Elves in Iceland

November 15, 2003 1:36 PM

Elves in Iceland. Many modern Icelanders either believe in or won't rule out the existence of supernatural beings like the álfar, or elves. In the town of Hafnarfjordur, they are respected citizens. If you want to learn more, consider attending the Álfaskólinn, the Icelandic Elf School. (Iceland also has trolls, but then don't we all.)
posted by homunculus (19 comments total)

As I was composing this post, the power suspiciously went out. Lest any elves think I am mocking them, please rest assured that I too do not rule out your existence, and given empirical evidence of it I would be a staunch supporter of elf rights.

Let those who want to, arrive
Let those who want to, leave
Let those who want to, stay
Without harm to me or mine.
posted by homunculus at 1:38 PM on November 15, 2003

Nim's Winter Tale.
posted by homunculus at 1:39 PM on November 15, 2003

this is very good
posted by moonbird at 1:48 PM on November 15, 2003

This settles it - I'm gonna buy the Jethro Tull Christmas Album
no one knows who they were, or what they were doing
great post!
posted by crunchburger at 2:36 PM on November 15, 2003

Is Elvis in Iceland? I thought he was in Graceland! Elvis is alive and well in Reyka... Rejyko... Rikja... Huh?
Elves?
Nevermind.

(Thanks, crunchy, for putting up the Tull reference before I had to click any other links. "Bourie" started rattling around my head, and it's the most pleseant earworm I've had in months)
posted by wendell at 2:45 PM on November 15, 2003

Elf booty got soul!
Elf girls like to rock’n’roll!
posted by homunculus at 3:23 PM on November 15, 2003

Ah, homunculus! That traditional elf greeting is a credo we could build nations around.

Still, in terms of the elves themselves (oh! I was a poet and didn't know it!), I think I would need to hear supporting evidence from a few more Icelanders before I could really swallow the 80 percent belief statistic.
posted by taz at 4:04 PM on November 15, 2003

ElfTrance.
posted by homunculus at 4:43 PM on November 15, 2003

What season is it? In December, any unusual events might be attributed to the 13 Jolasveinar or Yuletide lads, offspring of the fearsome troll Gryla, stealer and devourer of naughty children. Over the years, the lads have grown more benign, tending to impish behavior or trickery, often leaving little presents in shoes. Starting Dec. 13, each night children might notice the arrival of Spoon-Licker, Bowl-Licker, Door-Slammer, Meat-Hook or one of their brethren.
posted by madamjujujive at 5:04 PM on November 15, 2003

What season is it?

According to my TV it's Christmas, which means it's really Cthulhu season.
posted by homunculus at 5:33 PM on November 15, 2003

Campus Crusade for Cthulhu! It works!
posted by crunchburger at 5:46 PM on November 15, 2003

Two words: Sigur Rós.

If they're not at least part-elf, I'm he for tigggy.
posted by cheaily at 5:52 PM on November 15, 2003

bjork, bjork, bjork!
posted by yhbc at 6:14 PM on November 15, 2003

[This is good].
posted by gd779 at 7:50 PM on November 15, 2003

I guess "The Hindu Times" are as reliable vitnesses of Icelandic folklore as Icelandic newspapers are of Indian folklore.
posted by spazzm at 8:16 PM on November 15, 2003

Ooops, that's "The Hindu".
posted by spazzm at 8:28 PM on November 15, 2003

bjork, bjork, bjork!

you beat me to it!

i, too, have always suspected she is an elf.
posted by s.carrier at 9:12 PM on November 15, 2003

Elftor
posted by zerofoks at 2:41 AM on November 16, 2003

I like this advice on how to deal with trolls:

If you should come across such a creature do not attempt to communicate in any way, just run as fast as you can!
posted by orange swan at 10:50 AM on November 16, 2003