The Victor Hugo Centre held an Open House last Saturday, 9th of November, at our new office in the Guernsey Information Centre.
Almost all the people who popped in were very supportive of the project. They enjoyed speaking to the team, listening to our vision for the centre, seeing the architectural plans and the video fly through, and hopefully left with a better understanding of what the centre will be, how it will support the local community and attract international interest and visitors.
Last month the Policy and Resources Committee backed the project, and with this endorsement, we are approaching our ongoing fundraising efforts with renewed vigour and determination to deliver an exciting development for the future of the island.
Some of the frequently asked questions were things such as “Why Victor Hugo?”, “When are you going to open?”, and “What is the exhibition space going to be for?” I will briefly answer these questions below but am always happy to receive any questions like this by email.
Why Victor Hugo?
Victor Hugo, over his long career, was an author, poet, artist and playwright of international fame. He possessed a strong social and moral compass and used his art and rhetoric to influence and change opinion. He also loved Guernsey, and came back several times after the end of his exile here. If some of the many thousands of people the musical version of Les Misérables every year realise that it was written in Guernsey, it would raise the profile of the island internationally.
Learning about the people throughout history who stood up against the prevailing orthodoxy of the day, and had the courage to hold an alternative opinion, even when they suffered because of their beliefs, is an important lesson for everyone. Hugo was one of those visionary leaders.
Remembering the past is important, but the Victor Hugo Centre will also look to the future, using the globally recognised name of Victor Hugo to create links with other organisations globally that carry on his work as a champion of social justice, human rights and freedom of expression.
When are we going to open?
We are finding success in raising the necessary funding of £7.5 million and hope to complete this ambitious task over the next year to 18 months. The building works will then take around two years.
What is the performance and event space goingto be for?
The ground floor of the centre will be free entry for the café and gift shop. It will provide a flexible, multi-purpose venue to cultivate and showcase the local creative community, including music recitals, poetry readings, film, photography and dance as well as temporary and visiting exhibitions. It would also work well as a large meeting venue, with on-site catering from the ground floor café.
The performance space will have the capacity to seat approximately 50 persons, andso will offer a perfectly sized space for a wide variety of musical genres to be performed. The island is currently lacking similar quality spaces.
Following on from the success of this Open House event, we will plan a future similar event, with an update on our activities, perhaps in the spring of 2025.
Written by Laura Harrison, Operations Manager, Victor Hugo Centre.