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Discovering the World's Hidden Treasures

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Yule Lads

Edward Porper's profile picture

Author: Edward Porper

Reading time: 1 min read
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While some new meanings are quite challenging, either emotionally or intellectually, others are just pleasing and soothing. Such as, for instance, art - when it's applied to such seemingly routine and uninspiring places as airports. 

...Folklore is a powerful creativity booster, and Iceland made sure not to waste its potential. The first object one cannot help noticing right after getting through Passport Control at the Reykjavik airport is a life-size statue of what is similar enough to a leprechaun for some visitors to start worrying that they have somehow landed in a wrong country! The confusion is embarrassing enough to stop and actually pay attention to an invitation to “capture a photo moment with the Yule lads”.

Folklore characters are meant to please airport guests and lighten their mood, as many people are reminded of some happy, trouble-free moments of their own childhood when their parents would read aloud a fairy-tale to them.

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