Four to five years for first visitors at new Hugo Centre
BUILDING work could start within two years on a new self-sustaining centre that will celebrate the life and work of Victor Hugo .
The plans are starting to take shape, driven by a board of six directors and an advisory team of 25 local volunteers being announced.
Those leading the project are chairman Larry Malcic, treasurer Mark Thompson, company secretary Tony Gallienne, Advocate Gordon Dawes, entrepreneur Isabelle Edward and financier Henry Freeman.
Mr Malcic said that Hugo’s legacy in the island was under-explored, and that the new privately-funded centre would build on what was offered at Hauteville House, where Hugo lived during his 15 year exile in Guernsey between 1855 and 1870.
‘Hauteville House is a total work of art, but that means there is no room for adaptation. You can’t host exhibitions there, and there is a limit on the number of people. A new Victor Hugo centre would change that,’ he said.
The site of the Guernsey Information Centre was chosen as the site for the project last year.
Regarding the centre’s layout, Mr Malcic said there would be three separate sections for visitors to look at.
One part would explore Hugo’s relationship with Guernsey, while another would be a performance and meeting space where performing arts events could be held.
The third part would be an educational study centre, which Mr Malcic hoped would attract students from schools in France and the UK, as well as those from Guernsey, to learn more about
Hugo’s literary, cultural and
humanitarian impact.
Museum designer Casson Mann is developing concept designs for the centre in collaboration with local firm DLM Architects.
Mr Malcic, a retired former architect, previously worked with Casson Mann when creating exhibitions in London and Paris. He said that bringing international and local talent together to work on the project was reflective of the centre’s ultimate goal.
‘Victor Hugo himself is known all around the world, but is very much rooted in Guernsey’s history. Ultimately we want this centre to develop connections globally and spread not just Hugo’s literary work, but also his humanitarian work in promoting human rights and freedom of speech and expression,’ he said.
Mr Malcic said the funding for the project was to be raised privately.
‘The information centre is in an ideal location and well-known to the public’ he said, adding that the group was still refining the total cost of the project and was searching for local financial support.
Mr Malcic added that he hoped building work would start within two years, with the centre opening to the public in four to five years’ time.
‘We would hope to attract 45-50,000 visitors to the centre each year. The centre will be an investment in Guernsey’s future, and will benefit the island for generations to come,’ he said.
