Two Norse mythologists who have made a name for themselves at the Viking World exhibition near Hafnarfjordur have now set their sights even higher: a mythology based theme park where visitors can meet trolls, elves and giants.
Haukur Halldorsson and Sverrir Sigurjonsson have created a large model of the park which is based on the religious and spirit world of Iceland’s Viking ancestors. The theme park will be split into nine different ‘worlds’: Dark Elves, Light Elves, World of the Dwarves, Asgard (world of the gods), Midgard (world of humans), Muspellsheimar (fire and fire demons), World of the Giants, World of Ice and the World of the Dead.
The pair made their elaborate model by hand and it is presented in an exhibition room covered in Norse drawings. They have also made mock tools and equipment, as well as puppets from Norse mythology. The model room is open to the public.
The model as it stands would require a piece of land 1.5km x 1.5km – which is no small plot; especially as it would preferably need to be relatively near Keflavik International Airport for the sake of tourists.
Halldorsson and Sigurjonsson are confident they can find financing for the project somewhere in the world; but say that they would be happy to scale back their grand plan slightly to make the park a realistic prospect in Iceland. Who knows, maybe they will build two?
The interesting short video about the project available here is worth watching even if you don’t understand Icelandic (it is a clip from the Kastljos current affairs programme on RUV).
A very impressive venture!
Wishing both gentlemen the best of luck with their endeavours.
Am sure that if it materialises, it would generate much needed income for Iceland due to it being a major tourist attraction.
Good luck!
Regards,
Herman Auer
The Netherlands
Not only a lot of work went in to this, but good schooling on Norse mythology