Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Shetland Islands
The Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 “guizers” (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening.
- Participants dressed as Vikings burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings in prepare to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings march down a street in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings wait to start the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings march down a street in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings carry torches as they march in processing beofre burning their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings wait to start the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings march down a street in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings pose by a long boat in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Members of the Jarl Squad dressed in Viking costumes carry flaming torches during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles, Scotland, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
- Members of the Jarl Squad set fire to their Viking longship during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles, Scotland, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
- Members of the Jarl Squad dressed in Viking costumes carry flaming torches alongside their galley before torching it, during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles, Scotland, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
- Members of the Jarl Squad dressed in Viking costumes carry flaming torches, during the Up Helly Aa Viking festival in Lerwick on the Shetland Isles, Scotland, Tuesday Jan. 31, 2017. (Jane Barlow/PA via AP)
- Participants dressed as Vikings in prepare to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings light their torches before marching in procession to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings carry torches as they march in processing beofre burning their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings carry torches as they march in processing beofre burning their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings carry torches as they march in processing beofre burning their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings light their torches before marching in procession to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings carry torches as they march in processing beofre burning their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings carry torches as they march in procession before burning their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings in prepare to burn their viking galley ship at the culmination of the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings pose by a long boat in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings march down a street in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings wait to start the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings march down a street in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)
- Participants dressed as Vikings wait to start the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, on January 31, 2017. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 ‘guizers’ (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. (Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty Images)