Today on RÚV English Radio, the first Yule Lad makes his way down from the mountains.
The Icelandic jólasveinar (Yuletide Lads) are descended from trolls, and originally they were bogeymen who were used to scare children. During this century they have mellowed, and they sometimes wear their best, red, suits. But they still tend to pilfer and play tricks.
They are the sons of two of the most hideous ogres ever known in Iceland, Grýla and Leppalúði.
Every year they come down from the mountains one by one, and today the first Yule Lad - Stekkjarstaur (Sheep-Cote Clod), who harasses sheep, made his first appearance this year in the National Museum - https://www.thjodminjasafn.is/english/for-visitors/whats-on/upcoming-events/13-yule-lads
Darren spoke to curator of ethnology and friend of RÚV English Radio, Helga Vollertson, to hear his story - and witness his arrival along with many excited schoolchildren.
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