In the Faroe Islands, Halloween is not much celebrated, as it is preferred to remember those ‘lost at sea’ in what was everyday life for Faroese fishermen for centuries, stuck on small wooden boats in raging storms. Although today the Faroese fleet is one of the world’s most advanced, and fishing is a lot safer than it was, the 1st of November, or ‘Alla halganna dagur‘, is still set aside to remember the hundreds of Faroese lives that have been lost at sea through the ages. In recent years, it became something of a ‘Halloween tradition’ to visit the tunnels north of Klaksvík, in which back in 2010 a routine recording turned into something far more frightening as screams could be heard throughout the tunnel despite the fact nobody else was there. Ghosts? Who knows? But the sounds are scary just the same: you can listen to them in this episode of ‘The Faroe Islands’ podcast. While Halloween has not completely replaced traditional Faroese festivities like Grækarismessa or Ólavsøka, it adds a modern, festive twist to the island’s cultural calendar: the blending of local traditions with imported ones creates a unique, Faroese take on Halloween.
In Tórshavn, the capital of the Faroe Islands, Halloween is a relatively new but growing celebration: influenced by American traditions, Halloween has gradually become more popular, particularly among younger generations. Like in other parts of the world, children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door for trick-or-treating. However, due to its recent adoption, the event is not yet as widespread or ingrained in Faroese culture as it is in other countries. In Tórshavn, the local community, particularly schools and families, organizes Halloween events, such as costume parties and themed gatherings. Shops and businesses also increasingly embrace the holiday by offering Halloween-related products like decorations, costumes, and candy. Some venues in Tórshavn, such as cafés and cultural centers, host special Halloween events to engage families and children in the fun.
