg um avleiðing.

  

Fyri miðlarnar ræður tað um at fáa kontanta avrokning, so ráðini verða til at
framleiða tað næsta, tað næsta og tað næsta tilfarið aftur. Miðlarnir verða tí
alla tíðina freistaðir til at geva fólkinum tað, fólkið tykist at eftirspyrja:
antin doyvandi sovimedisin ella syndabukkar, tey kunnu avleiða sínar
frustratiónir á.

## [Miðlar ala skúlagarðsmentalitet](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

Men hesin sera stutt- og grunnskygdi miðlaveruleiki elur fram og stuðlar undir
ein primitivan mentalitet í samfelagnum, sum mest líkist mentalitetinum í
einum skúlagarði, har øll royna at verja seg sjálvi við at vekja minst
møguligan ans og peika á onnur, so tey sjálvi sleppa undan happingini. Við
hesum survival-of-the-fittest frumskógarmentaliteti, venjast fólk til at hugsa
sjálvsøkið og einans um dagin í dag og ikki um dagin í morgin. Av ótta fyri at
koma í skotmála tora øgiliga fá at átaka sær veruliga ábyrgd - allarminst fyri
teimum avleiðingum hetta ábyrgdarloysi hevur fyri okkum øll og fyri framtíð
okkara. Tað bítir seg sjálvt í halan og gerst bara verri.

  

Hetta er so ókonstruktivt og so niðurbrótandi, at tað er beinleiðis
lívshættisligt, tí tað gruggar veruleikan, ger okkum blind fyri orsøkunum til
ta serstakliga vandamiklu gongd, sum í løtuni førir samfeløg kring allan heim
- har í millum okkara - út í óføri og forðar fyri kjaki um veruligar loysnir
og fyri tí felags altruistiska andanum, sum er fyritreytin fyri, at skilagóð
fólk sleppa framat og størri neyðug átøk kunnu verða viðtikin og framd, sum
kundu tryggja lívsgrundarlag okkara framyvir og bjargað heiminum undan
oyðileggilsi.

  

Mín næsta grein er ein roynd at varpa ljós á hættisligu hvørvisjónina, okkara
samfelagsskipan byggir á, og - sum alt bendir á - ber í sær vandan fyri
beinleiðis týning av mannaættini.

  

## [Íblástur:](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

### Frágreiðingar

[http://vmr.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF](http://vm
r.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF)

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html](http://hawaii.
gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html)

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html](http://hawaii.gov/dbe
dt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html)

[http://www.peakoilassociates.com/PeakOilAnalysisOctober6-2007.pdf](http://www
.peakoilassociates.com/PeakOilAnalysisOctober6-2007.pdf)

[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/executive-summary-
koch-indus.pdf](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3
/executive-summary-koch-indus.pdf)

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Exponential_growth)

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide)

### [Blaðgreinir](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html](http://www
.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html)
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-department-energy-
climate-change](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-
department-energy-climate-change)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-potash-corp-
global-crisis](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-
potash-corp-global-crisis)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-
unsustainability-threatens-business?INTCMP=SRCH](http://www.guardian.co.uk
/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-unsustainability-threatens-
business?INTCMP=SRCH)

[http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/ECE689934/trussel-mod-kritisk-
journalistik/](http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/ECE689934/trussel-mod-
kritisk-journalistik/)

[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm](http:/
/www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm)

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

### [Bøkur](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

[Richard Heinberg: The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Socie
ties](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865715297?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&crea
tive=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0865715297&adid=1CCY135PW4WT228PW7ZN&#re
ader_0865715297)

[Richard Heinberg: Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines](http
://www.amazon.com/dp/086571598X?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=32764
1&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=086571598X&adid=0NKC5BKC4WP3ZH47GSY7&#reader_08657
1598X)

[Stephen Leeb, Glen Strathy: The Coming Economic Collapse: How You Can Thrive
When Oil Costs $200 a Barrel](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002IT5P1U?tag=lifeafte
rtheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B002IT5P1U&adid=
0XNGS2TB657PT686PBZ1&)

[Jeff Rubin: Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the
End of
Globalization](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400068509/ref=rdr_ext_sb_pi_sims_2)

[Stephen Leeb: Game Over: How You Can Prosper in a Shattered Economy](http://w
ww.amazon.com/dp/0446544809?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&li
nkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0446544809&adid=1KC5TB10TNE9888XTX4K&)

[John Michael Greer: The Long Descent: A User's Guide to the End of the
Industrial Age](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865716099?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=
14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0865716099&adid=1KJZVMJFS6EBE8
GD0PC7&)

[Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed](http://www.
amazon.com/dp/0143036556?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkC
ode=as1&creativeASIN=0143036556&adid=00ESQKDS16DH5SKF98XP&#reader_0143036556)

[David Strahan: The Last Oil Shock](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0719564239?tag=li
feaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0719564239
&adid=0P63PNVBYH4F6YK61SP8&)

### [Heimasíður](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

[http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-
life#](http://carolynbaker.net/)

[http://carolynbaker.net/](http://carolynbaker.net/)

[http://permatopia.com/](http://permatopia.com/)

[http://www.180grader.dk/Politik/200-maend-styrer-
danmark](http://www.180grader.dk/Politik/200-maend-styrer-danmark)

[http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497](http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497)

[http://www.peak-oil-news.info/](http://www.peak-oil-news.info/)

[http://peakoil.blogspot.com/](http://peakoil.blogspot.com/)

[http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/](http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/)

[http://www.3k88.com/](http://www.3k88.com/)

[http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm](http://www.organic
consumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm)

[http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html](http://www.lifeafterth
eoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html)

[http://howtosavetheworld.ca/](http://howtosavetheworld.ca/)

[http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/](http://www.dark-
mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/)

[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-
energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns
/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/)

[http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-
vision](http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-vision)

### [Sjónbond og filmar](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

[http://www.collapsemovie.com/](http://www.collapsemovie.com/)

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL](http
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)

[http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/](http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/)

[http://www.thecorporation.com/](http://www.thecorporation.com/)

### [Bíblian](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153)

[http://www.biblian.fo](http://www.biblian.fo/)

  

_Gamla Testamentið:_ Fyrra Sámuelsbók 2:7 - Job 31:24-25, 28 - Sálmarnir
49:16-20 - Orðtøkini 11:4 - Orðtøkini 11:28 - Orðtøkini 23:5-6 - Orðtøkini
28:20 - Orðtøkini 30:8-9 - Prædikarin 5:10 - Jeremias 5:27-31 - Jeremias
9:23-24 - Ezekiel 28:2-10

  

_Nýggja testamentið:_ Matteus 6:19-21 - Matteus 6:24 - Markus 4:18-19 - Markus
10:21-27 - Lukas 3:11 - Lukas 6:30 - Lukas 8:14 - Lukas 9:25 - Lukas 12:15-21
- Lukas 12:22-32 - Lukas 12:29-34 - Lukas 12:47-48 - Lukas 14:12-14 - Lukas
14:33 - Lukas 16:9-12 - Lukas 16:13 - Lukas 16:19-31 - Ápostlasøgan 2:44-45 -
Ápostlasøgan 4:32 - Ápostlasøgan 4:34-35 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í
Korint 4:8-21 - Seinna bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í Korint 2:17 - Bræv
Paulusar til samkomuna í Filippi 4:11-12 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í
Tessalonika 2:5 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til Timoteus 6:6-11 - Fyrra bræv
Paulusar til Timoteus 6:8-11 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til Timoteus 6:17-19 -
Brævið til Hebrearar 13:5 - Bræv Jákups 1:9-11 - Bræv Jákups 5:1-6 - Fyrsta
bræv Jóhannesar 3:16-18 - Opinbering Jóhannesar 3:17-19

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Friday, March 04,
2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-
politikkarar-milar-og_04.html) [0
comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-
politikkarar-milar-og_04.html#comment-form) [
![](http://www.blogger.com/img/icon18_email.gif) ](https://www.blogger.com
/email-post.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153) [
![](//img2.blogblog.com/img/icon18_edit_allbkg.gif) ](https://www.blogger.com
/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=2167764158475100153&from=pencil)
[Links to this post](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-
til-politikkarar-milar-og_04.html#links)

###  [Varskó til politikkarar, miðlar og fíggjarvald
1/3](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-politikkarar-
milar-og.html)

"Ballið er búið" - dómadagsprofeti ella realisma?

**Eyðsýndu trupulleikarnir, vit uppliva í Føroyum í løtuni, tykjast ongan enda at taka. Tíð er at taka seg um reiggj, men politiska leiðslan tykist als ikki viðurkenna, at Føroyar eru í djúpari kreppu, sum kann gerast nógv verri, um einki verður gjørt fyri at fyribyrgja tí. Men hvat gera politikkararnir við tað?**

  

Føroyingar fingu annars ein ordans kvøkk - m.a. nú ein av størstu bankum og
ein av størstu fyritøkum okkara fóru á heysin. Men tað steðgar ikki har. Dýr
olja og fakfelagsstríð úrslita í einum fiskiflota, sum liggur við kai;
fiskivinnan gevur einki avlop; vit stríðast við londini kring okkum um
avmarkaða tilfeingið í havinum og missa altjóða góðkenningar av veiðu okkara
sum burðardyggari veiðu, við stórum avleiðingum fyri søluvirðið av okkara
fiski; vørur eru nógv dyrkaðar; arbeiðsloysið og fátækradømið veksur, so
familjur ganga nærum svangar; stórt undirskot er á fíggjarlógini og á
handilsjavnanum, meðan tørvurin á almennum íløgum bara veksur osfr. Hetta eru
serstakliga nógvir samfelagstrupulleikar, sum plága okkum í senn. ****

## [Einstaklingar neyvan ábyrgdina](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Í tíðindaflutningi og í almenna kjakinum fær ein ofta ta fatan, at
samfelagstrupulleikarnir verða sæddir sum einstøk fyribrigdi, óheft av hvørjum
øðrum, og helst úrslit av ódugnaskapi hjá einstaklingum - tað verið seg
politikkarum, banka- ella vinnulívsfólki, sum ikki hava umsitið sína ábyrgd
nóg væl. Hetta er uttan iva rætt í ávísan mun.

  

Men hevði tað verið stórt øðrvísi, fyri tað um leiðslurnar vóru skiftar út?
Neyvan. Tí hetta stingur nógv djúpri enn bert til vantandi persónligar
leiðsluførleikar hjá einstaklingum. Tað hevði eyðvitað verið skilabetri at
hugt at trupulleikunum sum úrslit av einum yvirskipaðum trupulleika. Tað átti
ikki at verið nøkur loyna, at teir trupulleikar, sum vit uppliva í Føroyum í
dag, avgjørt ikki eru nakað eindømi í heimshøpi. Onnur lond, sum byggja á somu
skipan sum okkara, uppliva júst somu trupulleikar sum vit.

## [Venda blinda eygað til](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Um ein peilar av kring heimin, hvat hendir júst í løtuni, so gerst tað
sólarklárt - bara við at brúka eitt sindur av skilvísari meting - at her
ruggar ikki rætt. Einum nýtist ikki at vera serfrøðingur og at hava skrivað
doktararitgerðir um búskap ella samfelagsvísindi fyri at finna út av, at her
er okkurt spinnandi galið í heiminum á so nógvum ymiskum økjum. Tað verið seg
á fíggjarliga, sosiala, rættarliga, samfelagsliga ella umhvørvisliga økinum
osfr. - fyri bara at nevna nøkur dømi um øki, har trupulleikar bara tykjast at
vaksa.

  

Tað tykist sum um, at politisku og fíggjarligu leiðslurnar - ikki bara í
Føroyum, men kring allan heim - og við teimum eisini búskaparligu
serfrøðingarnir og lóggávuvaldið - umframt (og ikki minst) miðlarnir - í
stóran mun hava tikið høvdið undir armin, tí tey hava leingi vent blinda eygað
til allar reyðu lampurnar, sum ávaraðu um tað alheims fíggjarliga ódnarveður,
sum vit uppliva í løtuni, ið heilt eyðvitað fór at koma - og sum sannlíkt bara
er toppurin av ísfjallinum.

## [Okkara trupulleikar ikki eindømi](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Lat meg nevna bara nakrar trupulleikar - bæði globalar og lokalar, sum eru
sera viðkomandi fyri øll og upplagdir fyri miðlarnar at viðgera í nógv størri
mun, enn teir hava verið higartil. Her eru bara nakrir av teim sera hættisligu
trupulleikunum, nógv lond dragast við - t.d.:

  * at undirskotið á fíggjarlógini veksur alsamt meira
  * at undirskotið á handilsjavnvágini veksur alsamt meira
  * at alheims frymlar fyri fíggjarvøkstur eyðsýnt ikki eru burðardyggir
  * at nakrir av heimsins fremstu búskaparfrøðingum, umframt oljuvinnan sjálv, hava - á síðstu altjóða ráðstevnuni hjá WEF (World Economic Forum) í Davos í Schweitz her í januar 2011 - viðgingið, at alt bendir á, at heimurin er longu farin um 'peak oil' punktið - tvs. at eftirspurningurin eftir olju veksur skjótari enn gongdin at finna og útvinna nýggja olju
  * at alheims fólkavøksturin veksur eksponentielt (í ár fer talið upp um 7 mia.!)
  * at fólkavøksturin fær eftirspurningin eftir fleiri matvørum, hentleikum og orku at vaksa so skjótt, at ídnaðurin/marknaðurin ikki kann nøkta tørvin
  * at økti eftirspurningurin førir við sær ógvusligar kostnaðarhækkingar, ið gera búskapin sera óstøðugan
  * at nógv dýrkaðar vørur minka um livistøðið, alt meðan munurin gerst alt størri millum 'vanliga' fólkið og tey vælbjargaðu - eisini í ríka partinum av heiminum
  * at tað er inflasjón - tvs. at munurin millum lønarstøðið og livikostnaðarstøðið veksur í stórum
  * at framleiðsluliðið er so bundið at skjótt dýrkandi orkukeldum, sum í flestum londum mugu keypast og innflytast úr øðrum londum
  * at framleiðsluliðið minkar í stórum í flest londum í vesturheiminum
  * at arbeiðspláss minka í stórum talið og verða flutt til onnur fjarløgd lond
  * at arbeiðsloysið veksur í stórum
  * at miðalstættin minkar í stórum (serliga í USA)
  * at fleiri og fleiri liva undir fátækramarkinum, eisini í ríka heiminum
  * at fleiri og fleiri liva undir hungursmarkinum í heiminum sum heild
  * at fleiri og fleiri missa trygdina fyri at fáa (rætta) sjúkraviðgerð
  * at vaksandi (ovur)nýtsla økir um dálkingina og oyðingina av náttúruni, meðan vistfrøðiliga javnvágin fer alsamt meir av lagi og ger fólk sjúk
  * at atgongdin til feskt vatn minkar í stórum og at feska vatnið er í vanda fyri at ganga undan í nógvum pørtum av heiminum - eisini í ríka heiminum
  * at alheims veðurlagsbroytingarnar gerast alt meira eyðsýndar
  * at økt miðsavnan av miðlaeigaraskapi avmarkar óheftan og djúptgangandi tíðindaflutning, so fólk ikki gerast greið yvir vandan, tey liva í
  * at fíggjarheimurin hevur so stóra - og ofta korrumperandi - ávirkan á politikkin
  * at illa virkandi og fastlæstar stjórnir ikki tykjast førar fyri at leiða lond síni uttanum afturvendandi kreppur
  * at fleiri og fleiri pensjónsgrunnar fara á húsagang
  * at sosial- og sjúkratryggingar eru so óstøðugar og hava so lítið politiskt støðufesti, at tær sannlíkt ikki fara at megna at svara framtíðar skyldum
  * at fyritøkur verða lagdar saman og gerast so stórar, at tær eru "too big to fail"
  * at bankakervið og almennar fíggjarskipanir støðugt liggja á markinum til samanbrot
  * at lánibyrðan hjá privatum og hjá fyritøkum veksur alsamt meira
  * at talið av partabrøvum o.ø. derivatum, sum bert hava virði á pappírunum, veksur eksponentielt
  * at peningamongdin í ymsum londum ikki er verulig, men tilgjørd, og veksur í stórum, so vandin fyri devaluering veksur við ógvusligum avleiðingum fyri vanliga fólkið
  * at tað er manglandi gjøgnumskygni í heimsbúskapinum, nú USA hevur valt ikki longur at veita hagtøl fyri M3 peningamongdina (sí á Wikipedia undir 'Money Supply')
  * at fíggjarstovnar ofta verða umskipaðir uttan fyrilit
  * at Fiat gjaldoyra (sí Wikipedia undir 'Fiat money') verður mislíkahildið av ábyrgdarhavarum
  * at eitt vaksandi tal av fyritøkum søkja sær skattaskjól í øðrum londum
  * at lond luttaka í fleiri sera konstnaðarmiklum kríggjum í øðrum londum, sum hava vart longri enn Annar Veraldarbardagi, og sum eingin endi tykist vera á
  * at nógv vaksandi útreiðslur til tað almenna avmarka fíggjarliga mobilitetin og frælsið hjá einstaklingum og fyritøkum
  * at grundlógartryggjað rættindi og rættarvernd verður útholað
  * at fleiri og fleiri fangar sita í fongslum kring heimin
  * at talið av valdsgerðum veksur og yvirgangurin gerst ógvusligari
  

Omanfyristandandi listi er á ongan hátt fullfíggjaður, men hann lýsir greitt
truplu støðuna, heimurin er í - ikki minst Føroyar! So nógvar avbjóðingarnar í
senn taka orkuna, so minni yvirskot er til at loysa trupulleikarnar. Hesin
negativi snyril, heimurin er komin inn í, er kanska allarstørsti trupulleikin.

  

Tað løgna er, at miðlarnir gera lutfalsliga lítið burtur úr hesum - als ikki í
ein mun, so vanliga fólkið fær varhugan av, hvussu álvarslig støðan veruliga
er. Tað er sjáldsamt at síggja hetta viðgjørt við tí álvara, ómaki og áhaldni,
sum krevst, fyri at almenningurin fær rættiligt innlit í, hvussu stórir
trupulleikarnir eru, hvørjar veruligu orsøkirnar til trupulleikarnar eru - enn
minni, hvussu trupulleikarnir verða loystir! Sum kunnugt ber ikki til at loysa
trupulleikar, ein ikki hevur eyðmerkt, ei heldur kennir orsøkina til. Heimsins
trupulleikar eru so mikið álvarsligir - eisini um ein bara hyggur at teimum
einstøku trupulleikunum hvør sær - at bara onkrir av teimum áttu at verið
høvuðssøgur hvønn tann einasta dag í heimsins størstu og valdmiklastu miðlum,
men tað eru teir ikki. Ein kann spyrja seg sjálvan hví.

## [Føroyar "in deep shit"](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Í Føroyum hava vit, eins og onnur úti í heimi, riðið á eini bylgju, har vit -
ella nøkur okkara - hava jonglerað við stórum virðum á pappírinum, men sum í
veruleikanum ikki vóru meira verd enn páppírið, hesi sokallaðu "virði" vóru
skrivað á. Bløðran er brostin - keisarans klæði eru ikki til, men kortini
tykjast mong ikki ordiliga at rakna við enn - allarminst politikkararnir, sum
tykjast at standa púra ráðaleysir. Tað er, sum um teir halda, at tað bara er
ein óndur dreymur, og at vit skjótt fara at vakna úr honum. Men nei.
Trupulleikarnir steðga ikki har, tí búskapur okkara hvílur als ikki á tryggari
grund fyri tað, um Fíggjarligt Støðufesti - at síggja til - seinkaði ferðini
"niður í avgrundina".

  

Nógvar reyðar lampur blinka í Føroyum í løtuni, nú Fiskavirking er farið á
heysin og flotin liggur við kai. Hvat nú um oljan bara dýrkar og dýrkar, sum
nógv bendir á, at hon fer? Sveiggini í heimsbúskapinum eru so ógvuslig í
løtuni, at tað ikki er ósannlíkt, at oljan knappliga kann gerast dupult so
dýr, sum hon er nú, har hon longu er dupult so dýr, sum hon var fyri bara fáum
árum síðani. Hvat gera vit í Føroyum, um hetta hendir? Kanska longu innanfyri
fá ár, sum summi óttast? Hvat gera vit, tá tað ikki longur kann loysa seg hjá
fiskiskipunum at royna eftir fiski? Hvussu fáa vit so okkara vinnulív og
búskap til at hanga saman?

  

Vit mugu staðfesta, at Føroyar eru ósjálvbjargnar á flest øllum økjum, av tí
at her innflyta vit mestsum alt, sum vit brúka. Alt skal flytast yvir stórar
frástøður við farmaskipum, tí vit eru so fjarskotin. Farmaflotin kann ikki
sigla uttan olju. Umframt at nógv av fiskinum, sum vit skulu liva av, ikki
kemur til lands og ikki kann avreiðast uttan eitt fiskiflota, sum heldur ikki
kann sigla uttan olju. Øll ferðsla annars til og úr landinum - loftvegis og
sjóvegis - er eisini 100 prosent bundin at oljuni.

## [Ov seint, tá oljan ER ov dýr](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Tað skal ikki nógv hugflog til at síggja, at vit eru sera, sera sárbær, um
oljan dýrkar enn meira! Men hvussu nógvir politikkarar eru ella hava verið nóg
framskygdir til alment at bera fram visjónir um eina Plan B fyri Føroyar, um
oljan gerst ov dýr? Hvussu nógvar politkkarar hava vit her í Føroyum, sum
raðfesta at finna - skjótar (!) - loysnir, sum kunnu gera okkum minni sárbær
og leysari av dýru oljuni?

  

Hví hava myndugleikar okkara ikki langt síðani syrgt fyri, at orkunýtslan
hvílur nógv meira á burðardygga, varandi orku - so sum vatn, vind, sól,
sjóvarfall og aldu? Tí tað má sjálvandi henda ongantíð nóg skjótt! Tað er ov
seint at seta hetta í gongd, tá vit ikki longur hava ráð til at gjalda fyri
oljuna!

  

Hví hevur ikki verið hugsað meira um at fyribyrgja kreppuni í teim góðu árunum
við at gera størri íløgur í verkætlanir, sum skuldu tryggja okkum betri í
ringum árum? Tað kann ikki taka fólka bóli, at oljan ikki fór at vera nøkur
varandi orkukelda. Longu í 2002 varð uppkast gjørt til føroyska ætlan um
burðardygga menning, men hví hevur verið so lítið at sæð til hetta síðani?
Politikkarar tosa enn um at seta risastórar, lítið virðisskapandi
ørvitisverkætlanir í verk, ístaðin fyri at brúka fíggjarorkuna til at taka
stig, sum gera Føroyar meira sjálvbjargnar á orkuøkinum og harvið búskapin
minni sárbæran. Hetta sigur alt um, hvussu lítið teir taka støðuna, vit eru í,
í álvara.

