Viking ship afloat on a sea of flames: Hundreds of Vikings ....

Viking ship afloat on a sea of flames: Hundreds of Vikings march through Shetland town bearing lit torches in annual celebration of their Norse heritage at Up Helly Aa fire festival

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2547871/Viking-ship-afloat-sea-flames-Hundreds-Vikings-march-Shetland-town-bearing-lit-torches-annual-celebration-Norse-heritage-Up-Helly-Aa-fire-festival.html#ixzz2rnPxOB9g
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

By LIZZIE PARRY

Each year its hardy residents are forced to endure the darkest of winters in the entire British Isles.

But last night Shetland was lit up in a blaze of glory for the spectacular Up Helly Aa fire festival celebrating the islands’ Norse heritage.

This stunning image shows the replica Viking galley, surrounded by torches, in its final moments before being set alight as the dramatic climax to the annual event that went ahead in Lerwick, despite storm force winds.

+9

Shetland was illuminated in a blaze of glory as hundreds celebrated the annual Up Helly Aa fire festival

+9

Every year locals celebrate the Scottish island's Norse heritage, dressing up in Viking costumes

+9

+9

Up to 1,000 people from around the world gather each year to enjoy the spectacle which features the a band of latter-day Viking warriors, known as the Jarl Squad 

+9

The largest fire festival in Europe takes place on the last Tuesday of January each year

+9

The festival involves a series of marches through Lerwick, culminating in torch-lit procession and the burning of a replica Viking galley. That is followed by dancing and performances in venues across the town

Up Helly Aa features a band of latter-day Viking warriors, known as the Jarl Squad, and draws visitors from around the world.

And for those who could not be there, the  Promote Shetland local tourist authority streamed the ceremony live online to  thousands of viewers across the globe.

The annual fire festival - the largest in Europe - takes place on the last Tuesday in January.

 

More...

• Drowning in misery: Homes flooded for a month, vast tracts of farmland wrecked, lives put on hold... all because of staggering incompetence
• Is this the cutest tiger ever? Cheeky cub proves a photographer's dream as it poses for the camera
• Newly surfaced Challenger launch home video shows the tragic disaster as it appeared for millions of Florida residents exactly 28 years ago

Locals dress as Vikings to celebrate their Norse heritage and march through the streets of the Shetland town.

The evening culminates in a torch-lit procession and the burning of replica Viking galley ship, before parties and performances erupt across the town.

The tradition originates from the 1880s and has been cancelled just several times in its history - to mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, as well as during the First and Second World WarsThe tradition originates from the 1880s and has been cancelled just several times in its history - to mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, as well as during the First and Second World Wars.

The Guizer Jarl is the leader of the Jarl Squad, who dress as the Vikings on the day. The first up Helly Aa leader was elected in 1882 and was given the title of Worthy Chief Guizer. His role was so significant that in 1906 it was decided that a special Viking coat of arms would be purchased and that the chief from then onwards would be known as the Guizer Jarl.

A recent survey found that Shetlanders are among the happiest people in the whole of  the UK. According to the Office for National  Statistics, the islanders of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles have the highest levels of life satisfaction, self-worth and happiness.

+9

The following Wednesday is a designated holiday in Lerwick to allow locals to recover from the excesses of the festival

+9

The tradition originates from the 1880s and has been cancelled just several times in its history - to mark the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, as well as during the First and Second World Wars

+9

The Guizer Jarl is the leader of the Jarl Squad, who dress as the Vikings on the day. The first up Helly Aa leader was elected in 1882 and was given the title of Worthy Chief Guizer. His role was so significant that in 1906 it was decided that a special Viking coat of arms would be purchased and that the chief from then onwards would be known as the Guizer Jarl

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2547871/Viking-ship-afloat-sea-flames-Hundreds-Vikings-march-Shetland-town-bearing-lit-torches-annual-celebration-Norse-heritage-Up-Helly-Aa-fire-festival.html#ixzz2rnQGoLaG
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook