The Gorsedh Kernow, a celebration of Cornish culture, has just wrapped up in Callington, a market town nestled in southeast Cornwall, England. This year’s gathering, which took place from 31st August to 7th September, featured a vibrant week of events, culminating in the induction of 24 new bards, including two from Australia. The festival drew bards and cultural enthusiasts from across the globe.

Central to the festival was the Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture, which ran concurrently, offering workshops, exhibits, and performances celebrating Cornish heritage. The Gorsedh Kernow week-long programme included events such as a Cornish dance night, theatre performances, and music sessions. The festival featured traditional Cornish activities like Cornish Wrestling, storytelling, and choir performances. Throughout the week, there were intensive Cornish language courses and exhibitions on past Gorsedh events. It concluded with the Gordesh Service in Cornish on Sunday, 8th September.

The induction of new bards, a solemn and traditional ceremony conducted in the Cornish language, honoured those who have contributed to the preservation and promotion of Cornish culture. Twenty-four new bards were welcomed into the College of Bards of Gorsedh Kernow on 7th September by the Grand Bard of Cornwall, Pol Hodge, Mab Stenak Veur, in recognition of their outstanding work in serving Cornwall.

The Australian inductees are Arthur Coates from Victoria and Robynne Sanderson from Broken Hill, New South Wales, for their services to Cornish identity in Australia. The ceremony was live streamed online. 

In ancient Celtic times, the Bards were the chief holders of the history and genealogies of the nations. Bards swear on investiture that they will continue their work for Cornwall, and for the manifestation of the Cornish Celtic spirit! Each Bard takes on a name in the Cornish language which is unique.

Australian Assemblies of the Bards are held most years. Gatherings are held biannually at Moonta, Wallaroo or Kadina in South Australia, during the Kernewek Lowender festival. The next festival will take place in 12th to 18th May 2025. See http://www.kernewek.org for more information. 

Pictures: Main: The Gorsedh Kernow in Cornwall. Picture: James Kitto, gorsedhkernow.org.uk. Cover and above: Australian Bards in Cornwall, above, and right, New Bards Arthur Coates, Skeusenner Ostrali – Photographer in Australia, and Robynne Sanderson, Ilewydh Bre Derrys – Musician of Broken Hill. Pictures: gorsedhkernow.org.uk