Victor Hugo Centre has secured £2m. of funding
A QUARTER of the funding required for the Victor Hugo Centre has been secured.
The £7.5m. project has generated £2m. in funding pledges and donations, including a match-funding deal with the States, which committed 50p to every £1 raised privately.
‘This is a significant milestone towards the creation of the Victor Hugo Centre that demonstrates the generosity of islanders and a recognition of the benefits that the centre will provide for Guernsey,’ said Victor Hugo Centre chairman Larry Malcic.
‘The centre will celebrate not only Guernsey’s most famous resident, but the island’s vigorous creative community and talented young people. The theme of the centre is Guernsey as an island of inspiration – the island inspires many forms of creativity today, just as it inspired Victor Hugo in his time.’
The news of the fundraising achievement was celebrated last night, at an event hosted to mark Hugo’s 223rd birthday.
Those behind the project say that this demonstrates the island’s enthusiasm for the educational, civic, economic and tourism benefits that the project can bring to Guernsey. It is hoped the centre will raise Guernsey’s profile on a global scale due to Hugo’s worldwide following.
The Victor Hugo Centre will be sponsoring Baroness Shami Chakrabarti’s talk on human rights at this year’s Literary Festival, and a Victor Hugo trail is set to launch in the spring.
‘2025 will see many anniversaries for Hugo and his time in Guernsey,’ said Mr Malcic.
‘The centre looks forward to hosting events and activities in collaboration with local organisations to show off the best of the island.’
The States has committed to support the centre with up to £2.5m. of public money, which could be a third of the final cost of the project.
The £2m. already pledged includes £666,000 committed from the States.
n For more information, visit www.vhc.gg.