## [Politikkarar og miðlar líka sein](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Tað finnast nógv, sum hava roynt at tikið stig til framtíðartryggjaðar loysnir
á orkuspurningin, men hava hesi fólkini fingið tað plássið í miðlunum, sum
svarar til tann týdningin, teirra verkætlanir veruliga hava fyri framtíðina?
Spurningurin er, um manglandi íløguviljin m.a. er ein avleiðing av, at
miðlarnir ikki hava verið nóg áhugaðir í at varpa ljós á hesi umráðandi mál í
nóg stóran mun. Miðlarnir tykjast líka so lítið áhugaðir í alternativum
verkætlanum, sum tey, ið sita við valdinum, tykjast vera.

  

Í øllum førum ber til at staðfesta, at miðlarnir ofta so makliga "gloyma" at
viðgera - ikki bara hetta, men eisini onnur sera álvarslig og umráðandi
samfelagslig mál - ella fara alt ov lættliga og grunnskygt um tey. Tí Harragud
veit, at her er nógv, sum tað er alneyðugt at varpa ljós á í miðlunum - m.a.
tað, at sjálvt grundarleggjandi tilverugrundarlag mannaættarinnar kann vera
álvarsliga hótt, um ikki vit taka annað skinn um bak. Um henda ignoransan er
tilvitað ella ei, ber ikki til at siga, men at hon er sera høglig fyri tey,
sum sita við valdinum, er eingin ivi um.

## [Dómadagsprofetar ella realistar?](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

Men ikki øll lata seg snýta. Tað er týðiligt, at ónøgdin millum vanlig fólk
bara veksur - ikki bara í Føroyum, men í øllum heiminum. Tolið er uppi hjá
mongum - bæði við fíggjarheiminum, við politikkarunum, við serfrøðini og við
miðlunum. Tí nú eru ítøkiligar avleiðingar av teirra manglandi realitetssansi,
viðsjóns- og ráðaloysi farnar at merkjast av álvara. Nú fleiri og fleiri
sjálvi gerast offur, gerast tey eisini tilvitað um álvarsligu trupulleikarnar,
sum herja heimin í løtuni, og kanska eisini um samanhangin aftanfyri.

  

Tað er alneyðugt at gera nakað við trupulleikarnar beinanvegin, um tað ikki
skal enda púra galið, men nógv av teimum, sum leingi hava rópt varskó og roynt
at varpa ljós á samanhangirnar, hava verið dømd sum dómadagsprofetar, heldur
enn at verða tikin í álvara sum realistar - eisini hóast tey hava víst á
ítøkiligar loysnir. Tey verða meira ella minni tagd burtur, meðan teir somu
vanligu politikkararnir og serfrøðingarnir eru teir, sum enn lættast sleppa
framat í miðlunum.

  

Hví fylla hesi álvarsmál so lutvíst lítið í miðlunum? Er tað tí, at tað verður
hildið at vera ov fløkt at taka støðu til? Er tað tí, at miðlarnir ikki halda,
at fólk orka at rúmast slíkum 'dómadagstosi'? Er tað tí, at miðlarnir óttast
fyri at missa lurtarar/síggjarar/lesarar og harvið inntøkur, um tey taka slík
óhugalig evni upp á tungu? Tað er spurningurin. Men úrslitið er í øllum førum,
at tey, sum eiga ábyrgdina av skeivu gongdini, sleppa so gott sum ótarnað at
halda fram snikkaleyst, meðan ringi standurin í heiminum bara versnar.

  

Í næstu greinini fari eg at viðgera leiklutin hjá miðlunum nærri, sum ístaðin
fyri at brúka orkuna uppá at vísa á loysnir, brúka mestu orkuna til at peika
fingrar ella framleiða doyvandi innantómt undirhald. Støðugt harðari
avbjóðingar fáa miðlarnar at fara uppum, har garðurin er lægstur ella eftir
lægsta felagsnevnara.

  

##

## [Íblástur:](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

### Frágreiðingar

[http://vmr.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.pdf](http://vm
r.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.pdf)

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html](http://hawaii.
gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html)

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html](http://hawaii.gov/dbe
dt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html)

[http://www.peakoilassociates.com/PeakOilAnalysisOctober6-2007.pdf](http://www
.peakoilassociates.com/PeakOilAnalysisOctober6-2007.pdf)

[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3/executive-summary-
koch-indus.pdf](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/Global/usa/report/2010/3
/executive-summary-koch-indus.pdf)

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Exponential_growth)

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecocide)

### [Blaðgreinir](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html](http://www
.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html)
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-department-energy-
climate-change](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-
department-energy-climate-change)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-potash-corp-
global-crisis](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-
potash-corp-global-crisis)

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-
unsustainability-threatens-business?INTCMP=SRCH](http://www.guardian.co.uk
/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-unsustainability-threatens-
business?INTCMP=SRCH)

[http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/ECE689934/trussel-mod-kritisk-
journalistik/](http://politiken.dk/debat/kroniker/ECE689934/trussel-mod-
kritisk-journalistik/)

[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm](http:/
/www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm)

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

### [Bøkur](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

[Richard Heinberg: The Party's Over: Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Socie
ties](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865715297?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&crea
tive=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0865715297&adid=1CCY135PW4WT228PW7ZN&#re
ader_0865715297)

[Richard Heinberg: Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines](http
://www.amazon.com/dp/086571598X?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=32764
1&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=086571598X&adid=0NKC5BKC4WP3ZH47GSY7&#reader_08657
1598X)

[Stephen Leeb, Glen Strathy: The Coming Economic Collapse: How You Can Thrive
When Oil Costs $200 a Barrel](http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002IT5P1U?tag=lifeafte
rtheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B002IT5P1U&adid=
0XNGS2TB657PT686PBZ1&)

[Jeff Rubin: Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the
End of
Globalization](http://www.amazon.com/dp/1400068509/ref=rdr_ext_sb_pi_sims_2)

[Stephen Leeb: Game Over: How You Can Prosper in a Shattered Economy](http://w
ww.amazon.com/dp/0446544809?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&li
nkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0446544809&adid=1KC5TB10TNE9888XTX4K&)

[John Michael Greer: The Long Descent: A User's Guide to the End of the
Industrial Age](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0865716099?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=
14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0865716099&adid=1KJZVMJFS6EBE8
GD0PC7&)

[Jared Diamond: Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed](http://www.
amazon.com/dp/0143036556?tag=lifeaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkC
ode=as1&creativeASIN=0143036556&adid=00ESQKDS16DH5SKF98XP&#reader_0143036556)

[David Strahan: The Last Oil Shock](http://www.amazon.com/dp/0719564239?tag=li
feaftertheo-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=0719564239
&adid=0P63PNVBYH4F6YK61SP8&)

### [Heimasíður](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

[http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-
life#](http://carolynbaker.net/)

[](http://carolynbaker.net/)[http://carolynbaker.net/](http://carolynbaker.net
/)

[http://permatopia.com/](http://permatopia.com/)

[http://www.180grader.dk/Politik/200-maend-styrer-
danmark](http://www.180grader.dk/Politik/200-maend-styrer-danmark)

[http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497](http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497)

[http://www.peak-oil-news.info/](http://www.peak-oil-news.info/)

[http://peakoil.blogspot.com/](http://peakoil.blogspot.com/)

[http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/](http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/)

[http://www.3k88.com/](http://www.3k88.com/)

[http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm](http://www.organic
consumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm)

[http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html](http://www.lifeafterth
eoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html)

[http://howtosavetheworld.ca/](http://howtosavetheworld.ca/)

[http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/](http://www.dark-
mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/)

[http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-
energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns
/global-warming-and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/)

[http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-
vision](http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-vision)

### [Sjónbond og filmar](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

[http://www.collapsemovie.com/](http://www.collapsemovie.com/)

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL](http
://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL)

[http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/](http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/)

[http://www.thecorporation.com/](http://www.thecorporation.com/)

### [Bíblian](http://www.blogger.com/post-
edit.g?blogID=5366963234879767450&postID=6951939694547703052)

[http://www.biblian.fo/](http://www.biblian.fo/)

  

_Gamla Testamentið:_ Fyrra Sámuelsbók 2:7 - Job 31:24-25, 28 - Sálmarnir
49:16-20 - Orðtøkini 11:4 - Orðtøkini 11:28 - Orðtøkini 23:5-6 - Orðtøkini
28:20 - Orðtøkini 30:8-9 - Prædikarin 5:10 - Jeremias 5:27-31 - Jeremias
9:23-24 - Ezekiel 28:2-10

  

_Nýggja testamentið:_ Matteus 6:19-21 - Matteus 6:24 - Markus 4:18-19 - Markus
10:21-27 - Lukas 3:11 - Lukas 6:30 - Lukas 8:14 - Lukas 9:25 - Lukas 12:15-21
- Lukas 12:22-32 - Lukas 12:29-34 - Lukas 12:47-48 - Lukas 14:12-14 - Lukas
14:33 - Lukas 16:9-12 - Lukas 16:13 - Lukas 16:19-31 - Ápostlasøgan 2:44-45 -
Ápostlasøgan 4:32 - Ápostlasøgan 4:34-35 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í
Korint 4:8-21 - Seinna bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í Korint 2:17 - Bræv
Paulusar til samkomuna í Filippi 4:11-12 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til samkomuna í
Tessalonika 2:5 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til Timoteus 6:6-11 - Fyrra bræv
Paulusar til Timoteus 6:8-11 - Fyrra bræv Paulusar til Timoteus 6:17-19 -
Brævið til Hebrearar 13:5 - Bræv Jákups 1:9-11 - Bræv Jákups 5:1-6 - Fyrsta
bræv Jóhannesar 3:16-18 - Opinbering Jóhannesar 3:17-19

  

**  
**

**  
**

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Friday, March 04,
2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/03/varsko-til-
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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
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of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Sunday, September 25, 2011

###  [Nýggjur veruleiki ger kanska grindadráp neyðug
aftur](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/seinna-greinin-av-
tveimum-um-hvussu.html)

**Seinna greinin av tveimum, um hvussu alheims skuldarkreppan rakar føroyingar**  
  
**Búskaparfrøðingar og aðrir serfrøðingar meta, at alheims búskaparkreppan er ein sjálvsøgd og varandi avleiðing av tí sannroynd, at olja ikki longur finst í so "óendaligum", lætt atkomuligum mongdum, sum áður. Í fyrsta umfari førir hetta ósvitaliga til nógv hækkandi oljuprísir, umframt at nógv lond ikki fara at hava atgongd til bíliga olju longur. Hvat fer hetta at merkja fyri føroyska samfelagið? **  
  
Nógvir serfrøðingar siga, at núverandi kreppan er so álvarslig, júst tí tað
ikki er gjørligt hjá flestum londum nóg skjótt - áðrenn oljan verður ov dýr
og/ella ov knøpp - at leggja orkukervið um og gera neyðugu íløgurnar í menning
av alternativum, meira burðardyggum orkukeldum, umframt í tólini, sum skulu
gagnnýta hesar nýggju orkukeldur, so tey nýggju kunnu viga fult upp ímóti
oljuni (Sí keldur: 3, 4 og 5, umframt 4a).

  
Ein umlegging av núverandi orkukervi er ómetaliga dýr at gjøgnumføra.
Alternativini til oljurikin tól og aðrar hentleikar, sum eru gjørdir av
oljupreparatum (bara hugsa um asfalt og plastikk), eru kanska uppfunnin, men
eru tey nóg bílig, nóg atkomilig og nóg burðardygg? Um tey vóru, vóru tey
helst langt síðani á marknaðinum. So spurningurin er, um granskingin nær at
koma við veruligum alternativum í nóg góðari tíð. Tá oljan er uppi, er tað ov
seint at fara og granska og menna, tí hvat skal fáa hjólini at mala, tá oljan
ikki longur kann, og heimurin ikki hevur nátt at menna alternativini?

  
**Alt orkukervið umleggjast**  
Eingin ivi er um, at neyðugt er sum skjótast at gera seg minni bundnan at
dýrkandi oljuni - í tann mun tað yvirhøvur er gjørligt. Allar heimsins
stjórnir mugu síggja veruleikan í eyguni, at øll orka má setast inn á at
leggja orkukervið um, meðan tíð er. Alternativ mugu finnast til alla
orkuveiting, til øll framleiðslutól og til øll flutningstól, sum nú brúka olju
- og tað skal henda skjótt.

  
Tí hóast nýggj olja enn verður funnin - eisini í lutvíst stórum mongdum - so
er tað kortini als ikki nóg mikið til at møta tí eksponentielt vaksandi
tørvinum. (2a og 2b). Fyrr ella seinni boygnar strikumyndin niðuraftur. At
hetta longu kann vera hent - tvs. at vit kanska eru farin framvið "peak oil"
punktið - viðurkenna sjálvt partar av oljuídnaðinum alment, men fá tora at
tosa so hart um tað, tí øll vita, hvørjar álvarsligar avleiðingar, tað kann
hava við sær - og eingin ynskir at loypa ræðslu á marknaðin. (1b, 1c og 1h)

  
Men flestu stjórnir eru stuttskygdar og hava higartil ikki hildið seg til at
taka stigið fult út at royna at gera seg leysar av olju, hóast tær spara
nógvar pengar í síðsta enda - helst av ótta fyri, at so tungar útreiðslur
ganga út yvir vælferðina her og nú. Spurningurin er, hvørji lond hava ráð til
at gera so umfatandi broytingar í nóg góðari tíð, áðrenn ein álvarslig
heimsumfatandi búskaparkreppa hevur útarmað londini so mikið, at tey als ikki
hava ráð til at gera tað, sum krevst.

  
Sum er hava øll ilt við at sleppa oljuni, sum higartil hevur verið álitið, men
tá oljan verður knøpp, fara oljuframleiðandi londini sjálvandi at vilja brúka
ta oljuna, tey hava eftir í undirgrundini til sín sjálvs fyrst og fremst. Tað
sindrið, sum tá verður eftir til tey oljuinnflytandi londini, verður ómetaliga
kostnaðarmikið. Hetta er ein ræðandi framtíðarmynd, serliga fyri fjarskotin og
sárbær útjaðaraøki við arktiskum - ella næstan arktiskum veðurlag sum Føroyar
- ið eru enn meira bundin at olju enn flest onnur lond, og mugu innflyta alla
oljuna.

  
**Føroyar kunnu gerast avbyrgdar**  
Minkandi oljutilfeingi, álvarsom dálking og veðurlagsbroytingar,
skuldarkreppa, búskaparligt skrædl - you name it. Alt rakar smá lond sum
Føroyar hart, ið ikki hava mong bein at standa á. Afturgongdin er longu farin
at merkjast. Kreppan fer fram beint nú, hóast føroyingar enn klára seg. Men
hvussu leingi?

  
Føroyar leggja, sum er, fullkomiliga sítt álit á innflutta olju, sum drívur
allan fiskiflotan. Sum kunnugt, er fiskur jú føroyinganna fremsta føði- og
inntøkukelda og 95% av øllum útflutningi. Men, tá alivinnan er undantikin,
hevur føroyska fiskivinnan ikki havt yvirskot í áravís - m.a. tí fiskiskipini
eru so dýr at reka. Seinasta árið er størsta fiskavirkið farið á heysin og
hartil eisini ein av teim stóru bankunum í Føroyum. Ímeðan fór arbeiðsloysið,
eftir at kreppan tók dik á seg í 2008, frá bara 1,5 %  upp til uml. 7-8 %.
eftir rímiliga stuttari tíð. Minkandi keypsorka, manglandi skattainntøkur og
fleiri fólk á almennari veitingarinntøku innanholar spakuliga landsbúskapin.

  
Allur flutningur av ferðafólki og farmi til og frá oyggjunum, bæði loftvegis
og sjóvegis, má eisini líta 100 prosent á oljuna. Tað er longu serstakliga
kostnaðarmikið at ferðast og at føra farm til og úr Føroyum. Hvat hendir, tá
støðugt hækkandi oljuprísirnir gera hetta enn dýrari? Fólk fáa rætt og slætt
ikki ráð til at ferðast ella til at flyta farm longur. Ferjusambandið til tvey
av fýra londum kring Føroyar er longu kvett, tí tað loysti seg ikki fyri
felagið at halda tað gangandi. Men hóast hetta, so hevur hetta felagið, sum
røkir einastu millumlanda ferjusambondini, enn stórar fíggjarligar
trupulleikar og hongur allatíðina í einum tunnum trá í vanda fyri at fara á
húsagang. Skuldin er so mikið stór, at stórur vandi er fyri, at felagið skjótt
ikki hevur ráð at gjalda fyri støðugt dýrkandi oljuna, sum skal reka skipið.
Sostatt má felagið lána alt fleiri pengar og/ella hækka partapeningin alt
meira. Men hvussu leingi kann hetta halda fram, um ikki inntøkurnar fylgja
við?

  
Við einum oljuprísi, sum við smáum sveiggjum upp og niður tó í høvuðsheitum
bara hevur lyndi til at sníkja seg uppeftir - og við lítlari vón um, at
kostnaðurin nakrantíð fer munandi niðuraftur - er tað ikki torført at ímynda
sær, at tann dagur kemur, har alt ferjusamband til umheimin verður ógjørligt -
í øllum førum á privatum vinnugrundarlag. Um henda hættisliga gongdin heldur
fram, so kann tað avbyrgja oyggjarnar í stóran mun.

  
**Ikki ráð til at lata vera**  
Tað tykist at vera serstakliga torført fyri føroyingar at síggja henda
veruleika í eyguni og byrja at umstilla seg frá at brúka olju sum grundarlag
fyri nærum alt, til at gera íløgur í at útvinna aðrar burðardyggari orkukeldur
enn olju, umframt gera seg minni bundnar at innflutningi. Eitt uppkast til
eina føroyska ætlan um burðardygga menning fyri ár 2002 - 2020 varð gjørt í
2002, men so hendi stórt sæð einki meir (2e). Føroyar hava - eins og so mong
onnur lond - valt ikki at gera allar tær neyðugu íløgurnar enn, sum skulu til
fyri at fara (næstan) heilt burtur frá lívrunnum brennievnum. Bert í lítlan
mun. Helst tí, at ábyrgdarhavarar ikki hava varnast, hvussu bráneyðug støðan
veruliga er. Men hava Føroyar ráð til at bíða longur við at seta ferð á hesa
menning?

  
Nógvir politikkarar hava als ikki sæð skriftina á vegginum, tykist tað, men
tosa enn um at gjøgnumføra risa tunnilsverkætlanir (!), heldur enn at umleggja
orkukervið, meðan tíð er - og tryggja meira sjálvbjargni á øllum økjum.
Miðlarnir sova eisini fast og eru als ikki nóg nógv eftir teimum ráðandi fyri
teirra óvirkni.

  
SEV hevur útbygt vatnorku í ávísan mun, men hevur lítið og einki gjørt fyri at
útvinna aðrar alternativar orkukeldur. Og verkætlanir, har roynt hevur verið
at menna aðrar orkukeldur, eru als ikki raðfestar politiskt. So langt er enn
eftir á mál. Harumframt eru í roynd og veru eingi verulig alternativ tøk enn
til flutningsfør, sum verða rikin av øðrum enn olju - ikki, tá hugsað verður
um størri skip, so sum fiski- ella farmaskip.

  
**Bumbað aftur í miðøldina**  
Tann dag, tá oljan kostar fleirfaldað so nógv, sum í dag, skuldin er vaksin
upp um høvdið, lánimøguleikarnir eru uppi og/ella Danmark má spara blokkin
burtur, so hava føroyingar ikki ráð til at keypa oljuna, sum brúk er fyri til
at halda samfelagshjólunum í gongd. Um føroyingar ikki hava fyrireikað seg nóg
væl í nóg góðari tíð til eina slíka støðu, so raplar alt tað, sum nútíðar
føroyska samfelagið byggir á. Tað er júst hetta, sum føroyskir politikkarar
verða noyddir til at sanna og gera nakað ítøkiligt við, ongantíð nóg skjótt.
Gera politikkarar ikki tað rætta nú, verða føroyingar fyrr ella seinni
bumbaðir aftur í miðøldina - ella til okkurt sum líkist.

  
Føroyingar liva eitt lutvíst múgvandi lív í dag, men hvussu leingi? Nógv fólk
liva, sum um einki petti er galið, serliga í vesturheiminum. Men alt fleiri
gerast tó sárt tilvitandi um sannroyndina, at vælferðin byggir á serstakliga
ótrygga grund, og at tey sannlíkt kunnu missa vælferðina, um tey ikki steðga
oyðslinum við náttúruríkidøminum og leggja sínar gomlu marglætisvanar um. Ung
fólk, sum ikki hava upplivað annað enn vælferð, hava ilt við at trúgva, at tað
ikki bara kann halda fram, men eldri føroyingar hava upplivað fleiri kreppur í
sínari tíð, so tey vita, at framburðarríkar tíðir ikki halda á til ævigar
tíðir.

  
Føroyingar eru tó hepnir í so máta, at nógv eldri fólk enn eru til, sum
minnast og hava varðveitt vitanina um, hvussu føroyingar livdu, áðrenn teir
gjørdust so bundnir at olju og innflutningi. Tey eldru kunnu enn læra yngru
ættarliðini, hvussu tey bóru seg at við at yvirliva í gomlum døgum, tá øll
máttu liva einans av tí tilfeingi, sum var á staðnum. Tí hava føroyingar - í
øllum førum tey, sum duga at gagnnýta tilfeingið - kanska ein tjans kortini,
um nú alt annað skuldi raplað.

  
**Eftirverandi møguleikarnir**  
Hvat hendir, um Føroyar gerast meira ella minni avbyrgdar, tí eingin hevur ráð
til at reka millumlanda ferðafólka- og farmaflutning longur? Ja, so mugu
føroyingar fyrireika seg uppá í alstóran mun at minka um vælferðina og
livistøðið. Allir møguleikar fyri at yvirliva eru tó ikki úttømdir. Verður
vatn-, vind-, sjóvarfals- og alduorka útbygt, meðan fólkið enn so dánt hevur
ráð, ber kanska til at framleiða nóg nógva orku til húsarhaldini og til eina
ávísa mongd av smáídnað. Sum er, framleiðir SEV um 40 % av síni orku burturúr
øðrum orkukeldum enn olju, so føroyingar eru á veg. Men bara ikki nóg skótt.

  
Hvat skulu fólk liva av, hvat skulu tey hita húsini upp við, og hvørja føði
skulu tey eta, tá oljan er vorðin so dýr, at ráðini ikki longur eru til at
innflyta oljuna og tær vørur í teim mongdum, sum vit innflyta nú? Tá er eingin
annar møguleiki enn at brúka alt, sum atgongd er til á staðnum. Skuldi alt
annað gingið galið, so hava føroyingar enn seyðin, ullina, fiskin, fuglin,
hvalirnir, eplini, torvið, vatnið, vindin, sólina, aldurnar, sjóvarfallið
osfr., umframt sína egnu arbeiðsmegi, sum er tað týdningarmesta. Føroyingar
mugu rætt og slætt bretta upp um armar og fara til verka í stóran mun!

