by Sölvi from Reykjavik asks Santa when he arrives, learns about Iceland’s volcanoes and geysers, and hears about the 13 Yule Lads
Dear Santa, my name is Sölvi and I am nine years old. I live in Reykjavik, Iceland, where my afi says the ground itself sometimes steams like a kettle that never quite finishes boiling.
Dear Sölvi, your afi is describing Iceland with wonderful accuracy, and I always keep a careful eye on the ground when I land there.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, do you come on Christmas Eve? My family already gets thirteen visitors before you even arrive, so I want to make sure I know exactly when to expect you.
I do come on Christmas Eve, Sölvi, following right behind that famous group of thirteen. I like to think of myself as the closing act after quite an opening lineup.
My second question is about our land. My teacher says Iceland has active volcanoes and boiling hot springs at the very same time as icy glaciers. Is that really true?
It is entirely true, Sölvi. Iceland sits on a dramatic mix of volcanic and glacial land, with geysers shooting boiling water into the freezing air. Flying over it on Christmas Eve, steam rising against the snow, is one of the strangest and most beautiful sights on my whole route.
My third question is about the Yule Lads. My little sister is terrified and excited about all thirteen of them visiting one by one. What exactly are they?
The Jólasveinar, the thirteen Yule Lads, are a wonderful piece of Icelandic folklore, mischievous but ultimately good-hearted brothers who visit one by one over the thirteen nights before Christmas, leaving small gifts, or occasionally a potato, in children’s shoes depending on behavior. They are old friends of mine, Sölvi, and I always enjoy hearing about their latest antics.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Sölvi Jónsson
Reykjavik, Iceland
P.S. Did I get a gift or a potato this year, do you know?
I could not possibly say in advance, Sölvi. That would spoil the whole thirteen nights.
