Faroe Islands

Dr.phil & fil. dr. Jóan Pauli Joensen was for 16 years rector of the University of the Faroe Islands where he is now a professor emeritus of ethnology and cultural history. He has furthermore been curator at the Faroese National Museum for many years.

Jóan Pauli has spent a lifetime studying and documenting the Faroese cuisine and the associated crafts in an effort to promote and preserve a unique food culture under pressure from the ready availability of imported food.

Jóan Pauli’s research led to his seminal book on faroese food cuture and traditions: “Bót og biti: Matarhald í Føroyum”, which is used today as a reference whenever faroese gastronomy is discussed. He has since authored additional books on the subject.

The waning interest in faroese cuisine has now reversed, and traditional faroese techniques and crafts, who’s preservation Jóan Pauli Joensen played a large part in, are now in use again, often in new and innovative ways.