Faroese literature

The Faroese literature emerged in the early 19th century, with the first written records of the Faroese ballads ( kvæði ), previously handed down orally through the centuries and were from unknown authors.

Through the creativity of various Faroese writer in the early 20th century, the smallest Germanic language came out as the recognized language of education in the Faroese language conflict until 1938.

Today, appear in the Faroe Islands each year more books per capita than any other country in the world. Judging by the small population of less than 50,000 people, the general interest in native-language literature is exceptional. The National Library of the Faroe Islands showed in their lending statistics 2000 that the most sought-after book is a Faroese literature History ( Volume 2: 1876-1939 ) was. It was only in second place followed by a Danish language book on career guidance.

First literature

The former farming community with about 4,000 islanders otherwise produced no known documents in written form. The Reformation in the Faroe Islands in the 16th century sealed the dominance of the Danish language as churches and thus the official language in all areas. Interestingly, occupied the Fámjinsstein that even the runic script was used shortly after the Reformation. From the 17th century the documents of the Faroese Parliament, the Løgtings are preserved, but in Danish.

It is believed that the oral tradition of Kvæði evidence of a familiarity with the Icelandic literature, such as the Sigurdlieder. In addition to the typical Faroese Kvæði genres Sagnir survived ( historic reports), Ævintýr ( fairy tale ) and Tættir ( lampoons ) in oral tradition.

Neufäröische pioneers

Kvæði

It was not until the French Revolution developed a pulse which should have an impact even in the remotest areas of Europe. Nólsoyar Páll was the first Faroese in modern times, who formulated a national freedom of thought in the mother tongue during the Napoleonic Wars. He is still regarded as the national hero, and his Fuglakvæði ( bird ballad, 1805) in 229 four-line verses, each with a refrain between is the first major work of modern times in the Faroese language. Here the Oystercatcher ( Tjaldur ) is the symbol of the nation.

Jens Christian Svabo was the first scientist who recognized the value of kvæði, but his collection was never printed during his lifetime. But he supported the Danish scientist Hans Christian Lyngbye during its stay Faroe Islands in 1817 to the Faroese language acquisition, after he expressed an interest in the old ballads. 1822 seemed so with the help of Johan Henrik Schroter the first book in Faroese: Færøske Kvæder om Sigurd Fofnersbane og hans AET - then after Schrøters orthography, closely modeled on Svabo.

The farmer Jens Christian Djurhuus (1773-1853) wrote a number of other Kvæði in the old style as they outlasted previously over the centuries only through song and dance. He used it the themes that we found in Snorri Sturluson, the ancient Icelandic Skald. It supported him VU Hammershaimb who provided him with appropriate books Icelandic sagas available. The best-known piece is Langi Long Serpent, which is known by the Viking Metal Group Týr today.

Jens Christian Djurhuus ' son Jens Hendrik Djurhuus (1799-1892) continued this work and wrote ballads that are still sung today to Faroese chain dance. ( The descendants of this family, the brothers Janus Djurhuus and Hans A. Djurhuus be in the 20th century classic - albeit with modern and folk poetry ).

This was Kvæðitradition of poets such as Jóannes Patursson ( a great-grandson Nólsoyar PALS ), Poul F. Joensen and Mikkjal Dánjalsson á Ryggi ( 1897-1956 ) saved into the 20th century and thus obtain the future generations accessible.

Linguistics

The systematic definition of the Faroese written language, and thus a uniform grammar that is acceptable for all dialects, falls to the priest VU Hammershaimb. His orthography concept is still valid today. The linguist and anthropologist Jakob Jakobsen makes equally pioneering work, but can not prevail with his Broytning spelling. This circumstance we owe, among other things the letter Ð who has a purely etymological function.

Anyway Hammershaimb was instrumental in that the (older) Faroese philology received its scientific basis in Danish ( the intermediary languages ​​). The conserved as Heritage was the starting point Faroese classics of the modern era.

Jakobsen's merit was to raise the Faroese to a science language that could prevail in all areas of life, whereas his predecessors rather thought of rescuing old voice monuments. Jakobsen's commitment to the Norn is an indication that he wanted to avert a similar fate in his language by early systematic language planning.

• See also: Faroese language conflict, Faroese Language

Classic

In the 20th century Faroese writers such as William Heinesen and Hedin Brú gained international attention. While the former wrote only in Danish, but was inspired by the latter from time to translate into Faroese what those again illustrated its translations of world literature with their own graphics. Both were neighbors for many years in the capital Tórshavn and formed with Professor Christian Matras a legendary trio ( Teir tríggir varðarnir ).

Hedin Brus novel Feðgar á Ferd ("Father and son on the road", German title " The poor man's honor" ) was the first novel in the Faroese language, which was translated into world languages. He is simultaneously one of the best novels ever Faroese.

Jørgen - Frantz Jacobsen was only 37 years old. He was a contemporary of the above writer (same age as his cousin William Heinesen ). Like him, he wrote in Danish. His only novel Barbara to the old legend of the Beinta Broberg should be one of the most successful books of the Faroe Islands. The film adaptation from 1997 was the hitherto most expensive Danish movie of all time.

The classical scholar Janus Djurhuus is one of the most challenging poets of Faroese literature. His younger brother Hans Andrias Djurhuus not reached its importance, conquered it with his children's songs the heart of färörischen audience to our own time.

Appearing since 1921 Faroese literary magazine Vardin developed under Rikard Long to a forum Faroese all authors up to the present.

Poul F. Joensen was known for his satirical verses ( táttur ) and is still considered one of the most popular poets in the Faroe Islands.

Presence

See list Faroese writer, Faroese Literature Prize