SMUHA postponed for the third time

THE SOUTH Mainland Up Helly Aa (SMUHA) has again been postponed due to ongoing Covid-19 uncertainty.

Because SMUHA was called off at short notice when the pandemic began in March 2020 it is one of few fire festivals that had been in a position of hoping to go ahead this year.

But on Thursday the committee and Guizer Jarl Jamie Laurenson announced “with regret” that SMUHA, which was to have taken part on the second Friday in March, would be called off until 2023.

“The wellbeing and enjoyment of the festival for all those participating, supporting and attending the event is our top priority,” the committee said in a post on SMUHA’s Facebook page, “and this cannot be guaranteed with the ongoing concerns and uncertainty regarding coronavirus restrictions.”