The hidden people, 2018
More than half of the Icelandic people believe, that there are two civilizations on the isolated island of cliffs in the north: The Icelanders and a magical people, who lives among them. They are called The Hidden People – and are hiding in the cliffs and rocks. Only few Icelanders have a connection to their world but many will go far to protect them and the stones they live in.
“As a child I played among the lava stones, and when I was alone I would wait for The Hidden People to appear. If a child acted in a weird way the adults would say, that it was probably one of the Hidden who had gotten to him. Today I go to the lava fields with my friends. Here we find peace and a distance from the rest of the world.” – Kári Hrafn.
When a road in the lava fields southwest of Reykjavík had to be build, the tractor broke down each time it came close to a rock inhabited by The Hidden People. Usually the roads are build around the rocks or they are moved to a safe location. They are everywhere. Wedged between the houses in the city or in the public swimming pool. One stone even got its own name and house number.
“One summer my uncle tried to remove a hill known to be the Hidden’s territory. The tractor fell and broke his chest. He died three days later. It was a common truth in my family that it was the revenge of the Hidden People.” - Ingibjörg Ingadottir.
In a small suburban area of Hafnarfjordur lies “Little Rock”. Here a family of The Hidden live - A mother and her two children. In the house next to Aslaug lives with her family. She is a firm believer. Every winter they put out a bowl of cream for the Hidden family.