Category: Society & Politics

Distance makes us appreciate presence

Column in the Faroese Women’s Magazine “Kvinna” about the Corona crisis:  From carefree to nervous worry February 3 this year I flew from the Faroe Islands to spend a long winter holiday in Cuba with seven girlfriends. Little did we know that a month later we would return home to a reality where everything was …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2020/04/13/distance-makes-us-appreciate-presence/

Dear Anonymous Hacktivists (and everyone else)

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 other Faroese people and institutions – including me! …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2012/08/20/dear-anonymous-hacktivists-and-everyone-else/

If we lose our foods we lose who we are

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 …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2012/05/21/if-we-lose-our-food-we-lose-who-we-are/

The Global Disney-World

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 …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2010/12/19/the-global-disney-world/

Faroe Islands at a Crossroads

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

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2009/05/23/faroe-islands-at-a-crossroads/

Celebrity visits generate publicity

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 …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2008/11/16/celebrity-visits-generate-publicity/

What’s the hype about?

The Faroe Islands have suddenly received a lot of media attention – why has this happened? Interview with Elin Heinesen, Managing Director of SamVit – Faroe Islands Enterprise (Faroe Islands Trade & Tourism Council) 4. March 2008: – These are really exciting times in the Faroe Islands. Never before in all of history, have the …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2008/03/04/whats-the-hype-about/

Another phase, a new face

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. By Búi Tyril, Faroe Business Report 2007 It was widely seen as signifying at least a generational change, if …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2007/11/17/another-phase-a-new-face/

Care to dine with a view?

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, Faroe Business Report 2007 Before she had even started in her new …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2007/11/16/care-to-dine-with-a-view/

The Faroes: Periphery in the Centre

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 …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2007/08/15/faroe-islands-the-periphery-in-the-centre/

Our strengths: Purity, Authenticity and Uniquness

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. By …

Continue reading

Permanent link to this article: https://heinesen.info/wp/en/blog/2007/05/30/692/