Like all good things, it happened unexpectedly. After returning from lunch, I discovered the main Guernsey newspaper on my desk. At first, I thought that my dear manager had decided to indulge me in a lazy afternoon nap (I always claimed that the quality of life in a place is always inversely proportional to the amount of interest that can be found in his newspaper), but then I noticed a small notice marked with a red marker. The notice said that the Victor Hugo Society would meet today at one of the schools on the island to discuss the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Victor Hugo's book "The Toilers Of The Sea" (I hope I translated it correctly, because in English the book is called The Toilers Of The Sea). This is one of the books that Hugo wrote during his stay in Guernsey and it tells the adventures of Gilliat, who, in order to win the hand of his lover Deruchette, goes to save the engine of a steamship belonging to his aunt. Of course, I could not remain indifferent to such news and decided to go there and find out what it was about.
When I arrived, I discovered that in Guernsey, even a simple board meeting cannot take place on an empty stomach. On the table, waiting for them were slices of endive with blue cheese and a dough spread with a refreshing yogurt dip, which was supposed to mark the snow on which Drosht wrote Gilliat's name at the beginning of Hugo's book. But the most amazing thing in the culinary field was actually the only thing that was not edible. The talented writer lady who volunteered to prepare the refreshments for the meeting decided to take old bread and sculpt it in the shape of the octopus against which Gilliat fought during his adventures (sorry for the spoiler). I immediately realized that it would be a crime against the Francophile world if I did not immediately join this association (and in the process lower the average age in it to 75). And so, after ten Guernsey pounds changed hands ( Guernsey has its own pound, which is equivalent to the British pound), I became a full member of the association. So after we ate, chatted and got to know each other, it was time to get down to business, to the actual celebration program. So as you will see right away, if you happen to have a vacation planned in France in early April 2016 and you love Victor Hugo (or just want to meet me) you should start looking into ferry prices to Guernsey.
Tours in the footsteps of Victor Hugo
Walking, bus or taxi tours of St. Peter Port (the capital of Guernsey) and the surrounding area, visiting places that Victor Hugo particularly loved or that appeared in his books. The tours will be guided by people who specialize in the subject, including experts on Victor Hugo or the history of Guernsey. Prices start from £7 (I will write to you about these tours as soon as I have more information).
Victor Hugo's house in Guernsey
Hauteville House, where Victor Hugo lived during his exile in Guernsey, will reopen after being closed for the month. As soon as that happens, I'm going to write a post about the place.
Victor Hugo Concert April 2, 2016 at 19:30 PM
The concert will feature Canadian pianist, singer and songwriter Alain Lecomte, along with the Guernsey choir uvo, who will perform music from the 19th century, the century in which Victor Hugo lived and worked. The concert will take place in the magnificent Saint James Concert Hall, which was built as a church in the 19th century. Ticket price: £10.
Meat and Wine Ball for the Children of Guernsey April 3, 2016 from 12:00 to 17:00
A lunch for 200 people, costing £5, which is a homage to the meal that Victor Hugo initiated for the poor children of Guernsey. Here too, all the proceeds are donated to the local charity Caritas. The meal will be accompanied by live music and even drama (and I don’t mean “Quarter of a Chicken or Borax” or “Chocolate Flight” style dramas, but drama excerpts from Hugo’s plays that will be performed for the diners). The meal will take place in Market Inner Street.
“Soul of the Sea” April 5, 2016 at 19:30 PM
A reading of the poem “The Soul of the Sea” based on the book by Victor Hugo, accompanied by a lecture on the connection between the plot of “The Mariners” and historical events in Guernsey that occurred at the time the book was written. The event will take place at the Princess Royal Art Center and will cost £10.
Exhibition of cartoons by Victor Hugo during his stay in Guernsey
The exhibition will be on display daily from April 2 to April 10, 2016, from 09:30 AM to 16:30 PM and will feature 24 cartoons by Victor Hugo, drawn by some of France’s finest artists . The exhibition will be held at Market Inner Street and admission is free.
Victor Hugo's Guernsey
The exhibition will be on display every day from April 2 to April 10, 2016, from 09:30 a.m. to 17:00 p.m. in the old Priaulx library, which is worth a visit even without the exhibition. The exhibition focuses on photographs and objects related to Victor Hugo’s exile in Guernsey. Admission is free.
How do we get there?
Ferry – You can take a ferry from Saint-Malo or Dielette.
Flight – You can arrive from London or Dinard via Aurigny.
See you in Guernsey!