UNITED KINGDOM: HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE ANCIENT NORSE FESTIVAL OF UP-HELLY-AA ON SHETLAND

Record ID: 337862

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CELEBRATE THE ANCIENT NORSE FESTIVAL OF UP-HELLY-AA ON SHETLAND
  • Date: 29th January 1998
  • Summary: LERWICK, SHETLAND ISLANDS, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (JANUARY 27, 1998) (RTV - ACCESS ALL) NIGHTSHOTS: 1. VARIOUS OF TORCHLIGHT PARADE (6 SHOTS) 0.38 2. WIDE OF SHIP SURROUNDED BY BLAZING TORCHES 0.43 3. VARIOUS OF SHIP PASSING THROUGH CROWD LINED STREETS (5 SHOTS) 1.27 4. LV/WS HUNDREDS OF TORCHES BEING CARRIED AROUND SHIP (2 SHOTS) 1.54 5. LV HUNDREDS OF TORCHES 1.59 6. WS TORCHES BEING THROWN INTO SHIP (2 SHOTS) 2.23 7. WS CROWD WATCHING BURNING SHIP 2.25 8. SLV/WIDE OF BURNING SHIP (2 SHOTS) 2.41 Initials S3,P3 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 13th February 1998 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LERWICK, SHETLAND, SCOTLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
  • City:
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Reuters ID: LVA1YHH1450IEZZU243WC7C6ABPA
  • Story Text: INTRO: Hundreds of modern-day Vikings have been celebrating an ancient Norse Festival on Shetland - a group of islands north of the Scottish mainland. In a spectacular finale a 30-foot Longship was set alight in the harbour.

    The ancient Norsemen left a strong influence on Shetlanders, and the people of these remote islands - isolated midway between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea - share more with their Scandanavian neighbours than with the rest of Britain.

    Every year, on the last Tuesday in January,the islanders celebrate the ancient Norse Festival of Up-Helly-Aa.

    Originally, it marked the end of the Christian holy period when the Norsemen were free to party with great feasts, plenty of drink and huge bonfires.

    To herald the start of the festivities, an elaborately decorated Proclamation - known as "The Bill" - containing gossip and local humour that has been the talk of the town over the past 12 months, is posted in the market square .

    A Longship - also known as a Galley - is then escorted through the streets by about 40 "guizers" - men wearing traditional Viking costumes. The 30-foot-long boat is then left on display in the harbour throughout the day.

    In the evening up to 900 guizers in squads of 10 to 30members gather at the Town Hall. Most carry torches which are set alight for a colourful and noisy procession through Lerwick, while the local brass band provides the music.

    At the harbour a bugle call sounds before the guizers throw their torches onto the doomed Longship. To the proud rendering of a traditional song, "The Norseman's Home", an inferno engulfs the ship until only ashes remain.

    For many, this signals the start of a party that will go on all night. Alcohol flows freely and there is music to accompany the dancing.

    Despite sore heads in the morning, work begins almost immediately on building next year's Longship and new costumes.


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