  
At ímynda sær: Um eingin olja er at fáa oljufýringarnar til at koyra, so mugu
føroyingar flyta fleiri saman í best bjálvaðu húsini við brenniovnum, sum
kunnu brenna torv - ella hús, sum eru sjálvhjálpin við sól- og vindorku ella
jarðarhita. Allur flutningur má fara fram á hestavagnum og í bátum aftur. Tá
eingin olja er til bátamotorarnar, mugu fólk út at fiska við smáum árabátum og
seglskipum - ella fiska frá landi. Fuglur kann fleygast, um nóg mikið er til
av ymsum fuglasløgum. Eplir og røtur kunnu veltast, og annað grønmeti kann
dyrkast í vakstrarhúsum. Kanska nakað av alivinnu kann rekast tætt við land,
um tað ber til at fáa nóg mikið av fóðuri til alifiskin (sum verður innflutt
nú!). Alternativur matur, so sum tari, er eisini etandi og hartil heilsugóður,
so taraskógir kunnu dyrkast. Skeljadjór er eisini atkomulig føði, ið kann
alast. Men ber til eftir stuttari tíð at umskipa samfelagið til henda
veruleika? Ber til at fáa hendur á hóskandi nøgd av amboðunum? Er nóg mikið
til av tilfeingi til at breyðføða øllum?

  
Hvalatvøst verður tá kanska neyðugt at eta aftur, um nóg mikið av mati skal
vera til at breyðføða alt fólkið, so fólk ikki doyggja í hungri. Sjálvt
grindadrápið ber kanska til at gjøgnumføra við róðra- og seglbátum, soleiðis
sum tað var gjørt fyrr í tíðini , um tað skal vera. Dálkaða tvøstið og spikið
er sjálvandi ein stórur trupulleiki. Men standa fólk í eini støðu, har tey eru
nóg svong, so eta tey eisini tað, sum er dálkað, um einki annað er at fáa. Um
føroyingar einki annað alternativ finna til t.d. dálkað tvøst, verða teir
allarhelst noyddir - um teir vilja tað ella ikki - at síggja burtur frá
heilsuskaðiliga langtíðar árininum av dálkaða tvøstinum og spikinum og eta tað
kortini, bara fyri at yvirliva her og nú.

  
**Djór ikki ov fitt til at drepa**  
Eitt sovorðið lív er torført at ímynda sær, tí tað er so nógv øðrvísi enn tað
lívið, føroyingar eru vanir við at liva nú. Men umbroytingin er ikki ósannlík,
tíverri, og hon verður serliga skelkandi fyri yngru ættarliðini. Rakar kreppan
so meint, sum mong spáa, so er einki annað at gera enn at góðtaka hesi
rættiliga nógv herdu lívsvilkorini. (5f)

  
Í eini veruligari kreppustøðu hava føroyingar t.d. als ikki ráð til tann
marglætishugburð, sum nú tykist at vera við at vinna fram - eisini í Føroyum -
orsaka av trýsti frá sonevndum umhvørvisfelagsskapum: nevniliga at síggja djór
sum ov fitt, ov sosial, ov kensluborin og ov klók til at drepa. Tað er
beinleiðis ábyrgdarleyst at dyrka henda hugburð, soleiðis sum støðan sannlíkt
kann fanta seg í framtíðini. Føroyingar verða noyddir - eins og í fyrndini -
at síggja djórini í nærumhvørvinum sum eitt náttúrutilfeingi, sum má
gagnnýtast sum best, so fólkið kann hóra undan. Føroyingar verða tí eisini
noyddir til at varðveita og endurnýggja vitanina um, hvussu ein gagnnýtir og
hagreiðir hetta tilfeingi á burðardyggan hátt, so grundarlagið ikki máast
undan framtíðini hjá komandi ættarliðunum.

  
Spurningurin er, um fólk í Føroyum gera sær nóg greitt, hvørja vandastøðu tey
kunnu koma í, um tey ikki eru betri fyrireikað til eina framtíð, har olja ikki
er drívmegin í øllum meira. Hvussu førir eru føroyingar fyri at liva næstan
sum fyrr í tíðini aftur? Hava teir vitanina til at kunna gagnnýta tilfeingið
optimalt í eini slíkari støðu? Hvussu væl hava føroyingar fyrireikað seg,
børnini og tey ungu til eina framtíð uttan allar teir nútíðar hentleikar, fólk
hava í dag, uttan oljufýringar og skjótar bilar, uttan bólgnandi
sjálvtøkuhandlar, og uttan italska pizza, amerikanskar burgarar og cola?
Hendan spurningin má hvør einstakur seta sær. Harumframt má fólkið krevja av
politikkarunum, at teir taka neyðugu stigini til at fyrireika alt samfelagið
til at klára seg, tá oljan ikki longur verður so atkomilig meira fyri ein og
hvønn, tí ein slík framtíð er kanska als ikki so fjar, sum fólk halda.

  
Henda greinarøð er ein roynd at vekja ans fyri hesum álvarsmáli. Vónandi rakna
fleiri við - helst millum teirra, sum sita við ábyrgd og ávirkan - og viðgera
hesar spurningar. Hvussu víkir og vendir, er tað alneyðugt at tosa saman um,
hvussu føroyingar skulu bjálva seg til henda nýggja veruleika.

  
Til ber ímeðan at ogna sær meira vitan um heimskreppuna, og hvat onnur úti í
heimi viðmæla fólki at gera, um - ella tá - skrædlið kemur, í teim mongu
slóðunum til greinir, bøkur, frágreiðingar og dokumentarar um evnið í listanum
niðanfyri.

  
Fyrra greinin í hesi røð:

[http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/fyrra-greinin-av-tveimum-um-
hvussu.html](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/fyrra-greinin-
av-tveimum-um-hvussu.html)

  

**Keldur **

  

1. Greinir:

a. _Der Spiegel:_ **'Peak Oil' and the German Government**

Military Study Warns of a Potentially Drastic Oil Crisis

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html](http://www
.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html)

b. _The Observer:_ **Peak oil alarm revealed by secret official talks**

Behind government dismissals of 'alarmist' fears there is growing concern over
critical future energy supplies

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-department-energy-
climate-change](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-
department-energy-climate-change)

c. _The Guardian:_ **Lloyd's adds its voice to dire 'peak oil' warnings**

Business underestimating catastrophic consequences of declining oil, says
Lloyd's of London/Chatham House report
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption)

d. _The Observer: _**Resource wars: the global crisis behind BHP Billiton's
bid for Potash Corp **

The battle for the fertiliser giant points to a near future in which world
food supplies may need to rise by 70%

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-potash-corp-
global-crisis](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-
potash-corp-global-crisis)

e. _The Guardian Professional Network:_ **Why the ecology crisis poses a
threat to business as usual **

There is little sign that those gathering in Davos appreciate that current
unsustainablity means that things have to change

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-
unsustainability-threatens-business?INTCMP=SRCH](http://www.guardian.co.uk
/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-unsustainability-threatens-
business?INTCMP=SRCH)

f. _Bloomberg Business Week:_ **Barreling Toward Peak Oil**

Energy analyst Charles Maxwell of Weeden & Co. recommends Canadian tar sands
plays

[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm](http:/
/www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm)

g. _The Nation (videogrein):_ **Are We Running Out of Oil?**

The Nation and On The Earth Productions: Peak Oil and a Changing Climate

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

h. _The Boston Globe:_ **Oil supply to trail demand by 2030, study predicts**

[http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/07/19/oil_supply_to_trail_
demand_by_2030_study_predicts/](http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/
2007/07/19/oil_supply_to_trail_demand_by_2030_study_predicts/)

i. _Børsen:_ **IMF advarer: USA og Europa risikerer double-dip**

[http://borsen.dk/nyheder/oekonomi/artikel/1/215607
/imf_advarer_usa_og_europa_risikerer_double-
dip.html](http://borsen.dk/nyheder/oekonomi/artikel/1/215607
/imf_advarer_usa_og_europa_risikerer_double-dip.html)

j. _The Globe and Mail:_ **Why High Oil Prices Are Such A Threat To The Global
Rebound**

[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/why-
high-oil-prices-are-such-a-threat-to-the-global-
rebound/article1916221/](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business
/top-business-stories/why-high-oil-prices-are-such-a-threat-to-the-global-
rebound/article1916221/)

k. _Economy Watch:_ **Bubble Economy**

[http://www.economywatch.com/economy-articles/bubble-
economy.html](http://www.economywatch.com/economy-articles/bubble-
economy.html)

l. _Jyllands Posten:_ **USA igen tæt på at lukke og slukke**

Demokraterne og Republikanerne toppes om et midlertidigt budget, og USA løber
tør for penge i næste uge.

[http://epn.dk/okonomi2/global/usa/article2556095.ece](http://epn.dk/okonomi2/
global/usa/article2556095.ece)

m. _DR.dk:_ **Jørgen Ørstrøm Møller: USA går bankerot inden 2020**

Inden 2020 er USA gået fallit. Gælden er allerede i dag så alvorlig, at flere
stater burde være blevet lukket. Faktisk siger tallene, at USA's økonomi er
værre end Grækenlands.

[http://www.dr.dk/DR2/Danskernes+akademi/Oekonomi_Ledelse/VL_Doegn_2011/201101
27222058.htm](http://www.dr.dk/DR2/Danskernes+akademi/Oekonomi_Ledelse/VL_Doeg
n_2011/20110127222058.htm)

n. _EnergiTjenesten: _**Alternativ til olie - det skal du vælge**

Tårnhøje oliepriser får rigtig mange danskere til at se sig om efter en
erstatning for oliefyret.

[http://www.energitjenesten.dk/files/resource_16/Alternativ%20til%20olie%2002%
202007.pdf](http://www.energitjenesten.dk/files/resource_16/Alternativ%20til%2
0olie%2002%202007.pdf)

o. _Mathaba.net (the world's leading independent news agency):_

**Hard Times Getting Harder**

Americans are being hammered economically, politically and socially. Paul
Craig Roberts quoted Vladimir Putin calling America "a parasite on the world."

[http://networkedblogs.com/nNr45](http://networkedblogs.com/nNr45)

p. _JP.dk:_ **Ny amerikansk aktienedtur**

Det værste kvartal for det amerikanske børsmarked siden finanskrisen endte
fredag med ny nedtur.

[http://epn.dk/okonomi2/global/usa/article2563901.ece](http://epn.dk/okonomi2/
global/usa/article2563901.ece)

q. _Der Spiegel:_ **America's Debt Crisis

Why Europe Is Right and Obama Is Wrong**

US President Barack Obama has recently suggested that Europe must take on more
debt to stimulate the economy. Such reliance on cheap money, though, is what
got us into the current crisis in the first place -- both in Europe and in the
US. America's problem isn't too little money. It's a lack of competitive
products.

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,789624,00.html](http://www.s
piegel.de/international/world/0,1518,789624,00.html)

r. _Portfolio.com: _**The End**

The era that defined Wall Street is finally, officially over. Michael Lewis,
who chronicled its excess in Liar's Poker, returns to his old haunt to figure
out what went wrong.

[http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-
End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom](http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-
news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom)

  

2. Frágreiðingar:

a. _Jack Zagar:_** The End of Cheap "Conventional" Oil**

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html](http://hawaii.gov/dbe
dt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html)

b. _Dr. Albert Bartlett:_ **Arithmetic, Population, and Energy**

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html](http://hawaii.
gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html)

c. _L.B. Magoon:_ **Are we Running Out of Oil**

[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2000/of00-320/of00-320.pdf](http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2
000/of00-320/of00-320.pdf)

d. _Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:_ **Exponential growth**

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Exponential_growth)

e. **Uppkast til føroyska ætlan um burðardygga menning** - Ár 2002 - 2020

[http://vmr.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF](http://vm
r.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF)

  

3. Bøkur:

a. _Richard Heinberg:_ **The Party's Over: **Oil, War and the Fate of
Industrial Societies

b. _Richard Heinberg:_ **Peak Everything:** Waking Up to the Century of
Declines

c. _Stephen Leeb, Glen Strathy:_ **The Coming Economic Collapse:** How You Can
Thrive When Oil Costs $200 a Barrel

d. _Jeff Rubin:_ **Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller:** Oil
and the End of Globalization

e. _Stephen Leeb:_ **Game Over:** How You Can Prosper in a Shattered Economy

f. _John Michael Greer:_ **The Long Descent:** A User's Guide to the End of
the Industrial Age

g. _Jared Diamond:_ **Collapse:** How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

h. _David Strahan:_ **The Last Oil Shock**i.

i. _Michael Lewis._** Boomerang: **Travels in the New Third World

  

4. Heimasíður:

a. **Post Peak Living:** [http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-
life#](http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-life#)

b. **Carolyn Baker:** [http://carolynbaker.net/](http://carolynbaker.net/)

c. **Permatopia:** [http://permatopia.com/](http://permatopia.com/)

d. **The Oil Drum:**
[http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497](http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497)

e. **Peak Oil News:** [http://www.peak-oil-news.info/](http://www.peak-oil-
news.info/)

f. **Peak Oil Blog:**
[http://peakoil.blogspot.com/](http://peakoil.blogspot.com/)

g. **Early Warning Blog:**
[http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/](http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/)

h. **Organic Consumers:** [http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_61
93.cfm](http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm)

i. **Life After The Oil Crash:** [http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/Breaking
News.html](http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html)

j. **How to Save The World:**
[http://howtosavetheworld.ca/](http://howtosavetheworld.ca/)

k. **Dark Mountain:** [http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-
manifesto/6/](http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/)

l. **Green Peace:** [http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-
and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-
industries/](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-
energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/)

m. **New Economy:** [http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-
vision](http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-vision)

n. **The Corporation:**
[http://www.thecorporation.com/](http://www.thecorporation.com/)

o. **NIA - National Inflation Association:
**[http://inflation.us/](http://inflation.us/)

  

5. Dokumentarar:

a.  **Meltup:** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb1n1X0Oqdw](http://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=eb1n1X0Oqdw)

b.  **The End of America:** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RcbpYR5Joc](http:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RcbpYR5Joc)

c.  **Collapse:**
[http://www.collapsemovie.com/](http://www.collapsemovie.com/)

d.  **A Crude Awakening - The Oil Crash:**
[http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/](http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/)

e.  **The Corporation:** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y](http://w
ww.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y)

f.  **Der ingen skulle tru at nokon kunne bu:**
[http://www.nrk.no/magasin/1.6508621](http://www.nrk.no/magasin/1.6508621)

g. **The Secret of Oz** - Winner, Best Documentary of 2010 (v.1.09.11): [http:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=swkq2E8mswI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swkq2E8m
swI)

  
  
  

  
  

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2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/seinna-greinin-av-
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###  [Fyrireiking til alheims fíggjarligt
skrædl](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/fyrra-greinin-av-
tveimum-um-hvussu.html)

**Fyrra greinin av tveimum, um hvussu alheims skuldarkreppan rakar føroyingar**  
**  
**

**Alheims búskaparkreppan er nú so mikið álvarslig, at alt fleiri búskaparfrøðingar meta, at um fleiri av heimsins fremstu londum ikki fáa tamarhald á sínari skuld, máast grundarlagið so mikið undan alheims peningakervinum, at øll skipanin er í vanda fyri at rapla - kanska innan stutta tíð. Hendir hetta, verður alheims samfelagið, sum vit kenna tað í dag, kollvelt. Hvat fer hetta at merkja fyri føroyska samfelagið?**  
**  
**

Framstandandi altjóða búskaparfrøðingar hava leingi mett búskaparstøðuna í
heiminum at vera sera álvarsliga (Sí keldur, 1g). IMF hevur júst ávarað um, at
USA og Evropa eru á sera vágiligari vandaleið (1i). Alt fleiri óttast vandan
fyri tvísporandi inflasjón - eisini í teimum londum, sum fram til nú hava
verið roknað millum heimsins sterkastu og ríkastu (5a). Ein ótemjandi
inflasjón kann fáa sera álvarsligar avleiðingar ikki bara fyri hesi londini,
men fyri allan heim. Seinast tað hendi, endaði tað í roynd og veru við
veraldarbardaga (5b).

  
Fylgir ein bara eitt lítið sindur við í miðlum kring heimin, ber illa til IKKI
at geva sær far um allar ávaringarnar frá alt fleiri serfrøðingum um, hvussu
álvarslig fíggjarstøðan í heiminum er. Ov mikið er til av larmi frá sonevndum
'konspiratiónsteorikarum' og 'dómadagsprofetum', sum varskógva um heimsins
undirgang, men hetta er ikki tað, sum sipað verður til her. Her verður tosað
um eina kreppu, har veruleikin og tølini tala sítt greiða mál. Høgt virdir
altjóða felagsskapir og serfrøðingar viðurkenna støðuna - og ávara um, at
støðan er hættislig.

  
Men her á landi verður hetta evni av ókendari orsøk ikki umrøtt serliga nógv
sæð í mun til, hvussu álvarsligt málið er, og enn minni, hvat støðan merkir -
ella kann koma til at merkja fyri føroyska samfelagið.

  
**Umborð á søkkandi Titanic**

Tey, sum sita við politisku ábyrgdini, tykjast næstan ikki at latast um vón.
Tað er sera óheppið, at landsins ábyrgdarhavarar ikki hava nakra greiða støðu
til, hvussu fólk skulu bera seg at, um heimsbúskaparkreppan versnar, so sum
nógv bendir á. Tað kann gerast beinleiðis lívshættisligt at skúgva
ávaringarnar til viks og at lata vera við at taka støðu.

  
Hví tykjast flest allir føroyskir politikkarar at tosa so lítið um alheims
búskaparstøðuna? Trúgva teir ikki uppá, at støðan er so álvarslig - og at tað
kann raka Føroyar meint? Vita teir ov lítið um tað? Ella skilja teir tað bara
ikki? Til ber í øllum førum at staðfesta, at enn vilja fleiri politikkarar
heldur raðfesta ómetaliga kostnaðarmiklar ørvitisverkætlanir, enn at seta alla
orku inn á at fyrireika samfelagið til at klára seg undir eini ógvusligari
kreppu, sum vit enn smbrt. serfrøðingunum bert hava sæð byrjanina av.

  
Møguliga er støðan í heiminum so mikið álvarslig, at politikkarar og onnur
ikki vita síni livandi ráð. Ella óttast teir kanska fyri at loypa ov nógvan
fjáltur á fólk við at nevna tað. Tá er lættari at lata sum um, at alt er í
fínasta lagi og vóna, at alt allarhelst skjótt lagar seg aftur av sær sjálvum.
Men hetta er sum at sita á fyrsta klassa á ovasta dekki umborð á Titanic og
lata sum um, skipið ikki søkkur, hóast niðastu dekkini langt síðani eru farin
undir kav. Onkur má gera vart við tað, so fólk fáa høvi at bjarga sær og
sínum.

  
Men hvør hevur gjørt sær ítøkiligar tankar um, hvat hendir her á landi, um
t.d. amerikanski búskapurin fór á heysin við ógvusligum gjarðandi árini á
búskapin í restini av heiminum? Onkur einstakur kanska, men er nakar komin við
uppskotum til eina tilbúgvingarætlan fyri Føroyar? Tá tað ER hent, er tað jú
ov seint. Og tá skulu hesir somu politikkarar standa til svars. Men her
tykjast so gott sum allir at liggja og sova.

  
**Heimurin eftir "Peak Oil"**

Hví skal støðan takast í so stórum álvara? Jú, tí tann álvarsamasta
skuldarkreppan, heimurin nakrantíð hevur sæð, herjar í roynd og veru heimin
beint í løtuni. Kreppan, sum vit uppliva nú, er ikki nøkur vanlig
lágkonjunktur-kreppa, sum sveiggjar mestsum av sær sjálvum upp til
hákonjunktur aftur, men ein kreppa, sum sannlíkt er væl meira álvarslig enn
tær kreppur, heimurin fyrr hevur upplivað. Hetta fer meir ella minni at raka
øll. Eingin sleppur undan. Tað er nevniliga váttað av mongum - eisini
framstandandi leiðarum í sjálvum oljuídnaðinum - at heimurin er farin um "Peak
Oil" punktið (1b, 1c og 1h) ; tvs. punktið, har oljuframleiðarar ikki megna at
metta vaksandi eftirspurningin eftir olju, so skjótt og so títt, sum tørvur er
fyri tí.

  
Eitt sera týðiligt tekin um hetta er m.a., at desperasjónin eftir at finna
olju tykist vera so mikið stór, at oljufeløgini velja alt dýrari, alt meira
víðgongdar og alt meira vandamiklar hættir at finna olju, t.d. á djúpri og
djúpri vatni, uttan at taka neyðugu trygdaratlitini (Hugsa bara um Deepwater
Horizon vanlukkuna í Mexico-flógvanum). Harumframt velja oljufeløgini at
gagnnýta sløg av kolvetni, sum eru sera torfør at útvinna og sera
kostnaðarmikil at fáa líkinda góð oljupreparat burturúr (t.d. tjørusand og
oljufløgugrót).

  
Ímeðan byggja fleiri og fleiri u-lond enn teirra framgongd næstan bara á
oljuriknan ídnað og flutning, samstundis sum at fólkavøksturin í heiminum
veksur eksponentielt (2b). Fólkavøksturin fer uppum 7 milliardir fólk júst í
ár. Øll hesi fólkini brúka alt meira av øllum tilfeinginum - mati, olju o.ø.
Tá eftirspurningurin eftir olju veksur skjótari, enn útboðið - tvs. skjótari
enn oljuframleiðandi londini kunnu náa at framleiða oljuna, hevur hetta við
sær, at oljuprísirnir ósvitaliga hækka - kanska við smærri sveiggjum upp og
niður, men rákið sum heild er ógvuslig dýrkan.

  
**Avleiðingar av hækkandi oljuprísum**

Hetta fær álvarsligar fylgjur fyri hvørt einstakt menniskja, ið livir á hesi
klótu, tí oljuprísir hava so ómetaliga stóran týdning fyri heimsbúskapin (1j).
So hvørt sum oljuprísirnir hækka, hækka allir framleiðslu- og
flutningskostnaðir tilsvarandi. Harvið dýrka allar vørur. Hetta setur ferð á
kostnaðarspiralin. Fakfeløgini krevja hægri løn til sínar limir at viga upp
ímóti hækkandi útreiðslunum hjá limunum. Kravið verður ofta stuðlað av
politisku skipanini, sum fegin vil halda keypsorkuni uppi. Arbeiðsmarknaðurin
verður kroystur, tí fyritøkurnar í roynd og veru ikki hava ráð til at fíggja
hækkaða lønarlagið. Arbeiðsplássini verða útflutt. Fleiri gerast arbeiðsleys.

