Viking Festival in the Shetland Islands

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 men in costume throwing flaming torches into their Viking longboat and setting it on fire later in the evening.

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

Participants dressed as Vikings pose beside their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

Participants dressed as Vikings pose on their longboat during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

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.

Participants dressed as Vikings prepare to participate in the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

Participants dressed as Vikings march past during the annual Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick, Shetland Islands on Jan. 29, 2013.

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.

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.