This is a list of famous or important Faroese people. In a small island-society of fewer than 50,000 inhabitants, each person can gain certain meaning for the entire nation. The people listed below, are among those who played or play a distinct role in Faroese culture, politics and history. Many of them are renowned outside the Faroes, especially in Denmark and other Nordic countries.
Artists
Authors and poets
Heðin Brú
Marianna Debes Dahl
Joen Danielsen
Hans Andrias Djurhuus
Janus Djurhuus
Jens Christian Djurhuus
Bergtóra Hanusardóttir
Jens Pauli Heinesen
William Heinesen (also a painter, graphical artist and musician) Guðrið Helmsdal Rakel Helmsdal Regin Dahl Jógvan Isaksen Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen Steinbjørn B. Jacobsen Poul F. Joensen Oddvør Johansen Hanus Kamban Sissal Kampmann Marjun Syderbø Kjelnæs Jóanes Nielsen Rói Patursson (also a philosopher) Kristian Osvald Viderø (also a clergyman)
Cinema and theatre artists and film people
Jacob Haugaard, actor, comedian, politician, member of the Danish Parliament
Heiðrikur á Heygum, filmmaker, musician and artist
Olaf Johannessen, stage and film actor
Katrin Ottarsdóttir, director
Helena Patursson, actress, feminist, and writer
Sakaris Stórá, film director
Hans Tórgarð, actor, stage director and playwright
Fashion
Liffa Gregoriussen (1904–1992), fashion designer and feminist
Musicians
Peter Alberg, composer of the Faeroese Anthem
Lena Anderssen, singer-songwriter and guitarist
Greta Svabo Bech, singer, provided the vocals for deadmau5's track "Raise Your Weapon" Aura Dione, pop singer songwriter Kristian Blak, composer and musician Tróndur Bogason, composer and musician Boys in a Band, indie rock band from Eysturoy, Faroe Islands; won 1st place in Global Battle of the Bands Rúni Brattaberg, opera singer The Dreams, Faroese punk/rock/pop band from Tórshavn; singer of the band is Hans Edward Andreassen Brandur Enni, singer-songwriter, composer and musician Bárður Háberg, musician, songwriter and composer, composes music for pop singers from Japan, Holland, Korea Guðrið Hansdóttir, singer-songwriter, composer and musician Jens Marni Hansen, singer-songwriter, rock singer and guitar player, participated in the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2010 Jógvan Hansen, singer and guitarist, participated in the Icelandic Eurovision Song Contest Heiðrikur á Heygum, filmmaker, musician and artist Óli Jógvansson, musician, songwriter, composer and producer Jóannes Lamhauge, singer-songwriter, artist (painter), actor, graphic designer and film director Teitur Lassen, singer-songwriter and guitarist Høgni Lisberg, singer-songwriter Dávur Juul Magnussen, trombonist, principal trombone chair of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Eivør Pálsdóttir, singer-songwriter and guitarist Rani Petersen, known professionally as Reiley, singer and first Faroese person to represent any country (specifically Denmark) in the Eurovision Song Contest Sunnleif Rasmussen, composer Høgni Reistrup, singer-songwriter and guitarist Evi Tausen, country singer Týr, Viking/progressive metal band, fronted by Heri Joensen