Chief Minister to sign Normandy UNESCO proposal

The Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, will visit Lower Normandy on 6 June 2013 to add his signature to the region’s proposal to have the D-Day landing beaches recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

Accompanied by the Assistant Minister for Education, Sport and Culture, Deputy Rod Bryans, Senator Gorst will sign the proposal at the head office of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy in Caen.

 

They will then travel to Courseulles-sur-Mer, site of the Juno landings, where they will attend a commemorative ceremony for the 69th anniversary of D-Day. Also attending the ceremony will be: the French Junior Minister for Veterans, Kader Arif; the President of the Regional Council of Lower Normandy, Mr Laurent Beauvais; and the departmental and regional Préfet, Michel Lalande.

 

Senator Gorst commented: “We are delighted to be able to offer our support to Lower Normandy in its bid to have these historic landmarks recognised by UNESCO. President Beauvais and I recently signed a letter of intent to work more closely together and this visit is an example of the way in which our shared history unites us in our current work. The Normandy landings brought hope to Channel Islanders who had endured years of occupation, and the promise of liberation to our neighbours in France. Both our communities felt the impact of this historic turning point in the Second World War, and these beaches remain a powerful and important symbol of liberty.”

 

President Beauvais added: “I am happy that Jersey is supporting our proposal. This occasion marks the 69th anniversary of the Normandy landings, which is of course highly symbolic. I am very honoured that people from all over the world are backing our bid. Utah, Omaha, Gold, Sword and Juno beaches are symbolic destinations for visitors and they also embody the universal values of peace, liberty and reconciliation. The region of Lower Normandy is accepting signatures from everyone who wishes to support this proposal. We hope to gather as many signatures as possible between now and the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.”

 

Those wishing to add their support to the region’s proposal should visit the Regional Council of Lower Normandy's website.