Maya Sieminski-Posvancz

RELS 482
Fall 2013
Unhidden !he "#ld#$%lk o$ &celand
&n 'he ca(i'ol ci'y o$ Reyk)avik* do+n a +indin, s'-ee' $#ll o$ mos'ly co-(o-a'e o$$ices and
small ca$es* 'he-e incons(ic#o#sly si's a (lace kno+n as 'he .l$ask%linn* o- /El$ School01 &' is an
a-chive o$ so-'s* ha-2o-in, a m#l'i'#de o$ acco#n's o$ (eo(le3s e4(e-iences +i'h .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk o-*
elves and hidden (eo(le1 !hese a-e all 'y(ed #( on -eams o$ (a(e- in seve-al ca2ine's1 !he-e a-e
$i,#-ines and (ain'in,s o$ .l$a- eve-y+he-e1 &' is easy 'o see i's s#2)ec' ma''e- $-om inside* 2#' 'he
(lace i'sel$ is -a'he- #nma-ked and al'o,e'he- #nde'ec'a2le $-om 'he s'-ee'1 Fo- a 'o#-is' like mysel$
'-yin, 'o loca'e i'* i' is e4'-emely di$$ic#l'* even +i'h 'he add-ess +-i''en do+n1 Seve-al s'o(s a' o$$ices
in 'he a-ea yield no -es#l's 5al'ho#,h i' sho#ld 2e no'ed 'ha' no one seems 'o 2a' an eye a' my eccen'-ic
6#es'ion* /7o yo# kno+ +he-e 'he el$ school is809 &' is i'sel$ seemin,ly as hidden as 'he 2ein,s i'
makes as i's $oc#s1 &' is only a$'e- ,ivin, #( and s'o((in, in a small ca$e:convenience s'o-e on 'he same
s'-ee' 'ha' & am a2le 'o ,e' s(eci$ic di-ec'ions1 !he old +oman +ho -#ns 'he 2#siness kno+s e4ac'ly
ho+ 'o ,e' 'he-e1 /!h-ee 2#ildin,s a+ay* #( 'he s'ai-s and 'o 'he -i,h'10
!he man +ho -#ns 'he .l$ask%linn is named Ma,n;s Ska-(h<=insson1 "e is no'* as yo# mi,h'
e4(ec'* a $-in,e socie'y d+elle-1 &n $ac'* he s'#died $olklo-e and &celandic li'e-a'#-e a' #nive-si'y* and
has made his livin, +o-kin, as an a-chivis'1 /!o (-ese-ve 'he s'o-ies*0 he 'ells me1 "e is -a'he- +ell
kno+n in &celand* 2o'h 2eca#se o$ his -esea-ch* and 2eca#se o$ his 2-o'he-* >ss#- Ska-(h<=insson* +ho
has held a n#m2e- o$ hi,h (oli'ical (osi'ions +i'hin 'he &celand ,ove-nmen'* mos' no'a2ly se-vin, as
leade- o$ 'he Social 7emoc-a'ic ?lliance and la'e- as Minis'e- $o- Fo-ei,n ?$$ai-s1
?s headmas'e- o$ 'he .l$ask%linn* Ma,n;s cond#c's '+o-ho#- classes* ,oin, ove- 'he 2asic
desc-i('ions and lo-e o$ 'he "#ld#$%lk1 !he-e is a mea'y 2ookle' 'ha' he has c-ea'ed* 2o'h in En,lish
and in S+edish* as 'hese a-e 'he main lan,#a,es s(oken o$ 'he (eo(le 'ha' come 'o his classes1 !hese
classes a-e mos'ly an endeavo- $o- 'o#-is's* as a +ay 'o 'each visi'o-s a2o#' 'he $olklo-ic '-adi'ions o$
&celand1 &celande-s 'hemselves a-e al-eady +ell-ve-sed in 'hese s'o-ies* and some'imes con'ac' Ma,n;s
'o -elay 'hei- o+n s'o-ies o$ enco#n'e-s o- visions +i'h 'he hidden (eo(le1
@elie$ in .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk is 6#i'e s'-on,* des(i'e &celand3s o#'+a-d em2-ace o$ mode-ni'y1
?l'ho#,h &celand is no+ an inde(enden' co#n'-y* (-os(e-in, 'echnolo,ically* and ,a-ne-in,
in'e-na'ional a''en'ion $o- i's 'o#-is' ca(aci'y and m#sic scene* &celande-s s'ill -e(o-' hi,h n#m2e-s
+hen asked a2o#' 2elie$ in s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s1 Ahile $olk 2elie$s have $aded d-as'ically in o'he-
co#n'-ies s#ch as Bo-+ay* 7enma-k and &-eland* &celand has ke(' 'he 2elie$ in .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk
alive and s'-on,1 !his (a(e- +ill 'ake a 2-ie$ look a' 'he o-i,ins o$ 'hese 2ein,s* (a-se o#' s'a'is'ical
da'a* 'ake an ove-vie+ o$ ho+ 'hese 2elie$s mani$es' 'hemselves in mode-n &celandic c#l'#-e* and
$inally* (-o(ose (ossi2le hy(o'heses as 'o +hy 'hese 2elie$s s'ill (e-sis' 'o (-esen' day1 !hese
hy(o'heses* o- a((-oaches* as & +ill call 'hem* incl#de 'he envi-onmen'al a((-oach* 'he na'ionalis'ic* o-
c#l'#-al he-i'a,e a((-oach* and 'he -oman'icism o$ 'he (as' a((-oach1 !hese s#((osi'ions +ill c#lmina'e
in 'he (-o(osi'ion 'ha' 'he co#n'-y has c-ea'ed i's o+n #ni6#ely &celandic $o-m o$ -eli,io#s and c#l'#-al
iden'i'y1
Statistics
!he-e have 2een many s#-veys done in 'he las' cen'#-y '-ackin, 'he 2elie$ in 'he "#ld#$%lk and
.l$a- in &celand1 !hese have consis'en'ly sho+n 'ha' ove- hal$ o$ &celande-s s#-veyed hold some $o-m
o$ 2elie$ in 'hese s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s1 @elie$ in s#ch 2ein,s is +idely acce('ed and o$'en e4(-essed
(#2licly1 &' is im(o-'an' 'o no'e 'ha' a2sol#'e ce-'ain'y is ac'#ally lo+1 &' is 'he la-,e- (e-cen'a,e +hich
2elieve in 'he probability o- possibility o$ 'hese 2ein,s +hich is im(o-'an' 'o conside-1 &' a((ea-s 'ha'
+hile mos' &celande-s do no' hold an a2sol#'e 2elie$ in 'he "#ld#$%lk and .l$a-* 'hey +ill no' -e$#'e
'hei- e4is'ence al'o,e'he-1
&n 1CDE* a 'ho-o#,h s#-vey on many $ace's o$ (a-ano-mal and s#(e-na'#-al (henomena +as
'aken1
1
Fn 'he 6#es'ion o$ 2elie$ in /"idden $olks and $ai-ies0* 33G indica'ed 'ha' i' +as (ossi2le* 1EG
s'a'ed 'ha' i' +as (-o2a2le* and DG +e-e ce-'ain o$ 'hei- e4is'ence1 18G indica'ed i' +as #nlikely* and
only 10G o$ 'hose asked said 'ha' 'hei- e4is'ence +as im(ossi2le1 Ahen asked a2o#' si,h'in,s o$ o-
e4(e-iences +i'h hidden (eo(le* 10G indica'ed havin, had an e4(e-ience1 Ahile 'his is my o+n
(e-sonal s(ec#la'ion* & +o#ld s#((ose 'ha' 'he 10G +ho claimed havin, an e4(e-ience co--ela'es +i'h
'he 8G +ho a-e ce-'ain o$ 'hei- e4is'ence1 !his leaves ano'he- 48G +ho s'ill 'ho#,h' 'ha' i' +as
(ossi2le o- (-o2a2le 'ha' "#ld#$%lk e4is'* des(i'e eve- havin, e4(e-ienced seein, one1
? s#-vey 'aken in 1CC8 desc-i2ed E414G o$ -es(onde-s sayin, yes 'o 'he 6#es'ion (osed* /7o
yo# 2elieve in elves80
2
!his s#-vey allo+ed only $o- a /yes0 o- /no0 ans+e-* and 'he-e$o-e has 2een
c-i'icized1 "o+eve-* i' is s'ill in'e-es'in, 'o no'e 'ha' mo-e &celande-s 'han no' indica'ed a 2elie$ in
elves* des(i'e any lack in n#ances +i'hin 'he s#-vey1
&n 200H* ano'he- s#-vey +as cond#c'ed* 'he -es#l's indica'in, 'ha' EE1EG -e(o-'ed some $o-m o$
2elie$ in 'he (ossi2ili'y o$ 'he e4is'ence in "#ld#$%lk and .l$a-1 8G -e(o-'ed ce-'ain'y* 1H1EG -e(o-'ed
'ha' i' +as likely* and 31G ass#med i' +as (ossi2le1 131EG -e(o-'ed 'ha' 'hey 'ho#,h' 'hei- e4is'ence
im(ossi2le1 &n li,h' o$ 'he in$o-ma'ion* I#nnel s'a'ed* J!he-e is a li''le 2i' mo-e do#2' 'han 'he-e #sed
'o 2e* 2#' ,ene-ally 'he $i,#-es +e-e m#ch 'he same as 'hey +e-e1J
3
?' $i-s' ,lance* -e(o-'s o$ ce-'ain'y in 'he e4is'ence o$ "#ld#$%lk and .l$a- co#ld 2e conside-ed
lo+* hove-in, a-o#nd 'he 8G line1 "o+eve-* +hen one incl#des 'he -an,e o$ 2elie$ in 'he possibility o-
probability o$ 'hei- e4is'ence* 'he n#m2e- -ises m#ch hi,he-* hove-in, a-o#nd o- hi,he- 'han 'he E0G
ma-k1 !his indica'es 'ha' ove- hal$ o$ &celande-s +ill no' -#le o#' o$ 'he (ossi2ili'y 'ha' "#ld#$%lk and
.l$a- e4is'1 ?s o'he- schola-s have no'ed* i' is no' so m#ch 'ha' a ma)o-i'y o$ &celande-s 2elieve o#'-i,h'
1 Vladimar Hafstein. "Academia." The Elves' Point of View Cultural dentity in Contemporary
celandic Elf!Tradition.
