TAKE A LOOK: Celebrating and remembering Liberation 80

Celebrations and commemorations are marking 80 years since Jersey was liberated from five years of Nazi rule during the Second World War.

Events are going on across the island for the landmark anniversary of the end of the German occupation on 9 May 1945.

The weekend was kicked off today in Liberation Square - the venue for the traditional re-enactment of the moment British soldiers from Force 135 arrived in the island and unfurled the Union flag, signifying freedom for the island's population.

St Helier was packed with celebrating islanders, just as it would have been on this day 80 years ago. 

TAKE A LOOK: The Liberation Parade and reenactment 

The Bailiff, Sir Tim Le Cocq, made his last Liberation Day address before his retirement in October.

In the Kings address, read by the Lieutenant Governor, His Majesty reminisced fondly on visits to our island, including when he unveiled the Liberation Monument for the 50th anniversary celebrations. 

• Confetti!
• Enjoying the parade!
• Exhibition in the Royal Sqaure
• More flags!
• Islanders get dressed up
• Confetti for the parade
• Confetti
• Flag headwear
• Flags
• Islanders get dressed up!
• Liberation Parade
• Liberation Parade
• Jersey Liberation Flag
• A decorated home at First Tower
• Wall mural at Romerils
• Charity shops get co-ordindated
• A bow made from the Jersey flag!
• A bit of history on Burrard Street
• A bit of history on Burrard Street
• Cancer Research's co-ordinated display
• Freedom quotes in the market
• Freedom quotes in the market
• Freedom quotes in the market
• Central Market Bunting
• The mural on Great Union Road
• Bunting in St Martin
• "My communal stairwell.....bringing Jersey and Guernsey together"
• Structures and Memory (a place called Wurzach)
• 'Life After Liberation' at Jersey Museum
• Jersey Post Liberation 80 Broad Street Display
• 'Joy and Jubilation'
• Liberation 80 Lunchtime Talks at the Société Jersiaise, in the Members’ Room at 7, Pier Road.
• St John has a Liberation 80 exhibition open daily 10-4 (Weds 10-7) until 11 May
• Liberation 80

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The King and Queen in Guernsey

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Charles in the Channel Islands

Confetti!

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A special short service in the Royal Square was made in tribute to the Red Cross ship the SS Vega, which delivered aid to the island on 30 December 1944, bringing much-needed food parcels to islanders who were on the brink of starvation.

The service was attended by some of the recipients of those lifesaving parcels.

At the annual Slave Workers Memorial Service at the Crematorium, islanders remembered the foreign workers who died during the occupation.

The stage was bursting at the seams with dozens of Jersey musicians, bands, and performances. 

Despite the day's celebrations coming to an end, events are continuing over the weekend and into the rest of May. 

People wanting to learn more about the occupation and liberation of Jersey can take in a wealth of new exhibitions relating to the time.

Jersey Heritage and ArtHouse explore untold stories of Liberation

Jersey Museum's 'Life after Liberation' is shares the stories of the immediate aftermath of the celebrations on 9 May 1945, and what happened in the years that followed as the island tried to recover emotionally and economically (until 31 December) 

At Capital House in St Helier, ArtHouse Jersey is exploring the memories and experiences of the Jersey deportees who were sent to a prison camp in a small town called Wurzach (until 8 June)

Société Jersiaise has a new display in the Members' room of items from the Lord Coutanche Library’s collection, including a parcel from the Canadian Red Cross, a copy of The Evening Post dated Wednesday, 9th May 1945, and a German Occupation Diary by James C. Vincent.

There is also a display of photographs from Liberation Day 1945.

Historians will also be giving free lunchtime talks (see https://societe.je/events/ for dates) until 14 May  - offering insights into the time.  There will be a screening of ‘Living with the Enemy’, a documentary based on the book by Roy Mc Loughlin at 6pm on 07 May.

If you prefer a more active walk through the past, ‘La fîn du temps f'tha tout vaie’ (Time Will Tell) are immersive guided walks going on during Liberation week.

Told through the eyes of someone being forced to leave Jersey due to the Occupation, the walks will be led by a local performance artist, who will guide participants from the Crapaud statue at Charing Cross to the Weighbridge, uncovering Jèrriais street names, their meanings and the stories they hold along the way (Monday to Saturday, 5-10 May at 10.30am)

The Parish of St John is staging its own exhibition of WW2 artefacts - some of which have never been on display before.  It is open 10am-4pm daily (and until 7pm on Wednesday 7 May) until Sunday 11 May.