Photo: Kristin Bae Mysen
I got this homemade garden gnome (18 cm tall man made out of cement) as a Christmas present from my neighbour who loves gardening as much as I do. I probably looked like a question mark when I unpacked. Who was this Santa Claus look a like, ugly, little fellow? Now I know more. Garden gnomes have been common in Europe since the Renaissance. According to old belief they contribute to the fertility to whatever garden they find themselves in and spread peaceful vibrations to yard and home. They are said to live underground during the day, however if they are caught out in daylight, they will turn to stone which of course lends itself to the idea of garden gnome statues. Now my stands on a rock outside in my garden.
Do you remember the French film Amélie from 2001, which was about an innocent and naive girl from Montmartre in Paris with her own sense of justice? The girl who decided to help those who struggled around her. Among many things she tried to persuade her father to follow his dream of touring the world by stealing his garden gnome, and having a flight attendant friend airmail pictures of it posing with landmarks from all over over the world. Watch the amusing scenes from Amélie here !
Photo: Kristin Bae Mysen
On a stroll in the neighborhood yesterday, I stumbled over this charming, little man who was busy guarding his garden.
