An exhibiton commemorating 150 years' publication anniversary

Icelandic folk and fairy tales were collected by Jón Árnason (1819-1888) and published in 1862-1864. The first volume tells of elves, giants, nixies and ghosts, along with tales of witchcraft, animals and natural phenomena. The second volume features legends, narratives based on supposedly real events, outlaws stories, fairy tales, accounts of superstitions, and witty and humorous yarns. Íslenskar þjóðsögur og ævintýri enjoyed immediate and widespread popularity, and played a major role in heightening a sense of nationalism amongst Icelanders.

An exhibition about Jón Árnason´s collection of folk and fairy tales was opened at the National and University Library of Iceland on the 24th of November 2012 in cooperation with the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, The National Museum of Iceland and the National Archives of Iceland.