At the end of August, the Société Jersiaise was delighted to welcome a delegation of ten representatives from leading art organisations across Normandy, accompanied by James Tyson, Head of Programme at ArtHouse Jersey. The visit, coordinated by the Normandy arts network RN13bis, formed part of a wider Channel Islands initiative aimed at strengthening cultural connections and fostering future artistic collaborations between Normandy and the Islands.
For many of the visitors, this was their first opportunity to discover both the Lord Coutanche Library and the Société Jersiaise. The group showed great interest in learning more about the Société’s role in preserving and promoting Jersey’s heritage and cultural identity.
The visit began in the Arthur Mourant Room, where James Tyson introduced the work of ArtHouse Jersey. Rebecca Bailhache, Chief Executive Officer of the Société Jersiaise, then presented the history and activities of the Société, followed by Rochelle Merhet, Photographic Archivist, who highlighted the work of the Photographic Archive and its extensive collections.
Valérie Noël, Librarian, then welcomed the delegation to the Lord Coutanche Library and provided an introduction to the Library’s collections. Visitors were invited to explore a curated selection of items showcasing the breadth and richness of Jersey’s documentary heritage.
Visitors were particularly impressed by the diversity of the collections and the close historical connections between Jersey and Normandy reflected in many of the items on display. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to share the Library’s remarkable resources with an engaged and appreciative audience, while strengthening cultural links between Jersey and Normandy.
As collaborative projects and exchanges continue to develop through initiatives such as the 2027 European Year of the Normans programme, the visit highlighted the valuable role that heritage collections can play in fostering dialogue, inspiring creativity, and strengthening cross-Channel partnerships.