  
Hetta minkar alt um orkuna at megna hækkandi kostnaðarstøðið. Fólk velja
tískil at taka lán - bæði privatu húsarhaldini og fyritøkurnar - at gjalda
útreiðslurnar við og halda livistøðinum uppi. Men gjaldførið ER vánaligt, so
bankar og lánsveitarar fella fyri freistingini at bjóða lán við lagaligari og
lagaligari afturgjaldstreytum - bæði til privat og fyritøkur, so
samfelagshjólini, harímillum týdningarmikli bústaðarmarknaðurin, kann haldast
í gongd.  Men tað er bara at skjóta pínuna út.

  
Alt er í veruleikanum bygt á tilgjørt "ríkidømi", sum ikki hevur hald í nøkrum
veruleika.  Pengar verða brúktir við heimild í nøkrum komandi, sum fólk vænta
sær, men sum ikki finst í veruleikanum - og neyvan fer at finnast. Øll skumpa
bara soleiðis skuldina frammanfyri seg. Men tá virðini ikki eru reell, og ov
lítið kemur inn aftur í mun til tað væntaða, máast grundarlagið undan álitinum
á lántakararnar, og so brestur bløðran at enda (1k).

  
Privat og fyritøkur fara á heysin í hópatali. Hareftir fara bankarnir og
lánsveitararnir á heysin, sum aftur noyðir landsins stjórnir til at átaka sær
skuldina fyri at bjarga smáspararunum frá fullkomnum húsagangi og soleiðis
fyribyrgja, at samfelagið ikki steðgar heilt upp. Soleiðis verður
skuldarbyrðan bara flutt uppeftir í skipanini. Men hetta tyngir
landsbúskapirnar í sera stóran mun í longdini.

  
**Loysa ikki skuldarkreppu við at taka fleiri lán**

Mong lond velja í fyrsta umfari at "loysa" trupulleikan við at royna at pumpa
pengar út í samfelagið fyri at fáa gongd á "vøksturin" aftur, men hetta er
tilgjørdur, og ikki ein reellur vøkstur, sum kemur av framleiddum meirvirði.
Populert sagt: "Vit kunnu ikki liva bara av at klippa hvørjum øðrum". Ein
tilgjørdur vøkstur etur tiltaksgoymslurnar upp (um nakrar eru) rættiliga
skjótt. Syrgiliga sannroyndin er, at flestu lond í grundini als ikki hava ráð
longur til at halda høga livistøðinum uppi og varðveita tær mongu
vælferðartænastur, sum fólk vandu seg við í betri tíðum.

  
Men stjórnirnar vilja ikki gera politiskt sjálvmorð við at linka krøvini til
vælferðina. Manglandi gjaldføri ger seg galdandi í fleiri, fyrr so ríkum
londum. Tað fær stjórnirnar at kenna seg kroystar til at taka lán at fíggja
vælferðina við. Men tað kemur ikki nóg nógv inn í kassan aftur, so fleiri lán
mugu til - eisini lán til at fíggja rentur og avdrøg fyri av gomlum lánum. Alt
fleiri lond eru soleiðis endað í einum skuldarspirali, har tey hækka
skuldarloftið alt meir. Men so við og við eru tey heldur ikki før fyri bara at
gjalda renturnar av ovurstóru skuldini, sum veksur eksponentielt. Tað ber ikki
til at koma burtur úr eini skuldarkreppu við bara at taka fleiri lán! Tað
sigur seg sjálvt. Eins og tað ikki ber til hjá einum alkoholikara at drekka
seg burtur úr alkoholismuni. Og hvør skal gjalda rokningina í síðsta enda? Hon
verður send víðari til komandi ættarliðini, sum heldur ikki hava ráð at gjalda
skuldina. At enda kemur húsagangurin. Fleiri lond kunnu knappliga standa í
eini støðu, at hvørki alment lønt ella fólk á privata marknaðinum fáa útgoldið
lønir sínar, tí eingin hevur pengar at gjalda teimum við. Og hvat hendir so,
tá fólk ikki hava pengar á kontuni at keypa mat o.a. fyri? Tað óhugnaliga
scenariið kann ein bara ímynda sær...!

  
**Byrjanin til eina verri kreppu**

Búskaparfrøðingar siga, at vit hava bara sæð byrjaninina av eini nógv verri
kreppu, sum lond bara hava útsett og útsett við at lána meira og meira - nú so
nógv, at summi lond ongantíð fara at hava ráð til at gjalda alla skuldina
aftur. Tað ber ikki til.

  
Hetta ger seg ikki minst galdandi fyri tað einaferð so mæta heimsveldið USA,
sum nú skyldar fýra ferðir sína egnu bruttotjóðarúrtøku. Tað merkir, at landið
kann rakast av "hyperinflasjón", so øll luft fer úr búskapinum. Fleiri
ættarlið fram í tíðina mugu so gjalda fyri marglætið hjá núlivandi
amerikanarunum . Fleiri onnur framkomin lond skylda eisini upphæddir, sum eru
størri enn teirra egna bruttotjóðarðurtøka, og fleiri eru farin - ella eru um
reppið at fara - á húsagang, tí tey hava mist alt trúvirðið hjá
lánsveitarunum. Á alheims stigi er skuldin nú komin upp í so astronomiskar
hæddir, at hetta aldrin er sæð fyrr í søguni. Alheims samlaða skuldin er nú 10
ferðir størri enn samlaðu bruttotjóðarúrtøkurnar fyri øll lond í heiminum!

  
Vandin fyri, at øll peningaskipanin raplar, er reellur. Tískil mugu lond
fyrireika, hvussu tey ætla sær at møta einum alheims fíggjarskrædli. Eisini
Føroyar. Tey, sum lata eygu, oyru og munn aftur fyri hesum trupulleika og lata
sum um, alt stendur væl til, kunnu vænta sær at vakna upp við kaldan dreym ein
dag. Tí alt bendir á, at heimsins fólk yvirhøvur mugu fyrireika seg uppá eina
longri varandi djúpa og kollveltandi kreppu, har øll mugu læra at liva nógv
meira frá hondini í munnin í framtíðini. Tey, sum tá fara at standa seg best,
verða tey, sum skylda minst og eru mest sjálvhjálpin lokalt.

  
**Neyðugt at gera Føroyar meira sjálvbjargnar**

Føroyingar hava livað beinleiðis av egnum sjógvi og landi í meir enn túsund
ár, men í dag innflyta føroyingar so gott sum alt, sum etið verður av mati, og
sum brúkt verður av tilfari í Føroyum, samstundis sum at føroyingar grunda so
gott sum alla sína framleiðslu, flutning og upphiting á olju, sum eisini má
innflytast. Hetta er ein lutvíst nýggj siðvenja, sum hevur gjørt samfelagið
sárbært og sera ávirkiligt av konjunkturinum í heimssamfelagnum. Við hóttandi
gongdini í heiminum í dag gerst henda nýggja siðvenja alt hættisligari og
dýrari fyri føroyska samfelagið, umframt at hetta dálkar og tyngir umhvørvið í
stóran mun.

  
Føroyingar verða noyddir longu nú at venja seg við, at oljan ikki longur kann
vera álitið. Oljan fer um ikki so langa tíð ikki longur at kunna vera
grundarlagið undir møguleikanum at veita fólki breyð á borðið, sum fyrr -
heldur ikki um olja verður funnin í føroyskari undirgrund. Í framtíðini mugu
føroyingar líta nógv meira á lokala tilfeingið, enn teir gera í løtuni, sum
til ber at framleiða uttan brúk av olju. Ikki so nógv til at framleiða
útflutningsvørur av, men beinleiðis sum tað, fólkið sjálvt skal liva av.

  
Versnar alheims støðan so nógv, sum spátt verður av so mongum, so verða
Føroyar nógv meira avbyrgdar frá umheiminum aftur, enn tær eru í dag - og so
kann støðan hjá fólkinum í Føroyum gerast beinleiðis lívshættislig. Um eitt
veruligt fíggjarligt skrædl kemur, og føroyingar tá ikki ætla sær at vera
tiknir á bóli og vera millum teirra, sum standa á berum, so er alneyðugt longu
nú at fyrireika seg uppá at gerast nógv meira sjálvbjargin og t.d. økja um
eginframleiðsluna av fleiri neyðsynjarvørum. Arbeiðsplássini, sum vóru
útflutt, mugu innflytast aftur. Og nógv meira má fáast burtur úr egnum
tilfeingi - sjálvandi á burðardyggum grundarlag - soleiðis at samfelagið gerst
nógv meira óbundið at innflutningi, enn tað er í dag.

  
Hetta evnið fer seinna greinin í hesi røð at viðgera nærri, har hugleitt
verður um, hvussu lívið man fara at síggja út í Føroyum, tá vit ikki longur
fara at hava ráð til oljuna: **Nýggjur veruleiki ger kanska grindadráp neyðug
aftur - les greinina her: **[http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09
/seinna-greinin-av-tveimum-um-
hvussu.html](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/seinna-greinin-
av-tveimum-um-hvussu.html)

  
Ímeðan ber til at ogna sær meira vitan um heimskreppuna í teim mongu slóðunum
til greinir, bøkur, frágreiðingar og dokumentarar um evnið í listanum
niðanfyri.

  

**Keldur **

  
  
1. Greinir:

a.  _Der Spiegel:_ **'Peak Oil' and the German Government**

Military Study Warns of a Potentially Drastic Oil Crisis

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html](http://www
.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,715138,00.html)

b.  _The Observer:_ **Peak oil alarm revealed by secret official talks**

Behind government dismissals of 'alarmist' fears there is growing concern over
critical future energy supplies

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-department-energy-
climate-change](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/peak-oil-
department-energy-climate-change)

c.  _The Guardian:_ **Lloyd's adds its voice to dire 'peak oil' warnings**

Business underestimating catastrophic consequences of declining oil, says
Lloyd's of London/Chatham House report
[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/11/peak-oil-energy-
disruption)

d.  _The Observer: _**Resource wars: the global crisis behind BHP Billiton's
bid for Potash Corp **

The battle for the fertiliser giant points to a near future in which world
food supplies may need to rise by 70%

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-potash-corp-
global-crisis](http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/22/bhp-billiton-
potash-corp-global-crisis)

e.  _The Guardian Professional Network:_ **Why the ecology crisis poses a
threat to business as usual **

There is little sign that those gathering in Davos appreciate that current
unsustainablity means that things have to change

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-
unsustainability-threatens-business?INTCMP=SRCH](http://www.guardian.co.uk
/sustainable-business/davos-ecology-crisis-unsustainability-threatens-
business?INTCMP=SRCH)

f.  _Bloomberg Business Week:_ **Barreling Toward Peak Oil**

Energy analyst Charles Maxwell of Weeden & Co. recommends Canadian tar sands
plays

[http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm](http:/
/www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_23/b4181086607101.htm)

g.  _The Nation (videogrein):_ **Are We Running Out of Oil?**

The Nation and On The Earth Productions: Peak Oil and a Changing Climate

[http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-
climate](http://www.thenation.com/video/157441/peak-oil-and-changing-climate)

h.  _The Boston Globe:_ **Oil supply to trail demand by 2030, study predicts**

[http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/07/19/oil_supply_to_trail_
demand_by_2030_study_predicts/](http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/
2007/07/19/oil_supply_to_trail_demand_by_2030_study_predicts/)

i.  _Børsen:_ **IMF advarer: USA og Europa risikerer double-dip**

[http://borsen.dk/nyheder/oekonomi/artikel/1/215607
/imf_advarer_usa_og_europa_risikerer_double-
dip.html](http://borsen.dk/nyheder/oekonomi/artikel/1/215607
/imf_advarer_usa_og_europa_risikerer_double-dip.html)

j.  _The Globe and Mail:_ **Why High Oil Prices Are Such A Threat To The
Global Rebound**

[http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/why-
high-oil-prices-are-such-a-threat-to-the-global-
rebound/article1916221/](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business
/top-business-stories/why-high-oil-prices-are-such-a-threat-to-the-global-
rebound/article1916221/)

k.  _Economy Watch:_ **Bubble Economy**

[http://www.economywatch.com/economy-articles/bubble-
economy.html](http://www.economywatch.com/economy-articles/bubble-
economy.html)

l.  _Jyllands Posten:_ **USA igen tæt på at lukke og slukke**

Demokraterne og Republikanerne toppes om et midlertidigt budget, og USA løber
tør for penge i næste uge.

[http://epn.dk/okonomi2/global/usa/article2556095.ece](http://epn.dk/okonomi2/
global/usa/article2556095.ece)

m. _DR.dk:_ **Jørgen Ørstrøm Møller: USA går bankerot inden 2020**

Inden 2020 er USA gået fallit. Gælden er allerede i dag så alvorlig, at flere
stater burde være blevet lukket. Faktisk siger tallene, at USA's økonomi er
værre end Grækenlands.

[http://www.dr.dk/DR2/Danskernes+akademi/Oekonomi_Ledelse/VL_Doegn_2011/201101
27222058.htm](http://www.dr.dk/DR2/Danskernes+akademi/Oekonomi_Ledelse/VL_Doeg
n_2011/20110127222058.htm)

n. _EnergisTjenesten: _**Alternativ til olie - det skal du vælge**

Tårnhøje oliepriser får rigtig mange danskere til at se sig om efter en
erstatning for oliefyret.

[http://www.energitjenesten.dk/files/resource_16/Alternativ%20til%20olie%2002%
202007.pdf](http://www.energitjenesten.dk/files/resource_16/Alternativ%20til%2
0olie%2002%202007.pdf)

o. _Mathaba.net (the world's leading independent news agency):_

**Hard Times Getting Harder**  
Americans are being hammered economically, politically and socially. Paul
Craig Roberts quoted Vladimir Putin calling America "a parasite on the world."

[http://networkedblogs.com/nNr45](http://networkedblogs.com/nNr45)

p. _JP.dk:_ **Ny amerikansk aktienedtur**

Det værste kvartal for det amerikanske børsmarked siden finanskrisen endte
fredag med ny nedtur.

[http://epn.dk/okonomi2/global/usa/article2563901.ece](http://epn.dk/okonomi2/
global/usa/article2563901.ece)

q. _Der Spiegel:_ **America's Debt Crisis

Why Europe Is Right and Obama Is Wrong**

US President Barack Obama has recently suggested that Europe must take on more
debt to stimulate the economy. Such reliance on cheap money, though, is what
got us into the current crisis in the first place -- both in Europe and in the
US. America's problem isn't too little money. It's a lack of competitive
products.

[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,789624,00.html](http://www.s
piegel.de/international/world/0,1518,789624,00.html)

r. _Portfolio.com:_ **The End**

The era that defined Wall Street is finally, officially over. Michael Lewis,
who chronicled its excess in Liar's Poker, returns to his old haunt to figure
out what went wrong.

[http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-
End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom](http://www.portfolio.com/news-markets/national-
news/portfolio/2008/11/11/The-End-of-Wall-Streets-Boom)

  

2. Frágreiðingar:

a.  _Jack Zagar:_** The End of Cheap "Conventional" Oil**

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html](http://hawaii.gov/dbe
dt/ert/symposium/zagar/zagar.html)

b.  _Dr. Albert Bartlett:_ **Arithmetic, Population, and Energy**

[http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html](http://hawaii.
gov/dbedt/ert/symposium/bartlett/bartlett1.html)

c.  _L.B. Magoon:_ **Are we Running Out of Oil**

[http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2000/of00-320/of00-320.pdf](http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2
000/of00-320/of00-320.pdf)

d.  _Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:_ **Exponential growth**

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exponential_growth](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki
/Exponential_growth)

e.  **Uppkast til føroyska ætlan um burðardygga menning** - Ár 2002 - 2020

[http://vmr.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF](http://vm
r.fo/Files/Filer/VMR/Fragreidingar/Burdardygg_menning.PDF)

  
  
3. Bøkur:

a.  _Richard Heinberg:_ **The Party's Over: **Oil, War and the Fate of
Industrial Societies

b.  _Richard Heinberg:_ **Peak Everything:** Waking Up to the Century of
Declines

c.  _Stephen Leeb, Glen Strathy:_ **The Coming Economic Collapse:** How You
Can Thrive When Oil Costs $200 a Barrel

d. _Jeff Rubin:_ **Why Your World Is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller:** Oil
and the End of Globalization

e.  _Stephen Leeb:_ **Game Over:** How You Can Prosper in a Shattered Economy

f.  _John Michael Greer:_ **The Long Descent:** A User's Guide to the End of
the Industrial Age

g.  _Jared Diamond:_ **Collapse:** How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed

h.  _David Strahan:_ **The Last Oil Shock**

i. _Michael Lewis. _**Boomerang:** Travels in the New Third World

  

4. Heimasíður:

a. **Post Peak Living:** [http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-
life#](http://www.postpeakliving.com/preparing-post-peak-life#)

b. **Carolyn Baker:** [http://carolynbaker.net/](http://carolynbaker.net/)

c. **Permatopia:** [http://permatopia.com/](http://permatopia.com/)

d. **The Oil Drum:**
[http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497](http://www.theoildrum.com/node/5497)

e. **Peak Oil News:** [http://www.peak-oil-news.info/](http://www.peak-oil-
news.info/)

f. **Peak Oil Blog:**
[http://peakoil.blogspot.com/](http://peakoil.blogspot.com/)

g. **Early Warning Blog:**
[http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/](http://earlywarn.blogspot.com/)

h. **Organic Consumers:** [http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_61
93.cfm](http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_6193.cfm)

i. **Life After The Oil Crash:** [http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/Breaking
News.html](http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/BreakingNews.html)

j. **How to Save The World:**
[http://howtosavetheworld.ca/](http://howtosavetheworld.ca/)

k. **Dark Mountain:** [http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-
manifesto/6/](http://www.dark-mountain.net/about-2/the-manifesto/6/)

l. **Green Peace:** [http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-
and-energy/polluterwatch/koch-
industries/](http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/campaigns/global-warming-and-
energy/polluterwatch/koch-industries/)

m. **New Economy:** [http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-
vision](http://www.neweconomyworkinggroup.org/blog/missing-vision)

n.  **The Corporation:**
[http://www.thecorporation.com/](http://www.thecorporation.com/)

o.  **NIA - National Inflation Association:
**[http://inflation.us/](http://inflation.us/)

  
  
5. Dokumentarar:

a.  **Meltup:** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb1n1X0Oqdw](http://www.youtub
e.com/watch?v=eb1n1X0Oqdw)

b.  **The End of America:** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RcbpYR5Joc](http:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RcbpYR5Joc)

c.  **Collapse:**
[http://www.collapsemovie.com/](http://www.collapsemovie.com/)

d.  **A Crude Awakening - The Oil Crash:**
[http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/](http://www.oilcrashmovie.com/)

e.  **The Corporation:** [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y](http://w
ww.youtube.com/watch?v=Pin8fbdGV9Y)

f.  **Der ingen skulle tru at nokon kunne bu:**
[http://www.nrk.no/magasin/1.6508621](http://www.nrk.no/magasin/1.6508621)

g. **The Secret of Oz** - Winner, Best Documentary of 2010 (v.1.09.11): [http:
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=swkq2E8mswI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swkq2E8m
swI)

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Sunday, September 25,
2011](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2011/09/fyrra-greinin-av-
tveimum-um-hvussu.html) [0
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  *[Sunday, September 25, 2011]: 2011-09-25T00:23:00+01:00

#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Tuesday, May 22, 2012

###  [If we lose our foods we lose who we
are](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/05/if-we-lose-our-food-we-
lose-who-we-are.html)

**I was born in the late 50'ies in the Faroe Islands. At that time we pretty much had a subsistence way of life in this remote place on earth with a hostile climate and an environment that humans could never hope to survive in without eating animals. **  
  
In winter, our region is stormy and dark for months on end, and the summer is
very short. There are no trees outside sheltered areas in towns and villages
and just a few edible plants. And yet, somehow we, the Faroese people, have
survived here for more than a thousand years, relying on an intimate knowledge
and understanding of our environment for our survival, constantly walking a
tightrope between life and death.

  
In my childhood the Faroese still harvested most of our own food, integrating
healthy, wild edibles into our diet. Most of our food supply was right outside
our front door, and we used time-tested methods for living off the land and
the sea. Our people were unencumbered, only depending on nature's resources
and the skill in our hands. Sudden food cost increases or empty grocery
shelves caused by turmoil on the international market were not our biggest
concerns. The only uncertainties were the whims of nature.

  
I remember the foods of my childhood. We ate mostly fish, some sheep meat and
quite a lot of whale meat and blubber, served with homegrown potatoes. And
afterwards we would have porridge made from homegrown rhubarbs, for instance.
Our storage of dry and salted food and our new freezer were filled with fish,
sheep meat and whale meat and blubber, my family had provided directly from
natures larder. Our dairy products were from local farmers. But the grains,
flours and sugar we used for baking bread and cakes were imported. And we only
eat vegetables and fruits, if we could afford it. They were very expensive,
because they came from far away, so they were luxury foods, we could not have
everyday.

  
**Times they are a'changing **  
But things changed. Our fishing became industrialized. We got money on our
hands. And suddenly we were able to import exotic foods from countries far
away, like oranges and bananas. When I was a teenager in the 70'ies, we
probably already eat fifty-fifty, half traditional Faroese food, half regular
European food. Today the division is more like eighty-twenty, at least for
people living in the bigger towns, while people in smaller and less affluent
villages still try to reduce food costs by holding on to the old traditional
diet.

  
No one, not even indigenous residents of the northernmost arctic villages on
Earth, eats an entirely traditional northern diet anymore. Not even the
Eskimos--which include the Inupiat and the Yupiks of Alaska, the Canadian
Inuit and Inuvialuit, Inuit Greenlanders, and the Siberian Yupiks--or the Sami
people in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden and Finland. They have probably
seen more changes in their diet in a lifetime than their ancestors did over
thousands of years.(1)

  
But it's very doubtful whether the modern foods replacing the traditional
foods, are any better or healthier. The opposite is more likely. The closer
people live to towns and the more access they have to stores and cash-paying
jobs, the more likely they are to have westernized their eating. And with
westernization comes processed foods and cheap carbohydrates--soda, cookies,
chips, pizza, fries and the like. The young and urbanized are increasingly
into fast food. So much so that type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other diseases
of Western civilization are becoming causes for great concern in our country
too.

  
**An inadequate diet? **  
Up until the 60'ies the Faroese people mostly subsisted on what they hunted
and fished. We were island people exploiting the sea and the little land we
had in a sustainable way. The main nutritional challenge was avoiding
starvation in late winter if primary meat sources became too scarce or lean.
But how did people get along eating so much meat and so few vegetables and
fruit? How could such a diet possibly be adequate? This diet hardly makes up
the "balanced" diet most other people elsewhere have grown up with. It looks
nothing like the mix of grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, and dairy as
seen in conventional food pyramid diagrams.

  
Still, Faroese people have been quite healthy--healthier than they are today
now that modern foods have replaced much of their traditional food. Now, when
almost everyone in western societies is on some kind of a fancy diet and
nobody seems sure of what to eat to stay healthy, it's surprising to learn how
well northern people like the Faroese did on a high-protein, high-fat diet,
even though this diet had little in the way of plant food, not many
agricultural products and a few dairy products, and it was also relatively low
in carbohydrates.

