A Look At The Ash Lad With Translator Simon Hughes

Ash Lad and the Troll by Thomas Gronbukt

At first glance, a name like 'Ash Lad' might lead someone not familiar with Norwegian tales to think this popular character was just a male version of Cinderella. While the two characters share some aspects beyond the name similarities, such as a lowly position in their household and caring for the fire, Ash Lad has much more in common with the English Jack and the Russian Ivan. In their respective folklore and fairy tales, all three of them, while usually considered a little dim, or naive, are not necessarily the idiots the rest of the village (or family) would say they are. Sometimes they are quite smart, but also sometimes not, depending on the tale. What can be agreed on though, is that they're all, very, very lucky.

Interestingly, the Wikipedia article on Ash Lad (Askeladden) adds this little nugget, explaining partly why we make the Cinderella association, though the earliest known tale uses the name Askefis*:

In Asbjørnsens's first edition (1843), the name is rendered as Askepott, which in Norway is commonly associated with Cinderella. This was later turned into Askeladden by Moltke Moe.

Our guest blogger today, Simon Hughes, looks at how the name Ash Lad came to be, and why it can be confusing, even, at times, misleading.

The Ash Lad

(Behind the Name)

by Simon Hughes

(re-posted in full with kind permission)

The protagonist in a good number of Norwegian folktales, Askeladden (often translated as “Boots”, or “the Ash Lad”) is an apparent naïf, though he subsequently shows himself to be witty, shrewd, and fantastically resourceful. The oldest recorded form of the name is Oskefis (“ash-blower” - although “fis” has evolved to mean “fart” in modern Norwegian), denoting one who blows the embers to keep the fire going, a job often reserved for the lowest member of the household. Later oral traditions give the name Oskeladd, Oskelabb, Oskelamp, or Oskefot, where the second stem (-ladd, -labb, -lamp, -fot) denotes a rough woollen sock or slipper, suggesting this character has his feet in, or close to, the hearth.

Theodor Kittelsen - The Ash Lad Poking in the Ashes
(FTNH Ed: We like how he is being creative with the embers!)

In some tales, Askeladden's forename is given as Espen, Svein, Halvor, Lars, Hans, or Tyrihans. Tyrihans is a household function, though, like Askeladden: “Hans who looks after the "tyrived”, tyrived being the resin-laden pinewood used as kindling. This name suggests that Askeladden has complete responsibility for the fire, from collecting kindling, to lighting it, to tending it - quite an important job on the farm, in fact.**

Thanks Simon! 

You can read more of Simon's project of translating Norwegian Folktales (that is, to complete the translation of all of Asbjørnsen and Moe's collected tales to English), at his blog HERE. Here's his explanation of the project to inspire you to explore the ever-growing treasure trove there:

About the Norwegian Folktales Project by Simon Hughes 

The collection 

Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Engebretsen Moe collected and published Norwegian folk tales and legends in the middle of the 19^thcentury. Whilst some of the tales are very well known in the English-speaking world, such as "The Three Billy-goats Gruff," many more are completely unknown, never having been translated. Imagine! All the trolls and hulders and nisses you may not have read about, yet. 

(FTNH Ed. As an example, The Pantheon Fairy Tale & Folklore Library edition of Norwegian Folktales contains 36 of the 110 listed as being collected, not including the 31 additional tales from the 'Round the Yule Log' collection, which doesn't count the variants of a few of those either. All other A&M English collections we've found have the phrase "selected from the collection of" in the subtitle. Even with the final tale numbers being a little difficult to count in light-research-mode, it's clear most English collections fall far short of including the bulk, let alone all, of Asbjørnsen and Moe's collected tales, so we're very excited to learn of this project!)

The project 

My intention with this project is to give the collection the treatment it deserves as a part of our world literature, and translate and publish the folklore that Asbjørnsen and Moe collected, in English analogues to the original publications. I am beginning with Peter Christen Asbjørnsen's Norwegian Hulder Tales and Folk Legends (1845/ 48), which has not appeared in English before.As I progress, I will continue to publish each tale on this site, when I have edited it enough to call it a final draft.

Simon (click his name to learn more about him) has a mailing list to keep you in the loop for updates and new tales, which we highly recommend joining. He also has a newly published, intriguing book of Norwegian tales...

You can click on the image above to be taken to the book options.

Every purchase supports his work!

Simon is also translating the Norwegian literary fairy tales of Regine Normann! Simon writes: "She wrote two volumes of literary fairy tales, and two volumes of legends set in the north of Norway. None of these volumes has ever been translated into English, and so the English-speaking world has no idea of the riches it has been missing, for the last eighty years." Here's a small summary on Regina Normann from the Greenwood Encyclopedia of Folklore and Fairy Tales (her name is highlighted):

You can find his Regine Normann project HERE.

It's probably easiest to find Simon on Twitter HERE - something we also recommend. Personable and with that true "folklorist-joy" of discussing all things fairy tale (but particularly those of Norwegian origin), he's a continual delight to tweet with. His comments and insights are most commonly seen being retweeted and discussed on our favorite day in social media each week, #FolkloreThursday.

