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 all night 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 s a joiner, he s 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 won t transform it overnight. jarl squad members are nominated 15 years in advance, so they wil
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 won t transform it overnight. 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!
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.
taking part in other viking festivals around shetland for a few years, but the changes to up helly aa won t transform it overnight. 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 withjoni, 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 tins, where you put it in, so it lifts some of
drumming. 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 jarl squad, a group of around 60 locals kitted out in an elaborate viking garb. i mean, this is serious stuff.