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Islanders are being invited to dig out vintage clothes to join in the celebrations at the 73rd anniversary of Liberation Day today, which will include 1940's themed activities at the Weighbridge and a classical concert inside a bunker at Corbière.
The celebrations will kick off with music from La Ronde Concert Band, and members of the Jersey Festival Choir performing in Liberation Square, under the baton of the Band's Music Director Charlotte Cooper, from 09:35 and the Band of the Island of Jersey, conducted by Musical Director Chris Le Maistre, in the Royal Square from 09:40.
The first parade with Guides and Scouts will depart from Vine Street at 10:15. They will be followed by a second parade led by the Band of the Island of Jersey and including the Jersey Field Squadron, Parish Standards, Cadet Forces, St. John Ambulance, ex-service personnel and veterans groups with colours and standards.
The traditional welcome and address by the Bailiff, Sir William Bailhache, will be given at 11:05, followed by a musical interlude by the Musical Originals Singers with conductor Imogen Nicholls. The re-enactment, narrated by Gwyn Garfield-Bennett, will include the Band of the Island of Jersey playing Elgar’s ‘Nimrod', and the Musical Originals Singers with soloist Miss Kiera Melville performing 'Beautiful Jersey'.
Video: Young and old Islanders alike twirled together on the dance floor during last year's celebrations.
For the "informal" afternoon arrangements vintage dress is highly recommended to embrace the spirit of the day as all activities will have a 1940s theme. Food stalls, which will open at 09:30, will be selling local produce with a 1940s flavour, while artisan and vintage stalls will offer goods from, or influenced, by that era. There will also be a themed vintage afternoon tea tent.
A dance floor will be set up to allow islanders to join in the dancing with the Jersey Big Band, local period trio The Optimistic Voices, The Word on the Street and the Jersey Hoppers. Visitors will also find a big screen on the Weighbridge, broadcasting the ceremony in the morning and showing archive footage, historic clips and entertainment from period films later in the day.
A public ceremony will take place at 15:00 at the Crematorium, Westmount, in the presence of His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, the Bailiff and Chief Minister in memory of the 101 foreign forced workers who died in the island during Occupation as well as service men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to free the oppressed.
Pictured: The 73d anniversary celebrations will run from 09:35 to 17:30.
Today will also mark the start of the Liberation International Music Festival, which celebrates its 10th anniversary. The festival will kick off at 14:30 with a musical walk around the coastline and fortifications at La Corbière. Local historian, Ned Malet de Carteret, will guide the visitors along the paths, stopping at intervals to be serenaded by violinist Harriet Mackenzie and fellow musicians.
A special concert will follow at 18:00 inside the atmospheric M19 Mortar Bunker at Corbière. Solo cellist Dora Kokas will perform Bach Suite in G Major and Kodaly Sonata in the depths of the bunker which will provide the perfect backdrop to the "emotionally stirring" pieces. She will be joined by Harriet Mackenzie to play a duet for strings, Handel’s dramatic showpiece, Passacaglia as a finale to this remarkable outdoor concert.
Pictured: Solo cellist Dora Kokas will perform inside M19 Mortar Bunker at Corbière at 18:00.
As part of the Festival, which aims to get as many children involved as possible, over 2,000 school children will be taking part in a series of masterclasses and workshops as well as educational events.
Chairman James Mews commented: “Celebrating every Liberation Day is important to us at Liberation International Music Festival as it is both a celebration and a memorial for everything that has been achieved since the end of WW2. However, 2018 Liberation Festival is a special event for us, as it is our 10th anniversary, and to celebrate we are hosting the world premiere concerto by Errollyn Wallen MBE on 19 May at Jersey Opera House."
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