Up Helly Aa – Viking Celebration Descends Upon Shetland – Pictures Available!
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Norse Gods are upon the UK as the “Up Helly Aa” festival takes to Lerwick, Shetland. Annually held in the middle of winter, the festival is reknowned for the burning of a viking ship, known to the festival as ‘The Burning Galley‘. According to WiKipedia, after nightfal the galley is dragged through the streets of the town in a torchlight procession. The torch bearers are the members of all the ’squads’, led by the Jarl Squad. Each squad chooses a theme and dresses accordingly. The themes are very varied, some historical, some topical or satirical.
Pictures from the festival, including the torching of the galley, can be found online at the BBC. Contrary to popular belief, AMON AMARTH was not in attendance.
(+5 rating, 1 votes)
love my people