2 bid.
3Sveinn @i-ki- @)K-nsson1 J!he Reyk)avLk I-a(evine1J Elves in M#l'#-al Noca2#la-y1
in s#ch 'hin,s* 2#' 'ha' 'hey -e$#se 'o -#le o#' 'hei- e4is'ence1 &' is a s#2'le di$$e-ence (e-ha(s* 2#' one
'ha' is c-#cial 'o #nde-s'andin, 'he na'ional mindse' on 'his iss#e1
Origins, Etymology and Other Particulars
P-o2lems Ai'h Bames and 7is'inc'ions
!he (-o2lem +i'h di$$e-en'ia'in, 2e'+een 'he "#ld#$%lk* NO''-* .l$a-* and o'he-s* is 'ha'
mode-n de$ini'ion seems 'o 2e some+ha' lackin,1 !o some* "#ld#$%lk a-e 'he same as .l$a-* +hile 'o
o'he-s* 'hese a-e '+o dis'inc' 2ein,s1 !he-e is addi'ional dis'inc'ion 2e'+een di$$e-en' 'y(es o$ .l$a-1
!he-e +ill 2e mo-e disc#ssion o$ 'his la'e-1 F#-'he-mo-e* 'he in$o-ma'ion 2ecomes con$#sed +hen one
dealin, +i'h (a,an Fld Bo-se va-ian's conside-s 'hese as se(a-a'e o- someho+ dis'inc' $-om 'hei- (os'-
Mh-is'ian co#n'e-(a-'s1 Folklo-e ,a'he-ed o- c-ea'ed a$'e- 'he Mh-is'ianiza'ion o$ &celand in a-o#nd
1*000 ?171 'ends 'o se' old (a,an $olk 2elie$s inside an e4(lici'ly Mh-is'ian +o-ldvie+1 !he (-ime
e4am(le o$ 'his is 'he +idely (o(#la- s'o-y o$ ho+ 'he "#ld#$%lk came 'o 2e* +hich +ill 2e disc#ssed
$#-'he- in 'he ne4' sec'ion1 &' is di$$ic#l' 'o kno+ ho+ and +hen 'o delinea'e +ha' is (-e-Mh-is'ian and
+ha' is (os'-Mh-is'ian +hen lookin, a' 'e4'#al desc-i('ions1 Pe-ha(s is does no' ma''e-1 &ndeed* 'he
sync-e'ism eviden' is hi,hly in'e-es'in,* and +o-'h 'akin, a look a'1 Ahe'he- o- no' 'his 2lendin, o$
(a,an and Mh-is'ian 2elie$s makes a di$$e-ence +hen desc-i2in, each s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s is no' clea-1 &'
seems 'ha' (-e-Mh-is'ian #nde-s'andin, $i's ve-y +ell +i'h Mh-is'ian ideolo,y1 !he no'ion o$ /li,h'0 o-
,ood elves and /2lack0 o- 2ad elves si's com$o-'a2ly 2o'h +i'hin Fld Bo-se and Mh-is'ian '-adi'ion* and
+hile (e-ha(s some o$ 'hese desc-i('ions mo-(hed in'o +ha' 'hey a-e 'oday 2eca#se o$ Mh-is'ian
in$l#ence* some o$ 'his lan,#a,e may 2e seen da'in, $a-'he- 2ack in'o ea-lie- Bo-se lo-e and (oe'-y1
NO''-* .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk* Fh MyP
!he-e is '-emendo#s ove-la( amon, 'hese s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s* and 'ime has allo+ed a ,-ea'
evol#'ion o$ 'ho#,h' a2o#' +ha' cha-ac'e-izes each1 ?ddi'ionally* 'he-e seems 'o 2e li''le common
de$ini'ion1 Fne &celande- mi,h' con'end 'ha' "#ld#$%lk and .l$a- a-e synonymo#s $o- 'he same 2ein,*
+hile ano'he- mi,h' a-,#e 'ha' 'hey a-e +holly di$$e-en' in na'#-e1 &' can 2e #nde-s'ood 'ha' 'he .l$a-
+e-e -eco,nized m#ch ea-lie- 'han 'he "#ld#$%lk1 &ndeed* many schola-s 'oday (-o(ose 'ha' 'he
"#ld#$%lk a-e sim(ly 'he same as 'he L)%sQl$a- o- li,h' elves o$ 'he Eddas1 Schola- and a#'ho- !e--y
I#nnel has said* Jdi$$e-en' 2elie$s co#ld have lived side 2y side in m#l'ic#l'#-al se''lemen's in &celand
2e$o-e 'hey ,-ad#ally 2lended in'o 'he la''e--day &celandic .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk10
4
I#nnel has also
s'a'ed 'ha'* /"#ld#$%lk and .l$a- #ndo#2'edly a-ose $-om 'he same need1 !he Bo-se se''le-s had 'he
.l$a-* 'he &-ish slaves had 'he hill $ai-ies o- 'he Iood Peo(le1 Fve- 'ime* 'hey 2ecame '+o di$$e-en'
2ein,s* 2#' -eally 'hey a-e '+o di$$e-en' se's o$ $olklo-e 'ha' mean 'he same 'hin,1J
E
F#-'he-mo-e*
some'imes i' seems 'ha' 2o'h can $i' #nde- 'he #m2-ella ca'e,o-y o$ NO''-* ye' NO''- is also some'imes
s(oken o$ as a com(le'ely se(a-a'e ca'e,o-y o$ 2ein,s1 Fo- 'he sake o$ cla-i'y* & +ill a''em(' 'o de$ine
each 2ein,* ,ive e4am(les o$ +he-e men'ions o$ 'hem may 2e $o#nd* and disc#ss 'he +ays in +hich
each some'imes ove-la( +i'h 'he o'he-1 ? clea-e- desc-i('ion o$ 'he cha-ac'e-is'ics o$ each 2ein, may
hel( (-ovide a mo-e com(-ehensive #nde-s'andin, o$ 'hei- (-esence and e4(-ession in mode-n
&celandic (o(#la- c#l'#-e1
NO''-
NO''- '-ansla'es -o#,hly 'o +i,h's and seems 'o 2e a so-' o$ ,ene-ic 'e-m $o- 'he many na'#-e
s(i-i's 'ha' 'he Fld Bo-se 2elieved in1 Unde- 'he #m2-ella 'e-m yo#3ll $ind 'he .l$a-* +hich '-ansla'es 'o
elves* 7ve-,a- +hich means d+a-ves* RK'na-* o- ,ian's* and 'he Ssi- and Nani-* +hich make #( many
,ods o$ 'he Bo-se (an'heon1 @eca#se my -esea-ch $oc#ses on mode-n 2elie$* and mode-n &celand seems
'o have $avo-ed 'he .l$a- and 'hei- co#n'e-(a-'s* 'he "#ld#$%lk* & +ill no' ,o in'o disc#ssion o$ 'he
o'he- s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s* incl#din, '-olls* d+a-ves* ,ian's* and o$ co#-se* 'he many ,ods and
4 Ma-c Nincenz1 J!he Reyk)avLk I-a(evine1J !o @e o- Bo' 'o @e .l$a-* Elves* "#ld#$%lk* Fai-ies and
7+a-ves ?-e !hey Really ?ll 'he Same !hin,8
E &2id1
,oddesses1 Ahile -e$e-ences 'o 'hese o'he- mem2e-s o$ 'he NO''i- a-e s'ill easy 'o $ind in &celand 'oday*
'hey seem 'o no' have 'he same eleva'ion o$ (o(#la-i'y as 'he .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk1
.l$a-
!he .l$a-* o- 'he elves o$ &celand may s#-(-ise and dismay 'hose +ho '-adi'ionally 'hink o$
'hese c-ea'#-es as small* s(-i,h'ly and mildly mischievo#s1 Pe-ha(s 'he mos' iden'i$ia2le and closely
-ela'ed de(ic'ion o$ 'he .l$a- in (o(#la- c#l'#-e may 2e 'he elves o$ !olkein3s in$amo#s /Lo-d o$ 'he
