Representatives from more than 30 local organisations attended a workshop at Guernsey Museum at Candie to hear about what had already been planned, and to contribute ideas of their own.
The year-long cultural programme entitled ‘Millennium – 2027 European Year of the Normans’, organised by the Normandy Regional Council, will celebrate the impact of the Normans across Europe, and explore their influence on identity, innovation and cultural exchange through a range of exhibitions, art, music, festivals, trails, student exchanges and educational and sporting activities.
The Channel Islands will join Normandy, the UK, Ireland, Flanders, southern Italy, Norway and Denmark in taking part in the celebrations.
Helen Glencross, head of Heritage Services, said the workshop was a chance for organisations to find out more about the initiative, and think about how they might like to get involved.
‘It’s an opportunity for Guernsey to be part of something that is Europe-wide, and so far the response has been phenomenal, so many groups are interested,’ she said.
So far it has been planned that Guernsey Museum would host a Norman-themed exhibition detailing the island’s connection with the Norman people, while the Guernsey Literary Festival and Eisteddfod would also incorporate the theme into their respective events.
Informative historical timelines, art displays, and Norman-themed trails around the island are also on the cards.
‘It will be a year-long celebration and we want to make it as community-focused as possible,’ Mrs Glencross said.
‘We’ve got an open door when it comes to more ideas, and we’re absolutely keen to keep the momentum going right through to 2027 when it all begins.’
It is understood that detailed proposals would be required to be submitted to the programme’s organisers by the second quarter of next year.
Among the groups attending the workshop was Guernsey Arts, and head of arts development Russ Fossey praised the initiative.
‘It will be an amazing opportunity to reach out to Normandy and other places, to build on those links, and it will hopefully mean stronger relationships for us across Europe in the long term,’ he said.
Colin Dodd, of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Trust, said his organisation was particularly keen to get involved due to the historical First World War link between the RGLI and France.
‘The RGLI was the only English army regiment that spoke Norman French,’ he said.
‘The Normans have had a huge impact on Guernsey, and we obviously still have that cultural link with the town of Masnieres through our visits and student exchanges.’
‘I think what’s planned is great.
'Something that stretches across Europe will be good for Guernsey to get involved with.’
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