Author: Elise Meerpoel

‘Art’chaeology’ is a creative archaeological residency project which explored links between artistic and archaeological research that has seen two artists from Normandy and Jersey spend time developing work in both jurisdictions. In July 2015, the four artists (Matt Falle, Karen Le Roy Harris, Amélie Delaunay and Fleur Helluin) spent 5 days as part of an active team on an archaeological site in Vieux La Romaine near Caen, where they interacted with archaeologists, were shown key findings and artefacts, and had access to sources of information in archives and libraries. Later that month, the artists completed their Jersey residency under the guidance of Jersey Heritage’s Curator of Archaeology, Olga Finch, as well as Dr Matt Pope and his team. The artists were given access to many of Jersey’s significant archaeological sites including Les Varines, La Hougue Bie, La Cotte and Neolithic dolmens.

The concept of the project was to explore and celebrate archaeology by introducing contemporary artists to archaeological sites, leading to a travelling exhibition of work in each territory. As well as the research element of the project, it also offered an opportunity for the artists to explore each other’s home and get to know one another and their respective practice.

Since summer 2015, the four artists have been producing pieces of work (at home) in response to the sites and the discoveries they made. An exciting mix of mediums has been presented at the ‘Art’Chaeology’ exhibition, which includes installation, print, ceramic work, painting, sketching and sculpture. This travelling exhibition started in Jersey in September 2016 and has been travelling to Caen for two weeks in July 2017.

The launch of the exhibition in Caen was hosted by Anne-Marie Cousin, Vice-President of the Regional Council of Normandy and Deputy Rod Bryans, Minister for Education at the Government of Jersey on 12 July 2017.

‘Art’chaeology’ was developed by Les Ateliers Intermédiaires and Jersey Arts Trust, with support of the Normandy Regional Council, the Institut Français and the States of Jersey. It also received support of the Calvados Department Council, Vieux la Romaine’s museum and archaeological sites, the Maison de la Normandie, and the experts and archaeological sites of Jersey Heritage.

 

Le French Festival used to take place 30 years ago. This year, Jersey and France decided to renew the concept of this event during a week of cultural activity celebrating Jersey’s links with France.

The new initiative is a collaboration between the Alliance Française de Jersey, the Maison de la Normandie et de la Manche, the French Consul and the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Sport and Culture, each offering a range of different events in a week spanning Bastille Day from 7 to 16 July 2017.

Many activities are planned to please everyone, a pétanque tournament and a sailing race for the ones who love sport, film screening for children but also for the whole family with “La Grande Vadrouille” and Carmen Opera thanks to the cooperation with the Opera of Rennes, a historic tour of La Hougue Bie, and a guided tour on Victor Hugo, contemporary art exhibitions, a Norman market for food lovers, music tales and a great ceremony for Bastille Day on the 14^th of July.

www.lefrenchfestivaljersey.com

The Communication Officer of the Education Department, in charge of the development of educational links with France has visited the international section of a Primary School in Caen on 3 July 2017. The objective of the fact finding visit was to experience the French model and drag inspiration to develop a similar and adapted model to Jersey. The officer met with Rectorat officers (French Education Ministry in regions) as well as the English teacher and Headmaster of the primary school Henri Brunet. She could consult curriculum as well as school books and the digital system in place which allows teachers to communicate with parents. Special thanks to Henri Brunet school and the Rectorat of Normandy for arranging this very constructive visit.

 

On 12 June, Guernsey and Jersey have signed a cooperation agreement with the department of Ille et Vilaine in Brittany to promote greater partnership working between the jurisdictions. This was the first annual summit in La Gouesnière (near Saint-Malo) gathering the three jurisdictions, as Jersey first signed a partnership with the French department in 2008. This year, Guernsey has joined the partnership for the first time and the three jurisdictions engaged to work collaboratively for the forthcoming three years on projects of mutual interest.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, member of the Policy & Resources Committee with responsibility for External Relations, Senator Sir Philip Bailhache, Minister for External Relations of the Government of Jersey, and Jean-Luc Chenut, President of the Conseil Départemental of Ille-et-Vilaine, jointly chaired the summit where various subjects were discussed. These included educational links; youth mobility; sports exchanges; cultural initiatives; construction; and digital opportunities.

