International praise for Faroese speech

The "5 lærdómar frá lívinum" (“Five life lessons”) speech held at the high school graduation ceremony in Tórshavn last summer has been named the best of its kind in the world.

Rhetorician Eydna Skaale, who wrote and delivered the speech, was awarded the honour by The Professional Speechwriters’ Association.

A judging panel consisting of eight internationally renowned rhetoricians selected Skaale’s speech as the best in the “graduation speeches” category.

Tough competition

“This is a huge honour for me,” says Skaale. 

“Most entries for the contest came from American speech writers, but some Europeans took part, too. Most of the overall winners in the contest were Americans. Two were from Holland, and then one standing in a grove in Tórshavn,” she adds with a big smile on her face.

“Most of the other winners in the contest are heads of big Universities and other major institutions in America, so this is a bit surreal to me.”

Translated by prosa.fo