A RECORD number of ticket sales and attendees, a show-stopping line-up and experienced organisation made this year’s Jersey Festival of Words ‘the best yet’, its director has said.
Pippa Le Quesne added that their ultimate aim had been achieved this year – which was ‘to make it really feel like a festival’.
Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel, who holds responsibility for culture, further said that the festival continued not only to develop the tourism industry ‘outside the summer months’, but helped to make Jersey ‘an incredibly interesting place’ for Islanders.
There was plenty on offer at the series of events, which ran from 15 to 24 September, with stories from Dame Sheila Hancock, readings from the Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage, and spellbinding performances from Michael Morpurgo.
Alongside headline events in the Freedom Centre and Arts Centre, workshops and masterclasses ran at other venues for free.
Reflecting on the festival, director Pippa Le Quesne said: ‘The two predominant factors that made this year’s festival the best yet were first the cohesion of all the elements that we, as committee, have learnt from the preceding six festivals, and worked really hard to bring to fruition this year.
‘And secondly, the attendees were so invested and enthusiastic about everything they saw, be it the Poet Laureate or a debut author’s first ever event.
‘I am lucky enough to work with a team of hugely committed volunteers and the ultimate reward for them, and for me, is seeing the evident appreciation of the audiences at these events. That is what creates the festival magic.’
She added: ‘This year, we achieved what our aim has always been, which is to encourage people to come to several events and view it as a proper festival rather than just a night-out or a one-off opportunity to see a particular author.
‘The feedback we have had so far has been wonderful, and we can see it has become an important event in the Island’s cultural calendar.’
Ms Le Quesne also added that the Freedom Centre, used for an event for the first time since its refurbishment, was ‘a fantastic venue’.
Deputy Morel, who introduced Poet Laureate Simon Armitage to the stage last week, echoed the importance of the festival to Jersey.
He said: ‘Events like this help develop the Jersey tourism industry particularly, especially outside the main summer months, and provides something really interesting for Islanders.
‘The Festival of Words is going from strength to strength and I’m really pleased to support it.
‘The organisers have done an amazing job in bringing top authors and poets to Jersey, creating a series of events that develop and put Jersey on the map in many different ways.’
On Sunday afternoon, winners of the Festival of Words Writing Competition received their prizes and certificates in a special ceremony at the Arts Centre.
Festival vice-chair Paul Bisson and the panel of judges, comprising Claire Lilley, Natalie Saturnia, JEP reporter Kelly Frost and poet Traci O’Dea, expressed their thanks to the entrant’s of this year’s event, which was sponsored by Oakglen Wealth.
