Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands

On the last Tuesday of every January, revelers wrap themselves in armor and wield Viking battle-axes to take part in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands. There's drinking, dancing, and merrymaking throughout the day which concludes with a ceremonial Viking longboat fire where 'guizers' (costumed Vikings) hurl flaming torches onto the boat and set it ablaze. The last Wednesday of every January is a national holiday in Lerwick to allow the merrymakers a chance to sleep off the toil from Tuesday. Photo credit: Andy Buchanan / AFP

• http://tinyurl.com/74opovp

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