Page 9 - Thejunior Procession News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Sitting halfway between the scottish mainland and norway, the shetland islands have a unique combination of cultures, and today, the sleepy town of lerwick is facing an invasion from a long—dormant foe — the vikings. cheering. so this is up helly aa. it is one of a number of viking festivals that take place in shetland every year, and this one, in lerwick, is the biggest. up helly aa is best known for its night—time procession. almost 1,000 people carry flaming torches through the streets, then set fire to a replica viking ship. the day begins with a march through the town, led by the ja...

Is a big yearfor up helly aa, because it's the first time in the history of this beardy, testosterone—fuelled festival that women canjoin in. i think it's probably fair to say that the reaction to the announcement was broadly positive, although probably some people still cherish the format of the festival as it was. traditionally, women are the hostesses of the ornate parties that followed the procession. claire has some sympathy for those who want to keep it all as it was. my husband has been in nine jarl squads now. he is a joiner, he is a craftsman. i think it is a shame to forget what pr...

Well, do stay with us, because still to come on the travel show, after 35 years and 14,000 performances, we bid a fond farewell to broadway's phantom of the opera. here in shetland, the fires may have died down, but the night is reallyjust getting started. jarl squads and spectators will come to public spaces, like this school, where they will refuel with some food, and let's face it, probably a drink or two, before heading on through for a bit more good old —fashioned viking revelry. around a dozen of these parties take place all around lerwick. we've got some vikings on the wall, in case y...

And sure enough, we see lots of girls taking part, including joni. not long after thejunior procession, it's the grown—ups�* turn. scottish reel music. the atmosphere is brilliant. you've got this singing, lots of shouting. cheering. they've turned off the street lights, so you've just got this torchlight around, but you do have to be a bit cautious, because if a gust of wind comes by, the embers fly from the torches and land on your clothes, so you have to be vigilant, or you will go home with a few holes! as the adult procession passes by, we don't see many women taking part, but any con...

Included for the first time? yeah, so i think it'sjust nice, everybody getting the opportunity, especially the young ones, likejoni and her friends. yeah, i'm really happy, it's really good that they're letting girls take part. which is brilliant, and can you imagine yourself taking part in the future, and becoming a member of the jarl squad? yeah. would you like to wear the armour? mm. as the day draws to an end in lerwick, the festivities start to heat up. i'm standing here with a lot of proud parents, as the members of thejunior procession light up their torches and get ready to set off acr...