Literary Festival announces events

Thursday 17 February 2022

The first events of this year’s Literary Festival have been announced. Tickets are on sale for talks with two authors at the Guille-Allès Library in March.

An interview with Guernsey author Jilly Chadwick will open the Festival at 18:00 on Tuesday 8 March. And minority languages expert Professor Mari Jones will speak at the Festival at 18:00 on Tuesday 15 March.

Pictured: The Guernsey Literary Festival kicks off with two events at the Guille-Allès Library in Market Square. 

Ms Chadwick, a former journalist who has worked in London and Guernsey, will discuss her book ‘Travelling Light’ – a fast-moving novel centred on the lives of four fascinating characters. 

The publication of her novel fulfils a long-held ambition for Ms Chadwick.

After starting the project, a series of personal challenges meant the story was left sitting on her laptop incomplete for four years. The first covid-19 lockdown early in 2020 rekindled her motivation and she found time to complete the novel.

‘Travelling Light’ is based in Antigua, a place of personal happiness for the author, and follows the four characters, who ultimately befriend one another. 

At the festival event, Ms Chadwick will be in conversation with Steve Foote from Blue Ormer Publishing. She will discuss her experiences leading up to the book and on the value of writing as therapy. 

Pictured: 'Travelling Light' is set in the Caribbean island of Antigua, which is the ‘happy place’ of the novel’s author, Jilly Chadwick.

The following week, Professor Mari Jones of the University of Cambridge will talk on her book ‘The Importance of Keeping Endangered Languages Alive’.

Professor Jones has studied and written about the island's native language, Guernésiais.

Based on current trends, it is estimated that half of the 6,000 languages currently used in the world will cease to be used by the end of this century. That is a rate of one language lost every fortnight.

Professor Jones will speak on the causes of language endangerment and the benefits of revitalising marginal languages globally. 

Professor Jones has recently compiled and edited ‘A Glossary of the Norman Language in the Channel Islands’. It is based on some initial notes made by Professor J.P. Collas almost a century ago. The book is published by Blue Ormer.

Professor Jones' research offers unique insight into the linguistic heritage of Guernsey Jersey and Sark. 

Pictured: Professor Mari Jones has written and spoken extensively about the native languages of the Channel Islands, including to students at The Grammar School and Sixth Form Centre.

Organisers believe the difference in the content of the first two talks is a good example of the diversity of the Festival.

Nick Le Messurier, a member of the organising committee for the Festival, is looking forward to the return of in-person events after two years of disruption.

“We’ve missed the last two Festivals due to covid," he said.

"There were some additional speakers in 2021 hosted via video link - but we’re all really excited for this year."

More events are set to be announced soon.

"That will be in the next few weeks. We are adding the final finishing touches to the programme," said Mr Le Messurier. 

“It’s pretty exciting for everyone involved. The Festival really starts building momentum in May.”

Pictured (top): Jilly Chadwick (left) and Professor Mari Jones.