A weekend of events being held to celebrate Victor Hugo
THE Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society hopes to gain a global audience when it celebrates the legacy of the French author this weekend.
A variety of speakers will be at St James on Saturday followed by evening entertainment at the Duke of Richmond Hotel.
The talks will be live streamed on the society’s YouTube channel throughout the day.
Co-founder Roy Bisson said it was important to remember Hugo’s 15 years spent in the island.
‘He created some of his most influential written works here and expanded society’s views on individual rights, women’s rights and democracy, for example,’ he said.
‘Those ideals are part of his global image, and we want to show that Guernsey was instrumental in the development of that legacy.’
The event has 50 delegates so far attending, as well as seven speakers, academics who are leading experts in the life of the author, some of whom have dedicated their careers to studying him.
‘A third of the delegates are American, which shows the huge amount of international interest in Hugo.
‘This is the first time since 2020 that we have run this event, and the first time since the pandemic when it will be in-person and not on Zoom.’
Dinah Bott, chairwoman of the society, will be introducing the events.
The celebration will also consist of guided tours and an exhibition on Friday of Hugo’s caricature drawings.
The Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society educates and celebrates his life while he was living in the island in exile from France.
Some of Hugo’s most well-known works were written in Hauteville House and dedicated to the people of Guernsey, including Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea.
It is a ticketed event, with a £35 charge for non-members, and is sponsored by the Guernsey Arts.
The society is also exploring the development of a Victor Hugo Centre in Guernsey.
‘We are in the very early stages of planning at the moment, and evaluating if it could be supported in the island,’ said Mr Bisson.
It would exist as an education centre for the study of Victor Hugo in English, and for schools to explore Hugo’s legacy in literature, art, and human rights.
The centre would also function as a flexible exhibition space and hub for art, poetry readings, and dance.
‘The society is dedicated to making Victor Hugo’s presence in Guernsey known to the world – everyone needs to know what he did here,’ Mr Bisson added.
People can view the live stream at https://youtu.be/WEEwJ2QZx6M
