Guernsey museums mark Denys Corbet bicentenary
- Guernsey Museums & Galleries will host a free 'Denys Corbet Night' on Friday 22 May to mark the 200th anniversary of the poet's birth
- Guernsey Museum at Candie will be open from 6pm to 8pm with illustrated talks, Corbet's self-portrait on display, and poetry readings
- Free guided walks inspired by Corbet's epic poem L'Touar de Guernesy will take place on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May
- Corbet, known as 'Le Draïn Rimeux' ('The Last Poet'), was among the first to recognise Guernesiais as a threatened language
- The Guernsey Language Commission will be present with information about the language today
Guernsey Museums & Galleries will host a free evening event and guided walks this month to mark the bicentenary of Denys Corbet, one of the island's most celebrated cultural figures.
The 'Denys Corbet Night' on Friday 22 May will celebrate the life of the Guernsey poet, artist and writer, exactly 200 years to the day after he was born on 22 May 1826. Corbet is best remembered for writing in Guernesiais and was known as 'Le Draïn Rimeux' ('The Last Poet').
Guernsey Museum at Candie will be open from 6pm until 8pm with free entry and no pre-booking required. An illustrated talk about Corbet's life will take place in the lecture theatre at 6.15pm and will be repeated at 7.15pm.
The museum will be open as usual, with the chance to visit the Guernesiais language bench and see Corbet's artwork in the Rona Cole Art Gallery. The Guernsey Language Commission will be present with information about the language today.
Corbet's self-portrait will be on temporary display to mark the special occasion. Poetry inspired by Guernesiais and Corbet will take place in the museum galleries, hosted by the monthly poetry group 'Night Voices'.
The café will be open for the duration and visitors will be able to learn how to sing Happy Birthday in Guernesiais. The event is part of the museum's After-Hours programme, a varied selection of evening events that take place during the year.
Guided walks will celebrate the bicentenary on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May. The walk is inspired by the 19th century epic poem L'Touar de Guernesy, which was a tour of the parishes where Corbet recorded life unfolding around him.
Corbet lived through the entire reign of Queen Victoria and witnessed huge cultural, linguistic and economic change in the island. The walk starts at Forest Church at 10.30am and finishes at the same location at approximately 12.30pm.
The walk will be led by an accredited tour guide. It is free of charge and supported by Guernsey Museums. Booking is essential via [email protected] or by calling 07839 106 284.
Jo Dowding, access & learning manager, said: "I would particularly like to offer a warm welcome to those people who have never heard of Denys Corbet before. It is clear from his poetry that he truly adored Guernsey. He was one of the first to realise that Guernesiais was a threatened language and we have a lot to thank him for."
Q&A
Q: When and where is the Denys Corbet Night taking place?
A: The Denys Corbet Night will take place on Friday 22 May at Guernsey Museum at Candie from 6pm until 8pm. Entry is free with no pre-booking required.
Q: Who was Denys Corbet?
A: Denys Corbet was a Guernsey poet, artist and writer born on 22 May 1826. He is best remembered for writing in Guernesiais and was known as 'Le Draïn Rimeux' ('The Last Poet'). He was one of the first to realise that Guernesiais was a threatened language.
Q: How can people book for the guided walks?
A: The guided walks on Friday 22 and Saturday 23 May are free but booking is essential via [email protected] or by calling 07839 106 284. The walks start at Forest Church at 10.30am and finish at approximately 12.30pm.
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