What is up helly aa

On the stroke of , a rocket fired into the sky is the signal for them to light up their torches. When the Galley reaches the burning site, the torchbearers form a circle round it and sing the traditional Up Helly Aa song. Another rocket is fired and the Guizer Jarl leaves the ship. A bugle call sounds, and the torches are hurled into the galley! The burning galley and the flames in the January winds are quite as sight to see! What is Up Helly Aa? The festival takes place in Shetland, off the north east coast of Scotland.

Getty Images. The Junior Guizer Jarl and his squad march along their route cheered on by the adult Guizer squad. They also build their own Viking boat with the help of their teachers and parents. What happens on the day? The Jarl squad parade with burning torches. The participants set fire to their longboat during the event as a way to mark the heritage of the Scandinavian Vikings in Scotland.

More like this. Viking traffic lights: These unusual traffic lights will stop you in your tracks 28 Aug 28 August Viking sword found buried in rocks 30 Oct 30 October Your Comments Join the conversation. To use comments you will need to have JavaScript enabled. Top Stories. In early September the Guizers of the remaining 46 squads begin their squad meetings and preparations. This involves determining the character s that they wish to portray with their suits, making the suits while also creating and practising their act to perform in the halls they visit through out the evening.

At the end of September the Galley shed is transformed back into to a working shed where the Galley and the torches are constructed during the winter. During this same period the Committee progress preparations including the Collecting Sheet and Bill.