  
Well, it seems that there are no essential foods--only essential nutrients.
(2) And humans can get those nutrients from diverse sources. One might, for
instance, imagine gross vitamin deficiencies arising from a diet very scarce
on fresh fruits and vegetables. People in southern climes derive much of their
Vitamin A from colorful plant foods, constructing it from pigmented plant
precursors called carotenoids (as in carrots). But vitamin A, which is oil
soluble, is also plentiful in the oils of cold-water fishes and sea mammals,
as well as in the animals' livers, where fat is processed.

  
These dietary staples also provide vitamin D, another oil-soluble vitamin
needed for bones. Those living in temperate and tropical climates, on the
other hand, usually make vitamin D indirectly by exposing skin to strong sun--
hardly an option in the long and dark winters in the north.

  
**How to overcome vitamin deficiensies **  
As for vitamin C, the source in northern peoples' diet was long a mystery.
Most animals can synthesize their own vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, in their
livers, but humans are among the exceptions, along with other primates like
guinea pigs and bats. If we don't ingest enough of it, we fall apart from
scurvy, a gruesome connective-tissue disease.

  
In southern climes the people can get ample supplies from orange juice, citrus
fruits, and fresh vegetables. But vitamin C oxidizes with time. Getting enough
from a ship's provisions was tricky for people living far away out in the
ocean, like the Faroese, or in other not easily accessible northern regions.
Scurvy--joint pain, rotting gums, leaky blood vessels, physical and mental
degeneration--are known to have plagued European and U.S. expeditions in the
arctic area even in the 20th century. However, natives in these arctic and
subarctic areas living on fresh fish and meat were free of the disease.

  
If you have some fresh meat in your diet every day and don't overcook it,
there will be enough vitamin C from that source alone to prevent scurvy. In
fact, all it takes to ward off scurvy is a daily dose of 10 milligrams (3).
Native foods, like in the Faroes for instance, easily supply those 10
milligrams of scurvy prevention, especially when organ meats are on the menu.
As you might guess from its antiscorbutic role, vitamin C is crucial for the
synthesis of connective tissue, including the matrix of skin. Wherever
collagen's made, you can expect vitamin C (1). Traditional Faroese practices
like freezing or drying meat and fish and frequently eating them raw, conserve
vitamin C, which is easily cooked off and lost in food processing, so eating
dry fish, sheep or whale meat and blubber is as good as drinking orange juice.

  
Hunter-gatherer diets like those of the Faroese and other northern groups, as
well as other traditional diets based on nomadic herding or subsistence
farming are among the older approaches to human eating. Some of these eating
plans might seem strange to others--diets centered around milk, meat, and
blood among the East African pastoralists, enthusiastic tuber eating by the
Quechua living in the High Andes, the staple use of the mongongo nut in the
southern African !Kung--but all proved resourceful adaptations to particular
eco-niches.

  
**Fat is very important **  
No people, though, may have been forced to push the nutritional envelope
further than those living at Earth's frozen extremes. In general, hunter-
gatherers tend to eat more animal protein than people do in their standard
Western diet, with its reliance on agriculture and carbohydrates derived from
grains and starchy plants. Lowest of all in carbohydrate, and highest in
combined fat and protein, are the diets of peoples living in the Far North,
where they make up for fewer plant foods with extra fish.

  
The simplest, fastest way to make energy is to convert carbohydrates into
glucose, our body's primary fuel. But if the body is out of carbs, it can burn
fat, or if necessary, break down protein. Arctic and subarctic people had
plenty of protein but little carbohydrate, so they often relied on fat.
Protein can't be the sole source of energy for humans. (4) Anyone eating a
meaty diet that is low in carbohydrates must have fat as well, or else they
will weaken over time and eventually die even though they have lots of food,
high in protein, but low in carbohydrates and fat.

  
No discussion about diet these days can avoid the "Atkins diet". You can say
that the northern way of eating is the "original Atkins". Just like the diet
in the arctic-subarctic area, Atkins is low in carbohydrates and very high in
fat. But numerous researchers point out that there are profound differences,
though, between the two diets, beginning with the type of meat and fat eaten.

  
**Healthy and unhealthy fats **  
Fats have been demonized in modern western cultures. But all fats are not
created equal. (5) This lies at the heart of a paradox. In the northern areas,
people on a traditional fatty diet don't die of heart attacks at nearly the
same rates as other people in Europe or America. The cardiac death rate is
about half as high in the arctic region as it is in the US or in most northern
European countries. So what causes that reduced risk? It is intriguing because
the arctic-subarctic diet is nothing like the famously heart-healthy
Mediterranean diet, with its cornucopia of vegetables, fruits, grains, herbs,
spices, olive oil, and red wine.

  
A key difference is that more than 50 percent of the calories in native foods
in the arctic-subarctic areas come from fats. Much more important, the fats
come from wild animals or domestic animals living in the wild all year round.
Wild-animal fats are different from both farm-animal fats and processed fats.
Farm animals, cooped up and stuffed with agricultural grains (carbohydrates)
typically have lots of solid, highly saturated fat. Much of the processed food
is also riddled with solid fats, or so-called trans fats, such as the
reengineered vegetable oils and shortenings cached in baked goods and snacks.
A lot of the packaged food on supermarket shelves contains them. So do
commercial french fries. (5)

  
Trans fats are polyunsaturated vegetable oils tricked up to make them more
solid at room temperature. Manufacturers do this by hydrogenating the oils--
adding extra hydrogen atoms to their molecular structures--which "twists"
their shapes. These man-made fats are dangerous, even worse for the heart than
saturated fats. They not only lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL,
the "good" cholesterol) but they also raise low-density lipoprotein
cholesterol (LDL, the "bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides. In the process,
trans fats set the stage for heart attacks because they lead to the increase
of fatty buildup in artery walls.

  
**Wild animals provide healthier fats **  
Wild animals and / or animals that range freely and eat what nature intended
have fat that is far more healthful. Less of their fat is saturated, and more
of it is in the monounsaturated form (like olive oil). What's more, cold-water
fishes and sea mammals are particularly rich in polyunsaturated fats called
n-3 fatty acids or omega-3 fatty acids. These fats appear to benefit the heart
and vascular system. But the polyunsaturated fats in most Europeans and
Americans' diets are the omega-6 fatty acids supplied by vegetable oils. By
contrast, whale blubber consists of 70 percent monounsaturated fat and close
to 30 percent omega-3s. (5)

  
Omega-3s evidently help raise HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides, and are
known for anticlotting effects. These fatty acids are believed to protect the
heart from life-threatening arrhythmias that can lead to sudden cardiac death.
And like a "natural aspirin", omega-3 polyunsaturated fats help put a damper
on runaway inflammatory processes, which play a part in atherosclerosis,
arthritis, diabetes, and other so-called diseases of civilization.

  
Needless to say, the subsistence diets of the north are not "dieting." Dieting
is the price people pay for too little exercise and too much mass-produced
food. Northern diets were a way of life in places too cold for agriculture,
where food, whether hunted, fished, or foraged, could not be taken for
granted. They were about keeping weight on.

  
This is not to say that the Faroese or other people in the north were fat:
Subsistence living requires exercise--hard physical work. Indeed, among the
good reasons for native people to maintain their old way of eating, as far as
it's possible today, is that it provides a hedge against obesity, type 2
diabetes, and heart disease.

  
**The real threats to the food chain **  
Unfortunately, no place on Earth has escaped the spreading taint of growth and
development. The very well-being of the northern food chain is under threat
from global warming, land development, and industrial pollutants in the marine
environment.

  
Global warming we don't seem to have control over. But we could reduce the
amount of plastics and other pollutants, we release into nature, and we could,
for example, do cleanups of communication cables leaching lead into fish-
spawning areas. And we can help communities make informed choices. A young
woman of childbearing age may choose not to eat certain foods that concentrate
contaminants. As individuals, we do have options. And eating our fish, our
sheep and our whale meat and blubber might still be a much better option than
pulling something processed that's full of additives off a store shelf.

  
**Kinship with our food sources **  
How often do you hear someone living in an industrial society speak familiarly
about "our" food animals? How often do people talk of "our pigs" and "our
beef." Most people in the modern world are taught to think in boxes and have
lost that sense of kinship with food sources. But in the Faroese hunting and
farming village culture the connectivity between humans, animals, plants, the
land we live on, and the air we share has not been lost--not yet, at least. It
is still ingrained in most Faroese from birth.

  
Many of our young people and people in bigger towns are quite influenced by
western urbanized culture and food habits. They are slowly getting alienated
to our old traditions. However, it is still not possible, really, to separate
the way many of us still get our food from the way we live in this society as
a whole. How we get our traditional food is intrinsic to our culture. It's how
we pass on our values and knowledge to the young. When you go out with your
father, mother, aunts and uncles to fish in the sea, to heard the sheep, to
gather plants, to hunt birds and other animals or catch whales, you learn to
smell the air, watch the wind, understand the way the currents move and know
the land. You get to know where to pick which plants and what animals to take.

  
This way of life has been an integrated part of our culture for so long, and
it still is to a degree, especially in the smaller villages, where people
share their food with the community. They show respect to their elders and the
weak in the society by offering them part of the catch. They give thanks to
the animals that gave up their life for their sustenance. They get all the
physical activity of harvesting their own food, all the social activity of
sharing and preparing it, and all the spiritual aspects as well. You certainly
don't get all that when you buy prepackaged food from a store.

  
That is why some of us here in the Faroe Islands--and people in the Far North
as a whole--are working hard to protect what is left of our old way of life,
so that our people can continue to live and work in our remote villages, as
independently as possible from polluting transport systems and a fraud-ful
modern economic infrastructure. Because if we don't take care of our food, it
won't be there for us in the future. And if we lose our foods, we lose who we
are.

  

* * *

_This blog post is inspired by the statements of Patricia Cochran, an Inupiat
from Northwestern Alaska directing the Alaska Native Science Commission, in an
article written by Patricia Gadsby for Discover magazine, October 2004, about
"The Inuit Paradox: How can people who gorge on fat and rarely see a vegetable
be healthier than we are?" ([http://discovermagazine.com/2004/oct/inuit-
paradox/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=](http://discovermagazine.com/2004/oct
/inuit-paradox/article_view?b_start:int=0&-C=)). _

_

_

_The scientific facts referred to in this post are based on quotes from the
same article from the experts below: _

  1. _Harriet Kuhnlein, director of the Centre for Indigenous Peoples' Nutrition and Environment at McGill University in Montreal _
  2. _Harold Draper, a biochemist and expert in Eskimo nutrition _
  3. _Karen Fediuk, a consulting dietitian and former graduate student of Harriet Kuhnlein's who did her master's thesis on vitamin C ([http://members.shaw.ca/karen.fediuk/VitaminCintheInuitdiet.pdf](http://members.shaw.ca/karen.fediuk/VitaminCintheInuitdiet.pdf)) _
  4. _Loren Cordain, a professor of evolutionary nutrition at Colorado State University at Fort Collins _
  5. _Eric Dewailly, a professor of preventive medicine at Laval University in Quebec_

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Tuesday, May 22,
2012](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/05/if-we-lose-our-food-we-
lose-who-we-are.html) [10
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## Monday, May 7, 2012

###  [Why most arguments against pilot whaling
fail](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-arguments-against-
pilot-whaling-and.html)

**People who are against pilot whaling in the Faroe Islands often refer to the following 12 reasons for why pilot whaling should stop. Here is why 10 of them fail to have an impact on the Faroese and why 2 do have an impact, since they are - partially - right. **  
  
**1. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because the pilot whales are endangered. **  
  
The pilot whale is one of the most common whale species in the oceans all over
the world, especially the long finned pilot whale. Pilot whales are not
endangered according to the authorities in this matter. The NAMMCO (North
Atlantic Marine Mammal Commission) is the real authority on all matters
regarding the North Atlantic pilot whale. The NAMMCO base their estimation on
sightings - and they estimate that the number of long finned pilot whales in
the North- and East Atlantic is 780.000, and that's excluding the West
Atlantic, so the number might be, even significantly higher. The ACS (American
Cetacean Society) agrees with those numbers and the IUCN also agrees that the
pilot whale hunt is, as they say: 'probably sustainable'. The IWC doesn't
consider itself an authority on small cetaceans, of which the long finned
pilot whale is one. So the pilot whale is not on the list of endangered animal
species. The Sea Shepherd organization stands alone in its claims that the
long finned pilot whale is endangered.

  
The Faroese have killed pilot whales for at least 1.200 years, so the pilot
whales should probably have been extinct by now, if the pilot whaling in the
Faroes was a threat to the population as a whole. Since 1584 (that is how long
it's been carefully monitored) the Faroese have killed 850 pilot whales (in
later years around 800) on average a year, so that's a tenth of a percent
(0.1%) of the pilot whale population only in the North Atlantic, which is very
far from exceeding the pilot whales' reproduction rate at around 2%. There is
nothing to indicate that the pilot whale population is in decline. As long as
the pilot whale is not endangered, this is not a rational argument. So this is
a failed argument.

  
**2. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because the pilot whale slaughter is cruel. **  
  
Most images and videos of pilot whale slaughter on the internet are outdated.
It doesn't happen like that any more. The whales are not being stabbed and
hacked to death with spears and hooks. Killing methods have improved a lot,
especially since the 1980s. Spears are forbidden, and hooks are now rounded
and put into the blowholes of the whales to drag them into a better position
for a quick kill. New methods have been developed which have decreased the
time to death of each whale to 2-4 seconds. The pilot whale slaughters were
without a doubt more violent than necessary years ago, but it's different
today. Besides, it is not possible to hunt and kill wild animals in any
'pretty' or non-bloody way. No hunting is pretty and bloodless.

  
People often claim that comparison to other kinds of animal slaughters is not
relevant - it is like comparing oranges and apples, they say. But if you
accept all animals as equals when it comes to the right not to be killed in a
cruel way - and if there is no reason to believe that pilot whale slaughter,
as it is conducted today, is crueler than other accepted ways of slaughtering
animals, it IS relevant. Because if the slaughter of pilot whales still is
labelled 'cruel', then many forms of accepted animal slaughter must also be
labelled as 'cruel'. You can't demand a ban of the slaughter of pilot whales
on these grounds, and then NOT demand a ban of other kinds of animal hunting
and slaughter just as 'cruel'.

  
Furthermore, it wouldn't be feasible to ban all animal slaughter and
therefore, this is not a rational argument. The banning of all hunting of wild
animals would also have incalculable consequences for all the indigenous
people in this world, who base their livelihoods on hunting. So this is a
failed argument.

  
** 3. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because the slaughter is bloody and gory. **  
**  
** The killing of animals is bloody. It might look ghastly when the sea turns red during a pilot whale slaughter, but basically it doesn't make this kind of slaughter much different or worse than the common slaughter of captive animals in slaughter houses. All animals bleed and are emptied of blood when they're slaughtered. The difference is that slaughter houses have drains that go into underground sewers, but you can't kill pilot whales in a slaughter house. It must be done in the shallows by a beach, which makes this slaughter seem much bloodier or 'graphic' than other kinds of slaughters. Pilot whales are also big animals, so of course there is a lot of blood.  
  
Furthermore, since marine mammals can dive for long periods at a time, there
is a lot of oxygen in their blood, which means that their blood is more
intensely red than blood in mammals on land. This also contributes to the
coloring of the sea. Blood also spreads quickly in water. Just try to put one
drop of blood in a glass of water and watch what happens.

  
It's not a rational argument to say, the Faroese have to stop killing whales
because it is too bloody. This is irrational and a failed argument too.

  
**4. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because such a tradition doesn't belong to the 21st century. They shouldn't do this just because it is a tradition. **  
  
People in the Faroe Islands don't kill pilot whales _because_ it is a
tradition. They do it for food, as they've always done. But opponents call
this practice of getting food 'a tradition', because this way of living off of
the natural resources of the ocean has been common on these islands for more
than 1,200 years. Pilot whale meat and blubber is so common and natural for
the Faroese to eat that to them this food is no different than beef or bacon
is to people in other countries, where they have a tradition for eating cattle
or pig meat. It's just that you can't breed pilot whales in the same manner as
you can breed cattle or pigs. But why would you want to do that, if there is
an abundance of pilot whales around the islands living free their whole life?
Why would the Faroese deprive the whales of that privilege and somehow cage
them or put them in ocean feed lots?

  
Who's to decide what belongs to the 21st century or not? Or which traditions
are worth keeping for the Faroese or not? It is definitely not for people
outside the Faroe Islands to decide. The right word for this is ethnocentrism.
That is: judging another culture solely by the values and standards of one's
own culture. The ethnocentric individual will judge other groups relative to
his or her own particular ethnic group or culture, especially with concern to
language, behavior, customs, and religion. Ethnocentrism is not rational, so
again a failed argument.

  
**5. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because it's appalling that the Faroese people are so insensitive to these poor animals. **  
  
This is a purely emotional, judgmental and also an irrational argument, which
also belongs to the category: Ethnocentrism. The Faroese people are not more
'insensitive' to animals than other people. If the Faroese are to be labelled
'insensitive', every meat-eater in the world must be labelled just as
insensitive to the animal he or she eats.

  
People outside the Faroe Islands tend to forget that they also have
'insensitive' butchers in the livestock industry in their own country, whom
they do not question in the same way. If you do not question the butchers'
'insensitive behavior' in your own country just as much, this is not a valid
argument. It's not only a failed argument, it is also hypocritical.

  
**6. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because it is not necessary for them to kill pilot whales. They have plenty of other foods they can eat. **  
  
It is not up to others to decide, what is necessary for the Faroese and what
is not. This is - again: ethnocentrism and shows a lack of understanding or
knowledge of the circumstances in the Faroe Islands.

  
It is also logically inconsistent. With this logic one could just as well
claim that it is not 'necessary' to breed cattle or pigs for food. Live stock
industry depletes and pollutes the earth to a great extent, and the
utilization rate of available land for pasture for the breeding of cattle or
pigs, for instance, is much lower compared to the utilization rate by growing
vegetables directly for human consumption on the same area. But people still
feel they have 'the right' to have meat for dinner, even if that - from a
rational, holistic perspective - is not beneficial nor very sensible, because
it means that there is much less food available for the human population as a
whole. Therefore, one could just as well say, it is 'unnecessary' or even
irrational to eat meat from livestock animals in a world on a fast track
towards overpopulation.

  
The fact that the Faroese have access - and the economical opportunity (to a
degree) at the moment - to buy (very expensive) imported foods, is not a valid
argument against the Faroese utilizing locally available resources. Unlike
people living in warmer climates with lots of flatland and space they can use
for breeding and feeding livestock, the Faroe Islands is a very limited, quite
mountainous area in the middle of the ocean in one of the stormiest areas in
the world with almost no flatland or fertile soil, where you only can grow
grass for the sheep to eat, a few potatoes and some rhubarb, as well as farm
some salmon in the fjords. It's still not enough food for the inhabitants,
though. Summer season is also very short. (We're in the beginning of May right
now and it has been snowing for a couple of days).

  
Regardless, it's still not for others to decide, what the Faroese need or
don't need. So a failed argument again.

  
**7. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because the whales are intelligent.**  
  
Measuring intelligence is highly complex, and scientists do not agree on how
to precisely measure intelligence, even when it comes to people.

  
Sea Shepherd founder Capt. Watson claims that it is a sign of highly developed
intelligence that the whales have figured out how to live in harmony with
nature, unlike us humans, so therefore they are more intelligent than people.
Okay, if that is his logic, he could just as well claim a squirrel is more
intelligent than humans. A squirrel also lives in harmony with nature, and
nobody would say that a squirrel is more intelligent than a human being for
that reason. Capt. Watson is just being manipulative.

  
There is no doubt that bottle-nosed dolphins are some of the most intelligent
creatures in the animal kingdom. Dolphins are good at learning tricks,
especially in captivity - also pilot whales to a degree. Dolphins are proven
more intelligent than most other animals, but they are still very far from
being as intelligent as people. And not all whales rank that high. The pilot
whale is in the dolphin family, but pilot whales are not the most intelligent
of the dolphins. Pilot whales are not especially intelligent in comparison to
many other mammals either. Other animal species that humans kill for food are
also proven highly 'intelligent'. So this argument is inconsistent, if those
who claim it is wrong to kill pilot whales because of their intelligence do
not also oppose the killing of other intelligent animals for food.

  
Whether humans should refrain from killing "intelligent" animals or not is a
matter of opinion. And there is no rational reason for claiming that one
opinion is morally more right than the other. So again a failed argument. (See
also under 9. here below).

  
**8. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because the whales are sentient and sociable.**  
  
Yes, pilot whales are sentient and sociable, that is true. And so are all
other animals too, more or less. Animals, most people in the world eat - like
cows and pigs, even chickens - are also sentient and sociable. So you can't on
the one hand say that the Faroese shouldn't kill whales on these grounds, and
at the same time accept the killing of other sentient and sociable animals.

  
If you are against the killing of animals because they are sentient and
sociable, you are inconsistent if you don't include all animals in the
equation - that is: you must also oppose the killing of cattle, pigs and
chickens, yes, any animal in fact. That is unrealistic. So… failed argument.

  
**9. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because they kill entire pods. Whales have strong ties to their group and killing entire pods is the same as wiping out a whole culture. **  
  
If that is so, then it would have been even more cruel to kill half of the pod
and let the other half go free. The whales have strong ties to their group,
yes, but to claim that the whales have a culture - and by killing an entire
pod, you wipe out a whole culture - is quite far-fetched, and just another one
of Capt. Watson's manipulative claims, manufactured to affect people
emotionally who have a tendency to romanticize these "gentle giants" - as if
they are some kind of 'human beings of the sea'. But this is belief - not a
fact.

  
There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that pilot whales develop any kind
of advanced cultures like human beings. They are sociable animals and they
communicate with each other, yes, and they might act friendly to people, but
so do dogs and pigs for the most part as well. On these grounds you could just
as well say these animals have some kind of 'culture' too. It doesn't make the
whale any more special than dogs or pigs, for instance, or many other animals.

  
Whales are wild animals and there are examples of whales attacking people
unprovoked, also pilot whales, even though they mostly let humans in peace,
probably because humans are not interesting as prey for them. Whales are
carnivores. They kill and eat other animal species. In other words, they are
nothing special. They are not good, they are not bad. They are just animals,
even though they might be fascinating in some ways, because they're so big and
relatively intelligent too - as far as animals are concerned.

  
Some people, who feel saddened by the alarming development in our ailing world
as a whole, just seem to have a strong need for turning the whales into
something special: A symbol of something more innocent and more pure than us
humans. These people seem to project their hopes for a better world into these
animals and thus, they elevate them into something they're not. Consequently,
everyone who kills these animals must therefore 'commit an evil act'
destroying the best things in this world, and therefore should be strongly
opposed. This is romantic, but not rational. So this is also a failed
argument.

