2003 Ringanna harri (Hans Tórgarð)

The Lord of the Rings

Release Date: 2003-5
Reader: Hans Tórgarð
Language: Faroese
Translators: Axel Tórgarð
Organization: Hljóðbókanevndin (The Faroese Audiobook Committee)
ISBN: ?
Duration: ~51 hours
Unabridged: Yes
Country: Faroe Islands
Licensed: Yes
Formats: CD and Digital

Narrated by the actor Hans Tórgarð, this represents one of the smallest linguistic communities to ever undertake a full, unabridged reading of Tolkien’s epic. The project was a large undertaking for the Faroese public broadcaster and the national library services, as the translation itself was a notable point in Faroese literature. Includes the first-ever Faroese audio renditions of Tolkien’s songs, performed with a cadence reminiscent of the “Kvæði” (Faroese ballad) tradition.

The books were translated by Axel Tórgarð (1923–2011), who spent years meticulously crafting a Faroese vocabulary for Middle-earth, drawing on Old Norse roots that make the names feel “at home” in the North Atlantic. His son, Hans Tórgarð, a noted stage and screen actor, was chosen to voice his father’s life’s work. His Gandalf is weary and ancient, while his Hobbits speak with a light, rhythmic bounce characteristic of certain Faroese dialects.

The recording of each volume was released separately from 2003-2005.

Special thanks to Harrison Tu for drawing attention to this recording.