A series of immersive walks through the streets of St Helier that focus on the Island’s native language of Jèrriais are being held by Jersey Heritage as part of celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Liberation.

The free ‘La fîn du temps f’tha tout vaie’ (Time Will Tell) guided walks, which are kindly sponsored by the Bailiff’s Chambers, will take place at the beginning of May and explore the part language plays in Islanders’ cultural identity.

Told through the eyes of someone being forced to leave Jersey due to the Occupation, the walks will be led by a local performance artist, who will guide participants from the Crapaud statue at Charing Cross to the Weighbridge, uncovering Jèrriais street names, their meanings and the stories they hold along the way.

Walkers will then be invited to visit the ‘Language Room’ at Jersey Museum, where they will be able to listen to a specially-commissioned Jèrriais soundscape and explore heartfelt stories about what language means to people. They will also be able to reflect on what they would take with them if they had to leave home, and what happens to language and identity when a native tongue is lost. As part of this, on display will be examples of what schoolchildren said they would take with them following discussions during their Jèrriais lessons.

Tracy Peters, Jersey Heritage’s Jèrriais Awareness Officer, said: “The ‘La fîn du temps f’tha tout vaie’ walks will celebrate Jèrriais, a vital part of Jersey’s cultural heritage, through an engaging and immersive experience. They offer a wonderful opportunity for people to unravel some of the stories of St Helier’s streets while considering the importance of native language. The promenade-style walks will also reflect on the broader themes of displacement, cultural identity and the impact of losing one’s native language, a theme that continues in the ‘Language Room’ at Jersey Museum.”

The free walks will take place daily from Monday to Saturday, 5-10 May at 10.30am, except on Liberation Day (9th) when the walk will be at 2pm. Tickets must be booked online via Eventbrite. The ‘Language Room’ at Jersey Museum will open on Monday, 5 May until Saturday, 17 May. Entry to the Museum is free.

Each participant in the walks will receive a map of the walk route illustrated with a beautiful hand-painted design by local illustrator Edie Le Blancq, who has included details of the walk, as well as Jèrriais place names and phrases.

The Bailiff of Jersey, Sir Timothy Le Cocq, said: “It gives me a great deal of pleasure to know that we have been able to support this project as part of this year’s 80th anniversary celebrations. The renewed efforts being made to help to keep the Island’s unique language alive are invaluable and we hope Islanders enjoy their immersive walks through the streets of St Helier while learning about the part language plays in our cultural identity.”

For more information about the ‘La fîn du temps f’tha tout vaie’ walks click here.

For more information about Jersey Heritage activity to celebrate Liberation 80, click here.