Jennifer Bridge
IN an increasingly polarised world where social-media algorithms force us, often unknowingly, into echo chambers, literary festivals emerge as vital platforms for dialogue, learning and connection.
Jersey Festival of Words exemplifies this, showcasing a plethora of authors and poets ranging from established names to emerging voices. As festival author Dr Helen Fry explained: “Literary festivals are vital to a healthy national dialogue, the freedom of ideas and a forum to bring history and literature to life.”
I would add that literary festivals nurture critical thinking and cultivate a sense of community which transcends geographic and cultural boundaries.
This was my first year attending the festival as the “retired” chair. Attending without the prior detailed knowledge that comes from being intrinsically involved in the planning stage meant that I could experience the festival anew, and what a joy that was.
I attended events that I planned to see, but then, caught up in the atmosphere, I found myself hanging around and then just going to whatever was on next. What a gift this was. It is not hyperbole to state that I will never look at a tree the same again after attending Tristan Gooley’s event “How to read a tree”, and I cannot wait to get out to use my newfound, albeit basic knowledge.
At its core, Jersey Festival of Words celebrates words in all their forms, transforming The Freedom Centre and Jersey Arts Centre, school halls, the Millennium Park, the Lido and Jersey Library into bustling centres of word-related fun, discourse and intellectual exchange.
Every event that I attended, ranging from Henry Hemmings’ Four Shots in the Night, the story of a political murder of an IRA member turned British informant, to Michael Rosen’s Getting Better, was well attended, demonstrating a thirst for books.
How wonderful that we have our own literary festival where we can encounter thoughts, cultures and perspectives that may be outside of our usual experiences, thus broadening our horizons.
Engagement with diverse authors and their works prompts us to question our assumptions and beliefs. A reader encountering a provocative narrative from a different cultural or political background is given cause to reflect on their experiences and beliefs.
This was certainly the case for the students from Le Rocquier school and their guests from other schools. English teacher Sam Bensaid explained: “We were honoured to welcome the author Malcolm Duffy and Ukrainian refugee Sofiia (who, along with her family, was taken in by Malcolm’s family in 2022). Sofiia shared her poignant story of leaving Ukraine, which deeply moved all who attended.”
The captivated audience of students had a rare opportunity to hear the lived experience of Sofiia and ask her questions about what life was like in Ukraine before the war and what it meant to be a refugee and forge a new life in the UK. Sam Bensaid continued: “I believe children can become inspired by English, as literature can introduce them to the diverse world that we live in and how language can be used and manipulated to construct different thoughts and opinions clearly.”
One of the most significant aspects of literary festivals is their ability to foster dialogue. In a social climate increasingly characterised by divisive rhetoric, these events present a unique opportunity for conversations that are not only engaging but also necessary. John Nettles OBE gave a compellingly intimate talk to a sold-out auditorium at the Freedom Centre. Sitting on a stool on stage, he spoke about his latest book, Gentle Violence – the first unabridged translation of the diary of Baron von Aufsess, commanding officer of the German Civilian Administration in Jersey during the war.
Mr Nettles carefully revealed the Baron’s innermost thoughts and asked us how we should consider him, ending with a crack in his voice saying simply, “I love him”.
Mr Nettles carefully explained the good deeds and character of von Aufsess, describing a multi-lingual, cultured intellectual – albeit a womaniser, too. It was all the more shockingly impactful when the tone of his talk became darker as he gave an exposition of von Aufsess’s embrace of aspects of Nazi doctrine, his anti-Semitism as expressed in a casual slur used to describe the wartime Bailiff and the Baron’s anti-Semitic distaste for the Jewish surrealist step-sisters Claude Cahun and Marcel Moore.
Returning to the good deeds, Nettles explained how von Aufsess acted as a buffer between Nazism and the Jersey population, making life a bit more bearable where he could, and, significantly, he played a key part in securing the visit of the SS Vega, which brought Red Cross parcels for Islanders at a time when people were starving.
As I left the auditorium, the question left in my mind was whether we were being asked to take a utilitarian approach that his good deeds for the majority outweighed his bad for the few. I, for one, cannot.
Beyond intellectual enrichment, literary festivals offer social benefits that are often under-reported. They unite people, creating a communal environment where friendships are made and friendships are strengthened through a shared love of literature. In a time when social isolation is prevalent, the literary festival experience stands out as a remedy for disconnection. Attendees leave behind their everyday lives to immerse themselves in stories, ideas and experiences.
The queue for book signings with authors is a great place to cultivate new acquaintances based on a common love for an author or subject. Books challenge us to think, to feel, and most importantly, to connect.
It is this catalyst of human connection that literary festivals harness. They provide an arena that showcases not only the power of storytelling but also the interconnectedness of our human experiences, reminding us that despite our differences, we share a common thread of inquiry and vulnerability.
Crucially, the impact of literary festivals reaches far beyond the immediate community they serve. They contribute to a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape that informs bigger conversations. As authors present their work, they become catalysts for change, challenging norms and pushing boundaries that can lead to long-term shifts in readers’ understanding.
Dr Helen Fry’s event is a case in point. She explained how her latest book, Women in Intelligence: The hidden history of two World Wars, places new research on record for the first time as she uncovers legacies that have been hidden by official secrecy. During her event, she encouraged attendees to reconsider the common understanding of the role of women in the First and Second World Wars. She explained that as files became declassified, she uncovered stories that challenged assumptions.
Far from sitting behind desks and typing, or being a small part of covert operations, women were integral to the successful outcome of the wars and were running spy networks and escape lines and being parachuted behind enemy lines. One woman was running all the naval intelligence ahead of D-Day.
With 50-plus events, I have only scratched the surface, but I hope I have given food for thought. Jersey Festival of Words transcends mere gatherings of book lovers: it is a dynamic hub of community, creativity and thought.
It brings people together, inspires dialogue and encourages critical thinking, reinforcing the idea that literature is not just a tool for individual reflection but a collective force for social change.
In pursuing these conversations, we not only expand our knowledge but also reaffirm our shared humanity.
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Former States Deputy Jennifer Bridge MBE is a non-executive director and part-time teacher. Outside of work, she is known as an experienced chair in the third sector. She recently stepped down after nearly ten years as chair of the Jersey Festival of Words. When not leading community campaigns such as Jersey Assisted Dying Action Group, she enjoys running the Jersey Repair Café: Grouville group, attending two non-fiction book groups and sea swimming
