Page 13 - Up Helly Aa News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Jarl squad members are nominated 15 years in advance, so they will mostly remain male for a while yet. but the changes will have an immediate impact in thejunior up helly aa, which takes place right before the adult one. i'm on my way to meet one young torchbearer. hello! hi, there. i'm christa. you must be joni. so can you walk along the route with joni, as well? that's great. joni is one of around 30 girls who will be taking part for the first time. what are you looking forward to most? probably throwing the torch into the galley. the torch might get a bit heavy to carry, so we've made these...

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...

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 pride and delight lots of people involved in making these suits and making this event happen, from the hostesses and the halls, you know, they do those things very, very well, and they love it as it is. but i also, i'm a woman, and i have a daughter, who is three, and i would love to see her participate on her own terms. women and girls have been taking part in other viking festivals around shetland for a few years, but the changes to...

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 one in lerwick is the biggest. up helly aa is best known for its night—time procession. almost 1000 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 yahl squad, a group of around 60 locals kitted out in an elaborate viking garb. i mean, this is serious stuff.— viking garb. i mean, this is serious stuff.- who i viking garb. i mean, this is - seriou...

Is something that most shetlanders are incredibly proud of. a lot of the place names in shetland are of scandinavian origin, and you will hear my accent is this kind of strange amalgam of scots and old norse. those are the roots of language. in scots and old norse. those are the roots of language.- the roots of language. in the crowd, tourists _ the roots of language. in the crowd, tourists from - the roots of language. in the crowd, tourists from across i the roots of language. in the i crowd, tourists from across the world. 11 crowd, tourists from across the world. " ., world. 11 the little ...