Information Bulletin
Johnsmas Foy 2008
With summer approaching, preparations are now in hand for this year’s Johnsmas Foy, an annual celebration of Shetland’s culture, heritage and natural history, which runs from Thursday 19 June to Sunday 29 June. This year, the midsummer festival takes its inspiration from Shetland’s historical connection with the Hanseatic League, which endured for around three centuries from about 1400 until 1707. During that period, traders from around the North Sea visited Shetland, exchanging their wares for fish. Shetland had strong links with principal Hanseatic ports such as Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck and Bergen. Reminders of their presence are visible today, for example the restored Hanseatic Böd at Symbister in Whalsay.
The Johnsmas Foy will feature events over eleven days, from Unst to Fair Isle. Music will range from traditional to classical and jazz, with a distinctly German flavour. There will be poetry from Bremen-based Sujata Bhatt and Michael Augustin and a range of talks and special events marking the Hanseatic connection. Other highlights are likely to include:
- The Shetland Races, featuring yachts sailing from Bergen to Lerwick
- The Flavour of Shetland event on Lerwick’s Victoria Pier
- Lerwick’s annual Summer Carnival
- Football between Shetland and the Highland League’s Deveronvale
- Guided walks to some of Shetland’s most spectacular wildlife sites
One of the organisers, Alastair Hamilton, said:
“We hope to be able to confirm more details very soon. However, it’s already clear that there will be something for everyone and there are some real treats in store.”
Organisers are already thinking about the 2009 Foy, which will have a Viking theme.
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