Klingeling! Have you baked your first Christmas cookies yet? Or sung an Advent song, at home or in church? Island knowledge the easy way: Churches have been and still are vital on the islands. Because religion plays an important part in Faroese culture. A majority of the population, approximately 85 percent, belongs to the Faroese Evangelical Lutheran Church. There are several other religious communities around, the largest among them is Plymouth Brethren. Also represented are the Roman Catholic Church, the Salvation Army, the Pentecostal Movement, Seventh Day Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Philadelphia congregation (a branch of the Pentecostal Movement) and the Bahá’í Faith.
The latest news regarding the season: Christmas trees have become more expensive in the Faroe Islands. Charity organisation Kiwanis, which has been the leading Christmas tree retailer over the past years, used to charge a fixed price: DKK 400 for trees of all sizes. Now, there are three different prices. Since there are virtually no trees in the Faroes - only a few in planted groves - Christmas trees have to be imported, and that with increased freight costs, which in turn are driving up Christmas tree prices. Nevertheless, the Faroese do not let their Christmas spirit be spoiled. Islanders have staying power. A quality that they have inherited from their ancestors.
Footnote: Two of the most beautiful pictures of the beginning of this year’s season in our village were taken by our friend and neighbor Beinta Dam (Santa and people; islanders in front of the old school). I gladly borrowed the photos.