Liberation 80

Celebrating 80 Years of Liberation through the Power of Art

Music, art, poetry, photography and the arts, in all their forms, are powerful tools for documenting, sharing and reflecting upon history. Even in the most difficult and darkest of circumstances, art can bring comfort, create impact and share cultural legacies. As Guernsey celebrates 80 years of Liberation, Guernsey Arts has developed its artistic programming to commemorate and reflect upon Guernsey’s five years of Occupation, ensuring that this important milestone is captured for generations of Guernsey artists and audiences to come.

LIBERATION 80 POETRY & PROSE

2025 marks the 80th anniversary of Liberation of the Channel Islands. This represents a moment for our community to commemorate, reflect and celebrate the spirit shown by Islanders in the times of hardship, thrust upon them from 1940 to 1940. This poetry and prose has been carefully compiled to showcase a selection of work by Islanders. Stories of loss, longing, hope and happiness have been captured. Memories of those that were there, relatives reflecting on family stories and, importantly, school children learning the Islands history; this is a curated story for all to treasure.

We would like to thank all of the poets who put forward work to be included in this anthology. Guernsey Museums and the Guille-Allès Library for support with this project, and to Dr. Karen Marshall for the Schools Poetry Competition. 

DEAR UNKNOWN FRIEND

This exhibition, hosted at the Greenhouse Gallery in Guernsey Museum, is a celebration of contemporary art curated and commissioned as part of the 80th anniversary of the Liberation. The exhibition focuses on the experiences and challenges surrounding the evacuation of Islanders. Using artefacts provided by Island Archives, Priaulx Library and Guernsey Museums, within the exhibition, you will find the work of 13 local artists whose pieces aim to give a voice to those who lived during the evacuation and to tell their stories. 

Music, art, poetry, photography and the arts, in all their forms, are powerful tools for documenting, sharing and reflecting upon history. This collection of contemporary artworks seeks to explore our Island's historical artifacts through an artistic lens, evoking emotion and reflection through remembrance, creating new dialogues to keep memories of the Liberation alive. 

LIBERATION DAY AT CASTLE CORNET

On 9th May Guernsey Arts curates a programme of live performances throughout the day, showcasing a diverse range of local talent within the historic backdrop of Castle Cornet.