committee in the squad. what kind of money? the viking heritage of shetland 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 norn. those are the roots of our language. in the crowd, there are tourists from across the world. i m from a little town in vernon, 0regon, in the middle of nowhere, so here i am, in the middle of nowhere here! the norwegians are here! i love your costume! but fundamentally, this is a local tradition. there are rules for who can take part, which is why 2023 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.
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 elaborate viking garb. i mean, this is serious stuff. yeah. who makes these? almost all of it was done in shetland. there was a design
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 torch bearer. hello! hi, there. i m christa. come in, come in. you must be joni. so can you walk along the route withjoni, as well? yes, yes. 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, like, lifts some of the weight off you. brilliant! what was it like for you to get the news that women and girls could be included for the first time? was that quite an exciting thing to find out? yeah, so i think it sjust nice
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. yeah. who makes these? almost all of it was done in shetland. there was a design committee. what kind of money are we talking for an individual kit? the viking heritage of shetland 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 norn.
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!