The project was initiated by the Czech Ambassador Zdeněk Lyčka who arranged it together with Herálvur Joensen, the Head of the Representation of the Faroe Islands in Denmark, during the visit of the diplomatic representatives in the Faroes in June 2011.

It was the first large cultural event arranged by the Czech Republic in the Faroe Islands. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the Czech Republic in a place where neither the country, its culture or business companies are continuously represented. The Czech Embassy in Copenhagen considers the event a success.

On 15 May 2012 the representatives of the Czech Embassy met the Chairman of the Faroe Islands’ Government, K. L. Johannesen, in his office. The main topics of the courtesy call were mutual relationships, intensification of business and investment bonds, the position of the Faroes within the Kingdom of Denmark and the position of the Czech Republic in the EU.

The island of Sandoy

Being aware of the fact that the possibilities of the Faroe Islands business market are limited, the interest of intensification of business exchange was underlined at all meetings (with the Prime Minister, mayors and business representatives). Czech export in 2011 was around 12 mil. CZK. The main Czech export goods are toys, paper and carton, cooling equipment and products from iron/steel. The Czech Republic imports mainly fish and equipment for sound recording. The Czech Embassy sees an opportunity for cooperation in the fishing industry.

Program of the Czech Day in the Faroe Islands:

- Presentation of the Czech Republic – lecture about the Czech Republic, identity and culture with emphasis on the Velvet Revolution and development since 1990.

- Exhibition Czech UNESCO Sights

- Exhibition of illustrations to the Czech translation of Greenlandic and Saami myths and fairy Tales (by M. Velíšek a L. Drtina).

- Exhibition of illustrations by Renáta Fučíková to H. C. Andersen’s and Chinese fairy tales

- Screening of Czech films for both adults and children

- Exhibition, presentation and workshop focused on traditional as well as present-day Czech lace making and bobbin lace work with Jana Novak, Czech artist living in Denmark

The Czech Days in the Faroe Islands were officially opened on 13 May 2012 in the gallery Østrøm Fabrik in the centre of Tórshavn by the vernissage of two exhibitions – Czech Illustrations to the Greenlandic and Saami Myths and Fairy Tales and Lace in the Czech history and nowadays. In his opening speech, Jiří Borcel emphasized the traditional big interest in the Northern parts of Europe by the Czech people. He also expressed hope that our countries will find common topics for the further intensification of mutual relationships.

The opening of the Czech Day in the Faroe Islands. From the right: Jiří Borcel, the representative of the Czech Embassy in Copenhagenand, and Heralvur Joensen, the Head of the Representation of the Faroe Islands in Denmark

Jiří Borcel presented his lecture about the Czech Republic first in the educational area of the town of Runavík and then at the Municipal Office of Klaksvík, the second biggest town in the Faroes. The representatives of the Czech Embassy were welcomed in both municipalities by the Mayor of the town with whom they talked about cooperation in the business sector and also about „people to people“ connections (e.g. Twin Towns). Both presentations were supplemented with the exhibition Czech UNESCO Sights and promotion material from the organizations CzechTourism, CzechTrade and CzechInvest.

The opening of the exhibition "Czech UNESCO Sights". From the right: Jiří Borcel, Gunva vid Keldu, the Mayor of Klaksvík and Barbora Stejskalová, Czech Cultural Attaché.

The last presentation – focusing on the Velvet Revolution and further development – took place at the University of the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn and attracted mainly teachers and some of the former politicians. The guests’ questions proved a big interest in the newest history of the Czech Republic. The embassy’s representatives established contacts with the Nordic languages teachers and will try to mediate the contacts to the Faculty of Arts at Charles’ University in Prague and Masaryk’s University in Brno.

The presentation about "velvet revolution" at University of the Faroe Islands in Tórshavn

The Czech movie presentation was divided into two parts: A one-day-presentation of the Czech movies for adults took place on 14 May 2012 in the Nordic House (8 short movies, Miloš Forman – What Doesn’t Kill You… and Kolja), while the movies for children were shown at Tórshavn Public Library on 18 and 19 May (Kooky, The Goat Story, Mole’s Stories and In the Attic). At the same library, on 14 May 2012 the exhibition of illustrations by Renáta Fučíková was launched. After two weeks, the exhibition travelled on to Runavík Public Library. This exhibition had successfully travelled around Denmark from September 2012 until the end of 2011.

The opening of the exhibition of illustrations by Renáta Fučíková at Tórshavn Public Library. From the left: Jiří Borcel with the head of the library Svend Højgaard

Lace maker Jana Novak organized 3 presentations – in the capital city Tórshavn, in Runavík and in Klaksvík. (Note.: J. Novak lives in Denmark, where she teaches and writes about bobbin lace work and has lectures about the art of lace, its history and nowadays courses; she also organized workshops in several countries.). On the basis of similar tradition in work with wool she met interest, whereas she provided her knowledge and materials for some individual meetings.

 
The exhibition of traditional as well as present-day Czech lace making in Tórshavnu

Program of the Czech Day in the Faroe Islands

Article Kekkisk ambassadørvitjan í Klaksvík