Photos: the unsung heroes who keep Tórshavn clean and tidy

Through all seasons and in all weather, Tórshavn’s street cleaners keep the city free of litter, one street at a time.

Two of the longest-serving ones are Heri Jensen and Frants Vilhelm Jacobsen.

They show up every morning at the old fire station before heading out on their separate routes through the city centre.

KvF’s resident photographer, Bjarni Árting Rubeksen, went along to capture a few moments from a regular workday for two unsung heroes.

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Discreetly and without any fuss, Heri prepares the city for the national holidays

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Here, he passes a silent onlooker on his way through the city centre

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Not far away, Frants Vilhelm passes the Houses of Parliament with his huge ‘Glutton’ vacuum cleaner

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Heri empties one of the countless litter bins in the city centre

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Heri Jensen has been keeping the city clean since 1986

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Frants Vilhelm Jacobsen has been doing the same since 2001

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Frants Vilhelm finds time for a chat with parking attendant and part-time KvF reporter Hilmar Jan Hansen

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Heri also makes time for a bit of socialising as he works his way through the city centre

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Heri has a meticulous approach to his work

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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At the other end of our careless littering are everyday heroes like Heri and Frants Vilhelm

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Some bins are easier to empty than others. With this one, Heri simply opens a latch at the bottom and the rubbish drops into his bag. Done. On to the next one

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Frants Vilhelm’s vacuum cleaner can easily suck up glass splinters

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Modern equipment makes this job a little easier than it was in the old days

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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But some of the work still needs to be carried out in conventional ways

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Frants Vilhelm cleaning around the football stadium

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Many of us would rather not be doing this type of work, but the city would be a mess if nobody did it

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Frants Vilhelm’s daily routine includes ensuring that the stadium area is spotless every day

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Like his colleague, Frants Vilhelm is meticulous in his work

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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“Tann deiliga Havn” (“Wonderful Tórshavn”). These two men play a crucial part in keeping the city wonderful

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Heri and Frants Vilhelm were awarded special honours at the 2021 Environment Week for their tireless dedication and service to their city

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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At the award ceremony, Tórshavn’s mayor told Heri and Frants Vilhelm that they were an inspiration to all citizens of Tórshavn

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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The workday started with glorious sunshine, but rain started to fall in the afternoon. Undeterred, Heri just put on his rainwear and carried on with his work

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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At the start of the day, all this rubbish was spread across the city centre. Now it’s been safely deposited in a large rubbish container

Myndareportasja: Gøtusópararnir Heri og Frants Vilhelm.

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Today’s work is completed, and Wonderful Tórshavn is now ready to welcome thousands of people celebrating the national holidays.

Read the Faroese version of this article here.

Translated by prosa.fo.

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