WELCOME

Spring is in the air and each day is a little longer, reminding us that we can look forward once again to midsummer.  It’s a very special time in Shetland, when our northern evenings never turn into night.  It’s the time, too, when our islands hold the Johnsmas Foy, an annual celebration of our culture, heritage and natural history.  Each year’s Foy has a different theme; for 2008, it’s Shetland’s connection with the Hanseatic League, which endured for around three centuries from about 1400 until 1707.  During that period, Shetland had strong trading connections with principal Hanseatic ports such as Hamburg, Bremen, Lubeck and Bergen.

This year’s Foy runs from 19 to 29 June and will feature events in many parts of Shetland; however, there will be special emphasis on the islands of Unst and Whalsay, which have particularly strong Hanseatic connections.  All events are subject to confirmation but the highlights are likely to include:

• Jazz from visiting German and local bands
• The Shetland Races, featuring yachts sailing from Bergen to Lerwick
• Traditional music from Denmark, Norway, Germany and Scotland
• Lerwick’s annual Summer Carnival
• Classical performances by the Chroma Quartet and others
• Poetry from Sujata Bhatt and Michael Augustin
• Talks on the Hanseatic story
• Football between Shetland and the Highland League’s Deveronvale
• Guided walks to some of Shetland’s most spectacular wildlife sites

So what is Johnsmas?
Centuries ago, Johnsmas marked the annual arrival of the Dutch herring fishing fleet in Shetland - always at midsummer - and it also has strong links with the Haaf fishing, both of which are central to our heritage.

 
We invite you to our celebrations.  We’re sure that, whatever your interest, there will be something to enjoy and more than enough reasons to join us this summer.