Lé Viaer Marchi (

Guernésiais Guernésiais, also known as ''Dgèrnésiais'', Guernsey French, and Guernsey Norman French, is the variety of the Norman language spoken in Guernsey. It is sometimes known on the island simply as "patois". As one of the langues d'oïl, it has it ...

: ''the old market'') is an annual community festival held in Guernsey, generally on the first Monday of July. Guernsey 2012 037

Purpose and organisation

Lé Viaer Marchi is both a cultural show event, and the most important fundraising event for the National Trust of Guernsey. Organised by a committee within the National Trust and generally run on the first Monday each July, it is a re-enactment of a 1900s market fair, complete with cultural aspects.

History

The regular reenactment of a market fair was begun in 1969 by Peggy Carey, later an MBE, who, with four friends, had in 1960 founded the

National Trust of Guernsey The National Trust of Guernsey is an association that preserves and enhances historic buildings and the heritage of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Founded in 1960, the association became The National Trust of Guernsey in 1967. In 1968, the Trust, as ...

. From the beginning known as ''Viaer Marchi'' or ''old market'', the first event took place in the courtyard of the Guernsey Folk Museum in

Saumarez Park Saumarez Park is the largest public park on the island of Guernsey. The Park The park, one of the island's main social venues, is located in the Parish of Castel, about 4 km from the centre of Saint Peter Port. It contains various facili ...

, and it is still generally held within the park. As of 2019, for the 50th anniversary, the organising committee was headed by the founder's grandson, Andrew Carey. It was deferred in 2012 due to a royal visit and cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Structure

The fair showcases local craftsmanship in Guernsey's history and includes displays showing the way in which Guernseymen and women used to live. Delicacies and traditional foods and drinks are served, with

Guernsey Bean Jar Bean jar (Guernésiais: ''moussaettes au four''; French: ''pot de haricots de Guernesey'') is a local dish of the Channel Island of Guernsey. The traditional Guernsey bean jar has been around for centuries, and is still popular today. It is a ca ...

being one of he most popular, along with

Guernsey Gâche Guernsey Gâche () is a local dish of the Channel Island of Guernsey. It is a special bread made with raisins, sultanas, cherries and mixed peel. In Guernésiais Guernésiais, also known as ''Dgèrnésiais'', Guernsey French, and Guernsey ...

(a type of fruit bread), honey, butter and both mead and cider. There is also a selection of activities for children. There are stalls set up for various bric-a-brac. Craftwork sold includes woodwork and

lace Lace is a delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Generally, lace is divided into two main categories, needlelace and bobbin lace, although there are other types of lace, such as knitted o ...

. Entertainment includes traditional dancing, bands performing local folk music, street entertainers, and sometimes

Punch and Judy Punch and Judy is a traditional puppet show featuring Mr. Punch and his wife Judy. The performance consists of a sequence of short scenes, each depicting an interaction between two characters, most typically Mr. Punch and one other character ...

shows. Typically the show attracts around 6,000 visitors, between locals and tourists.

References

{{reflist

External links

National Trust of Guernsey Video
Guernsey culture