Up Helly Aa fire festival returns to Lerwick as women and girls take part for first time

t began with a flare fired overhead into the darkness. Then the torches erupted into flame, casting an intense orange glow over a squad of young Vikings, other boys and, for the first time, torch-carrying girls.

The 108-strong junior parade, children aged 11 to 14, has set the equalities standard with 27 girls joining this year as guizers – the torch-carrying celebrants who parade behind the Viking-clad jarl or chief’s squad which leads the procession. “We are so glad to see girls in junior Up Helly Aa – that was a major breakthrough for equality; and I would be so happy to see women in the seniors,” she said. “It’s a major step forward for women’s equality in Shetland.”The inevitability of the reform became clear last May when Shetland Islands council become led, for the first time, by three women.

“How could you turn down such an offer?” she said. “It is fantastic that Up Helly Aa is happening again this year, and it is great that from this year we can all be in it. I am absolutely pleased to see it changing.” Equalities activists are unsure how soon women will join Lerwick’s Viking-dressed jarl squad. Jarl squads are chosen up to 16 years in advance, which makes their members very protective about their positions, but a spokeswoman for Up Helly Aa for Aa said that may quickly change.

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