Hidden giant in the making: New troll project begins near Aalborg

Something big is taking shape in the forest between Hals and Hou.

Very big, in fact.

Work has begun on a new troll by Thomas Dambo, and over the coming weeks, piles of recycled wood will be transformed into a several-metre-tall creature in the middle of the North Jutland countryside.

And while the world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo is behind the troll, the new giant will have a distinctly local touch.

Around 30 to 40 volunteers from Hals and Hou are involved in the project in one way or another. Some are helping with the construction, while others are sourcing materials, preparing food or making sure the workers have plenty of coffee and cake.

“The teams from Hou and Hals are acting as midwives for the troll. It is a really exciting and fantastic collaboration between the two groups,” says Tanja Sloth, chair of Hou Samråd.

Together with the volunteers, Thomas Dambo and a small team of professional troll builders are responsible for bringing the giant to life.

Built from local materials

It is not only the volunteer “midwives” who come from the local area.

Many of the materials have also already had a previous life in Hals and Hou before now being given an entirely new purpose as part of the several-metre-tall creature.

In the run-up to construction, the volunteers have been searching for recycled wood and other materials that could be given a second life as part of the troll.

Among other things, wood has been collected from an old grandstand used by Skansespillet in Hals, while a local bicycle mechanic in Hou has supplied old spare parts for the project.

“It helps bring the troll to life that the materials come from here. You can really feel it when you are out there,” says Tanja Sloth, who is highly enthusiastic about the project.

Interest reaches far beyond North Jutland

The troll is not yet finished, but word of the new giant has already travelled far beyond Hals and Hou.

On the newly created Facebook page “Hou Hals Trold”, curious followers are keeping up with the project from both the local area and much further afield.

According to Tanja Sloth, the page already has followers from Norway, Germany and even Canada.

“That says something about how big this project is – and how exciting it will be for the area,” she says.

Much remains a secret

Although MigogAalborg has been allowed to reveal that construction is now under way, most of the details are still being kept under wraps.

The troll’s name, appearance and exact location have not yet been made public.

“We can’t say anything. People will have to go out and find it for themselves,” says Tanja Sloth.

She does promise, however, that both the troll’s name and the story behind it will be revealed once it is completed in the near future.

Until then, curious North Jutlanders will have to be patient – and perhaps start wondering where in the forests between Hals and Hou a several-metre-tall troll could possibly be hiding.

Six years since the last one

It has been six years since Thomas Dambo last left his distinctive mark on Aalborg.

Back then, he created the troll Pil Tusindtunge, which was hidden on Egholm and has since attracted both locals and tourists eager to go troll hunting.

This time, it is the area between Hals and Hou that will be home to one of his creations.

The project has been developed through a collaboration between Hals Samråd, Hou Samråd and Sammenslutningen af Fritidsgrundejere i Hals – Hou.

The hope is that the new troll will become more than just a work of art hidden in the forest. The aim is for it to become a new destination that encourages both North Jutlanders and tourists to explore the nature around Hals and Hou.