Free exhibition asks 'What makes Jersey, Jersey?'

Tuesday, 11 November 2025 07:00

Jersey Heritage is asking what 'Jersey things' should be safeguarded into the future.

A list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) has been compiled by Jersey Heritage. It includes things that aren't physical objects, but are aspects of our island's culture that should be preserved.

Islanders were asked to nominate the things they felt were uniquely Jersey and should be passed down to the next generation.

A new free exhibition called ‘What makes Jersey Jersey?’ is open this month in the Link Gallery at Jersey Museum.

The 12 nominations are:
1. The Breeding of the Jersey cow
2. The Performing of Jèrriais
3. Crafting the Cabbage Stick
4. Maritime Navigation Using Transit Marks
5. Vraicking
6. Governing, Legislating and Policing
7. Apple and Pear Production
8. The Surfing Scene
9. The Commemoration of Occupation and Liberation (1940-1945)
10. Selling ‘Hedge Veg’
11. Low Water Fishing
12. Bellringing in the Western Parishes

The nominations will eventually form an inventory of ICH that could be considered for UNESCO World Intangible Heritage Status. Designation would require safeguarding measures to be put in place to keep the heritage alive for the future.

Vic Tanner-Davy, Head of Programmes at Jersey Heritage says they are things that are part of our past, present, and future:

"We are asking people to vote for their favourite to give us a steer on whether these choices are the right ones.

"We hope the exhibition will prompt plenty of discussion about what should be on the list and why it is important."