Johnsmas Foy To Be A Celebration Of Sail
May 17th 2006Last year, Shetland played host to the first Johnsmas Foy – a festival of the sea held at midsummer – and its success spurred the organisers to establish the foy as a major annual event in the islands. This year’s Johnsmas Foy will be held from 16 to 26 June and the theme – “a celebration of sail” – has been specially chosen as the festival coincides with two major nautical events – the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race, celebrating its 40th anniversary, and the Bergen-Shetland Races as it celebrates its 20th race.
Many of the events selected to be included in the Johnsmas Foy centre around the celebration of sail theme, while others promote food and drink, music and dance, outdoor adventures, visual arts, crafts and drama, and other maritime events, providing a comprehensive programme of activities for everyone to enjoy.
The first of the yachts participating in the Shetland Round Britain and Ireland Race will arrive in Lerwick from 21 June, staying in port for 48 hours and allowing competitors to rest and enjoy Shetland’s legendary hospitality. To welcome these sailors – and also those competing in the annual Bergen-Shetland Races – Shetland’s major showcase event, Flavour of Shetland, has been scheduled to coincide with these visits, and will be held on Lerwick’s Victoria Pier from 22 to 25 June.
Other highlights include a visit from Britain’s only touring theatre ship, a special concert in Fetlar, the third annual Blues Festival, sailing trips around Baltasound Harbour in Unst in a traditional “sixareen” boat, as well as a variety of guided walks throughout the islands.
Commenting on this year’s foy, chairman of the organising committee Eddie Knight said: “Centuries ago ‘Johnsmas’ marked the annual arrival of the Dutch herring fishing fleet to Shetland – always at midsummer – and it also has strong links with the Haaf fishing, both of which are central to our heritage.
“Based on the success of last year’s event and to acknowledge our rich maritime history we were keen to host this as a major festival again this year. We want to encompass as many community-based events throughout Shetland as possible, as this spreads the economic benefit and means that everyone can join in the celebrations.
“Around 400 sailors will be joined by visitors and locals, creating a real buzz around Shetland. With plenty to see and do during the 11 day event, we hope it will be even bigger and better than last year.”
