Faroe Islander tries to justify cruelty of whale killing

Many of you may be aware of the bloody tradition of the Faroe Islands, as many chilling photos have been circulating the Internet, taken during the traditional slaughter of pilot whales by locals ...

The Faroe Islands are a Danish protectorate. Only about 48 thousand people live here, and for four centuries the whaling tradition has flourished and is alive. Despite the fact that this massacre raises many questions and indignation in the rest of the world, the Faroese themselves honor this custom and are ready to defend it fiercely. Entire cities and villages take part in the massacre of whales, which is called “grindadrap” (catching pilot whales) here. Everyone can take part in it, and meat and fat are divided equally among all the inhabitants of the village.

(Total 14 photos)

1. These photos were taken by Benjamin Rasmussen. Pilot fishing takes place in his father's hometown, and Benjamin personally knows many who are directly involved in this venture.

2. Photos speak for themselves - they cause a lot of questions and outrage.

3. The purpose of these pictures is not just to show cruelty to animals, but to give impetus to the discussion of this problem.

4. Benjamin himself says he sees both sides of the problem.

5. “Despite the fact that this is a cruel and bloody activity, there is some beauty in it. This tradition exemplifies the socialist culture of the Faroese throughout her race."

6. "Bankers and fishermen work together, pulling the same line to get a whale, although they know they will get only a fraction of its meat and fat."

7. "Klaksvik - the place where the killing of whales takes place - is my father's hometown, and I know many of these people in the photographs."

8. “Seeing an old family friend with drops of whale blood on his face and his friends pulling a pilot whale out of the water, where they stand waist-deep in blood, there is something surreal about it.”

9. “The problem is that this is an incredibly controversial activity. The Faroese fiercely defend it as part of their tradition and heritage, and foreigners are trying to do everything to ban it.”

10. “My task was to take photographs that would demonstrate both tension and unity of people during this event.”

11. “I don't know how successful this project will be. Many Faroese liked the photos.”

12. “They were published in a book about the history of Faroese literature, as illustrations for poems that talk about killing whales. They also appeared in newspapers.

13. “But many foreigners are infuriated by these pictures. People see them only as cruelty, not as an invitation to discuss the problem.”

14. "In the end, discussion is the only thing that can affect the future of this problem."