Rin,s0 se-ies* +hich seem 'o 2e 2ased mo-e closely 'o 'he no'ions o$ elves in 'he Fld Bo-se '-adi'ion1
!he .l$a- o$ Scandinavian o-i,in +e-e h#man-sized* 2ea#'i$#l* indeed conside-ed a so-' o$ demi-,od1 &'
seems 'hey +e-e closely connec'ed 'o $e-'ili'y in 'he (as'* and o$ ances'-al $amily1 !he-e a-e many
men'ions o$ .l$a- in s#ch so#-ces as 'he Poe'ic Edda and 'he P-ose Edda* Scandinavian sa,as
incl#din,* /!hid-ek3s Sa,a0 and /Sa,a o$ "-ol$ T-aki0* and Fld Bo-se Skaldic (oe'-y* incl#din,
/"-a$na,ald- U=ins10 ? delinea'ion 2e'+een 'he .l$a- is made s(eci$ically in 'he Poe'ic and P-ose
Eddas* +i'h '+o 5o- some'imes 'h-ee9 di$$e-en' 'y(es 2ein, -eco,nized1 L)%sQl$a-* o- li,h' elves* a-e
desc-i2ed as* /$ai-e- 'han 'he s#n 'o look #(on*0 and a-e o$'en said 'o live in .l$heim1
H
7KkkQl$a-* o-
da-k elves a-e said 'o* /live do+n in 'he ea-'h and 'hey a-e #nlike 'he o'he-s in a((ea-ance and even less
like 'hem in cha-ac'e-10
D
Schola-s have some'imes in'e-(-e'ed 'he 7KkkQl$a- as simila- o- (e-ha(s
synonymo#s 'o d+a-ves1 Some have (os'#la'ed 'ha' 'he 7KkkQl$a- and L)%sQl$a- a-e each sides o$ 'he
same (-ove-2ial coin* and si,ni$y 'he d#ali'y o$ 'he na'#-al +o-ld1 !he-e is 6#es'ion as 'o +he'he- 'his
dis'inc'ion amon, 'he .l$a- +as some'hin, 'ha' e4is'ed (-e-Mh-is'iani'y* o- i$ i' +as a (-od#c' o$ 'he
,ood-ve-ses-evil ideolo,y o$ 'he Mh-is'ian -eli,ion1 @eca#se 'he dis'inc'ion seems 'o have 2een $i-s'
$o#nd in Sno--i S'#-l#son3s Eddas* and 'his +as com(iled a$'e- 'he Mh-is'ianiza'ion o$ &celand* i' is
(e-ha(s #nde- Mh-is'ian in$l#ence 'ha' 'he dis'inc'ion +as made1 !he-e has seemin,ly 2een no $inal
H Sno--i S'#-l#son1 Edda1 Reyk)avik* &celand IU7RUB P#2lishin,* 20031
D &2id1
concl#sion on 'his de2a'e1 !he im(o-'ance o$ 'his dis'inc'ion a' $i-s' ,lance seem '-ivial* 2#' 'he
e4(ansion o$ 'he cha-ac'e-is'ics o$ 'he L)%sQl$a- seem 'o ove-la( +i'h 'he cha-ac'e-is'ics o$ mode-n
"#ld#$%lk1 ?ddi'ionally* 'he mode-n #nde-s'andin, o$ .l$a- seems 'o have 2lended cha-ac'e-is'ics o$
2o'h 'he L)%sQl$a- and 'he 7KkkQl$a-* 2ein, 2o'h -adian'* ,ood* li,h'-hea-'ed* and ye' some'imes hi,hly
6#a--elsome* es(ecially +hen c-ossed1
"#ld#$%lk
!he 'e-m "#ld#$%lk* +hich -o#,hly '-ansla'es 'o 'he hidden (eo(le* is a -ela'ively ne+ 'e-m*
'ho#,h' 'o have $i-s' 2een #sed a-o#nd 'he 18
h
o- 1C
'h
cen'#-y in &celandic $olklo-e1 !he-e is m#ch
de2a'e as 'o +he'he- 'he "#ld#$%lk a-e sim(ly .l$a- #nde- a di$$e-en' monike-* o- i$ 'hey a-e a
com(le'ely di$$e-en' c-ea'#-e1 !he-e seems 'o 2e no consens#s amon,s' mode-n day &celande-s1 Aha' is
s#-e* is 'ha' 'he "#ld#$%lk sha-e many o$ 'he same 6#ali'ies as 'he L)%sQl$a-* and ye' also ha-2o- some
con'-adic'o-y cha-ac'e-is'ics1 Fo- e4am(le* #nlike 'he .l$a-* 'hey a-e desc-i2ed as 2ein, com(le'ely
h#man* ye' invisi2le 'o mos'1 /!hey -esem2le #s in many +ays* 'ho#,h 'hey a-e mo-e s(i-i'-like and
invisi2le* and 'o see 'he elves* one m#s' ei'he- 2e ,iven (e-mission 2y 'hem* o- have a s(ecial a2ili'y10
8

Like 'he L)%sQl$a-* 'hey a-e ca'e,o-ically 2ea#'i$#l* -adian'* and ,ene-ally kind1 !hey o$'en seem 'o 2e
seen d-essed in clo'hin, $-om 'he 1C
h
cen'#-y* even in mode-n 'imes1 !hey 'end 'o live 'hei- lives like
'ha' o$ 'hei- non-"#ld#$%lk co#n'e-(a-'s* -aisin, $amilies* +o-kin,* #s#ally in a,-ic#l'#-e* and 'endin,
'o 'hei- ho#seholds1 !hey seem 'o 2e #nde-s'ood 'o 2e livin, in a (a-allel #nive-se 'o o#- o+n1 !hei-
lives a-e ,ene-ally ve-y ,ood1 !hey a-e +eal'hy* s#ccess$#l* 2ea#'i$#l and ha((y1 /!he hidden (eo(le
have va-io#s h#man a''-i2#'es* and even 'ho#,h 'hey live lon,e- 'han +e do* 'hey a-e 2o-n and 'hey die
)#s' as +e do1 !hey ea' and d-ink* (lay ins'-#men's* have li,h's in 'hei- ho#ses* ,o $ishin,* move
-esidences* and kee( animals* 'ho#,h 'hey a-e mo-e (-od#c'ive 'han 'hose o$ h#mans10
C

8 "a#k#- &n,i R%nasson1 n a land of a livin" #od$ The healin" ima"ination and the celandic herita"e1
Pa,e 2CH1
C &2id1
Pagan Christians
Pe-ha(s one o$ 'he mos' +ell-kno+n (ieces o$ $olklo-e in &celand is 'he s'o-y o$ ho+ 'he
"#ld#$%lk came 'o 2e1 !o an o#'side-* 'he s'o-y mi,h' 2e 'aken as ve-y s'-an,e1 Fo- many &celande-s
'oday* 'he 2lendin, o$ old '-adi'ional animis'ic 2elie$s +i'h Mh-is'iani'y is ve-y -eal* and ve-y no-mal1
Ve' 'o some* i' mi,h' a((ea- s'-an,e and im(ossi2le 'o 2elieve 2o'h in 'he "#ld#$%lk and in Res#s
Mh-is'1 !his $olk s'o-y (o-'-ays 'he ve-y in'e-es'in, $o-m o$ sync-e'ism +hich (e-vades 'he (o(#la-
&celandic +o-ldvie+1
!he 'ale 'alks o$ ?dam and Eve* o$ @i2lical $ame* and s(eaks a2o#' some o'he- child-en +hich
'hey had 'o,e'he-1 !hese child-en +e-e di-'y $-om 2ein, o#' (layin,* and Eve* 2ein, ashamed o$ 'hem*
hid 'hem $-om Iod1 Lyin, a2o#' 'hem +hen Iod asked* Iod (#nished Eve and he- child-en 2y makin,
'he child-en invisi2le $-om 'hen on* 2anishin, 'hem 'o 'he hills and 'he -ocks1 !he line* J+ha' man hides
$-om Iod* Iod +ill hide $-om man1J is #sed $-e6#en'ly in 'his s'o-y1
@elie$ in 'he .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk alon,side 2elie$ in Mh-is' a((ea-s 'o 2e 6#i'e common in
&celand1 !he cons(ic#o#s 2lendin, o$ (a,an $olk 2elie$s and Mh-is'iani'y c-ea'es a #ni6#e -eli,io#s
