There are ten events taking place across Cornwall to mark ten years since Cornish people were given minority status.

In 2014, Cornish residents were recognised as a national minority by the UK Government, aligning their status with the Scots, Welsh and Irish.

This enables them to express, develop and share their unique culture and identity.

Statistics reveal a rise in the number of people declaring themselves as Cornish, with 117,350 referring to Cornish as their national identity or primary language in the 2021 Census.

The past decade has witnessed a noticeable revival in the Cornish language, with over 200 individuals enrolling for Kernewek classes annually, and more than 8,000 children learning Cornish through the Go Cornish for Primary Schools programme.

As part of the anniversary commemorations, Cornwall Council is urging residents to support events that promote Cornish culture.

These selected events represent the distinctive culture and identity of Cornwall, some being yearly traditions, while others have been specially arranged to celebrate the anniversary.

These events have received financial support from the council following the 2023 Devolution Deal for Cornwall, which incorporated £500,000 for Cornish cultural and language initiatives.

Councillor Dick Cole, chair of the Cornish Minority Working Group, said: "Cornwall and Cornish people have a unique identity, which we need to cherish and protect into the future.

"The ten-year anniversary of the Cornish being given national minority status is certainly worth celebrating and I encourage people to support these brilliant events and activities that keep our Cornish traditions alive."

Falmouth Packet:

The 10 events are:

  • The Cornish Treasures exhibition at Kresen Kernow runs from now through to July. Visit it to find out about Cornish cultural heritage, from wrestling to food and music.
  • A Cornish language concert took place at Redruth Chapel at the end of April. This included a youth orchestra and eight singer-songwriters, all performing new music.
  • During Speak Cornish Week in June, various events featuring Cornish singing will take place across Cornwall, from singing for young families in libraries to singing old favourites in pubs.
  • In July, Endelienta, an arts organisation in St Endellion, will bring together Cornish performers for a residency to create a new work. This will then be performed in a concert.
  • Also in July, there will be chances to experience Cornish wrestling in Bodmin and nearby.
  • August will see Cornish music and dance featured at the Lorient Festival in Brittany, France. More than 900,000 visitors attend the festival each year.
  • In September, the annual Gorsedh Kernow bardic ceremony will take place in Callington.
  • The Cornish County Gig Championships also get underway in September in Newquay. Lowender, a Cornish music and dance festival, takes place in Redruth in October.
  • Cornish food will be celebrated as part of a project called More than just pasties in Redruth.