Askeladden who got the princess
to say he was lying ( Asbjørnsen & Moe)
Artist: Erik Werenskiold (1855-1938)

Sources for Askeladden/Ash Lad:

• https://snl.no/askeladden
• https://snl.no/Askefis
• https://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oskefisen
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Askeladden
• http://www.nob-ordbok.uio.no/perl/ordbok.cgi?OPP=ladd
• http://www.nob-ordbok.uio.no/perl/ordbok.cgi?OPP=tyri

* Askefis is the name of the joint Nordic Askeladden. The name denotes one who blows on the embers (from fisa: blow, breathe) to get the fire to flare up. In some places in the Nordic region Askefis denotes a supernatural being that is located in the firepit, "the firepit spirit"; it is likely that the fairy-tale name of the disdained, but always fortunate son, who lingers by the fireplace, is a transfer from here, but probably affected by one or more foreign names of the fairy-tale "lier-in-the-ashes". The name Askefis (Norwegian most often "Oskefis") first appears in Nordic literature in the 1400s (in proverbs). (From Norwegian Encyclopedia - updated 3/3/18 from our original posting using Google Translate, to a much better translation, with special thanks to Simon Hughes)

** Important job?! Absolutely! This is Norway we're talking about. Pre-modern technology, a family would likely freeze to death much of the year if the fire in their hearth went out! [The hottest month in Oslo, the capital, averages 64°F (18°C) while the median lowest temp in Winter is 27°F (-3°C). Brr!]

Norwegian Family Fantasy Feature "The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King" Is A Hit, Goes Global

The live-action fantasy feature film The Ash Lad: In the Hall of the Mountain King (Askeladden i Dovregubbens hall), is a box-office hit in its home country of Norway and looks to be set for distribution around the world... well, the non-English speaking world. So far, that is. We have our fingers crossed it will get some English-language distribution soon too, with the UK quite likely the first cab off the rank, for a number of reasons explained below. (Distribution rights are currently held by TrustNordisk.)

The Ash Lad is a magical adventure film, directed by Mikkel Brænne Sandemose and starring Vebjørn Enger.

It was released on 29 September 2017 in Norway (and, some sites also say Russia).

The plot is based on The Ash Lad of Norwegian folklore and fairy tale. Reports say this is the first time The Ash Lad has been adapted to a full-length feature film, though it has been used for ad campaigns (TV and print), and a short puppet film by Ivo Caprino* (Ash Lad and the good helpers, 1961).

(The feature film) follows the epic journey of Espen, the 17-year-old son of a poor farmer, who sets off with his brothers to rescue a princess from a troll known as the Mountain King to collect a reward and save his family from ruin.  

(One of the producers) Horsdal said the script delivers modernized take on the characters and has some humor to appeal to teens and adult audiences. The producer also pointed out the princess character is “strong-willed, sharp and utterly charming.” (Variety)

Take a look at the fun-looking trailer below (English subtitles included):

And a longer synopsis, from a Czech website promoting the film (via Google Translate, so it's not exactly precise!):

Official synopsis: Are trolls only small cute creatures? You have no idea! The king of trolls is a sinister and threatening giant from the mountains that lies waiting in his cave for a princess to be married to him on her eighteenth birthday, just so he can catch and eat her...   

Espen is the youngest of three poor farmer sons. At home, they treat him as the family bastard who cannot do any useful work but just walks through the forests with his head in the clouds and catching the claws. (Ed: ?) His only task, which they entrusted to him, is to keep the fire in the stove in order for it not to go out. It's probably just a coincidence that he just met in the forest with Princess Kristin, who is just out of her native castle.  

Kristin is very stubborn, and she does not believe in the old tortures of the King of Trolls. Most of all, she does not want to marry Prince Frederick, chosen for her by her father. The day before her eighteenth birthday she runs away into the unknown. Unfortunately, not long after meeting Espen, she finds out that these troll stories are true... 

 

Meanwhile, unsuspecting Espen will make another big mistake. He can not even watch the charcoal in the stove and, thanks to his distraction, burns the whole cottage down. When the king declares a search for his disobedient daughter, and promises her hand and half the kingdom to the one who finds her, the brothers do not hesitate to go on the mission. The elders plans to get have a new roof for the family, while the youngest would like her hand. in marriage. Their journey quickly becomes a great adventure, with many monsters, much magic and enchanted places awaiting them. In the end, the terrible and overwhelming King of Trolls awaits. 

 

Director Mikkel Brænne Sandemose describes the character of the film by saying: "During the expedition for the preservation of Princess Kristin, the character of Espen is completely altered. When writing the script, we were inspired by Bilbo characters from Hobbit and Frodo from The Lord of the Rings. They have a lot to do with Espen. Not only are they aged between youth and adulthood, but all three are making their way, making them great heros to explore. Above all, their success cannot just be a lucky coincidence, they must be worth it. Tolkien borrowed much from Norwegian folklore and mythology in his stories… But I feel that we convey something that is more grounded and Norwegian, that there is something here that will really engage people.”

Looks like a fun and magical family film!

