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Markets, films, talks, exhibitions, performances, a parade and an inter-parish pétanque tournament are all on the agenda as part of a four-day festival later this month to mark 250 years since a series of reforms sparked by hundreds of islanders storming the Royal Court in a protest against power.
‘La Folle d’Avoût’ as the festival will be known will be taking pace from Friday 24 to Monday 27 September, a bank holiday.
The holiday itself is the result of festival co-organiser Deputy Montfort Tadier bringing a successful vote in the States Assembly to officially mark the day in 1769 when frustrations with food shortages, rising prices, an unfair taxation system, and Jersey’s power structure led to the storming of the Royal Court by around 500 people.
Two years later, the Code of 1771 was introduced, establishing controls on the authority of the Royal Court and States Assembly.
Deputy Tadier described it as “one of the most meaningful moments in the development of the freedom and democracy we enjoy today,” he said.
Pictured: States Members voted in favour of the bank holiday proposed by Deputy Tadier last February.
Speaking about the festival, which will include a march from Trinity to St. Helier, he continued: “The flavour of the festival will be a blend of our historic Norman heritage and roots with the brilliance of our contemporary cultural scene.
“Culture in Jersey is distinct and vibrant, and we’re glad to include Maison de la Normandie, Alliance Française, as well as L'Office du Jèrriais in the planning team so that the festival is a showcase of all that makes Jersey unique and is a celebration of our diverse and complex cultural identity.”
Deputy Kirsten Morel, Assistant Minister with Responsibility for Arts, Culture and Heritage, added: “The festivities are both a commemoration of the past and of Jersey’s cultural spirit in the present and into the future. I’d like to see Jersey become a vibrant place for artists to work and make a good living and I’d also like us all to know more about our island’s political and cultural histories. Festivals such as this play an important part in achieving those goals."
2 days ago HM in Privy Council approved the Legislation (Jersey) Law 2021.
— Legislative Drafting Office, Jersey (@JerseyLDO) July 23, 2021
Today our Royal Court registered it.
We now hope an Act by @StatesAssembly will bring it into force in time for the Bank Hol in Sept marking the Corn Riots which led to the 1771 Code of Laws, 250 years ago pic.twitter.com/ZN6b1UNZgk
He added: “There’s a definite sense that now is the time of political and cultural renewal in Jersey, after one of the toughest periods in living memory. I hope that this event will send a signal to islanders about how important arts and culture is to our recovery."
CLICK HERE to find out about what’s on at the festival.
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