Hugo’s shipwreck fascination discussed at annual conference
THE life and work of Victor Hugo during his time in Guernsey was celebrated over the weekend with an international festival.
About 40 people were involved in a packed schedule of tours, exhibitions and presentations themed around Hugo and the ocean, organised by the Victor Hugo in Guernsey Society. Many had travelled from France, some from further afield.
The society was created in 2015 to mark the 150th anniversary of Hugo’s book Les Travailleurs de la Mer. Its first festival took place the following year, with speakers from Paris and Bristol and a concert pianist from Canada.
‘When we first started, we thought we’d attract a lot of French people, but it hasn’t worked out that way at all because we are an English-speaking society for Victor Hugo, his work and his life,’ said its vice-chairman, Roy Bisson. ‘All of our lectures are in English or have been translated into English.’
Professor Florence Naugrette, from Sorbonne University, was one of the guest speakers. She hosted a presentation about shipwrecks and drowning in Victor Hugo’s work.
She said that it was the fifth or sixth time she had been invited to the conference.
‘I love Guernsey, the people are so nice and so welcoming,’ she said.
‘I am going to be speaking about shipwrecks and drowning in Hugo’s work, because his daughter drowned in the Seine and that had a huge impact his writing.
‘His work often has a dramatic issue such as men struggling against shipwrecks, which shows great virtue and a sense of risk and sacrifice, or fishermen who risked their lives to feed the population.’
The festival ended yesterday with tours of Hauteville House, with commentary in both French and English.
