Cornish Culture Thrives: St Piran’s Day Highlights a Growing Revival

Today, Cornwall is alive with celebrations as communities mark St Piran’s Day. From Cornish wrestling to food festivals and a growing interest in the Cornish language, traditional culture is thriving across the Duchy. Cornwall Council has highlighted the success of various projects that are helping to keep these traditions alive, many of which have been supported by devolution funding.

A Growing Interest in Kernewek

One of the biggest successes in recent years has been the resurgence of the Cornish language. More than 200 people sign up for Kernewek classes annually, and over 8,000 schoolchildren have taken part in the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme, commissioned by Cornwall Council.

For younger children, libraries across Cornwall have been running rhyme time sessions, introducing little ones to Cornish words and phrases in a fun and interactive way. These sessions were supported by funding secured as part of the 2023 Devolution Deal.

Cornish storybooks are also available online, helping more people engage with the language from home.

Funding Fuels Cultural Celebrations

In 2024, additional funding was allocated to a range of projects designed to keep Cornish traditions alive. This included:

• More Than Just Pasties, a food festival celebrating Cornwall’s diverse culinary heritage.
• Concerts and events featuring Cornish song and dance.
• A grant awarded to a Cornish wrestling group.
• Support for filmmakers producing short films featuring the Cornish language.

‘Worth Celebrating’

Carol Mould, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, said:

“I am delighted to see that Cornish culture is thriving across the Duchy and that the devolution funding has helped different groups, projects and organisations.

“There are so many interesting events and programmes taking place in Cornwall which are helping to preserve our heritage and keep our traditions alive, and that really is worth celebrating.

“I’d like to wish everyone in Cornwall Gool Peran Lowen (happy St Piran’s Day) and I urge residents to support their local events as we celebrate all things Cornish.”

With celebrations in full swing today, Cornwall’s deep-rooted traditions are being embraced by people of all ages, ensuring that the Duchy’s cultural heritage remains strong for generations to come.