Galtxagorriak

Did You Know?

• The 2016 animated film Teresa eta Galtzagorri (English title: Elf on the Run) features a young galtzagorri named Tim as a main character.
• In the film, galtxagorriak are creatures that bring about springtime rather than house spirits.
• Teresa eta Galtzagorri received nominations for Best Animated Film at the Goya Awards, the Cinema Writers Circle Awards, and the Platino Awards.

Description and folklore

In Basque folklore, galtxagorriak are small humanoid creatures, sometimes with wings, who always wear red trousers. They can be captured and stored in boxes, pincushions, or similar containers. To gain one as a servant, a person must place a container on a bush on Saint John's Eve; the creature will enter it, and the person becomes its master. These beings work with incredible speed, but they grow angry if they have no chores left or are given a task that is truly impossible. One tale tells of a man who purchased a box of galtxagorriak to handle his housework, but after he ran out of jobs, they became furious and reversed everything they had done. In another story, a man annoyed his galtxagorriak and ordered them to bring him a sieve full of water; once they realized this was impossible, they simply left. However, when treated well, they stay with their human and assist with difficult or even impossible tasks. A farmer from Zarautz, for example, was losing an ox-race and asked his galtxagorriak to help carry the stones his ox had to drag; they did, and he won. These creatures are also seen as helpers of sorcerers and wizards, used to explain extraordinary accomplishments.