Liberation 75 Together new theme to mark the 75th anniversary
PLANS for Liberation Day will be re-shaped under the banner Liberation 75 Together as Education, Sport & Culture looks to encourage the spirit of #GuernseyTogether.
Despite the cancellation of many major public events due to Covid-19, ESC is continuing to work on alternative ways to mark the 75th anniversary of the Liberation, such as live broadcasts from the Dean, the Bailiff and the Lt-Governor, to ensure the community can still commemorate the island’s defining moment of the 20th century.
Committee president Matt Fallaize said events will not be restricted to 9 May, but will be organised in the lead up to Liberation Day as well.
‘While the way we mark Liberation Day obviously needs to change this year, we can still find ways to commemorate the occasion together as a community,’ he said
‘The committee is planning events which will encourage us all to continue to mark the Liberation and show some of the community spirit which helped pull our island and her people through the long years of Occupation.’
Although Covid-19 has changed the schedule substantially, several traditional events will still be held in one form or another and recorded for broadcast on Liberation Day via the media and online at the States and Liberation Day websites and Facebook pages.
These include a church service led by the Dean, the Very Rev. Tim Barker, wreath-laying, a message from Bailiff Sir Richard Collas and the Lt-Governor, Vice Admiral Sir Ian Corder, reading the Queen’s message.
There will be footage shown from Liberation 1945 as well as vintage photos and a unique chance to hear interviews with Second World War veterans who were due to visit Guernsey for Liberation 2020.
Deputy Fallaize added these plans would be developed further over the next few weeks.
‘They will have to be adapted further if Public Health advice changes,’ he said.
‘Therefore we will wait until closer to the day to publish final details of events, but we wanted the community to know that there will still be opportunities to commemorate the Liberation.
‘The Liberation must continue to be commemorated because of the immense sacrifices made by so many and because of the great impact the Second World War had on our community.’
If restrictions on movement remain in place, a range of initiatives focusing on the Liberation will encourage people to mark the event in their homes and share the occasion online.
A schedule of the day’s broadcasts will be released in due course.
