Karsten Hoydal

Faroese writer

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July 18, 2026

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Karsten Hoydal was a Faroese writer known for his poetry and short stories. He was influenced by modern foreign poets and translated many of their works, particularly those of Edgar Lee Masters. His writing contributed to the development of Faroese literature, which largely emerged in the latter half of the 19th century after the normalization of the Faroese language's orthography. Faroese literature transitioned from an oral tradition of ballads and epics to a written form, with poetry being a significant genre in its early development.1

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Faroese literature
Development during the 20th century
Karsten Hoydal was the first Faroese writer to compose verse directly influenced by modern foreign poets; he also translated many of their works, especially those of American poet and novelist Edgar Lee Masters. Regin Dahl and Steinbjørn B. Jacobsen have gone much farther in their…
Read More
Karsten Hoydal was the first Faroese writer to compose verse directly influenced by modern foreign poets; he also translated many of their works, especially those of American poet and novelist Edgar Lee Masters. Regin Dahl and Steinbjørn B. Jacobsen have gone much farther in their…
Read More