  
**10. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because, despite of what the Faroese claim, the whaling is commercial. There is evidence that shows that you can buy whale meat in supermarkets and in restaurants. **  
  
It is true that one sometimes can buy pilot whale meat and blubber in a
supermarket or in a restaurant - in small amounts, but this is not evidence
that the pilot whaling is done for commercial purposes. It's not - and it
won't be in the future either. The pilot whale catch is distributed for free
among those assisting in catching the whales and the local village communities
in the area, as well as to hospitals, elderly homes and orphanages in the
nearby areas.

  
Sometimes, in small villages with not many inhabitants, there might be a
surplus which might end up on the shelfs in a supermarket or in a restaurant
in Tórshavn, the capital, but this could never become big business, because -
as already stated - the vast majority of the people who want whale meat and
blubber can get it for free, so there is no reason for them to go into the
supermarket and buy it.

  
A few restaurants and hotels offer pilot whale meat and blubber to tourists
during the summer season, because, of course, there are tourists curious
enough to taste the Faroese national dish, but this is done on a very small
scale, and could never become a big business. So again, pilot whaling is not
done for commercial purposes. It doesn't and wouldn't pay in any way. So this
argument fails.

  
**11. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because this tradition damages the image of their country in the outside world. **  
  
This is partially right. At least it might very well hurt the image some
people have of the Faroe Islands and the Faroese people (if they have any
image of the islands and their people, that is). It depends, though, on their
worldview - and especially their view on whales. It seems that many people,
who consider whales to be very special creatures, find it very disturbing and
even 'sick' that the Faroese kill pilot whales. Based on the thousands of
protesting letters the Faroese authorities receive every year, it is obvious
that the majority of the protesters are city-dwellers and/or children - not
people living directly in nature and off of nature's larder.

  
The fact is that the Faroese also get significant support from many people
around the world, mainly people who live in parts of the world where they also
hunt animals for food. These people have a worldview similar to the Faroese
and understand the circumstances in the Faroe Islands. It is also a fact that
tourists visiting the islands are curious to taste pilot whale meat and
blubber, which is why it is offered usually as a starter on the menu in the
summer season in a few restaurants in the Faroe Islands. It wouldn't seem that
these tourists are opposed to pilot whaling.

  
Though the anti-whaling activists would want everyone to believe that "the
whole world" is against pilot whaling in the Faroe Islands, there is reason to
believe that the majority is quite indifferent and hasn't taken a stand on
this question. Anti-whaling activists have for many years endorsed that the
Faroe Islands should be boycotted by the international community as long as
they kill pilot whales. But they have never succeeded in getting any real
support for these efforts.

  
It seems that the series "Whale Wars - Viking Shores" aired in the USA for the
time being, which deals with the Sea Shepherd Organization's interference with
the pilot whaling in the Faroe Islands, has divided the viewers. It's likely
that many take the anti-whaling activists side, but judging from all the
comments, for instance, on YouTube and Facebook, it seems that just as many
take the Faroese side. Among other things the series has revealed natures
stunning beauty in the Faroe Islands, and also that the Faroese have a very
strong culture. Many of the commentators declare that now that they have had
an impression of how it is in the Faroe Islands, these beautiful islands have
become one of those places they feel they must visit at least once before they
die. So after all, this series might turn out to be an effective advertisement
for the Faroe Islands for a lot of people around the world, who never knew
this place existed before they saw the series.

  
**12. The Faroese should stop killing pilot whales because pilot whale meat and blubber are contaminated and it is dangerous for the Faroese people's health to eat it. **  
  
Of all the allegations mentioned above, only this last one is truly a valid
point seen from a rational point of view, even though the health dangers are
kind of exaggerated. But it does not change the fact that it is still up to
the Faroese to decide for themselves, whether they want to eat contaminated
food or not.

  
The Faroese will likely stop the pilot whaling gradually over the coming
years, because pilot whale meat and blubber does contain mercury/methyl
mercury at levels considered too high. Pilot whales also contain other toxins
coming from man-made pollution, like PCB and DTD. And there are indications
that exposure to some of these contaminants may affect human fetuses and their
development. This fact is absolutely relevant and the majority of the Faroese
people recognize this. But the anti-whaling activists often exaggerate the
effects of this contamination, which are more subtle than they let people
believe. There has, for instance, not been one single reported fatality due to
eating pilot whale meat and blubber, not ever.

  
As was first demonstrated with lead, and then with polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) and methyl mercury, exposures in early life to neurotoxic chemicals_
can_ interfere with brain development and produce long-lasting detrimental
effects on cognition and behavior. A new generation of chemicals termed
endocrine disruptors - among them phthalates, bisphenol A, and certain
pesticides - which _can _alter the availability and actions of endogenous
hormones, _is suspected of_ being capable of interfering with early brain
development. It is _hypothesized _that certain chemical exposures in early
life, _perhaps acting in concert with_ genetic and social factors, _may
impact_ the prevalence of developmental disabilities across the population,
and _account in part for_ the apparent population-wide increases in
neurodevelopmental abnormalities observed over recent years.

  
As stated, these are _indications_ - not finally proven conclusions, but it
is, of course, still very important to study this further, and take
precautions.

  
The long-term intakes of total mercury, methyl mercury and cadmium from eating
pilot whale in the Faroe Islands have been estimated. The long-term intakes of
both total and methyl mercury exceed the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intakes
(PTWI) recommended by WHO. For the general population the PTWI's are 300 and
200 μg mercury per person per week for total and methyl mercury, respectively.
The calculated intake of methyl mercury approaches the lower value (1200
μg/person/week) of the recognized critical level of methyl mercury
intoxication in the general population.

  
It is therefore concluded in several studies that the general Faroe Islands
population should significantly restrict the consumption of pilot whale foods.
One study (Dr. Pál Weihe's) concludes the Faroese should totally refrain from
it. The Faroese health authorities have looked into this study and also looked
at other studies, and what they have come to is not as radical. They recommend
that pregnant women, or women who plan on being pregnant, should not eat pilot
whale foods at all, as the critical levels for methyl mercury intoxication of
pregnant women and fetuses are lower by a factor of 2-5 than for the general
population. They do not recommend that pilot whale meat and blubber should be
served to younger children, while it seems to be within safe limits for the
rest of the population to eat pilot whale meat and blubber once to twice a
month.

  
The Faroese people are not indifferent to this unfortunate development. People
are taking action personally - many do not serve pilot whale meat and blubber
to their children any longer, and most younger women as well as child-bearing
women choose not to eat pilot whale meat and blubber at all. The local
authorities in the different whaling districts are making efforts to restrict
pilot whaling even more than it was before, making sure that those involved
don't kill more whales than people can eat. The local village whaling
associations who manage the catching of the whales agree with these
restrictions, because they accept what science has shown.

  
But as long as the health authorities haven't recommended that the Faroese
population as a whole completely refrain from eating pilot whale meat and
blubber (which, by the way, is the Faroese national dish), and, as long as
pilot whaling is done in a responsible, sustainable, care-taking manner, the
Faroese see no reason for stopping pilot whaling altogether. And they think
that there is absolutely no valid reason for others to interfere in Faroese
matters, trying to force the Faroese not to utilize this natural resource in
their own country.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, May 07,
2012](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-arguments-against-
pilot-whaling-and.html) [77
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## Wednesday, May 2, 2012

###  [Media Whale Warfare](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/05
/whale-warfare.html)

  
_A comment by Elin Brimheim Heinesen to the discussion triggered by the TV
series on Animal Planet "Whale Wars - Viking Shores"._

  
**I wish this issue was simpler, but it's not. I'm Faroese and I do not condone pilot whale killing in the Faroe Islands unconditionally. I'm absolutely opposed to unnecessary cruelty and the killing of animals just 'for fun' or as part of a 'ritual'. If this really was the case in regard to pilot whaling in the Faroes, I would be against it. I know for a fact it's not. Regardless of what some might claim.**  
  
For various unknown reasons some people perceive pilot whale killing as a
sport, a celebration or a ritualistic event for the locals in the Faroe
Islands. I do not. The purpose of pilot whaling is to put food on the table.
People who believe anything else have not really understood or have twisted
what Faroe Islanders or others have tried to say about pilot whaling - or they
have been misled by people, interested in discrediting this practice.

  
Pilot whaling in the Faroes is no different - that is: no better, nor worse -
than so many other accepted ways of providing meat. I've spoken to many
foreigners who have witnessed a pilot whale slaughter. After they've seen it
in real life, they aren't opposed to it any more in the same way because they
saw with their own eyes, that - in spite of the fact that it wasn't pleasant -
it was far from as cruel and dramatic as they had seen it portrayed by biased
anti-whaling activists.

  
Usually a whole pod is killed in a few minutes and each whale is killed within
seconds. Of course, it's unpleasant to watch a pilot whale slaughter - just as
it would be to visit a common slaughter house for anyone, not used to see such
things. Most of us aren't used to see what is going on, when animals are being
slaughtered, and react naturally with shock. Watching someone taking the lives
of living beings is a harsh reality, we very rarely experience.

  
**Humans are predators**  
The way we have established ourselves and our communities in the modern world,
has led us almost to forget the fact that all meat-eating people are
predators. Whether we like it or not, it is the truth. I don't like that fact
either. But humans are, and have always been meat-eaters, the vast majority of
them. This means that, basically, we're no different than other predators who
kill other animal species to have them for food. And that is not pretty.

  
I'm always shocked when I, for instance, watch a nature program on TV and see
a lion catch a zebra and tear it apart - or an orca catch a seal and throw it
up in the air before it bites the seal's head of with its sharp teeth. It's
brutal and bloody, but I know the lion and the orca don't do this because
they're evil. They do it to survive. That's nature, and nature can be
gruesome.

  
Some might say that you can't compare what humans do to animals to what
happens in nature, because most humans have 'evolved' (as they call it) and
they kill animals more 'humanely' than a lion or an orca does, but to me
that's clearly a delusion.

  
**Killing always brutal**  
No sound and healthy being wishes to die - neither animals nor humans, neither
in the wild nor in farm factories. A zebra doesn't want to be eaten by a lion.
A seal doesn't want to be eaten by an orca. A whale doesn't want to be killed
and eaten by people, neither does a pig. Nobody wants to be killed by anyone
else. All living beings want to live and thrive. We might sophisticate our
killing methods. But nevertheless, it's still killing. Saying that it is more
'humane' to kill animals in a farm factory slaughter house, corresponds to
saying that it was more 'humane' to kill people in gas chambers during the
holocaust, rather then, for instance, to hang them or stone them to death.

  
No matter how we try to bend or twist it - we cannot run away and pretend it
is not what it is: It IS brutal to kill animals - any animal, any human - one
way or another, regardless of who does the killing - animals or humans - and
regardless of how 'humanely' we try to do it. It's still taking another beings
life. And ALL animals, including humans, resist to being killed by others.

  
So I feel sorry for the zebra. I feel sorry for the seal. I also feel sorry
for the cows and the pigs. I feel sorry for the chickens and the turkeys. I
feel sorry for the sheep, the reindeers, the buffalos. And I feel sorry for
the whales. I feel sorry for every single animal on earth that has to
sacrifice it's life in order to feed another animal, including us humans. In
my fantasies I wish that nobody had to kill any other being and that we all
could live just in peace together and love each other. At the same time I know
that this is an utterly impossible utopian dream.

  
**A delusional world**  
The fact is that most people in the world eat meat, which means that people
have to kill animals. If humans want to have meat for dinner there must be
shed blood. I don't like this fact anymore than most other people who have a
heart. I just have to realize that this will be reality as long as people want
to enjoy their steaks. Some people also live in barren areas on earth were
they have no other choice than to eat meat. And I'm pretty sure this will
continue to be reality for a long time to come.

  
Many people - especially city dwellers who don't live in and directly off
nature - seem to have a need to displace these facts, as if they have nothing
to do with it, even though they gladly munch burgers themselves. They see
themselves as animal lovers and get emotional and sentimental, when they see
animals being killed. And they accuse animal killers of being underdeveloped
people, who don't live in the 21st century. It's a bad, bad thing they wish
would go away. As if they'd like the whole world to turn into some kind of
Disney World, where everyone is cute and kind to each other, where animals
become almost like humans, and some are even superior to humans.

  
Even though they love a good steak, most people have likely never been
responsible for or been involved in the animal killing process, needed to
provide the steak. They probably couldn't stand to kill an animal. Yak! So
they must have others do the 'dirty work' for them. And then they can go on
pretending the killing doesn't really happen, and that they're really good,
innocent 'evolved' people, who never would harm anyone. But no matter what
they think or do - deep down they're still predators, responsible for causing
pain and death to other earthlings.

  
These people defend themselves vigorously if anyone tries to tell them that
they are in fact kidding themselves if they don't realize that as meat-eaters,
basically, they are no better nor worse than, for instance, the Faroese, who
kill and eat pilot whales! No, no, no - there's a big difference, they claim.
Can't be compared at all. But they can't really explain what the difference
is, based on facts, and that's frustrating, so they get angry, point their
fingers away from themselves and proclaim the animal killers - or those who
defend them - as the only bad guys. But you can't make an unpleasant reality
go away by shooting the messenger.

  
**Alienated to the natural**  
The Faroese fishermen, farmers and hunters don't displace the fact that we as
humans prey on other animal species, and they take the full responsibility for
that. They do the dirty work. And they are honest about it. They don't - and
they have never - hidden from the world what they do. Not even when the world
condemns them.

  
People can claim from now on and forever that the Faroese do what they do for
all kinds of unacceptable reasons, but it does not change the fact that the
Faroese kill whales for one reason only: to provide food for themselves and
the community, just as they've done on these islands for more than a thousand
years. The Faroese don't understand why they should stop doing what they do,
only because some other people in the world are alienated to something that
has been perfectly natural for human beings to do for ever: namely kill
animals for food.

  
Every country on earth kills animals. It's just not common elsewhere to kill
exactly this kind of animals. But the Faroese kill pilot whales, because there
is an abundance of them around the islands (the pilot whale is not on the
endangered animal species list) - and the Faroes are an island nation,
dependent on ocean resources.

  
**Decide who's fit for killing**  
Can anyone make a list of animals, fit for killing, and explain why some
animals aren't fit for killing and others are? Where exactly do - or can - you
draw the line? Why is it OK to exploit some animals and not others?  Is it
because it is a 'tradition' to kill cows, pigs, chickens and so on? And why is
it that this 'tradition' is more legitimate than the Faroese 'tradition' of
killing pilot whales? What's the actual difference between these animals and a
whale?

  
If the degree of intelligence is the criteria, why is it okay to kill 'stupid'
animals? If sociability or sentience is the criteria, well...  mammals in
general are very sociable animals, aren't they? And aren't all animals more or
less sentient? So shouldn't we stop killing all animals then? Is it even
possible to stop the killing of ALL kinds of animals? What about people living
in arctic areas where you can't grow vegetables? Why should they have to
import all their food from far away, when there are animals, quite fit for
eating, walking or swimming right outside their door?

  
Why is it 'unnecessary' to kill pilot whales, and not 'unnecessary' to kill
other animals for food? Who's to decide what people 'need' and what they don't
'need' to eat? Do the Faroese 'need' to buy meat in the store from enormous
polluting farm factory slaughter houses, who don't treat animals any less
crueler than the Faroese treat the pilot whales? In fact much crueler, because
most livestock animals live a miserable life their whole life and have no
chance what so ever to escape being killed for food. Why would the Faroese
want to buy more expensive food that has to be transported from far away in
polluting freight vessels and not want to use the available food resources
they get for free in their own environment?

  
**Disproportionate priority**  
Shouldn't anyone, who thinks it's their business to demand of the Faroese that
they should stay away from the meat they are accustomed to eat, not refrain
themselves from buying and eating their own traditional meat, unless they can
explain the basic difference between the animals they eat and the animals the
Faroese eat - and legitimize why it is more okay to kill these animals rather
then the animals the Faroese kill? If they can explain that there really is a
significant difference, then they might even succeed in convincing the
Faroese...!

  
But if they have no answer to these questions, shouldn't they take a good look
in the mirror first - and then try to put their effort and their money first
and foremost into some much bigger problems animals face in this world? They
could, for instance, try to improve the lives of some of the billions and
billions of unfortunate cows, pigs or chickens, living and dying under
gruesome and cruel conditions in farm factories all over the world, before
they blow the Faroese pilot whaling way out of proportions and spend millions
of dollars on trying to save a few hundred pilot whales that only might be
killed by the Faroese during the course of a year. Remember, some years the
Faroese do not kill a single whale, because the whales don't always migrate
right past the islands.

  
In my opinion it's a waste of the donators' money, because instead of spending
so much money on expensive equipment with highly questionable beneficial
effects, couldn't all of this money have been used much more effectively and
have helped many more animals which are much worse off, if these people really
wanted the money to make any real difference?

  
Just asking...

  
And again - I do NOT support pilot whaling unconditionally. I just happen to
think that people should look in the mirror before they judge the Faroese for
what they are doing, because are you yourselves really that different?

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Wednesday, May 02,
2012](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/05/whale-warfare.html) [18
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Tuesday, June 5, 2012

###  [Ber til at liva stórbýarlív í
Føroyum?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06/ber-til-at-liva-
storbyarliv-i-froyum.html)

[![](http://heinesen.info/wp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05
/big_city_traffic_Beijing-300x225.jpg)](http://heinesen.info/wp/wp-
content/uploads/2012/05/big_city_traffic_Beijing.jpg)_**Føroyskur samleiki í
nýggjum tíðum - **_

_**annar partur av tveimum greinum, skrivaðar í sambandi við ráðstevnu um
hvalaveiðu, hildin á Hotel Hafnia 5. juni 2012:**_

  

**Føroyingar lata seg í stóran mun ávirka av alheimsgerðini og eru farnir at líkjast øllum øðrum vesturlendingum. Summi tykjast eisini hava skund við at taka frástøðu frá tí at vera føroyingur ella frá føroyskari siðvenju. Men hvussu áhugavert er tað, um allir føroyingar gerast meinlíkir øðrum í vesturheiminum á øllum økjum? Er tað hetta, vit ynskja? Hvørjar fylgjur kann alheimsgerðin fáa fyri lív og mentan okkara her á klettunum? Hesar og aðrar spurningar tekur hendan greinin støðu til.**

  

_Eftir Elina Brimheim Heinesen, 24. mai 2012_

  

Av og á havi eg tosað við fólk um, at hóast oyggjar okkara sjálvandi mugu
menna seg við tíðini, so eiga vit kortini at virða tað, sum vit hava arvað frá
okkara forfedrum, meira enn vit ofta gera, og varðveita tað, sum vit kunnu av
bygdamentanini í Føroyum. Tá eg tosi soleiðis, havi eg kensluna av, at summi
halda meg vera afturhaldssinnaða, fyri ikki at siga eina fornaldarleivd. Men
kanska er tað júst umvent. Kanska eru tað tey, sum eru bangin fyri at vera
øðrvísi.

  
Spurningurin er, um nógv av tí vísdómi, vit hava fingið frá forfedrum okkara,
ikki er nógv skilvísari og veruligari, enn nógv av tí hópmentanini, vit hava
fingið t.d. við tí dreymakendu Hollywoodsku mentanarflóðaldu, sum floymir um
heimin í dag, og sum eisini føroyingar so glaðbeintir tykjast vilja lata seg
gloypa av. Men eg haldi ikki, vit skulu lata alt gamalt fara, bara tí tað er
gamalt, og vit noyðast ikki at skifta alt út, sum vit hava, bara fyri at
skifta út. Tað eigur at bera til at víðariføra tað gamla á ein nýggjan hátt,
so vit ikki missa røturnar, men standa sterk.

**  
**  
**Gott at líkjast øllum øðrum?**

Alheimsgerðin merkir, at øll verða ávirkað av tí sama og gerast tí alt meira
eins. Alheimsgjørda stórbýarlívið verður hildið at vera so spennandi, tí tað
skal eitast fyri at vera so fjølbroytt. Men fjølbroytni er kortini rættiliga
avmarkað - og stórt sæð tað sama allastaðni. Ein stórbýur í Asia, ein stórbýur
í USA ella ein stórbýur í Evropa eru farnir at líkjast so nógv hvørjum øðrum,
at tað næstan kann vera ilt at kenna mun. Nuansur eru sjálvandi, men úrvalið
av matstovum er nøkurlunda tað sama í øllum býunum. Tú finnur tær somu
kinesisku, indisku, japansku, mexikansku og thailendsku matstovurnar. Tú
gongur somu oyðimarkargongd í øllum býunum fyri at finna næstan tað sama
avmarkaða úrvalið av undirhaldstilboðum. Fólk ganga í sama úrvali av klæðum,
síggja sama úrval av filmum, lurta eftir sama úrvali av tónleiki allastaðni -
meira ella minni.

  
Hóast fólk í nógvum stórbýum kring heimin, sum føroyingar hámeta, hava eitt
lutvíst stórt úrval av undirhaldstilboðum, líða nógv stórbýarfólk kortini av
keðsemi, strongd og friðloysi, ið tey royna at 'lekja' við enn meira
undirhaldi.  Men tað tykist einans at skapa meira kenslu av einsemi, tómleika,
týdningarloysi og meiningsloysi. Ikki harvið sagt, at tað ikki ber til at liva
eitt gott stórbýarlív, men tað er eingin loyna, at tunglyndi er eitt serliga
vanligt fyribrigdi júst í stórbýum. Byggja fólk sítt lív einans á eina grunna,
innantóma og óstøðuga hópmentan, tykist hetta føra við sær, at fólk í stóran
mun kenna, at tey missa grundfestið og kensluna av felagskapi. Tey missa síni
sereyðkenni og sín serliga samleika - og tey leita tí ofta eftir onkrum øðrum
at samkenna seg við - okkurt sum er heilt øðrvísi, enn tað, tey kenna til, og
sum onkusvegnað kennist ektað og upprunakent.

  
Fólk fara í dag longur og longur út í ytstu mørk og til heimsins útjaðarar
fyri at finna tað, tey sakna. Summi halda seg finna tað her, tí enn tykjast
Føroyar at vera nógv øðrvísi enn tað, tey kenna til. Tey síggja Føroyar sum
'eksotiskar' og virða land okkara - ikki fyri tað, ið líkist tí, tey koma frá,
men fyri tað, sum tey aldrin hava sæð fyrr, og sum sjálvt fyri tey kennist
meira ektað og upprunaligt. Eg havi ikki tal á, hvussu ofta eg havi hoyrt
utlendingar siga, at tað er sum at "koma heim", tá tey vitja Føroyar, hóast
tey ongantíð hava verið her fyrr.

  
Men hvussu við føroyingunum sjálvum? Virða vit sjálvi okkara egnu serkenni?

