Every year Scotland’s Viking history and culture comes alive in this beautiful and badass celebration of fire and Lerwick tradition. Here are some awesome pictures of the 2016 edition to prove just that.
There are thousands of existing cultural festivals that are a depiction of the old world and new, and the Up Helly Aa fire festival is no different. For the Scots, burning barrels of tar mark the end of the season of Yule, known to most people as Christmas season. Although the Lerwick tradition of ‘tar barrelling’ was banned back in 1884, the tradition of burning torches and holding processions, is pretty much what Up Helly Aa is all about. The festival that originated in Shetland, Scotland, takes place around mid-January with thousands of men and young boys taking active part . This group of men, dressed like Viking warriors are called The Jarl Squad. The procession ends with torches being thrown into a replica of a Viking longship or galley. Once the march is completed and the Galley is set on fire, the Jarl Squads and their Guizer head to local spots like schools, hotels and halls to host and be part of private parties or ‘after-parties’ if you will. To make things more interesting, each squad indulges in activities like theatre, singing or dancing to entertain everyone else.
1. Braving the terrible cold, these modern day Vikings look happy enough to celebrate their ancestry!
2. A happy guizer participant dressed as a Scandinavian Viking for Helly Aa.
(Image : ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)
3. Swords, shields and a helmet, the namesake of any Viking Warrior.
(Image : ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)
4. Aboard the Galley!
5. The Jarl Squad’s are heading by their supreme leader, who leads the parade and the chants.
(Image: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)
6. As night falls, comes the ceremony of burning the Galley, a Viking long ship that is set fire by 1000 Guizers and their 1000 torches.
7. A father and son, dressed as traditional nordic warrior clothing have a bit of breakfast before the festivities.
Up Helly Aa festival 2016. Members of the Jarl Squad dressed in Viking costumes have breakfast at Isleburgh Community Centre in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival 2016. Picture date: Tuesday January 26, 2016. Originating in the 1880s, the festival celebrates Shetland’s Norse heritage. Photo credit should read: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire URN:25343270
8. Havin’ a pint or two, before the procession. The people of Shetland encourage young boys to participate in the pagan tradition, as well.
(Image : ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images)
9. The festival that started in the 1800s has evolved over the years, with costumes ideas taken from various aspects of pop-culture.
10. The galley burns, and the night sky lights up while the proud vikings sing and chant!
(Image : Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)
11. Once a year, Shetland witnesses this glorious celebration of lost culture. It’s a sight to behold.
