Poets sought to mark 80 years since liberation

Guernsey Arts has launched a programme of events and invites islanders to submit a piece of poetry

Guernsey Arts has announced the 2025 Poetry Open event to commemorate and celebrate 80 years since the Bailiwick’s Liberation.

In 1945 the Islands of Guernsey felt the relief of Liberation from the occupying forces.

To honour the milestone, Guernsey Arts has launched a programme of events and invites islanders to submit a piece of poetry for publication in a commemorative anthology.

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

The topics are:

• Evacuation and the return of the evacuees

• Deportation and what happened to the deportees

• Occupation and rebuilding the island

• The German Forces and what happened after liberation

• The liberating forces and planning the liberation of the islands

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."

It is intended that the poems will be used to create a commemorative 80th Liberation anniversary book, both in physical and digital form.