In May, Christina Jansen travelled to the Faroe Islands, continuing a long-held fascination with the Northern Isles. Just over an hour by plane from Edinburgh, the Faroes feel completely removed from everyday life, suspended somewhere between Norway and Iceland, where dramatic landscapes, shifting weather and resilient communities create a remarkable atmosphere.
Watch this short film of film clips from Christina’s trip which has been specially made for Reinhard Behrens and Margaret Smyth (Behrens), to inspire them to go!
The landscape is unlike anywhere else. Towering cliffs disappear into mist, grass-roofed buildings sit against dark mountainsides, and the sea and weather shape every part of daily life. Sunshine, rain, fog and wind can all arrive within the same hour. Christina Jansen says it was like finding myself inside one of Reinhard Behrens’ paintings.
One of the most astonishing aspects of the Faroes is the tunnel system connecting the islands beneath the North Atlantic. Built over more than 25 years, these extraordinary subsea tunnels have transformed life for island communities and are now being looked at internationally, including by the Northern and Shetland Isles. The engineering innovation, combined with the beauty and resilience of the islands, makes the Faroes truly unforgettable.
It was truly remarkable. All weather in one day, definitely not for the faint-hearted. It was 3 degrees with a wind chill of -9, but the people, the place, the resilience, and the innovation of the Faroes is astounding.
This collection of photographs and short film offers a glimpse into the atmosphere, landscape, and ever-changing light of the North Atlantic.