“It was both an honour for me and a significant step forward for us to sign the cooperation agreement along with Jersey and the authorities of Ille et Vilaine.” Jonathan Le tocq declared.

President of the Conseil Départemental of Ille-et-Vilaine, Jean-Luc Chenut said:

“In a context where temptations to withdraw from society are asserting everywhere in Europe and in the world, it seems essential to me that the Department of Ille et Vilaine firmly reaffirms its commitment to the international cooperation”

As far as the Government of Jersey and the States of Guernsey are concerned, this desire for openness is also part of a close relationship, integrating the maritime and coastal specificities of our territories.

 

On 8 June, around 9000 people attended Rennes ’outdoor opera “Carmen” in front of the Opera House, on the famous “Place de la Mairie” in the city centre; and 7000 others scattered around the city in front of the 27 screens set up for the occasion.

Every two years, Rennes Opera broadcasts a live performance from the stage of its Opera House to screens throughout Brittany. Jersey has been a partner of the event for the past three editions, and Bizet’s Carmen will be screened in Jersey and Guernsey respectively on 8 July and 28 September.

Deputy Jonathan Le Tocq, foreign affairs’ Minister of Guernsey and Deputy Murray Norton, assistant Minister in charge of culture in Jersey, were honoured to attend the evening in Rennes and see the momentum of the public.

This project led by Rennes and Rennes Metropole has been developed with Guernsey and Jersey thanks to the cooperation developed between Jersey and the department of Ille et Vilaine since 2008 and to which Guernsey joined this year.

 

On 7 June 2017, the Chief Ministers of Guernsey and Jersey joined representatives of more than 60 jurisdictions at the OECD headquarters in Paris for the signing of a multilateral convention on the prevention of base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS), demonstrating once again the commitment of the islands to international cooperation and mutual assistance.

More information on Jersey’s signature here More information on Guernsey’s signature here  

On the 4th of June, Guernsey celebrated the hundredth anniversary of the departure of the island’s soldiers of the British Infantry to Cambrai during the first world war. Philippe Bas, former Minister, Senator of La Manche and President of La Manche County Council was present to represent France during this very emotional celebration. Here is an extract from his speech:

“It is a great honour for me to come to Guernsey – which has always been dear to the Norman soul, and will always remain so – to be by your side today and commemorate with you the centenary of the departure of the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry de la Condamine, for the battlefields of Northern France.

As President of the Department of La Manche and a member of the French Senate, I am your closest neighbour in Normandy, and I feel deeply moved today as I express the gratitude of the French nation to the people of the island of Guernsey. […]

The sons of Guernsey stood against a determined German counter attack during the war and suffered very heavy losses. Almost every family in Guernsey mourned the loss of a dear one. […]

The purpose of these commemorations, as we enact them today, is to continue the fight to ensure that these tragic events shall never be forgotten, and their importance never undervalued. […]

Our devotion to their memory and our ability to pass it on to future generations not only marks our respect for those who sacrificed their lives but, in particular, testifies to our staunch determination to believe in humanity.” Philippe Bas

   

Exercise ‘Resilient Islands’ is a large scale multi-agency exercise which incorporates the MOD UK Bi-annual Ops Defence Regional Resilience Exercise (CAST).

The overarching scenario is based around an at sea collision between a cruise ship and a passenger ferry in Jersey Territorial Waters. This resulted in both vessels being disabled and subsequently a fire starting on board the ferry.

It also involves initiating military assistance in terms of maritime resilience capabilities and repatriation of passengers and UK Government support from the Resilience Emergencies Division (RED) of the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and activation of the Emergencies Council. The exercise took place in Jersey between the 6th & 10th March 2017.

It is in this context that the Préfecture Maritime de la Manche et de la mer du Nord (PREMAR) participated the exercise by providing their helicopter to help making this exercise a success. This comes to reinforce the close cooperation between French and Jersey sea Rescue services.

In addition to that, thanks to the cooperation between PREMAR’s helicopter and Jersey rescue services, a Jersey woman’s life was saved from falling in Grosnez’s cliffs on 3^rd April.