At Elf University, You Can Consume Pancakes and Study About Iceland’s ‘Hidden People’

Very good news: Elves are real, and they stay in Iceland.

Evidently, these mysterious supernatural beings bear no resemblance to Santa’s helpers or Legolas from Lord of the Rings, but there are quite a few varieties of elves, according to Icelandic lore.

In accordance to Metro, Iceland’s Elf University, started by headmaster (and elf specialist) Magnus Skarphedinsson, is focused to documenting elf encounters in the state, with a total of 1,400 stories and counting.

Skarphedinsson has expended 34 many years researching elves and their impression on nearby existence in Iceland. “I obtain stories about paranormal activities, ghosts, and spirits, and whilst I’ve by no means found them myself, I’m convinced that elves and concealed people, or huldufólk, do exist,” Skarphedinsson advised Metro.

Elves, also recognized as concealed people today, can array in top and type, with around 15 various styles documented by the Elf University, Metro noted. Skarphedinsson has interviewed above 900 Icelanders and about 500 folks from other nations around the world who assert to have experienced encounters, and men and women appear from all in excess of the planet to go to classes at the Elf School, which retains courses on Fridays that take a look at the environment of elves such as both modern day and folks tales about them. 

Elves are particularly crucial to Icelandic society. “Icelanders have a deep friendship with the elves and hidden folks,” Skarphedinsson informed Metro. “If any person is misplaced in the wild, the concealed men and women would give them shelter. If men and women are starving, they will give them food. If they are sick, they will heal them. There are innumerable occasions the Icelandic men and women have been helped by the concealed folks.”

When elves are not automatically involved with Xmas in the place, Metro documented that children leave food stuff out for them on Christmas Eve. New Year’s Eve is extra connected with Icelandic elves, which are reported to shift their homes on the evening just about every year.

Elves are also associated with the celebrations of Twelfth Night time (Jan. 5, or the 12th day of Xmas) and the Icelandic competition of Þrettándinn (Feast of the Epiphany, Jan. 6), in accordance to Metro.

Visitors who want to study a lot more about elves can go to the Elf University in Reykjavik on Friday afternoons. College classes past involving 3 and 4 hours and value €56 ($68 USD), including tea and pancakes as a snack. At the second, some COVID-19 restrictions utilize, even though the college is also available for non-public sessions.

For additional facts, pay a visit to the Elf University web page.

Andrea Romano is a freelance author in New York Town. Follow her on Twitter @theandrearomano.