70 Years of Junior Up-Helly-A’

That the Parliament celebrates the 70th anniversary of Junior Up-Helly-A’ in Lerwick, Shetland; understands that Junior Up-Helly-A’ was established in 1956 as a means of introducing young people to participation in the Lerwick fire festival, Up-Helly-A’, which takes place on the last Tuesday of January each year, and developing their practical skills; further understands that, each year, first and second year students at Anderson High School, Lerwick, vote for a Junior Jarl, who leads the Junior Jarl Squad, which prepares for the festival over the winter and, on the day, visits schools and has other public appointments before leading the torchlit procession; notes that young people in the Junior Up-Helly-A’ squads prepare for the festival with assistance from parents, volunteers and the Up-Helly-A’ committee, and that this involves preparing suits for the squad members to wear on the day as "guizers", making torches for the procession and building a Viking galley for the burning; further notes that the Junior Jarl leads the Junior Torchlit Procession, in which the junior guizers follow their Viking galley to the burning site and then light it on fire; believes that Junior Up-Helly-A’ has instilled an interest in the traditions and celebrations of Up-Helly-A’ in many young people over the years, which has created a foundation for furthering these skills and interests through participation in the main festival as adults; considers that participation in Junior Up-Helly-A’ gives young people the opportunity to develop various skills and that it shows the value of putting in hard work on a project with others to create a rewarding experience; congratulates Frankie Walterson on being elected as the 2026 Junior Jarl, an honour that will see him not only lead the junior procession on Up-Helly-A’ day but also continue to represent the Viking he has chosen to depict throughout the year, including to cruise ship visitors over the summer; believes that Frankie and his Junior Jarl squad will be great ambassadors for Shetland, and wishes all involved in Junior Up-Helly-A’ a fantastic festival.