Guernsey's Victor Hugo Centre reaches fundraising milestone and unveils sculpture

Tuesday, 4 November 2025 11:30

The Victor Hugo Centre has raised more than 90% of its capital campaign target.

The Victor Hugo Centre has raised more than £6.5 million.

The amount makes up 90% of the Centre’s capital campaign target and around 70% of its overall goal.

The milestone was revealed on the 170th anniversary of Hugo’s arrival in Guernsey.

At an anniversary dinner, internationally acclaimed sculptor, Nicole Farhi, unveiled a life-size bronze bust of Hugo as a gift to the Centre.

The bust captures the likeness of the author of Les Misérables as he was when he arrived on the island in 1855 aged 53.

Nicole Farhi with her sculpture (Credit: Paul Chambers)

Larry Malcic, chair of the Victor Hugo Centre, says: "We are delighted to share this exciting milestone with our island community, who have been so generous with their support."

Nicole Farhi added: "It seems such a good omen that when I had finished my Miscarriages of Justice exhibition, my next project was Victor Hugo, who was a pioneering advocate for change and meant so much to me as I was born in France.

"This Centre is so important to have, not only for people in Guernsey as it allows them to learn more about Hugo and all his ideas which are so relevant to today, but also for tourists and international visitors to learn of the place that was a home for Hugo and inspired many of his most important works."