clima'e in &celand1 !he-e is m#ch evidence o$ 'he me-,in, o$ '+o seemin,ly incom(a'i2le +o-ldvie+s1
Fne can 6#i'e easily $ind small +ooden ch#-ches* ca-e$#lly and 2ea#'i$#lly (ain'ed* le$' o#' in 'he $ields
and nea- hills a-o#nd 'he co#n'-y1 !hese a-e kno+n as .l$aki-k)a* o- el$ ch#-ches1 !he-e have 2een '+o
-easons (#' $o-'h as 'o +hy 'hese a-e 2#il'1 !he $i-s' is 'ha' 'he .l$a- a-e (a,an* and 'he ch#-ches a-e
'he-e in 'he ho(es 'ha' 'he .l$a- +ill conve-' 'o Mh-is'iani'y1 !he second* and* seemin,ly mo-e (o(#la-
idea* is 'ha' 'he L)%sQl$a-* o- li,h' elves* a-e close 'o Iod* and a-e ass#med 'o 2e Mh-is'ian* and +o#ld
+an' ch#-ches availa2le 'o a''end1
Reli,iosi'y in &celand* like many o$ i's Scandinavian co#n'e-(a-'s* is 6#i'e lo+1 ?l'ho#,h 'hey
have a s'a'e ch#-ch 5'he Mh#-ch o$ &celand* a L#'he-an 2ody9* -e,#la- a''endance 'o ch#-ch* and -eadin,
o$ @i2lical ma'e-ial is -e(o-'edly lo+1 ? s#-vey cond#c'ed in 2004 indica'ed 'ha' 8E1EG 2elon,ed 'o
'he Mh#-ch o$ &celand1 "o+eve-* only 10G -e(o-'ed a''endin, ch#-ch a' leas' once a mon'h* +hile 43G
indica'ed 'ha' 'hey neve- a''end ch#-ch1 Mos' in'e-es'in,ly* 2H12G s'a'ed 'ha'* /no ,od e4is's10
10

Mon'-as'ed +i'h 'he 200H s#-vey +hich indica'ed 'ha' EE1EG 'ho#,h' 'ha' 'he e4is'ence o$ elves and
hidden (eo(le +as a' leas' (ossi2le* a ve-y in'e-es'in, (o-'-ai' o$ &celandic 2elie$ comes in'o sha-(
-elie$1
lfar and Hulduflk In Everyday Life
7oin, a +e2-sea-ch on "#ld#$%lk 2-in,s a hos' o$ ne+s s'o-ies a2o#' $ailed o- delayed
cons'-#c'ion (-o)ec's a-o#nd &celand1 &' seems 'ha' 'he hidden (eo(le a-e -eady and +illin, 'o $i,h' $o-
'hei- -i,h's and $o- 'he (laces +hich 'hey call home1 ?ny even's +hich a-e #ne4(laina2le 2y o'he-
means a-e 'hen a''-i2#'ed 'o 'he hidden (eo(le1 Mos' no'a2ly is a -oad* no+ kno+n as "#ld#$%lk 102*
+hich +as dive-'ed a-o#nd a mo#nd o$ -ocks* +hich* a$'e- mys'e-io#s inciden's s#ch as 2#lldoze-s
2-eakin, do+n* +as ass#med 'o 2e home 'o a n#m2e- o$ "#ld#$%lk1 Many &celandic -oads
cons(ic#o#sly c#-ve a-o#nd -ock $o-ma'ions and o'he- na'#-al (henomena1 ?ddi'ionally* in &celand
'he-e a-e medi#ms* +ho a-e a2le 'o see and comm#nica'e +i'h 'he "#ld#$%lk1 Seve-al have 2een #sed
ove- 'he yea-s 'o come 'o some so-' o$ a,-eemen's (-io- 'o 2#ildin, on a si'e +hich may ho#se 'he
hidden (eo(le1
&n 1CCH* in 'he 'o+n o$ To(avo,#-* (-o2lems +i'h '-yin, 'o '#-n 'he cons(ic#o#sly named* /El$
"ill Road0 $-om one lane in'o '+o lanes ended in a so-' o$ media $-enzy1 /? 2#lldoze- o(e-a'o-* ")o-'#-
")a-'a-son* -an in'o '-o#2le as he '-ied 'o -aze a s#s(ec'ed el$ hill 'o make +ay $o- a ,-aveya-d1 ?$'e-
'+o di$$e-en' 2#lldoze-s -e(ea'edly and ine4(lica2ly mal$#nc'ioned* and local 'elevision came-as $ailed
+hen '-ained on 'he hill* 'ho#,h 'hey +o-ked else+he-e* 'he c-e+ hal'ed 'he (-o)ec'1 3Ae3-e ,oin, 'o see
+he'he- +e can3' -each an #nde-s'andin, +i'h 'he elves*3 Ron &n,i* 'he (-o)ec' s#(e-viso-* 'old
10 J!-;a-lL$ Wslendin,a1J Ti-k)an1is1
Mo-,#n2ladid* a Reyk)avik ne+s(a(e-* a' 'he 'ime10
11
Local medi#ms +e-e called in* and a$'e- a lon,
2o#' o$ comm#nica'ion* cons'-#c'ion -es#med* and i' +as 'he 'o+n3s #nde-s'andin, 'ha' 'he "#ld#$%lk*
o2li,in,ly* had moved1
S#((o-' $o- 'he hidden (eo(le seems 'o 2e end#-in,ly hi,h amon, &celande-s1 ?l'ho#,h
commi'men' 'o a 2elie$ a((ea-s 'o make &celande-s #neasy in 'heo-y* a$$i-ma'ion o$ 'hese $olk 2elie$s
seems 'o 2e -eadily e4(-essed in (-ac'ice1 &' may 2e a so-' o$ /knee-)e-k0 -eac'ion (assed do+n $-om
,ene-a'ion 'o ,ene-a'ion1 ?ny even' #ne4(laina2le 2y o'he- means is 'hen a''-i2#'ed 'o an ac' o$ 'he
hidden (eo(le1 F#-'he-mo-e* any $eelin, o$ 2ein, 'h-ea'ened may s'i- s#((o-' $o- 'he hidden (eo(le1
!hese $olk 2elie$s may 2e conside-ed a so-' o$ c#l'#-al c-#'ch* as a means 'o (-o'ec' 'he na'ion3s his'o-y
and c#l'#-e $-om o#'side in$il'-a'ion1 &n 1C82* &celande-s $amo#sly ,a'he-ed a' Te$lavik ai-s(ace 'o
(-o'es' in an an'i-B?!F demons'-a'ion* s'a'in, 'ha'* /'hey +e-e lookin, $o- elves +ho mi,h' 2e
endan,e-ed 2y ?me-ican (han'om )e's and ?+acs -econnaissance (lanes10
12

?no'he- s'o-y a((ea-s in 'he (am(hle'* /The celandic %oad Administration &CE%A' and the
(elief in Elves) 2y Nik'o- ?-na- &n,%l$sson* Mhie$ o$ 'he P#2lishin, Uni'
!he &celandic Road ?dminis'-a'ion1
13
/?' 'he end o$ 'he 1CD0s* (-e(a-a'ions ,o' #nde- +ay $o- a ne+
cons'-#c'ion (-o)ec'* Road Bo1DE* Sa#dQ-k-%ks2-a#'* ove- "e,-anes in 'he Ska,a$)K-d#- dis'-ic' o$
no-'he-n &celand1 !he decision +as made 'o 2#ild 'he -oad ove- !-Kllaska-d* !he !-olls3 Pass* and i' +as
necessa-y 'o de'ona'e some -ocks in 'he (ass in o-de- 'o lo+e- 'he level o$ 'he -oad1
!he -oad +as desi,ned 2y an en,inee- $-om 'he &MER? and a 'eam o$ local +o-ke-s #nde- 'he
,#idance o$ 'he se-vice a-ea s#(e-viso- +as 'o com(le'e 'he (-o)ec'1 &' so ha((ened 'ha' 'he medi#m
"a$s'einn @)K-nsson held a s<ance in Sa#dQ-k-%k#- d#-in, +hich 'he messa,e a((ea-ed 'ha' 'he -ocks
in !-Kllaska-d m#s' no' 2e de'ona'ed as 'he si'e +as c#-sed1 &'3s +o-'h (oin'in, o#' 'ha' "a$s'einn +as
11 Sa-ah Lyall1 J@#ildin, in &celand8 @e''e- Mlea- &' Ai'h 'he Elves Fi-s'1J Be+ Vo-k !imes
&n'e-na'ional1
