Guernsey Press

Chamber award for literary festival director

GUERNSEY LITERARY FESTIVAL director Claire Allen has been recognised for her ‘great work’ for the island by the business community.

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Claire Allen has been recognised for her work with the Guernsey Literary Festival. (21515054)

The Chamber of Commerce has awarded her its ‘Anvil Award’ for her work on the festival and promoting the island.

‘It’s really establishing Guernsey as a cultural focal point. This is the kind of branding and positioning we want for Guernsey – something aspirational, cool and funky,’ said chamber president Martyn Dorey.

Accepting the award on behalf of the whole festival team, Mrs Allen said she was honoured. ‘Book festivals should be about books, but they’re also about something more. They’re about ideas, thinking, challenging, as well as being a place for discourse on important issues,’ she said.

‘Great art and culture can be and should be for everyone and this is something we strive towards with the festival.

‘On a wider level, we have to recognise the value of the arts and culture to society both socially, educationally and economically.’

She added that the festival was promoting Guernsey to the wider world as a centre for culture and creativity and publicly thanked local businesses that sponsor the festival as well as the Chamber of Commerce for recognising the value of the arts in society.

The award was made at Chamber’s annual dinner at Beau Sejour.