“Heartfelt stories and images, together commemorating the freedom we enjoy today” Dame Mary Perkins
2020 marked the 75th anniversary of the Liberation of the Channel Islands, by the occupying German Forces during WW2. Stories of the Occupation continue to inspire generations of artists, poets, historians and writers. In Living Memory is a collection of contemporary visual arts, original essays and poetry, plus first hand memories of those who survived the war years and wish to share their memories - some for the very first time.
There are nearly 30 contributors to the book, including “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” co-author Annie Barrows, the world renowned artist and Guernsey-man Chris Foss (whose concept art is sought after by the movie industry for films such as Dune, Superman, Alien, Flash Gordon and Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy) plus Gilly Carr, author, Cambridge University Senior Lecturer and founder of the frankfallaarchive.org which details the stories of Channel Islanders deported to Nazi prison camps.
As curator and coordinator for this wonderful group of artists, poets and authors, I was fortunate enough to meet and interview survivors from the islands of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark. From these interviews, I created monologue style narratives from the transcripts of their conversations, giving colourful firsthand insights into the lived experience of this special generation. There are also other survivors who were willing to share their memories in essay form, written by themselves.
The book is published by Blue Ormer and the printing costs have been covered by Dame Mary Perkins. All proceeds are being donated to Age Concern Guernsey and Alderney.
The book can be purchased on-line at www.blueormer.co.uk