The Victor Hugo Centre has announced a major milestone, having raised more than £6.5 million – nearly 90% of the Centre’s capital campaign target and around 70% of its overall goal, which includes capital works and endowment funding.
The milestone was revealed on the 170th anniversary of Hugo’s arrival to Guernsey, during a celebration dinner where internationally acclaimed sculptor, Nicole Farhi, was the guest of honour and unveiled a life-size bronze bust of Hugo as a gift to the Centre.
Larry Malcic, chair of the Victor Hugo Centre, said: “We are delighted to share this exciting milestone with our island community who have been so generous with their support. We were thrilled to celebrate this occasion as we unveiled Nicole’s incredible work of art on the anniversary of Hugo’s arrival on the island – it’s truly exceptional.
“The sculpture and the Victor Hugo Centre will live on, challenging, inspiring, entertaining, teaching and educating both islanders and a large international audience about creativity, human dignity, social justice, freedom and equality. These are values that we all share and values that we must protect and promote, because they are the foundation of civilised life. This fundraising achievement is proof that people believe in the Centre and the benefits it will bring to Guernsey.”
150 guests attended the sold-out Victor Hugo Centre dinner at the OGH where Nicole Farhi CBE MRSS attended along with her husband, the award-winning playwright Sir David Hare.
The bust captures the likeness of the author of Les Misérables as he was when he arrived in the island in 1855 aged 53.
Nicole Farhi added: “It seems such a good omen that when I had finished my Miscarriages of Justice exhibition, my next project was Victor Hugo, who was a pioneering advocate for change and meant so much to me as I was born in France.
“This Centre is so important to have, not only for people in Guernsey as it allows them to learn more about Hugo and all his ideas which are so relevant to today, but also for tourists and international visitors to learn of the place that was a home for Hugo and inspired many of his most important works.”
Nicole Farhi’s life-size bronze sculpture (pictured) will be featured in the Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens before its final installation in the Victor Hugo Centre.
