Final Up-Helly-A’ of the year is now underway
The final Up-Helly-A’ of 2019 got underway on Friday morning, with Delting Guizer Jarl Ian Jamieson enjoying the big day.
Morning visits have been made to primary schools at Lunnasting, Brae and Mossbank ahead of lunch at the Mossbank Hall.
Afternoon visits to the North Haven Care Centre and Mid Brae Inn are also on the cards.
Tonight the Jarl’s Squad is scheduled to muster at the Northern Lights function room ahead of a march to the Brae Hall.
From there the squads are expected to light up and proceed to the Delting Boating Club for the burning.
Then it’s a full night of entertainment spent going round the halls.
David Spence
I rather equate Up Helly Aa, as a play or film production. There are so many people involved in the production in terms of costume design and making, lighting, filming, sound recording and after, editing, effects (if any) and more sound production/editing.
One could argue that the people involved in the production are mentioned in the credits after the ending of the production/broadcast/dvd etc etc. This is also demonstrated by the costumes worn on the night, and the appreciation given through the parade as well as in the halls the great work which has been done (mostly by women) for the squads.
Up Helly Aa is very much like a movie production, as mentioned, where many people take part but most are not on the front stage doing the acting.
One could argue how big should the Lerwick Up Helly Aa be?
However, to contradict this, many Up Helly Aa’s outwith Lerwick do include women in them. This may seem rather odd to tourists watching them and asking ‘ Why is the Up Helly Aa in Lerwick not involving women in it? ‘.
It maybe time for change, but lets hope this change is not the beginning of the end of……..