12Ma-kham* Rames1 J&MEL?B73S ELNES ?RE EBL&S!E7 &B ?B!&-B?!F EFFFR!1J !he Be+
Vo-k !imes Ao-ld1
13 JFai-ies1J X& !alk Fo-#m1
-eno+ned 'h-o#,ho#' 'he co#n'-y as a medi#m and many (eo(le 2elieved in his a2ili'ies and so his
+a-nin, +ei,hed -a'he- heavily1 !he-e $ollo+ed $#-'he- +a-nin,s $-om see-s and 'he a-ea s#(e-viso-
'ho#,h' 'ha' i' had all 2ecome a 2i' 'oo m#ch $o- him 'o solve1 "e 'hen cons#l'ed his s#(e-io-s in
Reyk)avLk and 'he cha-'e-ed en,inee-s o$ 'he &MER? decided 'o call a mee'in, +i'h M- @)K-nsson 'o
see +ha' 'he (-o2lem +as1
!he si'#a'ion de'e-io-a'ed $-om 'his (oin' on 2eca#se al'ho#,h (eo(le had '-ied 'o kee( 'he
mee'in,s in Reyk)avLk 6#ie'* s'o-ies a2o#' 'he c#-se 2e,an 'o ci-c#la'e amon,s' 'he -oad+o-ke-s in
Ska,a$)K-d#- and many had 2ecome -a'he- ne-vo#s1 ?mon,s' 'hem +as 'he si'e $o-eman +ho 'ho#,h'
he had (o-'en'o#s d-eams1 "e d-eamed '+ice 'ha' he +as visi'ed 2y s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s and he +a-ned
a,ains' dis'#-2in, any'hin, in 'he (ass1 !hen some'hin, s'a-'ed 'o ,o +-on, +i'h 'he 2#lldoze- +hich
+as 'o move -ocks a' 'he 2o''om o$ 'he slo(e1 ?' $i-s' i's en,ine ine4(lica2ly 2-oke do+n and 'hen
s'a-'ed 'o make 'he mos' (ec#lia- noises even 'ho#,h 'he-e +as no'hin, +-on, +i'h i'1 !he 2#lldoze-
+as -emoved $-om 'he )o2 and ano'he- 'ook i's (lace and la'e- com(le'ed 'he )o2 +i'ho#' any $#-'he-
(-o2lems1 Peo(le 'ho#,h' 'ha' 'he 3hidden (eo(le3 had had 'he chance 'o move a+ay $-om 'he si'e10
14
&' sho#ld 2e no'ed 'ha' ea-lie- in 'his (am(hle'* M-1 &n,%l$sson s'a'ed 'ha'* /in -ecen' decades
'he-e have 2een a $e+ alle,ed inciden's o$ -oad cons'-#c'ion in'-#din, on el$ se''lemen's and c#-sed
(laces1 !hese (-o2lems have all 2een -esolved in one +ay o- ano'he- and can no+ 2e conside-ed a 'hin,
o$ 'he (as'1 !he 'ales live on* ho+eve-* 2o'h on 'he +-i''en (a,e and o-ally and $-e6#en' 6#es'ions on
'his 'o(ic come 'he +ay o$ 'he &MER?1 S#ch 6#e-ies may s'em $-om )o#-nalis's* s'#den's* (-o$essionals
and schola-s* 2o'h home and a2-oad1 !his essay is +-i''en is 'o e4(lain 'his iss#e clea-ly since a lo' o$
'ime ,oes in'o ans+e-in, 'he same old 6#es'ions1 &' is ho(ed 'ha' 'his 'e4' +ill -ec'i$y 'he si'#a'ion and
i' can 2e looked #(on as 'he a#'ho-3s in'e-(-e'a'ion o$ 'he &MER?3s vie+ on 'he iss#e1 &' +ill no' ans+e-
'he 6#es'ion o$ +he'he- 'he &MER?3s em(loyees do o- do no' 2elieve in elves and Jhidden (eo(leJ
2eca#se o(inion di$$e-s ,-ea'ly on 'his and i' 'ends 'o 2e a -a'he- (e-sonal ma''e-1 "o+eve-* yo# may
14 JFai-ies1J X& !alk Fo-#m1
ass#me 'ha' 'he a#'ho- seve-ely do#2's 'he e4is'ence o$ s#ch (henomena10
1E
7es(i'e &n,%l$sson3s s'ance 'ha' 'hese inciden's a-e a 'hin, o$ 'he (as'* each yea- 2-in,s ne+
s'o-ies a2o#' some so-' o$ com(lica'ion a-isin, +i'h 'he hidden $olk1 /&n 2010* .-ni Rohnsen* a $o-me-
mem2e- o$ 'he &celandic Pa-liamen'* $li((ed his SUN on an icy -oad in so#'h+es' &celand* ca-eened o$$
a small cli$$* and s#-vived +i'ho#' any ma)o- in)#-ies1 La'e-* he c-edi'ed a ,-o#( o$ elves livin, in a
2o#lde- nea- 'he +-eck +i'h savin, his li$e1 Ahen a -oad +as sla'ed $o- cons'-#c'ion ove- 'he -ock* he
insis'ed 'he -oadmake-s 3save i'130
1H
La'e-* Rohnsen* /a--an,ed $o- 'he -eloca'ion o$ a 30-'on 2o#lde-*
+hich he 2elieves is home 'o 'h-ee ,ene-a'ions o$ elves* $-om Sandskei= on "ellishei=i in so#'h+es'
&celand 'o his home "K$=a2%l in 'he Aes'man &slands 'oday10
1D

&n 2011* "#ld#$%lk in &celandic ne+s(a(e-s +e-e 2lamed $o- '#m2lin, -ocks and 2-oken
e6#i(men' d#-in, cons'-#c'ion in 'he 'o+n o$ @ol#n,a-vLk1 /?n acciden' occ#--ed +hen an e4(losion
in a mine in 'he slo(e o$ M'1 !-ada-hy-na +en' +-on,* so -ocks -ained ove- $o#- -esiden'ial s'-ee's in
'he 'o+n1 Ni,dLs T-is'Ln S'ein'h%-sd%''i-* a n#-se* heale- and hy(no'is'* 2elieves hidden (eo(le* o- elves*
+ho live in 'he mo#n'ain +e-e #(se' +hen 'he '#nnel 'h-o#,h UshlLd +as made and a-e ca#sin, 'hese
misha(s1 Fn AednesdayYa day 2e$o-e 'he minin, acciden'Ya mee'in, +as held $o- 'ha' (#-(ose +i'h
'+o o$ 'he con'-ac'o-s and see-s in a''endance* in addi'ion 'o 'he local (as'o-* Rev1 ?,nes Si,#-da-d%''i-*
+ho (e-$o-med a (-aye-10
18
Re(o-'in, 'ha' mem2e-s o$ 'he 'o+n co#ncil +e-e no' in a''endance* 'he
"#ld#$%lk may have s'ill 2een #(se' o- o$$ended* 'h#s ca#ses 'he '-o#2le1
!hese a-e )#s' a sam(le o$ 'he so-' o$ s'o-ies 'ha' make ne+s eve-y day1 Pe-ha(s 'hey can 2e
+-i''en o$$ as en'e-'ainmen' (ieces* o- (eo(le3s in'e-es' edi'o-ials1 Pe-ha(s 'hey a-e no' 'he 2#lk o$ 'he
ne+s* o- +-i''en +i'h 'he mos' se-io#s and )o#-nalis'ic o$ in'en'ions1 @#' 'he $ac' -emains 'ha' 'hese
s'o-ies s'ill make i' in'o 'he local ne+s(a(e-s1 !his s(eaks 'o 'he (o(#la-i'y o$ 'hese 2elie$s +hich
1E JFai-ies1J X& !alk Fo-#m1
1H Ryan Raco2s1 J Ahy So Many &celande-s S'ill @elieve in &nvisi2le Elves1J !he ?'lan'ic1
1D J&celandic MP Moves ElvesZ @o#lde- 'o "is "ome1J &celand Revie+ 7aily Be+s1
18 J?n,-y Elves Said 'o "ave A-eaked "avoc in Aes' F)o-ds1J &celand Revie+ 7aily Be+s1
(e-vades &celandic c#l'#-e even 'oday1
?necdo'al S#((lemen's
!he-e is* (e-ha(s* a so-' o$ conscio#s (-ess 'o kee( 'hese 2elie$s alive1 Pe-ha(s i' is e4a,,e-a'ed
