this is one of a number of viking festivals that take place in shetland every year. this one in lerwick is the biggest. it is best known for its night time procession. up helly aa is best known for its night time procession. people much with torches through the streets then laid a ship on fire. a group of about 60 locals known as the jarl squad lead the parade. this is serious stuff. lead the parade. this is serious stuff. ., .,~ , , serious stuff. who makes these? it was done serious stuff. who makes these? it was done in serious stuff. who makes these? it was done in shetland, - it was done in shetland, designed by the squad. what kind of money designed by the squad. what kind of money are designed by the squad. what kind of money are we - designed by the squad. what kind of money are we talking for an individual hip? between £2000 and for an individual hip? between £2000 and £5,000? - for an individual hip? between £2000 and £5,000? so - for an individual hip? betw
format of the festival as it was. ., ., ., , ., ., was. traditionally women are the hostesses was. traditionally women are the hostesses of was. traditionally women are the hostesses of the - was. traditionally women are | the hostesses of the all-night the hostesses of the all night parties that follow the procession. claire has some sympathy for those who want to keep it all as it was. she my husband has been in nine jarl squad is now. he is a joiner, 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 in the halls. they do those things very well and love it as it is. but also, i am 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 up few years. but the changes to up helly aa won t transform at overnight. ja
the first time in the history of this beardy, testosterone fuelled festival that women can join 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 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 up helly aa
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 jarl squad, a group of around 60 locals, kitted out in an elaborate viking garb.
Christa Larwood visits Shetland s fire festival Up Helly Aa, in Scotland, as it opens itself up to women for the first time. The team also heads to New York s.