The average hiking speed is 2 km per hour. This tour will take about 2 hours.

Here are the speeches of Anniku Waag og Heina Gaard

The Original speech was given by grandson of Rasmus á Háskúlanun Heini Gaard in Føgrulíð.

Good participants.

Thank you for the invitation to say that a few years have gone by here in Føgrulíð. 120 years have gone by since the Faroese Highschool let its doors up for the first time for the very first 16 highschool students in winter 1899. Here is not much to see in Føgrulíð today. However, imagine the scholarly activities, which were here – First at Stongunum and then a year later after here in Føgrulíð. And imagine the spirit, which made two you men, Rasmus á Háskúlanum and Símun av Skarði, to build a free school. A foundation of stone pilled walls, crafted with timber, with no really money but with a spirit as the motivational drive. A true goal for what matters most in life.

For those who do not know me, my grandfather was Rasmus á Háskúlanum. He was born 13. August 1871 and died 5. Oktober 1962. He was baptised Rasmus Rasmussen. As a scholar he was known as Regin í Líð but among men he was simply known as Rasmus á Háskúlanum. I was born in 1973 og therefor I did not get to meet my grandfather in person. Despite this, I had great joy to have inherited the culture legacy, which he and Símun av Skarði left when they passed away – Not just for our family but for all people. Among the works of Rasmusi, the “Babels Tower” and “Føroya Flora” were the first texts to be written in the Faroese language, and they can still be found among the books on people’s shelfs, who are interested in natural science and of course in the legacy of the Highschool, which he founded and built together with Símuni av Skarði when he was just 28 years old.

It is breathtaking for all who know the story about how the Highschool influenced academic studies in norther countries in general and culturally for us here at home.

Most of the legacy, which these two left behind when passed on can not be measured in any unit of measure in todays society. It can neither be measured in our national financial gross income budgets, nor in our national trade exports. You look trough of our nations accounting numbers and at best it only says that the school was an expense and gave no profit. Thank God modern financial calculations were not used 120 years ago. Despite yielding no recorded financial profit, this School, with its foundation and cornerstones of culture, love of country and love of our neighbors gave immense profits. The spirit, which the school was founded upon still live on this very day, despite that times have changed.

In a speech given 1 Nov. 1949, when the Highschool was half a century old, Rasmus touches the school with this spirit.

The speech in printed in school’s year book in 1949 and 1950.

Rasmus reflects on the first of times and says as follows:

”When I rerecall the now 50 years gone, all things start to merge and I remember most the first year north at Stongunum and in. Over these first few years, a bright vision still shines."

It was as if visions and summer evenings merged in Føgrulíð. When the sunset came from Nestindunum and dived down, the ocean and sky were cast in the most wonderful of colors. Everything was still so new and done based on faith and on the shoulders of the youth. I think that I have never been able to speak so well at the Highschool about spiritual matters as for that very moment.

Rasmus á Háskúlanum and Grundvig were both of the opinion that naked knowledge was cold. It served only to give the student a graded number, a diploma, a pay check or payment into a bank account.

“Light without warm is cold as hell.” Writes Grundvig and called the Latin-based school, which he himself attended, a black school.

Despite the Highschool’s light refusal use heavy handed academic language, which cannot be measured in any excel spreadsheet, it does not mean that there was no academic influence. Few ponder what influence the Highschool has had on language and culture in Faroe Islands - Not to mention the self-perception of how the Faroese People saw themselves.

What role does the Highschool have today? Does it have a role in today’s society? I believe it that it does. The society, which the school operated in, has changed much. Many things have changed for the better but not all things. Society’s tolerance for that which gives no financial profit has become far less. Politics are being driven to much larger extent by an excel spreadsheet than it ever has been, which emphasizes that everything must be financially balanced perfectly. If it is not profitable, then why do it, the German mantra has a tendency to be.

Somehow, we have forgotten that the Faroe Islands are not balanced around a cost / beneficial analysis. It does pay to live in Faroe Islands. It is difficult to build here, expensive to live, it is cold with strong windy weather and little to nothing grows here.  

Despite this, we are here. For love, love of country, people, language and culture. We are here and we know the story – It is our story. We know the hardship, which was put in to making this a better society, despite that it is not profitable. The danger of having an all knowing excel spreadsheet mentality is that the country is being driven like a company – like a factory where people have been reduced to workers. We are more than that.

Rasmus á Háskúlanum warned already at 1. November 1949 against this development. In short, he reminded listeners that day on the special community, which we have. He reminded them not to forget what we have in common and why we are here.