2y 'o#-is's lookin, $o- an in'e-es'in, s'o-y1 & incl#de 'he $ollo+in, $-a,men's o$ conve-sa'ions only as a
s#((lemen' 'o 'he ne+s a-'icles* as 'he 2iases and 'he s#2)ec'ivi'y o$ 'hem may lessen 'hei- im(ac'1
Ahile '-avelin, a-o#nd 'he co#n'-y on 'o#- 2#ses* & had seve-al chances 'o 'alk +i'h locals a2o#'
'hei- (e-sonal 2elie$s1 !he 'h-ee mos' e4'ensive conve-sa'ions & +as a2le 'o have +e-e +i'h '+o 'o#-
,#ides* and a 'a4i d-ive-1 Pe-ha(s 'he 'o#- ,#ides +e-e #sed 'o $o-ei,ne-s askin, 'hem a2o#' hidden
(eo(le1 & canno' say $o- s#-e1 Ahile (#2lic in'e-es' is hi,h* i' is #nclea- ho+ conscio#s 'o#-is's a-e o$
'his (henomena1 !he (eo(le & s(oke 'o did no' seem +ell ac6#ain'ed +i'h disc#ssin, 'hei- 2elie$s +i'h
'-avele-s* so (e-ha(s 'his is no' a common conve-sa'ion $o- 'hem1
!he $i-s' 'o#- ,#ide & had 'he (leas#-e o$ mee'in, +as named Ula$#-1 Ae +e-e +alkin, a-o#nd a
si'e in so#'he-n &celand +hich se-ved as a so-' o$ (-ese-va'ion o$ old &celandic c#l'#-e* com(le'e +i'h a
small cl#s'e- o$ 'ha'ched -oo$ed co''a,es and a m#se#m $#ll o$ Nikin, a-'i$ac's1 & 2l#n'ly asked Ula$#- i$
he 2elieved in 'he "#ld#$%lk1 /"#ld#$%lkP "o+ do yo# kno+ a2o#' 'hem80 "e seemed ,en#inely
shocked and +as #na2le 'o ,ive a clea- ans+e-1 Like many &celande-s* 'he 2elie$ seems 'o 2e almos'
#nconscio#sly held* and Ula$#- had '-o#2le (#''in, i' in'o +o-ds* as many a-e +on' 'o do +i'h -eli,io#s
idea'ions1 "e +en' on 'o 'ell me 'ha' 'ho#,h he had neve- seen one* he 'ho#,h' 'hey (-o2a2ly e4is'ed1
"e 'old me a2o#' one o$ 'he many cons'-#c'ion misha(s a$o-emen'ioned1 !his seemed 'o (-ove 'hei-
e4is'ence 'o him1 /& 'hink 'he-e is mo-e 'han +ha' +e can see*0 he 'old me1 /& 'hink 'ha' may2e 'hin,s
+e-e di$$e-en' a lon, 'ime a,o* 'ha' (eo(le co#ld see 'hin,s 'ha' +e can3' see anymo-e1 Bo+ only
ce-'ain (eo(le a-e a2le 'o see10 "e also 'old me a2o#' a $-iend o$ his* +ho claimed 'o have 2een visi'ed
once 2y a hidden (e-son1 /& am ve-y )ealo#s ac'#ally1 & +ish & co#ld also see one1 & am al+ays lookin,
o#'10
!he ne4' 'o#- ,#ide & s(oke +i'h 'old me 'ha' she had 2een a2le 'o see 'hem since she +as a
li''le ,i-l1 & did no' have 'o 2-in, #( 'he hidden (eo(le* $o- she (oin'ed o#' a (a-' o$ 'he -oad as +e
d-ove 2y 'ha' she 'ho#,h' ho#sed 'hem1 & asked he- 'o 'ell me mo-e a2o#' "#ld#$%lk1 /!hey a-e like #s*
2#' 2ea#'i$#l*0 she said1 /!hey kind o$ shine1 May2e like yo# +o#ld 'hink an an,el +o#ld 2e like1
E4ce(' 'hey3-e mo-e h#man10 & asked he- +ha' ha((ens +hen she sees 'hem1 /!hey a-e kind o$ shy
ac'#ally1 & 'hink 'hey a-e ,e''in, a$-aid o$ #s1 Ae a-e ,e''in, 'oo lo#d and a-e $o-,e''in, a2o#' 'hem* and
i,no-in, 'hem1 !hey can3' '-#s' #s10
!his +as a sen'imen' 'ha' is commonly voiced 2y &celande-s1 !he-e a((ea-s 'o 2e a ,-ea' $ea- in
$o-,e''in, 'he (as'* as 'he co#n'-y moves ahead in'o 'he mode-n e-a1 !he-e is ,-ea' (-ess#-e $o- &celand
'o leave 2ehind i's -ecen' (as'* and move $o-+a-d +i'h 'echnolo,ical* economical and c#l'#-al
advancemen's1 Ahile $olk 2elie$s a-e s'ill held in hi,h -e,a-d* i' is a cons'an' dan,e- 'ha' ne+e-
,ene-a'ions o$ &celande-s +ill ,-ad#ally lose 'o#ch +i'h 'he na'ion3s ances'-al iden'i'y and 2elie$
sys'em* and in a +ay* lose 'o#ch +i'h 'he &celand o$ 'hei- $o-e$a'he-s1
!he conve-sa'ion & had +i'h a 'a4i d-ive- +as admi''edly sho-'* 2#' he +as no less +illin, 'o 'ell
me a2o#' his vie+s1 /!he "#ld#$%lk a-e de$ini'ely a-o#nd*0 he said1 /!hey some'imes ca#se acciden's
+hen 'hey a-e an,-y10 & asked him +hy 'hey +o#ld 2e an,-y1 /@eca#se +e a-en3' (ayin, a''en'ion*0 he
'old me1
Ahile all 2-ie$* & $o#nd 'hese conve-sa'ions 'o 2e hi,hly ill#mina'in, in'o 'he individ#al
(e-s(ec'ives o$ mode-n &celande-s1 Bo' one (e-son & enco#n'e-ed denied 'he e4is'ence o$ 'he "#ld#$%lk*
even 'ho#,h 'hei- +as a +ide -an,e o$ ac'#al e4(e-ience1 Eve-yone seemed 'o have some kind o$ s'o-y
'o s#((o-' 'hei- e4is'ence1
nalysis
Ahile 'he-e a-e a-,#a2ly many +ays in +hich one co#ld in'e-(-e' and e4(lain 'he &celandic
2elie$ in s#ch s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s as .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk* & have a''em('ed 'o 2oil do+n 'h-ee o$ 'he
mos' common and convincin, a-,#men's1 !hese incl#de +ha' & +ill call 'he envi-onmen'al a((-oach*
'he na'ionalis'ic* o- c#l'#-al he-i'a,e a((-oach* and 'he -oman'icism o$ 'he (as' a((-oach1
Envi-onmen'al ?((-oach
&celand is ,eo,-a(hically #ni6#e* and 'o 'his day* s'ill -a'he- /#n'o#ched0 com(a-ed 'o mos' o$
'he +o-ld3s (o(#la'ed (laces1 &' is home 'o volcanoes* ,lacie-s* s#l$#- ,eyse-s* +a'e-$alls and $ields o$
mossy lava -ock1 ? la-,e (o-'ion o$ 'he eas'e-n (a-' o$ 'he co#n'-y is vi-'#ally #ninha2i'ed d#e 'o 'he
amo#n' o$ ,lacie- and mo#n'ain (-esen'1
!he-e a-e seve-al $ac'o-s +hich -ela'e 'o 'he ,eo,-a(hical landsca(e o$ &celand1 Fne* is 'ha'
+hen Nikin, se''le-s came* 'hey vi-'#ally decima'ed 'he l#m2e- (o(#la'ion* meanin, 'ha' 'he co#n'-y
has an e4'-eme lack o$ '-ees* even 'oday1 Fnly -ecen'ly has 'he-e 2een any conce-'ed e$$o-' 'o -e(lenish
'he '-ees +hich +e-e c#' do+n 'o 2#ild shi(s and ho#sin, d#-in, 'he se''lemen' e-a1 ?ddi'ionally* 'he
