Scotland's annual fire festival celebrates the Vikings
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' prepare for the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO :AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings pose beside their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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A participant dressed as a Viking polishes his shield as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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A participant dressed as a Viking looks on as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Jarl squad vikings eat their breakfast in the Islesburgh Community Centre, on the morning of the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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A young participant dressed as a Viking looks on as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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A young boy joins Jarl Squad vikings gathering in the Islesburgh Community Centre, on the morning of the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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A police officer and a Jarl Squad viking member swap headgear in the Islesburgh Community Centre, on the morning of the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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A Jarl Squad viking looks up at his lit torch during the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' prepare for the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' prepare for the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
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Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' prepare for the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO :AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings pose beside their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
A participant dressed as a Viking polishes his shield as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
A participant dressed as a Viking looks on as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Jarl squad vikings eat their breakfast in the Islesburgh Community Centre, on the morning of the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick, in the Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
A young participant dressed as a Viking looks on as he prepares to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
A young boy joins Jarl Squad vikings gathering in the Islesburgh Community Centre, on the morning of the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
A police officer and a Jarl Squad viking member swap headgear in the Islesburgh Community Centre, on the morning of the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick in the Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
A Jarl Squad viking looks up at his lit torch during the Up Helly Aa fire festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, Scotland Jan 29, 2013. The Up Helly Aa festival, introduced by men returning from the Napoleonic Wars of the early 19th century, takes place annually on the last Tuesday of January. -- PHOTO : REUTERS
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' prepare for the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' prepare for the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it alight later in the evening. -- PHOTO : AFP
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
Members of the 2013 'Jarl Squad' take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival which culminates in the burning of a Viking Galley in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan 29, 2013. Up Helly Aa celebrates the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings in the Shetland Islands and has employed this theme in the festival since 1870. The event culminates with up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume) throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat. -- PHOTO : AFP
Hundreds of members of this year's "Jarl Squad" took part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Scotland's Shetland Islands, celebrating the influence of the Scandinavian Vikings.
Dating back to 1870, the festival usually culminates in a procession of up to 1,000 'guizers' (men in costume), who throw flaming torches into a Viking galley.
