Tonight's episode is a simple overview of the Yule Lads from Iceland, a brief history and a brief description of each of the Yule Lads.
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Ármann Jakobsson. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Bárðar Saga and Its Giants.” Scandinavian Studies 79, no. 1 (2007): 1–24.
(Explores Icelandic troll lore, including Gryla’s origins.)
Terry Gunnell. The Origins of Icelandic Folk Legends. University of Iceland Press, 2012.
(Strong academic work on Icelandic supernatural beings, Christmas folklore, and oral tradition.)
Jóhannes úr Kötlum. Jólin Koma. Reykjavík: Helgafell, 1932.
(Original poem collection that standardized the 13 modern Yule Lads.)
Hélène Adeline Guerber. Myths of the Norsemen. Dover Publications, 1992.
(General Norse mythology background, including giants and troll origins relevant to Gryla.)
Jack Santino (ed.). Holiday Folklore, Phantoms, and Festivals. University of Tennessee Press, 1994.
(Contextualizes holiday monsters and their cultural roles.)
Icelandic Museum of Ghosts, Sorcery & Witchcraft (Strandagaldur).
Exhibits on Gryla, the Yule Lads, and the Yule Cat.
https://galdrasyning.is
National Museum of Iceland – Christmas Traditions Archive.
Historical displays and documents of Icelandic Christmas folklore.
https://www.thjodminjasafn.is
Reykjavík City Museum – Árbær Open Air Museum.
Folklore interpretations and historic reenactments of Yule Lad traditions.
https://borgarsogusafn.is
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.
Manuscripts referencing Gryla dating back to the 13th century.
https://www.arnastofnun.is
Gunnell, Terry. “How Elvish Were the Álfar?” Folklore 111, no. 1 (2000): 79–94.
(Insight into Icelandic supernatural categories.)
Hallberg, Peter. “The Icelandic Christmas System: A Study in Calendar Customs.” Arv: Nordic Yearbook of Folklore, 1969.
(Detailed analysis of holiday beings including Yule Lads.)
Hafstein, Valdimar Tr. “The Elves’ Point of View: Cultural Identity in Icelandic Folklore.” Fabula 43 (2002): 87–104.
(Cultural meaning of Icelandic supernatural traditions.)
Icelandic Tourist Board — Official Yule Lad Profiles & Traditions.
https://www.visiticeland.com
City of Reykjavík Official Yule Lads Guide.
https://visitreykjavik.is/yule-lads
Guide to Iceland — “The 13 Yule Lads: Iceland’s Mischievous Christmas Visitors.”
https://guidetoiceland.is
Iceland Review Magazine — Articles on Gryla, Yule Cat, and Yule Lads history.
https://www.icelandreview.com
Íslenzk Ævintýri (Icelandic Folktales Collection). Collected by Jón Árnason, 1862–1864.
(Contains some of the earliest written references to Gryla and her sons.)
Gryla References in Snorri Sturluson’s Manuscripts (13th century).
(Early textual descriptions of troll-women in Icelandic tradition.)
RÚV Icelandic Broadcasting Service – Christmas Specials Featuring the Yule Lads.
https://www.ruv.is
The Icelandic Christmas Book Flood (Jólabókaflóðið) — cultural context for Iceland’s holiday storytelling tradition.
Ragnheidur. “The Icelandic Yule Lads.” Arctic Adventures (adventures.is), November 20, 2023. https://adventures.is/blog/the-icelandic-yule-lads/?srsltid=AfmBOorEtEXbKQa62Qyt-NQVOMfP7mr9Iy_hObVVDqz0HXgNL70jIOuC Arctic Adventures
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Credits
Host: Michael, Chris, Mark, and Pam Gardner
Writer: Michael Gardner
Editor: Pam Gardner
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