News release

27 April 2020: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Liberation 75: celebrations re-shaped to complement ‘Stay at Home’ measures

Plans for Liberation 75 in have been radically reshaped to enable Islanders to celebrate the Island’s national day safely during ‘Stay at Home’ and social distancing jkjjhkjkjjmeasures. The updated programme also aims to ensure there is a balanced offering that enables everyone to take part.

Highlights on Liberation Day include:

• Virtual States Sitting: the annual Sitting of the , will take place at 10.30am – but this year, it will be a virtual sitting to enable States Members to observe the Island’s milestone anniversary from home during ‘Stay at Home’ measures. Islanders can watch the sitting live online at statesassembly.gov.je or tune in live on BBC Radio Jersey

• Live formal address: a live formal address will be screened for Islanders at 11.30am, from the Bailiff, Mr Timothy Le Cocq. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton GCB will then read a message from Her Majesty the Queen; and the Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Michael Keirle will lead an ecumenical service, encouraging the different Christian Churches to unite. During this part of the celebrations, the Union Flag will be raised at the Pomme d’Or Hotel, and there will be renditions of the National Anthem and ‘Beautiful Jersey’. All of this will be live-streamed via Facebook Live on the @Lib75Jsy page

• Liberation 75 pop-up parties: every household in Jersey is invited to host their own Liberation Day ‘pop-up party’ from 3pm until 7pm. Those who live on their own can

share in the fun by extending their pop-up party to friends and family virtually, via Zoom. Islanders are encouraged to share photos of their parties via Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #Lib75PopUpParty

• Lib Stream – virtual skyline party: this will be Jersey’s first Island-wide virtual skyline party! From the embankment of Fort Regent, DJs Stefan Le Rouseau, Warren Le Sueur, Simon Gasston and Colin Moore and will blare out funk, pop, house and electro tunes across the centre of Jersey’s capital, St Helier. Watch, listen and join in the party from the comfort of your own home, via Facebook live on @Lib75Jsy!

Other highlights in the run-up to Liberation 75 include:

• a collaboration between the Liberation 75 Team and the Channel Island Occupation Society to offer virtual tours of Jersey’s best-preserved collection of German Second World War bunkers

• Lib Me Entertain You – we’re looking for novice singers, aspiring TikTok-ers and established musicians to help uplift our community during ‘Stay Home’ measures! We’re asking Islanders to film themselves and send their TikToks or videos to us so that we can share them on the official Liberation 75 social media channels using #LibMeEntertainYou

• #LiberationDecoration competitions – children are encouraged to design their own Liberation Bunting, while adults are invited to decorate the exterior of their homes, Liberation-themed. There are first, second and third prizes to be won for children and adults alike

• Complementary gifts for Islanders, including free bunting which can be collected from any Waitrose store in Jersey; an exclusive, commemorative booklet which will be delivered to every household in the Island; as well as limited-edition commemorative coins for senior citizens and pin badges for all school students

• A limited amount of official Liberation 75 merchandise is available to purchase in all Waitrose stores in Jersey.

The Bailiff of Jersey, Mr Timothy Le Cocq, says, “Although this is not what we planned for Liberation 75, we are determined to celebrate the liberation of our Island and Jersey’s spirit. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important for us to enjoy and mark all of the good things that Jersey is and has to offer. I hope that everyone will participate and know that even if we cannot be together physically, we can be together in spirit.

“Although ‘Stay at Home’ and social distancing measures are still in place, we can still celebrate our national day with members of our household, and others virtually, and take part in events and celebrations. We can decorate our homes and we can participate in friendly events from our homes.

“The Liberation 75 team who worked so hard before lock down have been busy helping Government with its COVID-19 response. Since re-joining Liberation 75 on Monday 20 August, they have re-shaped this year’s milestone anniversary celebrations in just seven days. I thank them very much for this effort and I hope that everyone can take part in some shape or form over the coming two weeks.”

Tony Pike, The President of The Channel Island Occupation Society says, “We are delighted to work together with the official Liberation 75 campaign to offer virtual tours of some of Western Europe’s best-preserved collection of German Second World War bunkers.

“The Fortifications in CIOS care are open on selected days in the spring and summer. Each one of the bunkers and underground passages linking the accommodation & ammunition rooms have limited air movement.

“With the current restrictions in force, coupled with the rules on social distancing, it makes it impossible to open the bunkers to the public in the way we would normally do.

“The only way to get around this is by offering virtual tours. We hope that by offering these virtual tours, we can open the bunkers up to many more visitors while raising awareness of their existence and passing on valuable knowledge about of one of the most critical period’s in our Island’s history.”

Speaking of the free bunting initiative, Neil Baxter, the Branch Manager of Waitrose in St Helier, says, “Waitrose is extremely happy to get involved with the 75th Liberation Day

Celebrations. We would like to support this initiative by inviting customers to collect your complementary Liberation 75 bunting from your local Waitrose store in Jersey. Just ask our partners at the welcome desk.

“Please remember, your visit to Waitrose should take place during your two-hour time-limited window for leaving your house. During this period, you can leave your house to purchase food and other basic necessities, do exercise, or for any medical needs. Let’s celebrate this event at home, stay safe everyone!”

Find out more about this year’s re-shaped plans at Liberation75.je. END

About Liberation 75

In Jersey, Liberation Day (Jèrriais: Jour d'la Libéthâtion) is celebrated each year on 9 May, to mark the end of the German Occupation during the Second World War. It is celebrated as Jersey's national day and 2020 mark, 75 years of liberation.

The were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied during the War, and the occupation of them was viewed by the German forces as a stepping-stone to the full invasion of the rest of Britain.

There is a strong desire to keep the memory of Liberation Day alive – to remember those who were killed and those who survived, as well as to recognise the impact that Occupation and Liberation has had on Jersey’s present-day society and identity. Importantly, Liberation Day also serves to remind us of our commitment to freedom, peace and inclusivity in our community.

This anniversary will, it is hoped, be the biggest and most memorable celebration yet, with an array of events taking place throughout 2020. This year’s anniversary specifically focuses on community, inclusivity, reconciliation and education.

Notes to Editors:

1. Find out more details about re-shaped Liberation 75 plans at http://Liberation75.je 2. We invite those on social media to join the Liberation conversation at #Lib75 and to follow us at @Lib75Jsy on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Contact

To arrange an interview with The Bailiff, Mr Timothy Le Cocq, please contact Hannah Maden- Adams on [email protected] or by calling +44 (0) 1534 441071.

Hannah Maden-Adams Steven Cartwright Head of Communications – Liberation 75 Chief Officer, Bailiff’s Chambers E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: +44 (0) 1534 441071 T: +44 (01534) 441107 W: Liberation75.je W: Liberation75.je Twitter: @Lib75Jsy Facebook: @Lib75Jsy Instagram: @Lib75Jsy