Faroes prepare a people’s honour open to all

The Faroese government is developing a national honour that anyone can nominate someone for, Kringvarp Føroya (KVF) reports. The proposed design is now open to public consultation.

Sólja í Ólavstovu, Dan Knudsen and others were given the task in 2023 by the government at the time. They were asked to recommend an honour that could be compared with the Danish Knight’s Cross and the Icelandic Falcon, while still being distinct.

“This honour was to be for the people, not one the government gives to those who have held a particular office, for example,” said í Ólavstovu, who chaired the committee.

The group visited neighbouring countries to learn about their honours systems and consulted the language council on a name that would not be confused with other awards. The chosen name is Tignarmerki Føroya, a Faroese national honour. After an invited design competition, Edvard Fuglø was selected to create it.

Anyone will be able to nominate a person for the honour, including for contributions to the arts, voluntary work, business, public service or sport. A committee will choose the recipients, and the honour will be presented at New Year.

If plans proceed as intended, the first Tignarmerki will be presented on January 1, 2028, Knudsen said.