(o+e-$#l $o-ces o$ volcanic e-#('ions* ea-'h6#akes and +ind s'o-ms have ke(' 'he &celandic (eo(le in
a+e o$ 'he na'#-al +o-ld a-o#nd 'hem1 Mo-e 'han o'he- (laces in 'he +o-ld* &celande-s a-e a' 'he
com(le'e +ill o$ na'#-e1 !hey 2#ild 'hei- 'o+ns 2enea'h ac'ive volcanoes* and have had a lon, his'o-y
o$ disas'-o#s conse6#ences $-om livin, on s#ch an ac'ive island1 !he 1D
'h
and 18
'h
cen'#-ies +e-e
li''e-ed +i'h ca'as'-o(he a$'e- ca'as'-o(he* as volcanoes e-#('ed* ea-'h6#akes +-ecked 'o+ns* and
+ides(-ead $amine d#e 'o 'he die-o$$ o$ lives'ock $#-'he- endan,e-ed 'he comm#ni'ies1 &celande-s a-e
+ell a+a-e o$ 'hei- -ela'ionshi( 'o and v#lne-a2ili'y 'o 'he na'#-al +o-ld a-o#nd 'hem1
Many have (-o(osed 'he (ossi2ili'y 'ha' 2elie$ in .l$a- and "#ld#$%lk a-ose o#' o$ 'his e4'-eme
e4(os#-e 'o 'he elemen's1 JAhen one3s li$e is condi'ioned 2y a landsca(e domina'ed 2y -ocks '+is'ed
2y volcanic ac'ion* +ind and +a'e- in'o $e-ocio#s and ala-min, sha(es* 'he ima,ina'ion $as'ens on 'hese
na'#-al (henomena1J
1C
&' may have 2een a conse6#ence o$ '-yin, 'o e4(lain ho+ and +hy ce-'ain
na'#-al (henomena occ#-1 /!he "#ld#$%lk a-e no' so m#ch s#(e-na'#-al as #l'-ana'#-al* -e(-esen'in,
1C @1 S1 @enedikz1 J@asic !hemes in &celandic Folklo-e1J
no' an ove-comin, o$ na'#-e in 'he ho(e o$ a 2e''e- deal 2eyond 2#' a dee( -eve-ence $o- 'he land and
'he mys'e-io#s (o+e-s a2le 'o ca#se $e-'ili'y o- $amine10
20
@elie$ in 2ein,s +ho lived in 'he hills and
mo#n'ains also may have had a mo-e (-ac'ical (#-(ose1 /F-al 'ales conce-nin, &celandic elves and
'-olls no do#2' se-ved as +a-nin, $a2les1 !hey (-even'ed many child-en $-om +ande-in, a+ay $-om
h#man ha2i'a'ions* 'a#,h' &celand3s 'o(o,-a(hical his'o-y* and ins'illed $ea- and -es(ec' $o- 'he ha-sh
(o+e-s o$ na'#-e10
21

&n mode-n day &celand* mos' na'#-al (henomena ce-'ainly can 2e e4(lained 2y scien'i$ic means1
&' is #nde-s'ood 'ha' a volcano e-#('s 2eca#se o$ 'he ac'ivi'y #nde- 'he ea-'h* no' 2eca#se someone
an,e-ed a hidden (e-son1 Ve' 'hese 2elie$s s'ill (e-vade 'he collec'ive conscio#sness o$ &celande-s1 ?
(ossi2le -eason $o- 'his is 'ha' 'hese 2elie$s can 2e #sed as a means 'o (-ese-ve 'he na'#-e o$ 'he
co#n'-y1
&n an a,e o$ -a(id ind#s'-ializa'ion* 'he-e has 2een as m#ch (-ess#-e in &celand 'han 'he-e has in
'he -es' o$ 'he +o-ld 'o 2#ild* e4(and* and (-o,-ess1 !o some* (avin, ove- ancien' mo#n'ainsides 'o
2#ild sho((in, malls seems like a m#ch mo-e economically via2le o('ion 'han 'o leave 'he na'#-e
(-ese-ved and #n'o#ched1 P-ess#-es 'o kee( #( +i'h 'he -es' o$ 'he +o-ld 2o'h 'echnolo,ically and
economically have (osed a di$$ic#l' (osi'ion $o- &celande-s1 Ahile (-o,-ess is ce-'ainly #nde-s'ood 'o
2e im(o-'an'* (-ese-va'ion o$ 'he #ni6#e and cove'ed +ilde-ness is also (a-amo#n'1 Ahile dis(#'es ove-
land (-ese-va'ion and cons'-#c'ion occ#- all o$ 'he +o-ld* i' seems 'o have 2ecome a (a-'ic#la-ly
sensi'ive s#2)ec' in &celand1 !he-e is a s'-on, #-,e 'o -esis' 'he 'em('a'ions o$ mode-ni'y* and ens#-e
'ha' 'he co#n'-y -emains as simila- as (ossi2le as i' +as +hen i' +as se''led1 !he n#me-o#s acco#n's o$
(-o2lems in'e--#('in, cons'-#c'ion in &celand (oin's 'o 'he (e-vasive discom$o-' +i'h 2#ildin, ove-
&celand3s na'#-al landsca(e1 ?s &celandic (o( sin,e- @)K-k -ecen'ly s'a'ed on ?me-ican 'elevision sho+*
The Colbert %eport* J&'3s all a2o#' -es(ec'1J
22
&' is 'his #nde-linin, -eve-ence $o- 'he na'#-al +o-ld* d#e
20 Michael S'-miska1 J.sa'-; in &celand !he Re2i-'h o$ Bo-dic Pa,anism8J
21 Ulina !ho-va-=a-d%''i-1 JS(i-i's o$ 'he Land ? !ool $o- Social Ed#ca'ion1J
22 Ma-l Aillio'1 J@)o-k Mha's Ai'h S'e(hen Mol2e-' ?2o#' Elves1J M!N "ive1
'o 'he close (-o4imi'y and -ela'ionshi( &celande-s have +i'h i'* 'ha' has (e-ha(s (e-(e'#a'ed 'he ancien'
2elie$ in s#(e-na'#-al 2ein,s +ho live +i'hin i's +onde-s1
M#l'#-al "e-i'a,e ?((-oached
!he inha2i'an's o$ &celand have 2een* $o- mos' o$ 'hei- his'o-y* 6#i'e isola'ed as a (eo(le1 Nikin,
se''le-s +e-e #nkind 'o o#'side '-avele-s* and 'hei- lack o$ l#m2e- led 'o an even'#al ina2ili'y 'o leave
'he island1 Unde- -#le o$ 'he 7anish* 'he &celandic (eo(le s#$$e-ed an e4'ended (e-iod o$ 'echnolo,ical
and economical ins'a2ili'y1 Mo#(led +i'h 'he hi,h amo#n' o$ na'#-al disas'e-s d#-in, 'he 1H
'h
and 1D
'h

cen'#-ies* and one can 2e,in 'o see ho+ some mi,h' (-o(ose 'ha' &celand ,-e+ in a so-' o$ c#l'#-al
vac##m1
&n 'he 1C
'h
cen'#-y* &celandic na'ionalism 2e,an 'o ,-o+* d#e 'o inc-eased in$l#ence o$
na'ionalism in o'he- (a-'s o$ E#-o(e1 7#-in, 'his 'ime* and con'in#in, #( 'o (-esen' day* Fld Bo-se
$olklo-e and my'holo,y have 2een +idely (o(#la-* and held a' a so-' o$ -eve-en'ial s'a'#s1 Even 'he
&celandic Moa' o$ ?-ms (ays '-i2#'e 'o 'he Fld Bo-se c-ea'#-es o$ my'h1 /!he $o#- landvO''i- a-e no+
-e,a-ded as 'he (-o'ec'o-s o$ 'he $o#- 6#a-'e-s o$ &celand 'he d-a,on 5*re+i9 in 'he eas'* 'he ea,le o-
,-i$$in 5#ammur9 in 'he no-'h* 'he 2#ll 5#ri,un"ur9 in 'he +es'* and 'he ,ian' 5(er"risi9 in 'he so#'h10
23

!hese 2ein,s a-e also de(ic'ed on &celandic T-%na coins1
F#-'he-mo-e* +hen &celand ,ained inde(endence in 1C44* all 'hin,s 'ied 'o 2ein, /&celandic0
