HIDDEN PEOPLE ‘SPOOK’ ICELAND

Elves, trolls, pixies, gnomes and dwarfs, surely we’re talking about characters from Lord of the Rings, not Iceland’s ‘hidden people.’

As children fantasy was reality; Aesop fables, Peter Pan and believing in strange creatures has helped us to develop creative and imaginative minds. For most of us fantasy is something we cherish but leave behind. However, many Icelanders firmly believe in mystical creatures; some 54% steadfastly believe they do exist and a staggering 90%, whilst not totally convinced are aware of a ‘shadow community.’ It doesn’t stop here either. There are some 600 Viking clan members in Iceland, who actively practice the traditions and cultures of their ancestors. A plane full of them recently besieged London in celebration of the 1000 year anniversary of a famous Viking invasion.

Such is the seriousness of the Icelander’s belief, that stories have been documented that during the construction of a multi lane highway, work was delayed whilst a ‘dwarf home’ was relocated outside of the construction zone. People are so fearful of curses and misfortune that ‘elf management’ was introduced; folklorists are often employed to deal with the upheaval of these ‘homes’ to guarantee no harm is caused to these hidden people. In some past cases, people have fallen ill for no apparent reason whilst working on an area supposedly populated by them, machine equipment has ceased to work and injuries caused.

Marcus Skarphedinddon, the brother of one of the most influential political party leaders is also the proud head of the Icelandic Elf School, where curriculum, classrooms, textbooks and diplomas are all apparent. Ones elf education isn’t just based in the classroom but includes a field trip to Grasteinn, a rock on the side of the road outside Reykjavik, which is said to be a home of the dwarfs.

Magnus comments “I have spoken with over 500 people who say they have seen these creatures, spoken to them and been to their houses. Many people believe these hidden people have been the answer to their problems, cured illnesses and literally saved people’s lives.”

A spokesperson from Iceland’s low fare airline Iceland Express commented, “The summer months offer plenty of opportunity to seek out these mystical creatures due to the 24hr daylight.”