Viking activities for schools and communities
The team behind last year’s educational Viking Experience project are returning to Shetland next week, this time with Viking Timeslip and Wordsmith Crafts.
The new initiative, which will be taken to schools and communities, involves four historical interpreters, each displaying a different role in Viking society.
Ulfric is a warrior, Asa is his wife who keeps the home fires burning, Cathbad is a craftsman and Walfgar is a freeman, previously a slave.
Asa said the team was thrilled to be coming back to Shetland. “Some of my favourite memories from our projects come from last year’s Shetland Experience. The students were a joy to work with and have fantastic knowledge and enthusiasm for the Viking Age. We love working within communities that have a passion for their cultural heritage. We are all really excited to be meeting and working with the wider community in this year’s project.”
Viking TimeSlip and Wordsmith Crafts will be in Mossbank Hall on Monday, Burravoe Hall on Wednesday, Sound Hall on Thursday, Skerries Hall on Friday and Bressay Hall on Tuesday 10th March. Evening events start at 6pm and finish around 8.30pm. The events are free and everyone is welcome.
Bringing the past to life, the evening entertainments will consist of interactive talks with demonstrations, replica artefacts and the opportunity to try out Viking crafts and games. Later in the evening folk can participate in typical long house entertainments such as Viking Glima, hear sagas and watch a display of sword combat.
SIC cultural spokesman Rick Nickerson said: “Viking heritage is a strong and celebrated part of Shetland’s history, including amazing archaeological sites like Jarlshof and Scatness, as well as Viking Unst. Bringing Viking history to life encourages everyone to be enthusiastic about our heritage. I welcome this project, and how it provides an opportunity to link the past with the present, so it can be enjoyed by everyone.”
