I grew up with my grandparents’ stories about the huldufólk in Iceland. Even as superstition fades from the West, respect for the Hidden Folk stays strong: 80% of Icelanders believe they might exist, and major construction projects are still often diverted to avoid their homes.
This kind of folklore is very good for a nation, it encourages patriotism as well as a sense of loyalty for their natural surroundings and wilderness. Here is a respectful article from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/mar/25/iceland-construction-respect-elves-or-else">https://www.theguardian.com/artanddes...
I believe that most of the fair ones have migrated far away from human settlements, but on islands like Iceland, Ireland, and Hawai’i, stories of encounters still abound...