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Today the sun has been watching us. It felt like a good sign, especially since we were visiting the elf capitol of Iceland, Hafnarfjörđur. We heard many interesting stories of respecting the nature and caring about the nature. It was nice to see how the modern world still adapts itself if the nature requires it. I thought a lot of the global warming and about the signs that nature is trying to give us. After what we heard today, I think even stronger than before that we should take the signs seriously. It is time to act, because I'm sure we all already know and care.

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In the remotest corner of the garden of any self-respecting Icelandic house, three small wooden houses appear close together. They are the homes of the elves, the invisible people. Legend has it that the elves were also children of Eve, mother of all men.

One day God announced to Eve that he would go to dinner with her, to meet all his children. Eva, like any mother, began to wash and prepare her children for the event, but, since they were many, she could not bathe in three. In order not to show them in disorder before God, he hid them in the closet.

During dinner God asked Eve if all those who sat in the room were all her children and the woman confirmed. Then God who is omniscient continued: "that which is hidden from God, will be hidden forever also from men!" Eve ran desperately to the wardrobe, but found it empty.

God had made the three children invisible to men. Only those who have a pure heart can see them. The men called these invisible elf creatures. Every good Icelandic has three little houses in the garden to house Eva's three children, so that their closeness is helpful and a good omen for the family.

The elves in fact, unlike the evil and spiteful trolls, are good friends of men and often intervene to help them. All Icelanders believe a little in this legend and if you ask someone: do you believe in elves? The answer will always be: why not?

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Albertina
Today we are immersed in the park of the elves and at times I felt myself spied on by these little creatures hidden inside the rocks. Our journey to Hafnarfjorôur made me reflect on the importance of passing on the beliefs and stories within the family, this helps to pass on the importance of respect for nature. I am having the pleasure of breathing clean air in this country where pollution seems to be absolutely absent

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This morning we talked about Elves and Trolls. I learned the legend about its creation. Where they live, where they hide and superstitions about these fantastic creatures. The relationship between nature and traditions and how many of these coincide, in one way or another, in far away places. It is important to observe how people are able to express themselves so that beliefs are respected, such as when people stop road works because there are stones in which these creatures are thought to live. All this unites traditions and nature and helps us to preserve both. Tomorrow we will continue ...

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Today we heard plenty of stories about elves. Some people believe that they really exist, some don’t. Some people have told that they have seen a glimpse of them or have interacted with them in some ways. I don’t think that I will never see one, but I guess one of them took my chocolates today!  At first I was angry and said: ”Damn you, elf!” Then I remembered that taking things from us is in their nature, and that I should be kind to them. I said: ”I guess you needed the chocolates. If you can bring them back one day, please do.”

Anyway, today reminded me of the power of a good story. Stories make us feel , they make us think and they make  us understand things in life.  I figured that the elves represent the spirits of nature to me. If we act violently towards nature, it will cause us harm eventually. But if we treat nature with respect, without harming, violating or damaging it, it will reward us with endless presents.

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Rosanna

Today it was a magic day! We walked in the tale world of elves , trolls and other mythical creatures.   Hafnarfjordur is apparently  a quiet town on the sea but the richest place of elf population  in Iceland and  the story teller Sibba  was our guide in this hidden world . We all were like children,  curious  to discover this new world and at times it really seemed that we could see an elf behind some rocks in the beautiful gardens of the colored houses. After thi visit I started to better under stand  how Icelandic culture is stricly related to its geological and natural features .Over the centuries people needed to have spiritual support to face and survive in  estreme natural conditions and this ridde magical world made of elves, trolls, gnomes and other creatures felpe  them . It was interesting  that  most Icelandic people  believe in this world still today, they retains their beliefs related to the past, feel love for their nature and have  respect  and gratitude to their country.

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Today’s  session made me reflect on the importance of storytelling. Storytelling is a very important part of folklore, which according to UNESCO, is the totality of tradition-based creations of a cultural community, expressed by a group or individuals and recognized as reflecting the expectations of a community in so far as they reflect its cultural and social identity.
Stories can help us understand who we are  and strengthen a sense of belonging. Language is a powerful tool capable of passing on knowledge, persuading, moving, stirring feelings, making us act. That is why storytelling should be nurtured and treasured.

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About 80% of Icelanders believe in the existence of the smalfolk, the small elven people.

For a long time no one has been able to rationally explain the overbearing and unpredictable phenomena such as volcanic eruptions under glaciers, geysers or thermal pools. Iceland was for a long time isolated from the rest of the world, for the inhabitants who spent dark winters it was comforting the idea of ​​living with other invisible beings.

