Two local women, Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir and Margrét Björk Björnsdóttir, are currently collecting information about elves and hidden people and their settlements, as well as various other enchanted and magical areas on Snæfellsnes peninsula. The information will then be used in the drawing up of new zoning plans and road construction, the local newspaper Morgunblaðið reports.
Read more: Elves protest high voltage transmission lines
There are countless stories of elves and hidden people objecting to construction work or roadwork in Iceland. Roads have been diverted to spare hills or boulders believed to be occupied by hidden people. In other cases boulders have been moved to ensure their inhabitants are not disturbed. When construction workers have failed to show appropriate care equipment has been damaged in mysterious ways or the work otherwise derailed by unexplained problems.
The idea of collecting this information came to Ragnhildur and Margrét after a citizens’ meeting about the new general development plan for the municipality, which covers most of the south coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula and the western part of the North coast. Snæfellsnes National Park is located within the municipality. After the meeting they began meeting with farmers in the area to collect stories about places where elves were rumoured to live. All data collected will then be handed over to the local authorities to help with planning for new construction and road work.
Read more: An American in Reykjavík: Do Icelander's actually believe in Elves or is the joke on us?
Ragnhildur tells Morgunblaðið that she believes the information can also help with cultural tourism and the marketing of the area as an interesting destination. “Generally speaking these believes are very strong and real here in the area, and very much a part of the daily life of people. But these stories are also a treasure in their own right, and they have the potential of attracting visitors.”
Two local women, Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir and Margrét Björk Björnsdóttir, are currently collecting information about elves and hidden people and their settlements, as well as various other enchanted and magical areas on Snæfellsnes peninsula. The information will then be used in the drawing up of new zoning plans and road construction, the local newspaper Morgunblaðið reports.
Read more: Elves protest high voltage transmission lines
There are countless stories of elves and hidden people objecting to construction work or roadwork in Iceland. Roads have been diverted to spare hills or boulders believed to be occupied by hidden people. In other cases boulders have been moved to ensure their inhabitants are not disturbed. When construction workers have failed to show appropriate care equipment has been damaged in mysterious ways or the work otherwise derailed by unexplained problems.
The idea of collecting this information came to Ragnhildur and Margrét after a citizens’ meeting about the new general development plan for the municipality, which covers most of the south coast of Snæfellsnes peninsula and the western part of the North coast. Snæfellsnes National Park is located within the municipality. After the meeting they began meeting with farmers in the area to collect stories about places where elves were rumoured to live. All data collected will then be handed over to the local authorities to help with planning for new construction and road work.
Read more: An American in Reykjavík: Do Icelander's actually believe in Elves or is the joke on us?
Ragnhildur tells Morgunblaðið that she believes the information can also help with cultural tourism and the marketing of the area as an interesting destination. “Generally speaking these believes are very strong and real here in the area, and very much a part of the daily life of people. But these stories are also a treasure in their own right, and they have the potential of attracting visitors.”
