Iceland and The Problem of Elves.

An Icelandic Elf House

Sixty two percent of Icelanders believe that thousands of elves make their homes in Iceland’s wilderness.  Stories abound of the “huldufolk’  or "hidden folk."  Elf advocates have joined forces with environmentalists to urge the Icelandic Road and Coastal Commission and local authorities to abandon a current highway project.  They fear disturbing elf habitat and claim the area is particularly important because it contains an elf church.   The project has been halted until the Supreme Court of Iceland rules on the case.

The matter is particularly critical at Christmas, as Icelanders await not just one Santa Claus, but 13 trolls known as the "Yule Lads" who come to town during the 13 days before Christmas. Each has his own task, putting rewards or punishments into the shoes of little children.  Interestingly, many of these same traditions exist in rural Western Ireland.