REYKJAVIK, Iceland, December 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Thirteen Yule Lads, one Yule Cat and a feast of fermented fish, Inspired by Iceland invites visitors to experience Iceland's unique Christmas traditions.

Inspired by Iceland is showcasing a taste of the country's unique festive traditions at the heart of Reykjavik's Christmas village. The city's festive celebrations will commence on the first Sunday in December with the lighting of the Christmas tree and a visit from the thirteen Yule Lads; Iceland's answer to Santa Claus.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121204/580270 )

Eldhús: Little House of Christmas will be positioned in the city centre from the 3^rd-4^th December and will house an intimate group of just three people between 3pm and 5pm each day. Tourists will be invited into the Little House Of Christmas and will experience Icelandic Christmas traditions. Over the two days visitors can get a thirty-minute crash course on how to knit an Icelandic hat, the secret behind the festive feast of fermented skate, and traditional music to tempt a visit from the Yule Lads.

The Little House of Christmas acts as part of a wider campaign from Inspired by Iceland welcoming submissions for a name that better describes the island. Inspired by a storyteller inside the house, visitors will be encouraged to contribute their own descriptions and Christmas rhymes, which will be shared on Inspired by Iceland's social channels.

Inga Hlín Pálsdóttir, Director, Marketing & Visit Iceland at Promote Iceland, says:

"Eldhús: Little House of Christmas allows visitors to experience Icelandic Christmas traditions and engage closely with the country's festive culture. The Icelandic Christmas is all about folklore and storytelling, and whilst the rest of the world has just one Santa Claus we have thirteen Yule Lads, which makes our festive celebrations unique."

About the campaign

In August 2012 the Inspired By Iceland campaign asked people a simple question: What would you name Iceland if this was your first glimpse? _ _ _ _ Land? and in just 3 weeks over 10,000 responded.

Many of those who contributed suggested that the name Iceland was misrepresentative and that another name may better reflect the country.

To encourage further involvement from visitors to Iceland a naming booth has been installed at Keflavik airport where visitors are actively encouraged to share what Iceland is to them: name and all. A brand new page is now visible on the http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com website and the most popular contributions can be viewed along with the latest videos and images from the campaign.

The conversation will also be available on The Inspired by Iceland Facebook and Twitter pages.

Notes to editors

Inspired by Iceland campaign is a public private act - between the Icelandic government, City of Reykjavik, Icelandair, the Travel Industry Association and the Federation of Trade & Services. Around 130 companies are involved. Promote Iceland is the developer and the executive of the campaign.

Contact:

Inspired By Iceland http://www.inspiredbyiceland.com

Promote Iceland http://www.promoteiceland.is

Islenska http://www.islenska.is

The Brooklyn Brothers http://www.thebrooklynbrothers.com