Residents are busy working with bards of Gorsedh Kernow putting the finishing touches to this year’s Gorsedh Kernow Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture, being held in St Keverne on the Lizard and starting on Wednesday, August 31.

The Festival will include a one-day conference on the Friday, which will continue building on support for and understanding of Cornwall’s national minority status by focusing on the thorny issue of proposed changes by HM Government to parliamentary boundaries, potentially creating a controversial ’Devonwall’ constituency.

Among many other events in this year’s Festival, the busy Esedhvos programme also includes a book fair and book launch with a series of short talks from winners of this year’s Holyer an Gof publishers awards; a Cornish play followed by the much-loved Troyl dance; a gala concert on the Saturday evening in St Keverne Parish Hall with local performers and entertainers including the An Gof Players and St Keverne Silver Band, and a church service in the Cornish language.

Many events are free of charge and all are welcome to attend.

 The centrepiece of the Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture will be the 2pm Bardic ceremony in St Keverne Playing Field on Saturday, September 3 where 19 new bards will be initiated.  Entry is free and there will be plenty of space for the public to come and watch. 

Stalls with Cornish themed goods will be open on the field from late morning and refreshments will be available all day.