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Dec 74 min read

A Bonfire and Elf Dances in 1875

Celebrating the end of Christmas season with bonfires and elves dancing.

Oct 258 min read

The Strange Tale of Páll Pálsson and a Ghostly Nuisance

A ghostly nuisance in the mid-1800s Iceland.

Dec 23, 20234 min read

The Deacon of Myrká on Christmas Eve

This ghost story or folktale about The Deacon of Myrká is well known though we do not know the original author. This story takes place in...

Oct 29, 20235 min read

Thorgeir's Bull

A gruesome autumn folktale from the island of Hrísey not for the faint of heart. It's full of wizards, spells, spirits, charms, and a...

Oct 15, 20236 min read

Unique Icelandic Holidays

By Sharron Arksey Over the last decade, Icelandic Roots members have learned about the lesser-known holidays celebrated in Iceland...

Aug 19, 20232 min read

The Origin of the Hidden People

At the beginning of time, God paid a visit to the first of his creations, Adam and Eve. They received him with great joy and showed him...

Aug 19, 20233 min read

Jón Árnason-August's Interesting Icelander

By Becky Byerly-Adams Iceland boasts a rich literary legacy with the Icelandic Sagas being hailed as a global treasure. Additionally,...

May 27, 20231 min read

2023 Scandinavian Festival Features Iceland!

Special Icelandic Events - Please share by Romayne Kilde, Nordic Culture Clubs Scandinavian Festival The Nordic Culture Clubs and the...

Apr 16, 20233 min read

My Family Huldufólk Story

Editors Note: The most iconic creatures from Icelandic and Faroese folklore are probably Huldufólk, or “hidden people.” The term...

Apr 2, 20237 min read

Hildur, Queen of the Elves

Hildur, Queen of the Elves an Icelandic Legend

Mar 19, 20232 min read

Iceland’s Unique Folklore Explored in Webinar

All folklore is distinguished by its motifs, whether they be big bad wolves or trolls or vengeful ghosts. But there is one motif that...

Jan 8, 20234 min read

Iceland's January Holidays

According to the old Norse calendar, the year is made up of Winter and Summer. January is the halfway point of winter, and several...

Dec 25, 20228 min read

Snorri Plus Program - Lectures in Reykjavík, 2022

Editor's note: Laura Hackney wrote this report to give a sense of the valuable background information that is a part of the Snorri Plus...

Dec 25, 20227 min read

Marja’s Winter Tale

Editor's note: On Christmas Eve, a young farm worker, Marja, was asked by farmer Jon's young son, Steinie, to tell a scary Christmas...

Dec 11, 20227 min read

My Saga with Saint Thorlák

Submitted By Aimée O’Connell, Guest Author It was one of those mornings that homeschooling families know very well: the kids were...

Dec 11, 20222 min read

Suður Þingeyjarsýsla

Suður Þingeyjarsýsla in Northern Iceland features a 250 km road trip called the “Diamond Circle,” due to the shape of the route. This...

Nov 26, 20223 min read

What the Yule Boys Have Brought Me

by Gay Strandemo Author Heidi Herman and I once again team up at Samtal Hour to discuss the Icelandic Yule Boys - Jólasveinar. To join us...

Oct 30, 20226 min read

My Icelandic Immigrant Ghost

By Doreen (Borgfjorð) McFarlane IR 602083 October is the month of Hallowe’en, so it is a time that many people think about ghosts and...

Jul 17, 20224 min read

The Tale of Auðunn of the Westfjords

With our theme this month of the Westfjords, we discuss this Þáttir (short story) of "Auðunn of the Westfjords". Sometimes this story is...

Jan 1, 20224 min read

Celebrating the New Year with Folklore

The New Year and upcoming days come with more feasts, holiday happenings, traditions, and folklore. Enjoy the folklore story below and...