Why we celebrate Up Helly Aa

Hello Readers, I hope you learnt something last blog. Last blog I talked about how Up Helly Aa is what it is now! Today I’m talking about why we celebrate the fiery festival. Also, are you ready for some brave Jharls?

• Billy Goudie as Harald Maddadsson. 2000
• Peter Frazer as Earl Siguard O’Gord. 2005
• Rae Simpson as Siguard Snake Eye Ragnarsson. 2010
• Neil Robertson as Olav Haraldsson. 2015

The ingredients to the wonderful UHA go back 12 centuries and more. The fascinating torch lit procession to galley burning echo pagan Norse rituals at the cremation of great chieftains, and religious ceremonies to mark the suns return after the winter solstice.

Hope you learnt something about this blazing festival. See you next time Bye.

Lowra Tulloch