This historic document presents one of the first men driving a car in the Faroe Islands ever. Sunneva Egholm Mikkelsen has preserved it. Now it’s laying on a table at her home in Kvívík. The picture shows her father. Originally, I have come to Kvívík, a village on the west coast of Streymoy, to take a look at the remains of houses dating back to the age of the Vikings. But at the excavation ground, I meet Julian Mikkelsen, Sunneva’s husband. They invite me into their beautiful home, and they introduce me to Sunneva’s hidden treasure in a building next door.
Over the years, she has built up a private collection of historical items. All of them have been used. The outcome is amazing. Sunneva has archived and equipped each single item with a tag. Original ropes made out of Faroese wool to tie up cattle. Spinning-wheels. Handmade leather shoes – the ones that go with lacing, i.a. worn while hunting birds in the cliffs. An ancient telephone set. A wooden bucket for cow’s milk. Razors, toy guns, irons, petrol lamps, playthings. The wooden box the priest carried on his back when he had to walk to Vestmanna. A woolen fisherman’s cap, wool gloves and two whale stomachs which served as buoys. A stick with scale units. A compass. And much more.
Sunneva Egholm Mikkelsen started her private collection as a child. Now it’s as good as a museum. She not only preserves items. She also perpetuates the past. This perfectly matches the fact that Kvívík is one of the oldest settlements on Faroe Islands. Dear Sunneva, dear Julian: Takk fyri. Thank you for your hospitality. And for showing me the hidden treasure.
