About Liberation Festival
The fifth Liberation Jersey Music Festival stars over fifteen internationally acclaimed artists, performing beautiful, dramatic and atmospheric music in stunning settings in the beautiful island of Jersey. The Festival's theme explores liberation, artistic freedom and the power of music to liberate the spirit.
Listen to the exciting Festival programme with a flavour of France as we remember the forced labourers who were shipped to Jersey to build Hitler's Atlantic Wall. Enjoy international stars including the multiple award winning clarinettist Michael Collins, the stunning viola player Jennifer Stumm, jazz legend Ray Gelato, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and many more.
Liberation – the theme explored
The festival’s theme is taken from the Liberation of Jersey as well as exploring artistic freedom and the power of music to liberate the spirit.
The history of Jersey’s Liberation Day is well known to all. In June 1944, the Normandy landings marked the initiation of 'Operation Overlord', the invasion of northwest Europe by the Allied forces. On 8th May, the front page of the Jersey Evening Post carried news of the Allies’ victory in Europe, and crowds began to gather to hear the announcement that would declare their liberation.
At 15:00 Winston Churchill crackled onto the airwaves to give, perhaps, the most famous speech of his esteemed oratory career. The Prime Minister’s words announced the end to the war in Europe and amidst great cheers across the Island, he confirmed to an elated Jersey that their liberation was finally to become a reality."Our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today" - (Winston Churchill, 15:00, May 8th, 1945)
All around the Island flags and decorations sprang up and celebrations continued into the night. On 9th May HMS Bulldog and Beagle arrived in Jersey anchored in St Aubin’s Bay and at 14:00 the German Island Commander signed the surrender documents.
We hope to capture some of the sense of excitement felt by all on those days through the performance of wonderful music performed by some very special artists. We feel particularly fortunate to be able to reveal some of the splendour of Jersey through the unique historical heritage. Stunning music in spectacular settings promises to liberate our souls and provide amazing experiences while reflecting on our fortune and freedom.