Singer Ragnar í Vík regains sight after years of near blindness

Faroese singer Ragnar Jacobsen, better known as Ragnar í Vík, has regained his sight after surgery, Kringvarp Føroya reports. His vision had deteriorated for years, and he had been almost completely blind, able to see only light.

Ragnar celebrated his 75th birthday last Saturday at a party for 180 people held in a tent at Víkar Camping in Haldórsvík.

“Many people said it was the party of the year,” Ragnar said. “There were many musicians, and I got to meet many people I had not seen for a long time.”

Earlier this year, he underwent surgery in which new lenses were inserted into his eyes. He said the return of his sight felt like being given a new life.

“When I woke up again, I said to my wife: ‘Do you look like that?’ It was incredible to see again,” he said. “And now I have seen my youngest grandchildren for the first time.”

Ragnar can also go fishing again, something he loves. When Kringvarp Føroya visited him, he had just finished preparing fish he caught at sea the previous day. He has a small three-person boat and can go out alone, whereas before he could do nothing of the kind.

“I had prepared myself for never seeing again. So this is fantastic,” he said.

Ragnar was frequently heard on the radio in the past and performed in many places. He has not ruled out performing again now that his sight has returned. He said a group he belongs to plays occasionally, and he is planning a living-room concert in Streymnesi.

“Now I prefer smaller events where people can sit and enjoy themselves,” Ragnar said.