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After 18 Years, I'll Finally Lead the Vikings in Up Helly Aa

Lynden Nicolson, after an 18-year wait, leads over 1,000 torch-bearers in Shetland's Up Helly Aa festival, celebrating Norse heritage with a Viking longship burning.

  • On Tuesday, the Lerwick festival culminates with the burning of a replica galley in a torch-lit climax led by Lynden Nicolson, Guizer Jarl, in a procession through the town.
  • Tracing back to the 1870s, Up Helly Aa honors Shetland Islands' Norse heritage and has been held almost every year except during the two World Wars and Covid-19, the festival's official website says.
  • Volunteers assemble the hand-built longship and more than 1,000 torches, while the Jarl Squad of 55 adults and 10 children leads a procession joined by over 40 other squads.
  • After nearly 20 years waiting, Nicolson endured the longest delay in Up Helly Aa's 145-year history due to pandemic cancellations and praised Paula's support.
  • As a highlight of Scotland's calendar, Up Helly Aa is described as Europe's largest fire festival and attracts visitors from around the globe.
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14 Articles

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Hundreds of men dressed in Vikings marched through the streets of Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland, on the occasion of the annual festivities of Up Helly Aa on Tuesday.

·Montreal, Canada
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Evening StandardEvening Standard
+7 Reposted by 7 other sources
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Crowds gather in Shetland for Up Helly Aa fire festival

The festival dates to the 19th century.

·London, United Kingdom
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BBC News broke the news in United Kingdom on Monday, January 26, 2026.
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