Guernsey Arts launches Poetry Open to commemorate 80 years since Liberation

In 1945 the Islands of Guernsey felt the relief of Liberation from the occupying forces. This momentous day has been celebrated annually by all who live (or have lived) in the Islands, and still has significant meaning to all. In 2025 we celebrate 80 years since this date.

To honour the milestone, Guernsey Arts have launched a creative programme of events and invite Island Creatives to submit a piece of poetry for publication in a commemorative anthology.

The Liberation 80th Poetry Open looks to use poetry, prose and the written word as a means for the community to share their words on such an important date in the Bailiwick’s history.

Entries are to be centred around core topics for next year’s anniversary, with special focus on what happened after the war. These topics are as follows:

• Evacuation & the return of the Evacuees
• Deportation & what happened to them
• Occupation & rebuilding the Island
• The German Forces & what happened after Liberation
• The Liberating Forces & planning the Liberation of the Islands

Poems may be submitted in English or Guernesiais. For those wishing to use Guernesiais, several phrases have been kindly provided by the Guernsey Language Commission:

• (the) Liberation, (a) Celebration – (la) Liberâtiaon, (énne) CélébrâtiaonE
• (the) Freedom – (la) Libertaï
• Guernsey is free – Guernesi est libe
• Five long years, it is over now – Chin laongues onnaïes, ch’est fini achtaeure
• Let us remember, and celebrate – Faout s’en r’maette et célébraï
• The occupation is over – L’Otchupâtiaon est finie
• Eighty years ago – I’y a quater-vingts àns
• The island was liberated – L’Île fut liberaïe

Jade Kershaw, Community & Public Realm Officer said: “Guernsey Arts is thrilled to be able to create the platform for this community led project. We hope Islanders will be inspired to look into such a poignant moment in our shared history and use their creativity to provide a different perspective 80 years on.”