Policy & Resources external relations lead Steve Falla and Education, Sport & Culture president Paul Montague represented the island.
The event included a theatrical retelling of the legends of the Dukes of Normandy and the Channel Islands, by Jersey poet and storyteller The Story Beast, alongside music from Guernsey folk artist James Dumbelton.
‘Guernsey has strong cultural and historical ties with Normandy, stemming from our place in the Duchy of Normandy at the time of William the Conqueror, and continuing to this day through our political relationship with our partners in the Region of Normandy,’ said Deputy Falla.
‘I was very pleased to promote our participation in this year-long celebration of Norman heritage.
‘Through this event we will also continue to build and strengthen our relationships with wider European partners, which continues to be a priority for us.’
Next year, people from all backgrounds will share Norman heritage and influences.
Initiated by the Normandy Regional Council, with which the Channel Islands have a special relationship through a Memorandum of Understanding first signed in 2015, the year-long event is a European cooperation project which will cement historical ties and create legacies for future cooperation and partnership.
The Channel Islands were part of the Duchy of Normandy when William invaded and became King of England in 1066, and these Norman roots are still visible today through the use of Norman law, and in the customs and identity of the islands.
Visit Guernsey has been closely involved in the development of plans for marking the event in Guernsey, through product development, campaign planning and operator programming throughout 2027. Workshops were held at the end of last year to collect ideas. Its representatives were also in attendance at the reception to further promote the island’s involvement. More than 40 projects across the islands will be organised through never-seen-before exhibitions, conferences, talks and community events.
Deputy Montague said that it was an opportunity to celebrate the island’s deep-rooted connections with Normandy and wider Europe.
‘Work has been progressing at pace over the past few months to coordinate and develop a strong programme of events for Guernsey throughout 2027, which have been put forward by our community to showcase the rich history, language and traditions of our island,’ he said.
‘We will continue to support these plans to enable Guernsey to fully showcase our unique part of the Norman story, and I look forward to announcing the full programme of events later this year.’
Sark ‘metal’ festival in Year of the Normans plan
Bailiwick events being suggested for the Year of the Normans could include some of these ideas:
Alderney Week, August 2027
The 2027 event will be themed around the Year of the Normans. It will include multiple events over the week including live music, a cavalcade and a torchlight procession.
Ile d’Argent, Sark’s Norman Metal Festival, 4-6 June
A Norman-themed metal music event, drawing on the genre’s long engagement with history, mythology, seafaring cultures and medieval Europe. The weekend will feature Norman re-enactors presenting traditional crafts and everyday life. Schools will be invited to attend. The project will be delivered with Normandy partners, including the Federation Francaise Medievale.
Victor Hugo Centre, La Normandie Inconnue: Unknown Normandy
A collaboration between La Musee Victor Hugo – Maison Vacquerie in Villequier, the Victor Hugo Centre in Guernsey, Guernsey Museums and Jersey Heritage to celebrate shared Norman identity through excerpts from books, poems, photography and other artefacts relating to the Hugo family.
The National Trust of Guernsey, Courtyard Concert and Le Viaer Marchi, July 2027
A concert with ‘Lihou’ at The Folk and Costume Museum and Normandy-based musicians focusing on traditional music. This will be followed by the annual event encompassing traditional food, crafts and a celebration of Guernsey heritage.
Guernsey Arts, Beyond Our Seas / Between Our Shores
A contemporary art programme including cultural exchange between Guernsey, Jersey and Normandy art network RN13BIS. It is a sensory exploration of the sea as both a barrier and bridge between Normandy and Guernsey, including artistic residencies, creations, and exhibitions exploring the shared seafaring and maritime heritage, as well as youth workshops, with young people exchanging letters about what it is to be Norman. The project will focus on connection between our regions and the presentation of contemporary art, including music, visual art, performance about the sea and shores, from each region.
Guernsey Museum, ‘Meet The Normans’ exhibition
A major temporary exhibition giving visitors a chance to step back in time and be introduced to who the Normans were in the times between 1035 and 1087. It will explain what Guernsey was like at the time, the effect the Normans had on the island, and the Norman legacy today.
Guernsey Museum, Fete d’Etai and community procession, September
The annual medieval festival including activities, crafts, music and re-enactments could be enhanced enhanced for 2027 to include a community procession involving imagery from the Bayeux Tapestry, music and costumes through St Peter Port. Participation from schools, youth organisations, the parishes and the community will be encouraged.
Institute of Law Guernsey, seminar series
A series of seminars which will discuss the influence of Norman customary law in the Bailiwick’s jurisprudence. Seminars are to be delivered by advocates past and present, based on their experience of practicing in the Bailiwick. The papers of the speakers will also be published to contribute to the island’s legal resources.
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