Mercury prize-nominated singer Gwenno Saunders advocates for wider teaching of Cornish (Kernewek) in primary schools to preserve the language and local culture, sharing songs and history with pupils in Mevagissey, Cornwall.
‘The language is part of my life’: Gwenno shares songs in Cornish to inspire new generation
CornwallCultureEnglandLanguagesPrimary schoolsSocietyCommunitiesSchools
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Mercury prize-nominated singer Gwenno Saunders advocates for wider teaching of Cornish (Kernewek) in primary schools to preserve the language and local culture, sharing songs and history with pupils in Mevagissey, Cornwall.
Trending- 1 1497: Cornish rebellion
- 2 1549: Prayer Book Rebellion
- 3 2022: Gwenno nominated for Mercury prize for 'Tresor'
- 4 2023: Gwenno performed at Minack theatre
- 5 Recently (June 2025): Gwenno visits Mevagissey community primary school
- 6 June 13-22, 2025: Heligan Homecoming festival
- Increased awareness and promotion of the Cornish language
- Potential for wider teaching of Cornish in schools
- Preservation of local culture and history
- Children gaining a sense of place and community
What: Singer Gwenno Saunders is promoting the Cornish language (Kernewek) and culture by performing and speaking to primary school children, advocating for its inclusion in the curriculum to preserve it.
When: Recently (article published June 8, 2025), specifically before a performance at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Heligan Homecoming festival takes place between June 13 and 22. Gwenno was nominated for Mercury prize in 2022, last performed in Cornwall in 2023.
Where: Mevagissey, Cornwall, England; Lost Gardens of Heligan, Cornwall, England; Minack theatre, Cornwall, England.
Why: To protect and preserve the Cornish language and local culture, which has only about 500 fluent speakers, and to give children a sense of place, community, and creativity in a globalized world.
How: Gwenno visited Mevagissey community primary school, sang songs (including 'Den Heb Taves' and 'Eus Keus?'), discussed the importance of Kernewek, and spoke about historical events like the Cornish rebellions of 1497 and 1549. Cornwall council also has a 'Go Cornish for Primary Schools' initiative.