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Plans are progressing for Guernsey's new Victor Hugo Centre, with a new website and logo developed to drive interest in the project.
The preferred location for the Centre is the tourist information building in Town, formerly the States of Guernsey offices.
If all goes to plan, the new centre will be self-sustaining with a board of directors, and consultant team appointed.
It will have an interpretation centre, exhibition and performance space, and an education facility which together will tell the story of the French writer's fifteen years in Guernsey.
Pictured: Internationally acclaimed artists Oleg Mikhailov and Daniel Hosego will exhibit their work inspired by Hugo in Guernsey next month.
Chair and Project Director Larry Malcic said it is still early days but plans are progressing well.
"We are pleased to share these initial steps towards creating an inclusive centre for the whole community, which recognises Victor Hugo's contributions to literature, art, society and Guernsey, and promotes today's island-wide creative talent. We want the Centre to be a gateway attraction that encourages visitors to discover and residents to explore all of Guernsey, as Hugo once did. The Centre represents a confident investment in Guernsey's future."
Joining Mr Malcic on the board of directors are: Mark Thompson, Tony Gallienne, Gordon Dawes, Isabelle Edward and Henry Freeman. They have a 25-strong voluntary advisory board supporting them.
The design team working on the project includes Casson Mann, an internationally recognised museum designer, and local firms DLM Architects, engineers Dorey Lyle and Ashman, and creative agency TPA.
Pictured: The Victor Hugo Centre will not be funded by the States.
Talks over a centre dedicated to Hugo have been ongoing since before covid when Deputy Charles Parkinson sought to see one opened in Cornet Street, not far from Hauteville House - Hugo's home in Guernsey.
As President of Economic Development he said it would boost Guernsey's tourism offering.
Since then, the decision has been made to move the Victor Hugo Centre into the private sector.
Hugo's links with Guernsey are already the subject of many exhibitions and seminars in the island with ‘A Renaissance of Victor Hugo’ the next to be staged.
Internationally acclaimed artists Oleg Mikhailov and Daniel Hosego will be exhibiting their work inspired by Hugo and his work at the new Mansell Street Gallery in March.
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