I believe that this reminder can stand to be repeated. And that it is here, on the foundation of this Highschool is today the same as it was then. A freedom from society’s demand to be profitable. A freedom without excel spreadsheets. A freedom to learn about our selves, to learn about others and to see the unique beauty that surrounds us.  

It has been said that Rasmus á Háskúlanum once said that the time he used to count flowers, at Børkubónda (most likely in connection with him writing Føroya flora), was better used than the time spent as prime minister from 1914 to 1927. I am so fond of this story because it tells us something about what truly matters.

In 1990, as a 16 year old boy, I attended the High School of Føroya Fólkaháskúla. After graduating the 10th grade, I got a job, at Bacalao to pack fish fingers. Financial crisis was in the Faroe Islands, at the time. Faroese People by the thousand were forced to leave the country and many never came back. It became clear to me very quickly than I inspired to do more than working with fish fingers on a conveyer belt, so I attended a spring course, at a Highschool together with other youths from all parts of the Faroe Islands, and even some foreigners.

Truth be told, I do not remember much of the teachings. What I remember best, is the people, who came from all over and communed together – boys on one dorm and girls on the other. I remember the excursion trips all over Kalsoy and other places, and this was before it became known as “traveling within once own country”. I remember the feeling to go to a school where no one demanded anything from me – other than me being part of the community.

Best of all, I remember the times where we sat up late at night. Sometimes far into the night in the kitchen with Róa Patursson, who was Highschool’s principle, and discussed life greatest questions and doubts.

Thank you.

Røðan hja Anniku Waag

Thank you for the opportunity to get say a few words to the community here today.

I have going to say something about the role my grandfather Símun í Vági had in connection with the Highschool of Føgrulíð.

The first Highschool course began in Novembur 1899, at Stongunum with Jóan Peturi. Already, the year after, the school was moved to Føgrulíð.

All have mostly likey heard about the Highschool founders Símun av Skarði og Rasmus Rasmussen, who were teachers at the school at Føgrulíð. They did a magnificent job, not just for the youth, who tended the school, but also for the identity of the Faroese People. Among other things. Símun av Skarði wrote the Faroese national anthem here. The first written text in Faroese where written here ,which include “Bábulstornið” and teachings in herbology and mathematics.

Rasmus á Háskúlanum said in his memoirs that Símun í Vági was a special maður with great ambitions and a banner carrier, who must never be forgotten.

In connection with the Highschool of Føgrulíð, very few have heard about Símun í Vági. He was born 7 August in 1863. He was not just an eager entrepreneur but also a scholar, who was one of the fierest supporters of the Highschool at Føgrulíð in many ways.

When the national movement party emerged, many people from the Faroe Islands went to Denmark to attend to Highschool. These Highschool were mostly based on the principles of Grundvig. The first student was a woman from Tórshavn, Elin á Húsum, who as a youngster left for Denmark, and many women followed in her footsteps shortly after.

Símun í Vági attended Vallekilde highschool in 1883 to 1884 and became an apprentice in 1885. Tann well known Ernst Trier, Highschool principle of Vallekilde, had a great influence on the 20th year old Símun and the knowledge he attained severed him for the remainder of his life. Símun named his only son after Ernst Trier but changed it to the Faroese version of the name: Einar.

Besides attending lectures, Símun made a living by working at a bakery in Vallekilde and later Ernst Trier gave him a place as an apprentice, so that he could learn to become a brewer.

For the young Símun, to go a journey of this magnitude, was a great undertaking. His curiosity and drive must be great. He had lost his father, at the age of 15. His father was a king’s peasant to a farm, which only counted 2 “merkur”. As the oldest of 13 siblings, he was forced to work the grasslands and oceans for 5 years, before he could leave.

Símun av Skarði and Rasmus Rasmussen were also sons of farmers, they too attended highschools in Denmark. Símun at Askov and Rasmus both at Vallekilde and Askov. They made their plans to establish a Faroese Highschool already when they were in Denmark.
When they returned to the Faroe Islands, they had gained much inspiration and expanded their visions. He did work a few years, at Biskupstøð where he backed for Fator Djurhuus.

Much happened in 1888

In 1888 Símun began his own baking and brewery company. Yes, this is when the Faroese brewery Føroya Bjór was founded. He got married that same year to Karin Helenu Katrinu
Hansen from Funningsstovu of Tórshavn. This is the 9 September in 1888. In herm he true faith and patience all their years together. Símun was also involved to all sorts of events leading to 2 Christmasday 1888 where he attended the well-known Christmas gathering

The spirit of Highschool and to get development going in this country was something that was deeply felt in the hearts of Símun, Símuni av Skarði and Rasmusi Rasmussen.

