The fire festival in Scotland Bashny.Net

Every year thousands of Scots are going to the fire festival Helly AA in Lerwick on the Scottish Shetland Islands to pay tribute to the legacy of the Vikings. Quite a long celebration consists of costumed parties and culminates in the parade of light of torches and ignited the launch of the Vikings. Here you can find many plaid skirts, to hear brass band music, and even try a new beer brewed specially for the festival.





No less than 5,000 spectators come to watch the massive procession with the transfer of the torch "Vikings". In silver armor and helmets, with heavy axes and shields, proudly passing around the city the participants of the festival Helly AA. In the climax all throw their flaming torches into the galley. The people singing the theme song, and the party continues after the last light fades.









From the Shetland Islands in Scotland a very rich heritage of the Vikings. During the period of the Regency and the years after the Napoleonic wars, Lerwick was the home of many returning soldiers and sailors, most of which were looking for fun and entertainment. It became a bustling place, especially during the week after Christmas, and by 1840 the first celebration began involved the ignition of a huge number of things. Initially, the ceremony revolved around a single custom called "pouring resin" — a hastily cobbled together boxes with pitch and set alight. When it became too dangerous, the annual ceremony was changed to an elaborate costumed procession marches and competitions.









The first official celebration of the festival of lights Up-Helly-Aa began in 1880, and has continued every year since then.

 








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