For an occasion now clocking up 80 years, Liberation Day is still changing. Indeed, it’s been on quite a journey since we all but cancelled the 75th anniversary due to Covid lockdown.
Since then the occasion has subtly changed. A stronger parish focus for a while. Then a revival of activity in St Peter Port.
One thing we can confidently say is that the day has moved well away from the times of a funfair and alcohol-fuelled punch-ups 30-something years ago. We have revived a day for families, a day with a good mix of history and modern-day activity, entertainment and reenactment, and, importantly, the ability to both attract, and retain, the masses. Public engagement in Liberation Day, particularly last week, was huge. People of all ages took to the buses to head into St Peter Port and it’s possible that Friday was the closest we’ve come to repeating the scenes of genuine celebration seen on 9 May 1945.
On the west coast too, St Peter’s staged a very significant and well-organised day of activities.
Education, Sport & Culture has received some criticism in recent years for how it has attempted to reshape Liberation Day. Not this year. An absolutely triumphant success for everyone involved.
9 May in Guernsey. Always constant, but never the same. Never change.
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