+e-e held in hi,h es'eem1 @eca#se &celand3s na'#-al 2ea#'y +as a (o(#la- 'heme $o- ea-ly &celand
Roman'ic a-'is's and (oe's* na'#-e 2ecame 'i,h'ly linked 'o &celandic na'ionalism1 /?$'e- 2ein, #nde-
7anish -#le $o- D00 yea-s*0 na'ionalism is* /o$ e4'-eme im(o-'ance 'o mode-n &celande-s1 Fne o$ 'he
key +ays in +hich &celandic iden'i'y has 2een conce('#alised is 'h-o#,h i's landsca(e* and 'he close
connec'ion 2e'+een &celand and na'#-e10
24
!he end o$ colonial &celand s(#--ed a d-ama'ic inc-ease in
23J"ei=ni2%k - Bo-seman3s Mode4 o$ "ea'henism LandvO''i-1J "ei=ni2%k1
24 Umi' Toseo,l#1 JAe ?-e !he Ea-'h &n'-#de-s &ma,es o$ na'#-e and &celand in @)K-k3s m#sic
videos1J ?cademia1ed#1
na'ionalis'ic ideolo,y1 /Ahen my ,ene-a'ion came alon, +e s'a-'ed 'o ask o#-selves +ha' i' mean' 'o
2e &celandic and ho+ 'o 2e (-o#d o$ i'*0 sin,e- @)K-k has s'a'ed1
2E

@y 2o'h 2elievin, in 'he s(i-i'#al 2ein,s o$ &celand3s (as'* and #sin, 'hese 2elie$s as a means 'o
(-ese-ve 'he '-eas#-ed na'#-al landsca(e o$ 'he co#n'-y* mode-n day &celande-s have (e-ha(s $o#nd a
+ay 'o (-o'ec' +ha' is conside-ed almos' sac-ed 'o 'he iden'i'y o$ &celand i'sel$1
Roman'icism o$ 'he Pas' ?((-oach
?lon, 'he same lines as na'ionalism* 'his hy(o'hesis (-o(oses 'ha' &celande-3s 2elie$ in 'he
"#ld#$%lk is an e4(-ession o$ 'hei- lon,in, $o- and love o$ 'he -ecen' (as'1 Mos' &celande-s +ho have
-e(o-'ed seein, "#ld#$%lk almos' al+ays desc-i2e 'hem as 2ein, d-essed in 1C
'h
cen'#-y clo'hin,1
Ai'ho#' #nde-s'andin, 'he -oman'icized vie+(oin' &celande-s seem 'o have $o- 'his e-a* one mi,h' miss
'he si,ni$icance1 ?lon,side 'he o'he- -easons (os'#la'ed* 'his $#-'he- s#((o-'s 'he (ic'#-e o$ a ne+ly
inde(enden' co#n'-y '-yin, 'o $ind i'3s voice and iden'i'y in a 6#ickly chan,in, +o-ld1 !he "#ld#$%lk*
+ho seem 'o al+ays 2e d-essed in old-$ashioned clo'hin,* o$'en in ,-een like 'he na'#-al +o-ld a-o#nd
'hem* and said 'o dislike elec'-ici'y* s#((o-' no'ions o$ &celand3s c#--en' ,-o+in, (ains1 !he -ecen' (as'
is 2ein, -oman'icized in'o an e-a o$ (-os(e-i'y* sim(lici'y and ha((iness1 !he a,-ic#l'#-al li$es'yle o$
'he (as' is (#' #nde- a so$' li,h' +hile mode-n &celande-s a-e (-ess#-ed 'o ,ive in 'he mode-ni'y*
'echnolo,y and e4(ansion1 /!he "#ld#$%lk seem in many +ays 'o -e(-esen' 'he &celande-3s d-eams o$ a
mo-e (e-$ec' and ha((y e4is'ence*J s'a'es schola- !e--y I#nnel1 S'o-ies a2o#' 'hem a2o#nded d#-in,
'he 18
'h
cen'#-y* a 'ie +hen &celand +as +-o#,h' +i'h disas'e-* disease and devas'a'ion1 !he "#ld#$%lk
+e-e al+ays desc-i2ed as* /2ea#'i$#l* (o+e-$#l* all#-in,* and $-ee $-om ca-e* +hile 'he &celande-s +e-e
o$'en s'a-vin, and s'-#,,lin, $o- e4is'ence10
2H
!he "#ld#$%lk 2ecame a so-' o$ o#'le'* a (lace 'o de$ine an idealized &celand1 !he '-adi'ion o$
2E S'e(hen Mollin,s1 JMlose-U( Film Revie+s-S1J Mlose-U( Film1
2H R1 M1 @edell1 Hildur- .ueen of the elves$ and other celandic le"ends1
,lo-i$yin, 'he (as'* and +ha' is conside-ed (#-ely /&celandic0 has 2een ke(' #( #n'il (-esen' day1 Fne
may ,e' 'he sense 'ha' 'his (-ese-va'ion o$ old 2elie$s is as conscio#s and as im(o-'an' as &celande-3s
$i,h' 'o (-ese-ve na'#-e1
!he '-adi'ions and c#l'#-e o$ 'his small island na'ion have 2een ke(' alive $o- ove- a 'ho#sand
yea-s* and i' a((ea-s 'ha' no+ mo-e 'han eve-* 'he (-ese-va'ion and in'e,-a'ion o$ 'he i's -ich his'o-y
and 2ody o$ 2elie$ +ill (lay an im(o-'an' -ole in sha(in, 'he co#n'-y3s $#'#-e1 &n an a,e o$
mode-niza'ion* &celande-s +ill have 'o mane#ve- 'hei- +ay 'h-o#,h (-ess#-es 'o 2#ild* e4(and* e4(loi'
and $o-,e'1 Ai'ho#' a conscio#s (-ese-va'ion o$ 'hese $olk 2elie$s* 'he "#ld#$%lk may even'#ally 2e
hidden a+ay $o- ,ood1 @#' (e-ha(s 'he na'ion +ill $ind +ays 'o inco-(o-a'e mode-ni'y in'o 'he old
2elie$ sys'em* m#ch in 'he same +ay Mh-is'iani'y +as 2lended in'o '-adi'ional $olk 2elie$1 &celand is a
land o$ con'-as's o$ $i-e and ice* o$ (a,an and Mh-is'ian* o$ old and o$ ne+1 Pe-ha(s 'his sense o$
in'e,-a'ion is 'he #l'ima'e '-adi'ion +hich +ill 2e ca--ied $o-'h in'o &celand3s $#'#-e1
@i2lio,-a(hy
J?n,-y Elves Said 'o "ave A-eaked "avoc in Aes' F)o-ds1J &celand Revie+ 7aily Be+s1
h''(::+++1iceland-evie+1com:iceland-evie+:daily[ne+s:?n,-y[Elves[Said['o["ave[A-eaked["avo
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@edell* R1 M11 Hildur- .ueen of the elves$ and other celandic le"ends1 Bo-'ham('on* Mass1 &n'e-link
@ooks* 200D1
@enedikz* @1 S1 J@asic !hemes in &celandic Folklo-e1J /ol+lore 84* 1CD41 ?ccessed 'h-o#,h RS!FR
5accessed Se('em2e- 1D* 201391
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"a$s'ein* Nladima-1 J?cademia1J !he Elves3 Poin' o$ Nie+ M#l'#-al &den'i'y in Mon'em(o-a-y &celandic
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Raco2s* Ryan1 J Ahy So Many &celande-s S'ill @elieve in &nvisi2le Elves1J !he ?'lan'ic1
h''(::+++1'hea'lan'ic1com:in'e-na'ional:a-chive:2013:10:+hy-so-many-icelande-s-s'ill-2elieve-
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Pa,e 2CH1 Be+ Vo-k Union !heolo,ical Semina-y* 200H1
Toseo,l#* Umi'1 JAe ?-e !he Ea-'h &n'-#de-s &ma,es o$ na'#-e and &celand in @)K-k3s m#sic videos1J
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