**  
**  
**Herma ístaðin fyri at vera egin**  
Fleiri og fleiri føroyingar - serliga yngri og havnarfólk - eru blivnir meira
ella minni "dansk-amerikanarar", mentalt í øllum førum, tí vit verða ávirkað
av tí somu amerikaniseraðu hópmentanini, sum floymir yvir heimin gjøgnum
sjónvarp, tónleik, internet, spøl og aðrar miðlar. Mong okkara eru í dag nógv
meira ávirkað av alheimsgjørdu mentanini, enn vit verða ávirkað av tí
mentanini, sum vit sjálvi spruttu úr upprunaliga. Men hvussu gott er tað?

  
Tað er sjálvandi gott at fáa íblástur av tí fremmanda. Tað elur tolsemi millum
fólkasløg. Eg haldi eisini, tað er spennandi t.d. at smakka fremmandan mat, og
lati meg sanniliga eisini sjálv ávirka av útlendskari mentan. Eg eri helst
millum tey allarmest kosmopolitisku, tá tað kemur til mín egna lívsstíl, og
havi í ártíggjundi trivist væl við at liva í stórbýi. Eg haldi eisini, tað er
sunt fyri føroyingar í heila tikið at lata seg íblása av tí fremmanda, og at
taka tað besta við sær inn í føroyska samfelagið.

  
Men tað merkir ikki, at eg t.d. ynski, at Havnin skal vera eins og
Keypmannahavn, tí tað verður hon kortini ongantíð. Hóast - ella kanska júst tí
- at eg havi búð 26 ár av mínum lívi uttanfyri Føroyar, tey flestu í
Keypmannahavn, síggi eg eisini virðini í at varðveita í øllum førum nakað av
tí gamla, sum enn ger okkum føroyingar til nakað serligt í mun til onnur. Eg
síggi onga orsøk til heilt at sleppa nøkrum, sum onnur øvunda okkum, og sum er
við til at styrkja sjálvkensluna, skapanarlyndið og eitt innihaldsríkt lív hjá
mongum føroyingi - enn í lutvíst stóran mun - bæði so og so. Tvørturímóti.

  
Onkur heldur kanska: Kom víðari! Hetta er órealistisk nostalgi. Men hví nú
tað? Tað serføroyska lyndiseyðkennið finst enn í nógvum føroyingum. Og hetta
eyðkennið er ikki meira fornaldarligt, enn vit sjálvi vilja gera tað til. Tann
niðurarvaða mentanin anir í okkum og í tí umhvørvi, føroyingar hava skapt her
á oyggjunum, men eg óttist fyri, at hon doyr út, um vit hugsa niðursetandi um
hana og ikki læra okkara børn at virða hana heldur. Nógvir føroyingar lata seg
heldur tøla av tí innantómu, glæsiligu, Hollywoodsku undirhalds- og
actionmentanini enn at virða og hjúkla um okkara egnu mentan. Vit eru sostatt
ringast at seta fótonglar fyri okkum sjálvi.

**  
**  
**Føroyar ikki nakar stórbýur**  
Misskil meg ikki. Eg sigi ikki, at føroyingar skulu liva sum fyri 50-100 árum
síðani. Íblástur uttanífrá er sunnur, sum sagt, menning skal til, og broyting
er fín, um hon er til tað betra. Partar av tí menning, sum er farin fram í
Føroyum seinastu árini - m.a. at tolsemi er við at vinna meira frama - er at
gleðast um. Sjálvandi mugu føroyingar endurnýggja seg í ávísan mun allatíðina.

  
Men tað merkir tó ikki, at vit skulu taka frástøðu frá øllum føroyskum og taka
alt útlendskt til okkum ístaðin - heilt ókritiskt. Ivasamt er, hvussu gott tað
veruliga hevði verið fyri trivnaðin á hesum klettum, um vit gjørdu tað. Halda
vit, at um vit umskapa Føroyar til nakað, sum líkist einum avriti av øðrum
londum, so forðar tað fyri, at tey ungu flyta av landinum? Halda vit, at vit
fáa fleiri fólk heimaftur á henda hátt? Hvør sigur, at føroyingar uttanlands
tíma at flyta heim til Føroya, bara tí Føroyar eru farnar at líkjast tí, tey
hava vant seg við aðrastaðni, um tey eins væl kunnu verða verandi uttanlands,
har tey fáa nógv meira av tí sama? Kunnu allir føroyingar yvirhøvur liva í
Føroyum, sum um vit livdu í einum og hvørjum øðrum útlendskum stórbýi?

  
Eg haldi heldur, vit eiga at spyrja okkum sjálvi: Missa vit ikki júst tað
burtur, sum ger okkum føroyingar og land okkara serliga spennandi, um vit bara
herma eftir øðrum? Ber ikki til at gera føroyska samfelagið dragandi á sín
heilt egna hátt? Noyðast vit at vera so óoriginal, at vit bara herma eftir
hinum? Hvørki føroyingar ella útlendingar verða drigin at Føroyum, tí Føroyar
líkjast øðrum londum. Nei, tey verða drigin hendan vegin, tí Føroyar eru nakað
serligt, sum ikki ber til at fáa aðrastaðni. Tað mátti borið til at skapt eitt
livandi, frælst, tolsamt, fjølbroytt og opið samfelag, sum er føroyskt - og
ikki bara meinlíkt øllum øðrum. Hevði tað ikki verið nógv kulari? Eg spyrji
bara.

**  
**  
**Er amerikaniserað hópmentan betri**  
Veruleikin er bara, at summi av okkum vilja næstan ikki kennast við tað
føroyska longur, sum ofta fær spjaldrið "gamaldags", "bygdasligt" ella beint
fram "fornaldarligt", bara tí tað er føroyskt, sama ger hvat.  Um føroyskt
snævurskygni fór í gloymibókina, er tað ikki at gráta um, men tað er so nógv
annað, sum er vert at halda fast í. Mong tykjast kortini uttan himpr at lata
alt, sum kemur uttanífrá, skumpa tað burtur, sum áður var egið fyri okkum
føroyingar.

  
Alt fleiri eru so við og við farin at kenna seg meir ella minni fremmand fyri
tí, sum fyrr var heilt náttúrligt á hesum klettum. Okkara viðurskifti við djór
t.d. eru blivin "disneyfiserað" og sentimentaliserað. Fólk hava mist
jarðfestið og kunnu ikki dálka hendur sínar við blóði longur. Vit skumpa hesa
'menning' enn meira fram fyri - í navni alheimsgerðarinnar - at laga okkum
eftir øðrum londum. T.d. hevur verið roynt at innføra altjóða reglur, sum
forða frælsinum hjá einstaklinginum t.d. at selja fisk á kaiini ella slakta
ein seyð heima í kjallaranum. Tíbetur hevur tað ikki eydnast - enn.

  
Er "the American Dream" fyrimyndin, sum nógv okkara eru farin at stremba
eftir, veruliga betri, tryggari og haldbærari, enn tað lívið, vit fyrr hava
livað her á oyggjunum uppá gott og ónt við og av náttúruni? "Money makes the
world go around" í dag. Nú er náttúran ikki ein partur av okkum longur, men er
vorðin eitt tilfeingi, sum verður ognartikið av nøkrum fáum, ídnaðargjørt og
umsett til pengar, sum síðani skal fíggja ein innfluttan, dýran lívsstíl við
innfluttum, dýrum matvanum. Men hvussu leingi, hava vit ráð til ein slíkan
lívsstíl? Hvussu haldbært er grundarlagið undir hesum lívsstíli? Tvs. hvussu
leingi heldur náttúran til tað? Hvussu ynskiligt er tað at liva so atskild frá
náttúruni kring okkum? Og hvussu gott er tað fyri CO2 útlátið, dálkingina og
heimin sum heild, at vit liva eitt innflutt lív, fremmandagjørt frá okkara
egna nærumhvørvi her mitt úti í Norðuratlantshavinum?

**  
**  
**Tann ónda góðskan**  
Vilja vit heldur liva í eini Disney-kendari dreymaverð, har øll lýðin "fylgja
EU-reglum" og eru so fitt og elskulig og professionelt fólkalig, at eingin
drepur fitt og elskulig djór longur (í øllum førum ikki, har sum onnur síggja
tað)? Og har tað at drepa tey fittu djórini er 'ónt' yvir ein kamb...
líkamikið undir hvørjum umstøðum og á hvønn hátt, tey verða avlívað. Ja, hvat
skulu vit gera við 'tey óndu', ha? Alt meðan vit lata eyguni aftur fyri, at
ídnaður okkara rænir náttúruna og misnýtir djórini uppá tað grovasta handan
glæsiligu leiktjøldini. Er tað ein slíkan falskan pyntidukkuheim, sum tey hava
so nógva aðrastaðni, vit vilja vera við til at skapa? Hvar hevur hesin svart-
hvíti Bambi-mentaliteturin í veruleikanum ført heimin - soleiðis
grundarleggandi? Er heimurin blivin reinari og friðaligari av tí? Eru vit øll
blivin betri av tí?

  
Fólk kunnu gerast so "góð" og so sjálvrættvís, at tey sígga ikki sítt egna
sjálvrættvísi, og tí altíð halda, at tað eru hini, sum eru tey óndu - og at
hetta tí gevur teimum rætt at berjast móti teimum "óndu". Tað óhugnaliga er,
at tá menniskjan strembar eftir tí fullkomna, so megnar hon ikki at viðurkenna
tað ónda í sær sjálvum, og tað er júst tá, hon veruliga megnar at gera óndar
gerðir móti øðrum, kanska heilt uttan at varnast tað sjálv í síni sannførdu
sjálvgóðsku. Eins og Sea Shepherd og allir sjálvrættvísir fascistoidir
einaræðisharrar heimsins altíð hava gjørt.

  
Í mínum heimi er tað at lúgva fyri sær sjálvum at halda, at náttúran - eisini
náttúran í okkum sjálvum - bara skal vera yang og ikki yin. Náttúran kann ikki
vera í javnvág uttan bæði. Eg veit ikki, hvussu góðan hug, eg havi til at liva
í tí surreella, glæsiliga, utopiska heimi, sum hesi fólkini tykjast droyma um
at gera verðina um til, har menniskjan bert er vorðin hugtikin áskoðari til
tað sindrið, sum er eftir av villari náttúru, og ikki partur av henni sjálv.
Tí royni eg sum best at verja rætt okkara til enn at hava ein lívsstíl í
samljóði við náttúruna, sum eg kenni sum nógv meira veruligan og ektaðan.

**  
**  
**At blaka seg sjálvan burtur**  
Tað at eta fiskin, vit sjálvi fiska, seyðakjøtið av egnum seyði og grindina og
spikið, vit sjálvi hava veitt, kann enn vera eitt nógv betri alternativ, enn
at fáa sær hópframleiddan mat av verri viðfarnum djórum av handilshyllunum,
fullan av íblandingarevnum. Útlendingar flest skilja væl, at vit sum egið fólk
hava rætt til at hava valmøguleikar í egnum landi, ikki minst tí mong teirra
sakna tað, vit enn hava møguleika til.

  
Hvussu ofta hoyrast fólk í ídnaðarlondunum tosa íheimliga um "okkara neyt",
"okkara seyð" og "okkara kjøt"? Flest fólk í vesturheiminum hava lært at
hugsað í smærri køssum heldur enn í heildum, og hava mist kensluna av at hoyra
saman við tí, sum matur teirra kemur frá. Og samhaldsfesti - ja, hvat er tað?
Men í føroyskari veiðu- og bygdamentan er sambandið millum fólk, djór,
plantur, jørðina, vit liva á og luftina, vit í felag anda í okkum, enn til -
ella er í øllum førum ikki heilt burtur enn. Enn kemur hesin gamli føroyski
hugburðurin næstan av sær sjálvum inn við móðurmjólkini hjá mongum føroyingi.

  
Tí haldi eg, at tað er syrgiligt, at vit gerast alt meira fremmandagjørd í mun
til tað, sum fyrr var náttúrligt og vanligt í Føroyum, og at vit gerast so
ávirkað av býarmentanini í vesturheiminum, at partur av okkara unga fólki -
umframt fólk í Havn og á stórplássunum - eru til reiðar at blaka alt tað
burtur, sum fyrr hevur átt lívið í føroyinginum. Spurningurin er, um fólk
gerast eydnusamari av tí - ella um tey ikki bara blaka seg sjálvi burtur.

**  
**  
**Ein meira veruleikakend verð**  
Eftir mínum tykki ber illa til heilt at skilja mátan, vit liva í hesum
samfelag, sundur frá mátanum, vit útvega okkum føði. Okkara siðbundna
matmentan er enn ein íbúgvandi partur av mentan okkara sum heild - av góðum
grundum. Tí tað er enn nógv gjøgnum matmentanina, vit víðariføra virði okkara
til nýggju ættarliðini og gamla gagnliga vitan um, hvussu vit bera okkum at
við at yvirliva her á klettunum.

  
Tá vit fara út við ommum, abbum, mammum, pápum, mostrum, fastrum, mammu- og
pápabeiggjum okkara at fiska, at reka seyð, at handfara ullina, at dyrka
jørðina, at veiða fugl og onnur djór, og at drepa grind, so læra vit heim
okkara: føroysku náttúruna at kenna - luftina, luktirnar, vindin, streymin, og
hvussu jørðin og havið broytist eftir árstíðunum. Tú lærir, hvat tú kanst fáa
tær til matna, til klædna, og hvussu tú kanst liva í javnvág við náttúruna.

  
Er hetta vert at blaka heilt burtur bara í ótta fyri at vera "bygdasligur" og
"gamaldags"? At liva so tætt at - og av náttúruni, hevur verið partur av lívi
og mentan okkara her á oyggjunum alla ta tíð, fólk hava búð her - serliga í
teim smærru bygdunum, har fólk enn ikki so lætt sleppa at gloyma, hvørjum
náttúruumhvørvi, tey eru partur av. Á bygd eru fólk kanska eisini enn lutvíst
tætt samanknýtt í mun til á størru plássunum. Tey luta í størri mun mat millum
sín og gera hvørjum øðrum sínámillum tænastur uttan krav um gjald. Tey eldru
og tey veiku verða vird, t.d. við at fáa part í matinum, sum bygdafólkini
útvega til samfelag teirra.

  
Fólk eru takksom fyri tey djór, sum hava latið lív teirra, so vit menniskju
kunnu liva. Fólk fáa eisini nógva heilsugóða kropsvenjing við at heysta teirra
egnu føði. Tey fáa ágóðan av øllum teim sosialu aktivitetunum, ið fylgja við
at útvega og býta føðina millum sín og hagreiða matin - og alla ta andaligu
nøktan, ið eisini fylgir við hesum aktivitetum. Alt hetta fært tú sanniliga
ikki, tá tú keypir tær liðugt pakkaðan mat í einum handli.

**  
**  
**Mugu virða grundarlag okkara**  
Vit eru enn fólk í Føroyum, sum síggja virðið í at verja tað, sum eftir er av
okkara gomlu bygdamentan. Tað er ígjøgnum gomlu bygdamentanina, at vitanin er
varðveidd um, hvussu vit kunnu liva og arbeiða í hesum landi - eisini í smáum,
fjarskotnum bygdum - í samljóði við náttúruna og so frælst og óbundið sum
gjørligt av dálkandi flutningsskipanum og svikafullum alheims búskaparkervum.

  
Føroyingar hava sjálvandi gott av íblástri uttanífrá í ávísan mun og kunnu
sameina seg við tað, sum hóskar inn í okkara mentan. Vit kunnu krydda lív
okkara við at læna eitt sindur burtur av øllum tí góða, sum sjálvandi eisini
er til í útlendskari vitan, mentanum og siðvenjum. Vit kunnu bjóða gestum
uttanífrá vælkomnum. Og vit kunnu gera lívið makligari við tíðarhóskandi
hentleikum. Men líkamikið hvussu vit bera okkum at, verða Føroyar aldrin til
eitt annað Keypmannahavn, London ella New York.

  
So leingi vit liva í einum lítlum, fámentum landi mitt í Norðuratlantshavi,
kunnu vit ikki renna undan, at vit mugu liva undir teimum treytum, sum
náttúran gevur okkum her. Um vit ikki fara skynsamt við tí náttúru, sum vit í
veruleikanum búgva mitt í (hóast onkur helst roynir at billa sær okkurt annað
inn), so oyðileggja vit okkara egna lívsgrundarlag. Um vit ikki læra okkara
ungu at vera errin av tí, sum vit fyrst og fremst mugu liva av, so kenna tey
seg ikki aftur í tí. Hvussu kunnu tey læra at virða grundarlagið, tá ikki ein
gang tey vaksnu gera tað sjálvi? Tey ungu missa virðingina fyri náttúruni og
missa hugin at vera her. Og fara tey með alla, so verður einki eftir til
okkara her í framtíðini.

  
Forfedrarnir virdu grundarlagið undir lívi okkara og góvu sína vitan víðari
um, hvussu hetta grundarlagið kundi viðlíkahaldast. Men nútíðarinnar ættarlið
er í ferð við at blaka tær gomlu dygdirnar fyri borð, og síggja ikki, at á
tann hátt missa vit eisini grundarlagið undir samleika og lívið okkara í heila
tikið her á klettunum. Hin vegin, um vit ikki nútímansgera okkum, so missa vit
ungdóm okkara. Vit eru tí noydd onkusvegna at føra virðingina fyri hesum
grundarlagi víðari til komandi ættarlið, men á ein hátt, sum hóskar betur inn
í nútíðina, og sum tey ungu kunnu samkenna seg við eisini í eini
alheimsgjørdari verð. Vit mugu fáa tey ungu at kenna seg heima í Føroyum
aftur, hóast tað má vera undir teim treytum, sum oyggjaland okkara setur. Tað
er sera týdningarmikið ikki at polarisera og seta mentaninar ov nógv upp móti
hvørji aðrari sum mótsetningar. Vit mugu og skulu hava alt til at hóska saman
onkusvegna. Annars verður okkum ikki lív lagað framyvir, og oyggjarnar verða
avtoftaðar so við og við.

  

Vit hava enn møguleikan tilvitað at kennast meira við okkum sjálvi sum
oyggjabúgvar aftur, varpa ljós á okkara serkenni og gerast errin av tí - ja,
ganga fatt og hevja tað serliga fram, heldur enn at drýpa høvur sum
útskammaðir hundar, tí vit ikki eru eins og hini. Vit kunnu læra av
forfedranna vísdómi, og taka alt tað besta við okkum inn í ein endurnýggjaðan
veruleika, lagaðan fyrst og fremst til okkum føroyingar í dag - og ikki til
eina tóma ímynd av eini stórbýarmentan, sum í botn og grund aldrin kann blíva
okkara fult og heilt kortini. At varðveita teir góðu, gomlu siðir, sum enn eru
eftir, er tískil avgjørt ikki "bygdasligt " ella "fornaldarligt" á nakran
hátt. Nei, tvørturímóti. Tað er framsíggið. Tað er kul.

  
Til ber eisini at "'menna" seg sjálvan heilt út av eggini, men eydnast tað
okkum at skapa eina menning, har vit fáa fortíð, nútíð og framtíð at ganga upp
í eina hægri eind, so vit fáa trivnað aftur á oyggjunum bæði fyri ung og gomul
í samljóði við hvønnannan og náttúruna, fer allur heimurin at hávirða okkum
fyri lívsvilja og styrki okkara.

  
Til ber at lesa ta fyrru greinina í hesi røð av tveimum
[her](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06/er-grindadrapi-vert-at-
varveita.html).

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Tuesday, June 05,
2012](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06/ber-til-at-liva-
storbyarliv-i-froyum.html) [0
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## Monday, June 4, 2012

###  [Er grindadrápið vert at
varðveita?](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06/er-grindadrapi-
vert-at-varveita.html)

[![](http://heinesen.info/wp/wp-
content/uploads/2012/05/grindadrap_i_havn.jpg)](http://heinesen.info/wp/wp-
content/uploads/2012/05/grindadrap_i_havn.jpg)_**Føroyskur samleiki í nýggjum
tíðum **_

_**- fyrsti partur av tveimum greinum, skrivaðar í sambandi við, at ráðstevna
um hvalaveiðu verður hildin á Hotel Hafnia tann 5. juni 2012:**_

_**

**_

**Hvørjar orsøkir eru til at halda fast við at drepa grind? Kann hetta gerast á burðardyggan, skynsaman hátt, har djórini verða avlívað so humant sum gjørligt? Kann tað gerast við atliti at heilsuni hjá fólki? Kunnu vit etiskt standa inni fyri tí, vit gera? Skaðar henda siðvenja ikki umdømi okkara? Ella kann henda siðvenjan kanska tvørturímóti gera Føroyar til eitt gott fyridømi fyri restina av heiminum? Hesar og aðrar spurningar tekur hendan greinin støðu til.**  
  
_Eftir Elina Brimheim Heinesen, 24. mai 2012_

  
Ivasamt er, hvussu leingi ber til at verja áskoðanina um, at vit skulu
varðveita grindadrápið, tá kanningar vísa, at tað at eta grind kann hava
fleiri negativ árin á heilsuna hjá fólki. Niðurstøðurnar um heilsuárinini eru
hesar:

  * Kyksilvur í grind hevur negativt árin á menningina av nervalagnum hjá fostrum.
  * Kyksilvurárinið sæst enn í ungdómsárunum hjá somu børnum.
  * Kyksilvur í kostinum hjá móðurini ávirkar blóðtrýstið hjá børnunum.
  * Dálking í spiki hevur negativt árin á immunverjuna hjá børnum, soleiðis at børnini ikki taka so væl ímóti vaccinum.
  * Dálking í grind tykist at økja vandan fyri at fáa Parkinson sjúku hjá teimum, sum ofta eta grind og spik.
  * Vandin økist fyri, at vaksin, sum eru fyri størri kyksilvurárini, fáa høgt blóðtrýst og æðrakálking.
  * Fólk í 70'árunum við typu 2 diabetes tykjast hava størri miðsavnan av PCB í kroppinum, serliga um tey hava etið nógvan siðbundnan mat í barna- og ungdómsárunum. Samanhangur tykist sostatt vera millum typu 2 diabetes og dálking í matinum.
Tí siga heilsufrøðiligu myndugleikarnir, at tað er betri at vera fyrivarin enn
eftirsnarin og tilmæla tí fólki at minka munandi um nýtsluna. Pál Weihe og
Høgni Debess Joensen, landslækni, hava tilmælt, at føroyingar heilt eiga at
gevast við at eta grind og spik. (Til ber at at lesa meira um árinini í hesum
ritið: [http://setur.fo/fileadmin/user_upload/NVD/Horaldur/Workshop_Report.pdf
](http://setur.fo/fileadmin/user_upload/NVD/Horaldur/Workshop_Report.pdf)).

  
Eg haldi, at føroyingar eiga at taka hesi tilmæli í álvara, og eg vil tí ikki
viðmæla, at børn, yngri kvinnur og barnakonur eta henda kostin. Men eg fari tó
ikki so langt sum at siga, at vit heilt skulu banna grindadrápinum, tí eftir
mínum tykki, eiga fólk rætt til frælsi sjálvi at gera av, hvat tey vilja eta.

