BÓKADAGAR 2026: Panel discussion on the Faroese language

There has been considerable debate recently about vocabulary, mobile phones and PISA studies. What is the situation really like, and where are we heading when it comes to language? What are the implications of children and young people falling behind in their language skills? Are screens the biggest challenge to language proficiency, and what can we do to strengthen our ability to express ourselves and our desire to read?
At the Bókadagar literary festival, four prominent voices will discuss the state of the Faroese language in 2026.
Who will shed light on the issues?
Bárður á Lakjuni, Minister of Culture and Education and a teacher. For several years, he has warned about the negative consequences of digital dependency for children and young people.
Oddfríður Marni Rasmussen, author and teacher. His experience teaching lower secondary school students has led him to speak out publicly about the gradual decline of the Faroese language.
Jógvan D. Hansen, associate professor at the University of the Faroe Islands, has helped audiences gain new insights through the KvF programme series Filosoffarnir, in which he explores philosophical topics from the history of ideas.
Vár Eydnudóttir, cultural researcher, has, among other things, written the textbook Mentanarfatan C, the first Faroese textbook for cultural understanding as a subject at upper secondary level. The book explores topics such as identity, cultural encounters, globalisation and youth culture, drawing on examples from both the Faroe Islands and the wider world.
Join us for a discussion of a challenging yet important topic.
Organiser: Felagið Føroyamál