It was very impressive today to hear the ancient stories about elves told by a modern storyteller on the streets of Hafnarfjordur. In the silence the wind blew tree branches, grass and moss on the rocks. The Icelandic natural environment is mystical, there is an ancient magic between stones and caves, where small invisible creatures live: elves. Every element of nature is alive and must be respected, even the rocks have a history and a soul that the Icelanders still know how to feel thanks to their close connection with the environment in which they live. In fact, in 2016 the Reykjavik road department decided to divert the construction of a road because the population has asked to protect the rocks where, according to ancient beliefs, the elves live. To take a road to protect a rock: a great lesson of civilization, humility and respect for the environment.

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Natural Heritage is the inseparable part of my life as I have been living in the mountains and been a farmer all my life. Humans should be aware of the fact that without nature and its resources people would die of;  they would not exist any more. I still can´t understand why they do not have an inborn instict to protect the nature without continous warnings of the  humans possible impacts on the nature.  What´s worse younger generations are losing the relationship to the soil, the key element of the human existence. They are losing  love for traditional, organic farming or gardening. Due to the impacts of the globalization the transfer of knowledge both the tacit and explicit from generation to generation  was stopped. In other words we, humans, allowed to stop protecting our heritage. During morning session we could have been informed on a simple way how to disseminate the results of our work, that is, to transfer the knowledge. What´s more imporant, we need to transfer the knowledge in the practical way, not only to speak about it.

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Today I visited the village of Hafnarfjordur and I heard the stories of the elves. A nice lady with a red pointed hat has showed to the group all the places where these invisible creatures live and can be perceived. There are many legends about the elves. They are hidden in natural places, such as rocks, trees, mountains. The inhabitants of Iceland cohabit with this belief which is handed down from generation to generation. Elves are familiar to common people who do not deny their existence. I was struck by seeing many houses endowed with small wooden cottages in their gardens, which host these magical creatures. The elves remind people of the respect for nature. In fact, in many occasions when people tried to destroy the environment or to exploit nature for personal greediness, the elves rebelled and showed their disappointment, by provoking negative consequences. I think that, whether the elves exist or not, this story teaches me that I must always hear the “voices” of nature. It is important to respect the natural places where we live, because they host other creatures and species. Every human being should appreciate nature and take care of it.

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Today I felt and was entangled by stories, people, feelings... A storyteller whose belief for folk tales led my disbelief to shiver; fascinating stories that I’ll take to my classrooms; participants who become friends when they braid your hair, share meals and pay dessert; a participant who worries about your missing luggage and offers her help, despite having issues of her own; feelings of gratitude, rewardingness, discovery for accomplishing a childhood dream (visit the 💙 Lagoon)! So many experiences in one day led me to believe that there are Elves! 🧝🏻‍♀️🧝🏼‍♂️ Nevermind how hard your path is, there are always helpers on the way - imaginary or not! Thank you, human and supernatural creatures for all your help today! ‘Sharing is caring’ is the Erasmus+ motto because of participants like you, not to mention Rita whose superpowers have lead me to believe she is a desguised elf put on our way to change us! Like she said today: any person has an impact on you once your paths cross! 💙

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Throughout the morning we have lived Hafnarfjordur, where in addition to a strong continuous wind, fantastic stories about elves have accompanied us. The wind has hampered the journey and, in my case, the understanding of the narratives about these peculiar beings, but I have been able to feel how for the Icelanders they are more than just legends. They take care of nature as the elves take care of it, they take care of themselves because they are part of that nature and, in addition, they actively promote the care of nature.

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Roberta
: Today we have been in a magical city, the capital of elves and goblins. He welcomed us a nice guide with a red pointed hat, just like a respectable elf. She was anxious and happy to tell us about the Icelandic tradition that sees these strange creatures being part of the lives of its inhabitants. For Icelanders this cohabitation is something normal and natural. I believe that legends or fantastic stories help men to overcome difficult and complicated moments. Cohabitation between elves and men is based on mutual respect, vital spaces are not invaded and everything runs smoothly. A national survey points out that the Icelanders firmly believe in the presence of these fantastic beings, in their habits and in the world around them. Some might think that it is a strange thing or out of reality, but if this is good, it should not be eliminated. Telling certain stories envelops everything in a trail of mystery and superstition. Listening to all this gives a smile to the visitor and at the same timeadds one more piece to the knowledge of a people and its land
Goblins

Up there on the windy peaks,

Down there in the valleys of rushes,

We dare not go hunting

For fear of little men;

Good people, little people,

which is gathered together in droves;

Green jacket, red cap,

And white owl pen!

(William Butler Yeats)