Katherine Jenkins to celebrate Guernsey’s Liberation Anniversary

Katherine Jenkins will be helping to kick off Guernsey’s Liberation Anniversary celebrations in spectacular style this year.

The high profile opera singer, who can be currently seen as judge and mentor on the new TV show Popstar to Operastar, will stage a special performance on Saturday 1st May, accompanied by the full 32-piece National Symphony Orchestra, and will sing a combination of classical and contemporary songs from her repertoire.

This year’s Liberation Day anniversary on Guernsey (Sunday 9th May) will have a special resonance, as 2010 marks both the 70th anniversary of the evacuation of islanders to Britain prior to the wartime Nazi occupation and the 65th anniversary of Guernsey’s liberation.

In addition to Katherine Jenkins’ appearance, to celebrate the anniversaries Guernsey will bring together for the first time more than 1200 voices, which will sing together in one huge performance on Liberation Day, 9th May. Guernsey Sings – A Thousand Voices will be comprised of choirs and locals from across the island, who will perform a specially commissioned piece by a local composer and a programme of choral classics.

Along with Guernsey Sings – A Thousand Voices, the main festivities can be enjoyed in the island’s vibrant capital St Peter Port; great local produce will be on offer and live entertainment will include a 40s-style Big Band.

The colour and pageantry of the Liberation Celebrations Cavalcade will be an integral part of the day: the parade will be divided into nine categories ranging from pedestrians in costume to large floats, with a major part of the cavalcade made up of military vehicles.

The Liberation Firework Extravaganza will bring the day to a spectacular conclusion. The majority of the island’s 10 parishes will also be staging their own events, on either the 8th or 10th May.

Guernsey’s occupation, which has more recently come into the spotlight with the success of best-selling novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (voted Paperback of the Year by The Times/WHSmith), had a huge impact on the 23,000-strong community who remained on the island from 1940 – 1945. It is still physically evident today in the many remaining fortifications around Guernsey’s coast and, for visitors who want to get a deeper understanding, the island offers a number of attractions, such as the German Occupation Museum and the German Underground Military Hospital.

Jason Moriarty, VisitGuernsey’s media relations manager, said:

“Liberation Day is a focal point of the Guernsey calendar every year, but the anniversaries make it extra special in 2010. The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to experience occupation and Guernsey provides visitors with an unmissable insight into the war years.”

Karen Solway, from Things to Do Guernsey, promoter of Katherine Jenkins’ performance, said:

“This project will enable the people of Guernsey to enjoy a fantastic experience. This calibre of artist is not often seen on the island.”

Katherine Jenkins’ concert will take place at Beau Sejour Centre. For more information please visit thingstodoguernsey.com.

For more information on Guernsey, see visitguernsey.com.