The first meeting was held at 1894. In 1896 the Føroyinga Felagið, where Símun í Vági was now a member, approved to establish companies in the outer villages. One of these, was to establish a Highschool in the Faroe Islands.

Símun call to hold meeting that same year in his home on the 2nd Christmas night where 10 guests attended. During this meeting, an agreement was reached to build a house where lectures, dance and so on, could take place. Already 29 November in 1897 was a house erected and Símun was named representative in the company named Norðoyafelag. Besides meetings, gymnastic practices of the Highschool were to be held in the bygdarhúsinum meetinghouse. The equipment for the gymnastics was donated by Símun. Símun often call for meetings, at bygdahúsinum where the subject matters were many. Progress, development, the Faroese language and even gender equality politics were discussed. This is can be seen in the old news texts dating back to this time.

Norðoyafelagið also arranged for the people to meet out in the open nature areas. in 1897 was a large meeting of people held, at Kjøli where people came tp attend from all corners of the Faroe Islands. Later in summer of 1899 there was also a large meeting of the people up on  Klakki on tann 9 Juli were the subject was schools and information. The speakers were
Jóannes Patursson, Símun í Vági, Sverra Patursson, Rasmus Effersøe and Símun
Paula of Kunoy.

In 1898 Símun í Vági and Sigrid Lutzen attended the meeting in Tórshavn to establish Føroya Forngripafelag. In 1904, he also pioneered the expansion of the church and the first swimming pool in Faroe Islands. He also made an attempt as manager of Norðingi, Dart and skonnartini Karin. In addition, he had land to worked the fish. He even dared, like few others to oppose the ruling legal establishment in village. As strange as it sounds, they competed, who could pay the most taxes.

The Faroese national flag, which now has 100 years of use to this year - Símun used it long before it was approved.

Why Fagralíð?
One day before the course ended at Stongunum, it was decided where the Highschool should be build, and during the same day it was also given the name Fagralíð. Here the Highschool had its inception year and its founders were young and eager.

This might seem like a strange spot, which was chosen. However, if you look around, you will see the magnificent natural surroundings. Image the freedom that must been felt here during summer weather during the sunset north of Nestindar. Perhaps it is not so strange that here among amazing nature surroundings with birds and plants that this place has inspired the first Faroese written texts, poetry and songs.

Símun í Vági sat as high member of the Highschool together with Jóannesi Paturssyni and A.C. Evenssen from 1904 to 1910 when the school was relocated to Tórshavn. At first the school was politically neutral. In 1904, money and property rights became issues. Símun av Skarðið and Rasmus Rasmussen sought advice from Símuni í Vági and together they managed to collect some money for the school.

For 10 years, the Highschool operated on Borðoy island. 198 students attended and they came from all areas of the Faroe Islands. My great grandfather from Hvalba, Mortan Holm, was also here at Føgrulíð in 1901 to attend a course before he went to Denmark to learn to become a Captian. 3 Grandmother sisters from Hvalba also attended courses here. One of the stories Mortan Holm used tell was when the Highschool’s boat came loose and he had to swim out after it. He also said that it was Jógvan segl, who showed him how to get ut of Klaksvík and down into Føgrulíð.

In 1909 the Highschool relocated to Tórshavn. Símun í Vági, who had supported the Highschool from its inception was furious and said resign school’s ruling committee where he had been since 1904. However, it is said that the spirit of the Highschool followed him for the rest of his life.

Now like never before, people see peace and inspiration in nature. It can be difficult to focus for young people and us more mature once with all the conundrum of knowledge, which we are bombarded with. It has become a question of sorting and selecting today. Perhaps it is precisely today that we truly need to look inwards and develop our spiritual and cultural side of your selves and the youths.

Rasmus á Háskúlanum said in his funeral speech at Tingakrossinum that Símun í Vági, who died 2 April in 1935, was not just a entrepreneur but also a special person and a rock. In addition, he was a stall ward supporter of the HighSchool and a man we should never forget.

Rasmus began his last words in his writings of R.C. Effersøe, to highlight Símun í Vági as a man, who dared, and did not remain silent and walked in marching order like the rest.

“Elt ikki altíð sum fyri er slóðað, sjálvbjargin far yvir land yvir hav, maður skal smíða sær
eydnuna góða við teimum evnum sum skaparin gav.”

A Heart felt congratulations with the 120 years of achievements of The Føroya Fólkháskúla and a wish of easy burden with many great years going forward.

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