This week as part of the HerInDep: Heritage in Depopulating European Areas project, Andrew Jennings, from UHI Shetland and Andrew Lind from UHI Orkney welcomed the researchers from Prague and Lithuania to a workshop in Lerwick, Shetland, to the extraordinary cultural event - UpHellyAa. This is always held on the last Tuesday of January.
Everyone enjoyed the full UpHellyAa experience. including taking part in the dancing and meeting the locals at the Sound Hall, where they were looked after by Robina Barton, hostess. In her role in the Shetland Heritage Association, she is also part of the HerInDep project. Our Czech and Lithuanian colleagues were amazed by UpHellyAa, and in the reflection session on Wednesday afternoon at the college, they commented that it was epic, was not what they had been expecting, and that it was sui generis, unlike anything they had ever experienced. They were extremely impressed that is was such an inclusive celebration organically led by the community, and that it was a prime example of an innovative tradition and living heritage.
