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Check out this fiery Viking festival in Shetland

viking longboat on fireImage source, EPA

It was an un-fire-gettable night in Lerwick this week as their world-famous fire festival filled the streets with flames and smoke.

It's called Up Helly Aa, and usually takes place on the last Tuesday of January every year.

The festival celebrates the island of Shetland's Viking heritage.

It sees hundreds of people parading down the street in costume, carrying flaming torches, and ends with a big Viking longboat being set ablaze.

First thing's first though - don't try any of this at home!

junior jarl squad at up Helly Aa festivalImage source, EPA
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The procession is split into more than 40 groups called 'squads', and it's the juniors who go up first.

people parading down street in shetland with flags and burning torchesImage source, PA Media
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Thousands of people travel from all over the world to watch the processions in Lerwick on the Scottish island of Shetland.

jarl sued with flaming torches at up Helly Aa fire festivalImage source, EPA
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The main group is the Jarl Squad, led by a chief called the Guizer Jarl. The 61 people in the group become Vikings for the day, wearing custom made suits and shields, and wielding axes.

viking longboat on fireImage source, EPA
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They spend all year building a replica Viking longboat galled a Galley, and at the end of the night they set it on fire.

head of Viking longboat on fireImage source, PA Media
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This year, the ship was named Byssen.

viking longboat on fire as lots of people watch onImage source, PA Media
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The Viking age was from about AD700 to 1100. Many Vikings left their homes in Scandinavia and travelled by longboat to other countries like Scotland. The name 'Viking' comes from a language called 'Old Norse'. It means 'a pirate raid'.

people in viking costume on a swing set Image source, EPA
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It's a long day and night - even Vikings need to have a rest!