Cornish language comes alive as schoolchildren celebrate Kernewek
Speak Cornish Week event brings together young performers from across Cornwall
As a celebration of Kernewek schoolchildren from across Cornwall showcased the cultural significance of Kernewek—the Cornish language—through songs, rhymes, and stories.
As part of Speak Cornish Week, the Go Cornish awards gathered children from 10 schools, highlighting the impact of the native language in schools and communities.
Held at Lys Kernow (New County Hall) on 25th June, Cornwall Council’s Fifth Nation Members’ Working Group organised to help grow enthusiasm around the language.
At the event four schools achieved their Bronze Go Cornish award, recognising their commitment to integrating Kernewek into school activities.
The Go Cornish programme, commissioned by Cornwall Council and implemented by Golden Tree Productions, involves over 6,000 children from 30 schools, fostering engagement through Cornish language initiatives.
Councillor Hilary Frank, Cabinet member responsible for Children, Schools and Families at Cornwall Council, expressed delight at seeing young attendees embrace Kernewek.
"It’s wonderful to see these young people celebrating our language and having so much fun with it," Frank said. She emphasised Kernewek’s role in shaping Cornwall’s cultural identity and enhancing children’s connection to their heritage.
Councillor for Culture and Cornish Language Sarah Preece also highlighted the language’s expressiveness and the community’s efforts to preserve it.
"Kernewek gives us a strong feeling of belonging and connection – to Cornwall’s history and to one another," Preece said.
Cllr Preece also noted the recent Part III recognition under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, and the development of a Cornish Language Strategy aimed at sustaining the language over the next decade.
Founder and artistic director of Golden Tree Productions Will Coleman said it showcased the vision of the Go Cornish programme in bringing Kernewek into daily life.
"This is exactly what Go Cornish is about – those small, powerful moments where Kernewek comes alive in people’s everyday lives," Coleman said.
He acknowledged Cornwall’s collective desire to celebrate the language and pass it to future generations, citing music, shared experiences, and simple dialogue as key to invigorating a living language.
The event further celebrated the linguistic heritage of Cornwall during Speak Cornish Week and aimed to demonstrate the community’s dedication to keeping Kernewek alive and accessible year-round.