A literature festival, or making Liberation Day the highlight of a week of events would boost tourism and provide more events for Islanders to get involved with, says Assistant Education Minister Carolyn Labey, who has responsibility for culture.
She said there was an overlap between the Education, Sport and Culture department and the Tourism Department, which comes under the umbrella of Economic Development.
But rather than try to build festivals from scratch, Deputy Labey says the States should step back and let the ‘culture providers’ fill programmes of events, with the departments helping with funding, promotion and administration.
Art groups, theatre companies and writers would provide the substance of the festivals, she said, backed by celebrations of Jersey’s food and language.
‘The events have got to come from grass roots,’ said Deputy Labey.
‘But government is there to support it not only in financial terms but the whole co-ordination of events and bookings, a database of advertising and a central online booking facility.
‘This will enhance our own identity.’
