New in Ethiopia

Two Faroese novels have been translated to Amharic and published in Ethiopia by Hohe Publisher. These are “Barbara” the 1939 classic by Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen and “Hinumegin er mars” by Sólrún Michelsen. The Amharic translations via English are by Samuel Zekarias.

Jørgen-Frantz Jacobsen is the only Faroese writer to achieve international best-seller status. This status derives from his novel, “Barbara” which takes place in the 18th century and is about the beautiful femme fatale Barbara, who is the widow of two priests and rumour has it that she is to blame for their deaths.

“Hinumegin er mars” is a poetic account of getting older and dementia. The protagonist is a woman in her sixties who is visiting and revisiting her mother as she recedes into memories lost and found. It was originally published by Mentunargrunnur Studentafelagsins in 2013.