  
**Má kannast til botns**  
Eg ivist samstundis í, um nógv av tí matinum, sum vit eru farin at eta ístaðin
fyri grindina, veruliga er betri fyri heilsuna, ella um hesin matur ikki er
minst líka vandamikil. Eg sakni meira vitan og samanberandi kanningar. Árinið
eigur at verða kannað enn betri og vitanin breidd út, so fólk vita júst,
hvussu skaðiligt tað er at eta so og so nógva grind í mun til annan mat. Fara
fleiri vísindaligar kanningar at vísa á, at grind við fullari vissu veruliga
er nógv meira vandamikil enn annar matur - eisini í smáum mongdum, so gevist
eg sjálv at eta grind og spik við brestin.

  
Víðgongd hvalaveiðumótstøðufólk hava lyndi til at gera nógv av, tá tey vísa
til vísindaligar heilsukanningar sum part av grundgevingunum móti grindadrápi.
Tey geva fólki fatan av, at grindamatur er tað reina eitur. Slíkt hóskar jú
sum fótur í hosu til teirra dagsskrá. Uttan at undirmeta álvaran av árininum,
so er veruleikin, at árinið ikki er heilt so ógvusligt, sum tey vilja vera
við. Allar kanningar eru heldur ikki komnar til líka radikalar niðurstøður,
sum kanningin hjá Pál Weihe. Vísindin hevur jú eisini víst á heilsugóðu
eginleikarnar, sum grind og spik hevur. Og kanska eiga fólk at fáa at vita
meira um, at ikki allir partar av grindini eru líka dálkaðir - tað veldst t.d.
um kyn og aldur á hvalinum, og hvar av hvalinum, tvøstið er.

  
Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan hevur enn ikki mælt fólki heilt frá at eta grind
og spik. Sjálv óttist eg tí ikki fyri at eta henda mat av og á, um tað er við
máta. Í hvussu er, til heilsufrøðiligu myndugleikarnir koma til aðrar
niðurstøður.

  
**Grind í mun til grís**  
Etiski spurningurin um djórapínslu verður ofta drigin fram í kjakinum um
grindadráp. Eitt dráp er eitt dráp, og dráp eru ongantíð dámlig, líkamikið
hvørji djór verða dripin. Mær hevur ongantíð dámt grindadrápið í sær sjálvum -
í øllum førum ikki soleiðis, sum framferðarhátturin var, tá eg var barn, har
stungið varð frá hond. Eg skilji væl, at fólk hava rópt tað, sum fór fram tá,
"barbariskt".

  
Eg fegnist tí um, at grindamenn hava sett meira humanar drápshættir í verk,
sum vónandi sum skjótast verða einastu loyvdu hættirnir at drepa grind. Eg
haldi, at føroyingar mugu prógva, at vit gera alt, sum er menniskjansligt
møguligt fyri, at djórini ikki verða óneyðuga pínd. Kunnu vit ikki vísa hetta
umhugsni fyri djórunum, haldi eg, vit eiga at gevast við grindadrápinum. Tað
skaðar ikki minst umdømi okkara ov nógv_ ikki_ at gera tað, og so kunnu eg og
onnur, sum alment hava vart hendan siðin, eisini uttanlands, ikki longur verja
hann.

  
Eg haldi tó ikki (longur), at grindadráp okkara á nakran hátt er verri, enn
tað, sum fer fram aðrastaðni, har djór í milliónatali verða ald til at vera
dripin - eisini grísar, sum verða sagdir at vera líka so klókir sum
grindahvalir, um ikki klókari. Hesi djórini verða stúgvað saman á so lítlum
plássi sum gjørligt, har tey liva eitt stutt og pínufult lív, ofta undir
skelkandi vánaligum umstøðum, og ofta uttan nakrantíð at síggja dagsins ljós.
Tey verða fylt við t.d. penicillini og vakstrarhormonum og verða fitað
ónátturliga upp við einstáttaðum kosti, sum mong av teimum gerast so sjúk av,
at tey ikki eingang megna at ganga inn í skafottið, har tey skulu avlívast.
Ofta gongur avlívingin so skjótt fyri seg, at nógv av djórunum ikki eru deyð,
áðrenn tey verða skáldað, og skinnið verður skrætt av teimum.

  
Eg skilji ikki rættiliga, hví summi siga, at tað IKKI gevur meining at
samanbera grind við innilæst neyt, grísar og høsnarungar. Sjálv haldi eg, at
hesin spurningur er serstakliga viðkomandi, tí hetta hópframleiddað kjøtið er
tað alternativið, vit í stóran mun fáa bjóðað ístaðin fyri okkara siðbundna
mat - og eg haldi meg hava góðar grundir til at ivast í, um tað, vit keypa í
handlinum, veruliga er so nógv betri matur. Fyri mær at síggja er nógv av tí
hópframleidda kjøtinum eftir øllum at døma ikki betri - hvørki etiskt ella
heilsuligt. Hygg t.d. eftir filmunum um hópframleitt kjøt í USA undir hesi
grein.

  
Tí sigi eg, at tað ikki gevur meining t.d. at vera ímóti ella at banna grind,
tí grindin skal eitast fyri at vera dripin inhumant og/ella vera ring fyri
heilsuna, um ein ikki eisini er ímóti ella bannar alla aðra ósunna og inhumana
kjøtframleiðslu.

  
**Vistfrøðiliga forsvarligt**  
Sæð frá einum etiskum sjónarmiði, haldi eg, at vit øll hava líka stóra skyldu
til at halda okkum til at keypa sunnan, heilsugóðan - vistfrøðiligt
framleiddan - mat, soleiðis at vit øll eru við til at tryggja, at djórini, sum
vit eta, eru væl viðfarin - og soleiðis at vit øll stuðla matframleiðslu í
hesi verð, sum ikki pínir djór, og heldur ikki dálkar og oyðileggur umhvørvið.

  
At velja at eta lokalan mat av djórum, sum hava livað úti í Guðs fríu náttúru
alt lívið og av tí føði, sum er at finna í náttúruni, man helst vera tað mest
vistfrøðiliga og minst náttúruoyðileggjandi, vit kunnu velja at gera. Tí haldi
eg, at vit skulu royna at varðveita okkara aldargomla siðbundnu mátar at
útvega okkum føði uppá á hesum oyggjum - bæði tá tað kemur til fisk og seyð og
eisini grind. Grindin skal bara drepast við humanum drápsháttum og ikki í
størri mongdum, enn at tað kann gerast á burðardyggum grundarlag, og sjálvandi
við atliti at heilsu okkara.

  
**Tá grammleiki kemur uppí**  
Grindadrápið í sjálvum sær hevur ikki altíð verið líka tespiligt, men alt tað,
sum hendir í sambandi við grindina aftaná - so sum mátin, grindin verður býtt
millum tey, sum luttaka, og til onnur í nærumhvørvinum, sum treingja - er ein
einastandandi og dámlig siðvenja. Hetta at býta fongin út millum fólk er ikki
nakað, vit annars uppliva nakra aðrastaðni í pengagrammu ídnaðarverðini. Eg
haldi, at tað hevði verið stórt spell, um vit vóru noydd at geva upp hesa
sosialu siðvenju, har umsorganin fyri og atlitið at heildini er størri enn
atlitið at vinninginum hjá tí einstaka.

  
Mær dámar tí serstakliga lítið, at pengar eru við at koma inn í siðvenjuna at
drepa grind í dag, og at til ber t.d. at keypa tvøst bæði í Miklagarði og
aðrastaðni. Í Rótikassanum á Facebook selja fólk kaggar av spiki og turrum
tvøsti. Slíkt økir tíverri um vandan fyri, at grammleiki kemur uppí, tá
tvøstið og spikið skal býtast eftir drápið, og hetta er ein  óheppin menning,
sum eg vænti, kemur okkum aftur um brekkur. Hetta gongur ímóti øllum tí, sum
siðurin at drepa grind annars hevur staðið fyri.

  
Eg haldi ikki, at føroyingar skulu hava loyvi til at drepa fleiri hvalir, enn
luttakarar í grindini og nærmasta familja teirra kunnu eta - og so nøkur eldri
fólk aftrat í bygdini, sum av góðum grundum ikki sjálvi megna at vera við í
grindini. Um fólk halda seg kunna selja nakað burturav sínum parti, so sigur
tað nakað um, at fólk hava ov nógva grind um hendi - og tá er ov nógv dripið!
Tað er ikki í lagi, og eg haldi, at myndugleikar eiga at stegða hesum ósiði
beinanvegin.

  
**Mugu endurskoða reglur**  
Tey, sum selja grind, eru beinleiðis við til at smíða líkkistuna til
grindadrápið, tí slík atferð máar grundarlagið undan einum av teimum
allarsterkastu grundgevingunum, vit sum føroyingar hava at verja hesa siðvenju
við. Um vit veruliga ynskja at varðveita grindadrápið uttan at vekja ov stóra
mótstøðu bæði uttanífrá og innanífrá, haldi eg, at tað er neyðugt at
endurskoða verandi regluverk galdandi fyri grindadrápið sum skjótast og
íverkseta strangari reglur á summum økjum.

  
Vit fara ikki í longdini at kunna varðveita siðin at drepa grind, um vit
etiskt ikki kunnu standa 100 % inn fyri tí, vit gera - bæði í mun til umheimin
og ikki minst í mun til okkara egnu yngru ættarlið, sum vaksa upp í eini nógv
meira alheimsgjørdari mentan - og eisini við atliti at øllum teim
føroyingunum, sum búgva ella ferðast uttanlands, og sum ofta mugu verja hesa
siðvenju fyri útlendingum.

  
Spurningurin er tí, um til ber at áseta nakrar grundreglur, sum tryggja, at
etiska grundstøðið er í lagi. Reglurnar skulu helst vera galdandi í øllum
landinum, so tað ikki bert er upp til einstøku sýslumennirnar og
grindaformennirnar at meta hvørja ferð, hvussu drápið skal fara fram. T.d. eru
her nøkur uppskot:

  * at kvotur verða ásettar ár fyri ár - t.d. fyri ymisk øki - og at loyvt verður ikki at drepa fleiri hvalir, enn fólk í økinum kunnu eta, og sum tað er ráðiligt hjá fólki at eta í mun til heilsuna.
  * at føroyingar binda seg til at luttaka í altjóða góðkendum kanningum av stovninum, sum verða gjørdar regluliga og títt, so vissa fæst fyri, at grindin sum djóraslag ikki er hótt, og at vit ikki drepa grind, um ivi er um hetta.
  * at føroyskir granskarar hava skyldu at stuðla ella luttaka í kanningum av heilsuliga árininum av at eta tvøst og spik, og at fylgt verður væl við í úrslitum av kanningum, eisini aðrastaðni, at atlit verður tikið at úrslitunum, sum hesar kanningar vísa, og at fólk verða væl og virðiliga kunnað um hetta.
  * at greiðari avmarkan verður sett á, hvørjar hvalvágir kunnu brúkast í mun til støddina av grindini.
  * at tað ikki má ganga meira enn ávís tíð frá, at rákið byrjar, til grindin verður hildin til, so hvalirnir ikki verða óneyðuga strongdir.
  * at avmarkan verður sett á, hvør sleppur at luttaka í rakstri og drápi, og at bert roynd fólk hava loyvi at drepa hvalin.
  * at tað verður álagt grindamonnum bert at brúka blásturkrókar, tá talan er um at hála livandi hval, meðan hvøssu sóknaronglarnir einans mugu brúkast til at hála longu dripnar hvalir...
  * at hvalir bert verða dripnir við mønustingara, sum tryggjar, at hvalirnir verða avlívaðir á so skjótan og so humanan hátt sum gjørligt.
  * at einki av fonginum verður blakað burtur, sum á nakran hátt kann brúkast til mannaføði ella annað.
  * at alt burturkast frá drápinum verður søkt á djúpum streymasjógvi.
  * at tað verður bannað at handilsgera fongin við at selja burtur av pørtunum, fólk fáa tillutað.
Um vit áseta reglur sum hesar, so er siðurin at drepa grind etiskt
forsvarligur í allar mátar, og so dugi eg ikki at síggja nakra grund til, at
henda siðvenja ikki kann halda fram í langa tíð framyvir. Um ikki, tað ber
til, so haldi eg, at føroyingar skjótt ikki hava annað val enn at gevast við
at drepa grind.

  
**Grindadráp kann marknaðarføra Føroyar**  
Fer alt fram á ein 100 % forsvarligan hátt, kundi siðvenjan at drepa grind í
roynd og veru verið fyrimyndarlig - og harvið eisini verið við til at gjørt
okkum øll errin av at vera føroyingar. Vit kundu marknaðarført Føroyar, sum
eitt av teimum serstakliga fáu støðunum í vesturheiminum, sum hevur varðveitt
eina aldargamla siðvenju, har fólk útvega sær lokalan, vistfrøðiligan mat á
fult burðardyggan og humanan hátt úr villu, ódyrkaðu náttúruni, vit liva mitt
í. Hetta er jú matur, ið IKKi skal flytast yvir langar frástøður í dálkandi
fraktskipum/fraktflogførum. Og har vit eisini hava varðveitt eina aldargamla,
einastandandi siðvenju kring býtið av grindini, ið snýr seg um umsorgan og
samhaldsfesti, og sum helst ikki sær sín líka nakrastaðni í vesturheiminum í
dag. Tað er nakað, sum eg veit, nógvir útlendingar virða og síggja nógv upp
til.

  
Drepa føroyingar grind undir hesum treytum, haldi eg ikki, vit hava so nógv at
óttast fyri í mun til umheimin. Við grundarlag í øllum tí, eg havi sæð og
lisið av viðmerkingum nógva staðni, nú Føroyar eru í brennidepilinum orsaka av
"Whale Wars - Viking Shores" røðini, so sæst týðiliga, at tað als ikki er
allur heimurin, sum er ímóti tí, sum vit gera, eins og hvalaveiðumótstøðufólk
vilja vera við. Heldur hevur tað býtt áskoðararnar í tvey - tey, sum eru fyri
og tey, sum eru ímóti.

  
Í mun til, hvussu nógv eru komin til at kenna Føroyar ígjøgnum røðina - og nú
hava sæð, hvussu vakurt her er - so eru øll tey, sum eru fyri, helst fleiri
enn tey, sum yvirhøvur kendu til Føroyar, áðrenn røðin varð víst á sjónvarpi.
So helst er hetta, tá samanum kemur, ein ikki so galin lýsingarherferð fyri
Føroyar, sum vit kanska óttaðust.

  
**Søpla vælvild burtur**  
Men... tann vælvild, vit hava ein tjans fyri at vinna okkum í útheiminum við
at halda okkum á etisku síðuni, kann øgiliga skjótt koppa tann skeiva vegin,
um vit leggja ov lítið í at betra um framferðarháttin við t.d. ikki at gera
álvara av at herða reglurnar, sum skulu tryggja eitt humant dráp, ella um vit
loyva hesum nýggju óhepnu, handilsligu siðvenjum framat. At føroyingar eru
farnir at keypa og selja grind - hóast tað bert er í lutvíst lítlan mun - er
tíverri ein nýggjur ódámligur og gramligur máti at bera seg at, sum er fylgdur
við nýggju tíðini. Hetta var ikki gamalt, sum tikið verður til.

  
Tað tænir okkum ikki væl á nakran hátt at loyva hesi atferð, men tað hevði
tænt okkum til miklan sóma, um vit varðveiddu tað besta av tí gamla, og góvust
við øllum tí, sum ikki er forsvarligt - etiskt ella av øðrum ávum. Hetta snýr
seg í botn og grund um at dyrka ein samleika, føroyingar kunnu vera ernir av,
og ikki bara spilla ta góðu siðvenju t.d. at býta fongin sundur millum fólk,
ið júst er ein av teimum allarmest dámligu siðvenjum, sum vit higartil hava
bygt okkara serføroyska samleika á. Spilla vit tað, so framskunda vit
byrjanina til endan av grindadrápinum.

  
**Matmentan og samleiki**  
Tann samleiki, vit sum fólk hava, hongur saman við, hvussu vit hava yvirlivað
á hesum klettum so leingi, og hvat vit eru blivin mett av alla hesa tíð. Tað
hevur nakað við at gera, hvussu vit útvega og fáa matin til høldar júst í
okkara lítla norðalaga horni av heiminum, hvussu vit býta matin millum okkara,
hagreiða og goyma matin og matgera.

  
Øll mentanin kring matin - til dagligt og til veitslur - hevur sjálvandi havt
stóran týdning fyri, hvussu vit hava livað okkara dagliga lív í heila tikið
her í hesum landi. Tað sermerkta fyri okkum - tvs. hvat tað merkir at vera
føroyingur í mun til at vera dani, amerikanari, italienari ella okkurt annað -
hongur nógv saman við hesi matmentanini, eins og matmentan eisini ger í øðrum
londum. Eins og "stegt flæsk og persillesovs", frikadellur og livurpostei
hevur nógv við at vera dani at gera, ella burgarar og BBQ hevur nógv við at
vera amerikanari at gera, ella spaghetti og pizza hevur nógv við at vera
italienari at gera, so hevur skerpikjøt, ræstur fiskur og grind og spik
rættiliga nógv við tað at vera føroyingur at gera. Hetta eru tjóðarrættir
okkara, og tað er ikki bara sum at siga tað at fáa føroyingar at gevast við
einum stórum parti av hesi matsiðvenju, tá hon hongur so nógv saman við
samleika okkara.

  
Í næstu greinini fari eg at skriva meira um júst hetta - hvør tann føroyski
samleikin er í nýggjum tíðum, og hvat alheimsgerðin merkir fyri nútíðar
samleikabygging okkara sum føroyingar. Sí greinina
[her](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06/ber-til-at-liva-
storbyarliv-i-froyum.html).

  
**Dokumentarfilmar um hópframleiddan mat**  
Today's Modern Food: It's not what you think it is - 1. partur:

  
Today's Modern Food: It's not what you think it is - 2. partur:

  
Food Inc. 1. partur:

  
Food Inc. 2 partur:

  
Food Inc. 3. partur:

  
Food Inc. 4. partur:

  
Food Inc. 5. partur:

  
Food Inc. 6. partur:

  
Food Inc. 7. partur:

  
Food Inc. 8. partur:

  
Food Inc. 9. partur:

  
Food Inc. 10. partur:

  
  
.

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, June 04,
2012](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06/er-grindadrapi-vert-at-
varveita.html) [2 comments](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/06
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Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tórshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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  *[Monday, June 04, 2012]: 2012-06-04T23:51:00+01:00
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#  [A Self-Proclaimed Faroe Islands
Ambassador](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/)

A blog mostly about the Faroe Islands and stuff from this tiny microcosmos in
the North Atlantic. Since Pilot Whaling in the Faroes is brought up a lot by
foreigners, many of the posts deal with this issue. Sometimes I write in
Faroese, my mother tongue, and sometimes I write in English.

## Monday, August 20, 2012

###  [Dear Anonymous Australia and everyone
else](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/08/dear-anonymous-
australia-and-everyone.html)

Well, this really takes the biscuit!

  
This morning a number of Faroese websites were hacked by some people who call
themselves Anonymous Australia in an attempt to harm the Faroese because of
their pilot whaling practice. Now these people are threatening to do the same
to a number of Faroese people and institutions - here:
[http://pastebin.com/aaPp5XKK](http://pastebin.com/aaPp5XKK) - at least that
is how I understand this claim: "To those who support killing whales we only
have one thing to say, expect us". Subsequently, they've put up a long list of
names (including mine!) whom this warning, allegedly, is addressed to.

  
Once again I've been named an "advocate" of the pilot whaling...! (The first
time was by Capt. Paul Watson on the SSCS site. In fact he called me an
"APOSTLE" of whaling....!) My goodness! And thus I'm an enemy of ... well,
who? They are anonymous ... and if I get them right, they say that I can count
on being the target of their hacker attacks.

  
I must say, I am completely baffled.

  
For everyone with an open and non-judgmental mind, who bothers to read what
I've really written on this blog and elsewhere about the issue of pilot
whaling, it should be totally obvious that I first and foremost have tried to
create understanding both ways.

  
I have advocated for establishing dialogue between those who oppose each other
in this matter and not be so judgmental. And I have defended the Faroese
against arbitrary attacks.

  
I have never said that I supported pilot whaling unconditionally. On the
contrary. I myself have advocated - mostly in articles written in Faroese to
the Faroese public - for stopping the killing, IF it is not possible to
continue this tradition on a sustainable and non-commercial basis. I have also
urged people to take the health warnings seriously, and asked the Faroese
authorities to issue stricter rules in regard to the pilot whale killings.

  
I have also pointed out, that as long as the health authorities in the Faroe
Islands still claim, based on scientific research, that it is within safe
limits to eat a certain amount of pilot whale meat and blubber, many Faroese
have a hard time understanding why they should stop eating food they have been
used to eating for more than a thousand years.

  
What I'm trying to do is to help outsiders understand the way many Faroese
people think about this. The Faroese are not driven to do this because they
are "evil" or "bloodthirsty" - or what ever bad things people might call them
- not any more so than any other meat eaters and butchers in this world. As
long as outsiders believe that the Faroese are somehow only killing pilot
whales as some kind of "sick fun" just to be cruel, you will never reach the
Faroese and make them understand YOU, because these assumptions about the
Faroese are simply not true - and not fair.

  
You can only win this "war" with reasonable arguments and scientific facts.
Only that way you might be able to convince people in the Faroes that you are
right. NOT by name-calling, threats, hate-speech, attacks and hacking. All
this has been tried for more than 30 years now, and with no result. It will
only postpone a solution. It might take some time to reach mutual
understanding, but the respectful way is the only way.

  
This world is insane enough as it is. Please, check your facts, be a good
example to the Faroese and let reason prevail.

  

  

Posted by Elin Brimheim Heinesen at [Monday, August 20,
2012](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/08/dear-anonymous-
australia-and-everyone.html) [13
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## About Me

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[ Elin Brimheim Heinesen ](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

    

Elin Brimheim Heinesen was born in 1958 in Tรณrshavn, the Faroe Islands. She
has wide-ranging experience in the fields of internet, marketing, media and
culture and has worked in communication and marketing for many years as head
of marketing, journalist and editor in on-line and printed media.

  

She holds a university degree (Cand.mag.) in aesthetics and culture and also
has an education in business economics from Copenhagen Business School as well
as being an educated screenwriter from Den Danske Filmskole (the Danish Film
School).

  

Elin is also known as a Faroese amateur musician - an unsigned singer and
songwriter - who has been on and off the music scene on the Faroe Islands
since the seventies. (view
[http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen](http://www.myspace.com/elinheinesen) or
[http://www.fljod.com](http://www.fljod.com)).

[View my complete profile](https://plus.google.com/113836092971781281095)

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## Blog Archive

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    * [ ▼ ](javascript:void(0)) [ August ](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html) (1)
      * [Dear Anonymous Australia and everyone else](http://elinbrimheimheinesen.blogspot.com/2012/08/dear-anonymous-australia-and-everyone.html)
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