Thousands of islanders celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Liberation this weekend, joined by HRH the Countess of Wessex.
Speaking at a special commemorative event in People's Park, the Bailiiff of Jersey, William Bailhache described the ongoing importance of Liberation Day saying it was still a "life-enhancing" day for current generations of islanders. The day's celebrations also included the traditional re-enactment of the moment the liberating forces raised the Union flag, a Liberation parade through St Helier, and a concert headlined by Nerina Pallot.
At a special States sitting to mark the occasion, Sophie Countess of Wessex read out a message from Her Majesty the Queen. The Bailiff used the the sitting to describe the significance of Liberation Day in the island's culture:
"It is a special day because it symbolises freedom, the re-birth of hope for a better future, an end to the divisions which adversity and deprivation can create. We remember that in the years that immediately followed Liberation we saw the excitement of a generation- for most of us our parents or grandparents - building a new future.
So as a matter of history, Liberation Day is directly about all three groups – evacuees, deportees, and those suffering the Occupation in Jersey – and the 70th anniversary of liberation naturally has these three groups as its primary focus. Nonetheless, our national day is more than this. It is informed by history but it looks forward as well as back. Liberation day enables us to recognise the sacrifices of many between 1940 and 1945, sometimes indeed the ultimate sacrifice. It enables us to give thanks for Liberation from the evil regime which then had its grasp over an honourable country and its people.
For those who are younger, we give meaning to our national day if we use it to rekindle our excitement and enthusiasm to make this Island inclusive, safe, optimistic and prosperous."
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