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A virtual skyline party with music blaring from Fort Regent over St. Helier, pop-up parties at home, a virtual States sitting, and TikTok videos are part of the new lockdown Liberation 75 celebrations.
Plans for Liberation 75 have been radically reshaped over the last seven days to enable islanders to celebrate the island’s national day safely.
They will now include a virtual skyline party which will see local DJs Stefan Le Rouseau, Warren Le Sueur, Simon Gasston and Colin Moore blare out funk, pop, house and electro tunes from the embankment of Fort Regent across the centre of St. Helier.
Islanders will be able to watch, listen and join the ‘Lib Stream’ party from the comfort of their own home, via Facebook live on @Lib75Jsy.
Pictured: Music will be streamed from the embankment at Fort Regent across St. Helier.
All households are also invited to host their own Liberation Day ‘pop-up’ party from 15:00 to 19:00 and to invite friends and family to join in virtually. Photos of the parties should be shared through social media with the hashtag #Lib75PopUpParty.
The traditional sitting of the States Assembly will take place virtually at 10:30 - to enable States Members to observe the island’s milestone anniversary from home - and will be broadcast live on the States’ website.
It will be followed by a formal address from the Bailiff, Timothy Le Cocq, streamed live on the @Lib75Jsypage on Facebook at 11:30. His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, Air Chief Marshal Stephen Dalton GCB will then read a message from Her Majesty the Queen; and the Dean of Jersey, the Very Reverend Michael Keirle, will lead an multi-church service.
Pictured: Islanders will be able to watch the flag being raised at the Pomme d'Or online.
Meanwhile, the Union Flag will be raised at the Pomme d’Or Hotel and there will be renditions of the National Anthem and ‘Beautiful Jersey’.
“Although this is not what we planned for Liberation 75, we are determined to celebrate the liberation of our Island and Jersey’s spirit,” the Bailiff said. “Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important for us to enjoy and mark all of the good things that Jersey is and has to offer. I hope that everyone will participate and know that even if we cannot be together physically, we can be together in spirit.
“Although ‘Stay at Home’ and social distancing measures are still in place, we can still celebrate our national day with members of our household, and others virtually, and take part in events and celebrations. We can decorate our homes and we can participate in friendly events from our homes.”
Video: The Liberation 75 plans have been changed to adapt to lockdown.
With only a few days to go before the big day, local children are encouraged to design their own Liberation Bunting, while adults are invited to decorate the exterior of their homes in a Liberation theme.
There are first, second and third prizes to be won for children and adults alike.
Islanders will also receive complimentary gifts. Free bunting can be collected from any Waitrose store in Jersey, while a commemorative booklet will be delivered to every household in the island. Limited-edition commemorative coins and pin badges will be given to senior citizens and school students respectively.
The team behind the Liberation 75 celebrations is also looking for novice singers, aspiring TikTok-ers and established musicians to help uplift the community.
“We’re asking Islanders to film themselves and send their TikToks or videos to us so that we can share them on the official Liberation 75 social media channels using #LibMeEntertainYou,” they said.
Pictured: Islanders are invited to film themselves and send their TikToks or videos to the Liberation 75 team.
The Channel Islands Occupation Society will also be offering virtual tours of Jersey’s best-preserved German Second World War bunkers, which currently have to remain closed to the public.
“The only way to get around this is by offering virtual tours,” Tony Pike, the Society’s President, said. “We hope that by offering these virtual tours, we can open the bunkers up to many more visitors while raising awareness of their existence and passing on valuable knowledge about of one of the most critical period’s in our Island’s history.”
Meanwhile, the Parish of St. Peter is inviting its residents to join in a self-distancing celebration of Liberation, by holding their own party in their garden or at home. Delphine Ferry-Denman suggested the idea of Liberation Lockdown Party, which the Parish quickly adopted.
Pictured: The Parish of St. Peter has planned 'Locked Down Liberation' celebrations.
Parishioners are encouraged to take photographs and a £100 prize will be awarded for the best decorated party.
Constable Richard Vibert said that St. Martin had liked the idea so much that they also decided to hold a similar event.
“The Parish of St Peter felt that despite the restrictions in place parishioners should be able to mark Liberation Day in some way,” Mr Vibert said.
“Strict social distancing will be applied so friend and neighbours cannot visit each other’s gardens but if sufficient numbers join in it should create a party atmosphere across the Parish.
“I would encourage as many parishioners as possible to take part.and make it a really successful event."
Parish of St. Helier announces lockdown Liberation plans
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