A pre-release review (here) included this interesting note on the folkloric creatures included and direct nods to Asbjørnsen & Moe that will be of particular interest to our fairy tale and folklore readers:

Maipo Film’s producer Åshild Ramborg said that the Norwegian folk tales have everything audiences would want from a feature film; spectacular images, action and humor. The film is firmly rooted in folk tale fantasy, with water spirits (nøkken), huldra (a female forest creature), an old woman with her nose stuck in a tree stump, and of course the mountain troll itself making appearances. The film’s script is new but based on the stories of Asbjørnsen & Moe. "I have to applaud our writers who has added something new and fresh [to the story], while at the same time digging deep in the familiar tales. I assume there will be reactions, but I am very glad for our version. I think it will make children interested in folk tales (again)", Mikkel Brænne Sandemose said to NTB a few days ago. Maipo producer-CEO Synnøve Hørsdal said: "Obviously we are not only targeting Norwegian cinema-goers, but also international audiences. Given the renewed interest in the fantasy genre and Nordic mythology, I think it will perform well abroad."

International distribution confirmed at the end of February is listed below:

The movie was acquired for Latin America (California Filmes); France (Seven Sept); Italy (Videa); Spain (Art Mood); Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland (Telepool); Japan (Interfilm); and China (HGC Entertainment).More sales were inked for Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan (Capella Film); the Czech Republic and Slovakia (Cinemart); Turkey (Euromedia); Korea (Activers Entertainment); Croatia (Discovery Film & Video); Estonia (Estin Film); and Malaysia and Vietnam (Red Pictures).

We hope it's not too long before it's picked up by English-speaking countries. It has reached the attention of the Irish Film and Television Academy for Windmill Lane's visual effects work on it, (likely in part to it being co-produced by Ireland's Subotica), and TrustNordisk, the distributor, shows the trailer with English subtitles on their website, so fingers crossed we get to see this.

We find it interesting that both the production design and creature designs follow nature-loving artist Theodor Kittelsen's classic renditions and illustrations from the early 1900s of this story quite closely. (Kittelsen was nicknamed "the father of all trolls" due to his many striking and stark renditions of trolls for children's books in particular.) Here are some examples for comparison:

The Ash Lad and the Troll - Theodor Kittelsen 1900

Askeladden som kappåt med trollet (The Boy Who Had an Eating Match with a Troll) - Theodor Kittelsen

Skogtroll, 1906 (Forest Troll) - Theodor Kittelsen

Theodor Kittelsen - The Forest Troll , 1892

According to cineuropa, the family adventure film is the first in a trilogy about the "Norwegian national hero", and the sequel is already in the works, with the third film well into the planning stages, so there will be more fairy tale films coming out of Norway in the near future to watch for too. A quick search through Variety's archives found this information on the sequel:

In the first film, scripted by Aleksander Kirkwood Brown and Espen Enger, the Ash Lad and his brothers fight to save the Princess from a vile troll, and collect the reward to save the family farm from ruin. In the sequel, also by Sandemose and Brown-Enger, he and Princess Kristin are searching for a legendary castle made of gold. When they arrive, the king and queen have been poisoned – only the Soria Moria water of life can save them and probably the world.

We'll be watching for these!

*By coincidence, the new film’s director is the grandson of Bjarne Sandemose, Ivo Caprino’s chief studio engineer.

Ash Lad's Underwear

The Norwegian underwear company DOVRE is starting a new campaign for their underwear this year called 'Enchanting Quality' and uses the popular Norwegian fairy tale character Ash Lad.

Ash Lad plays a similar role to our 'Jack'. He has multiple stories and fills the role of the successful underdog, the mischief maker who wins in the end, the ordinary guy who prevails in extreme circumstances by humor, creativity and wit. The main difference is that he usually has two elder brothers who are, at least initially, more competent and successful. He's also known as "Espen Askeladd", "Askeladden", or, originally, "Askefisen" (you should look up the Wikipedia entry on the name - especially regarding the translation of "Askefisen" - literally "ash-fart" - HERE).

In the tale shown above (read the story HERE) Ash Lad is challenging a giant troll to eat more than he can and in the picture he's about to slit his 'belly' (actually a knapsack, but the giant thinks it's Ash Lad's belly) to fit in more food. He then suggests the giant does the same. Needless to say, Ash Lad wins.

The image below has Ash Lad walking in an enchanted forest, (note the tree guy) talking to a bird. I'm guessing this is from a tale called "The Ash Lad and the Good Helpers" (you can read that story HERE).

What this all has to do with underwear I'm a little vague on (you can see the Dovre label peeking out the top of Ash Lad's pants when he's sitting and in the forest pic I think his shirt is actually an undershirt). Maybe the underwear is helping to 'enchant' the giant so he's duped and does as Ash Lad suggests? Or maybe the shirt is magically helping allowing Ash Lad to talk to the bird? I'm not sure. Not even the regular ad campaign people at Ads of the World or Super Punch visitors (where I first heard of this campaign) seem to know quite how these images are supposed to work.

Nice photos/mocks though. And always great to see different fairy tale characters used in advertising. Says a lot about how people view their fairy tales.