Islanders asked about adopting Beautiful Jersey as island anthem

Monday, 18 November 2024 09:06

We're being asked if Liberation Day should formally be Jersey's national day, and if Beautiful Jersey should be recognised as the Jersey anthem.

The government has begun a public consultation on formally adopting Liberation Day as the island's national day.

Deputy Carolyn Labey, Minister for International Development, says it wouldn't change the way we celebrate 9 May, but it would help other jurisdictions better understand its importance.

The consultation is also asking if Beautiful Jersey, which is traditionally sung at the annual Liberation Day service in Liberation Square, should be adopted as a Jersey anthem.

Officials have stressed that God Save the King would remain our national anthem, but a Jersey anthem would be played at sporting events and cultural ceremonies - both here and internationally.

Deputy Labey said: “We hope to strengthen a sense of community and citizenship in Jersey through this consultation, while also commemorating our heritage and history. It would be lovely to formalise both a national day and a Jersey anthem in time for the 80th anniversary of Liberation Day next year.

“The song ‘Beautiful Jersey’ is already viewed by many as our anthem and has been used at public and sporting events for some time. However, it has never been officially agreed as such."

The consultation is open until 18 January.