Bodmin hosts Gorsedh Kernow festival and induction of 21 new Cornish Bards

The Gorsedh Kernow Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture will take place in Bodmin from 1 to 6 September 2026. Events include a Gorsedh Awards ceremony on 4 September, a bardic ceremony and the confirmation of 21 new Bards on 5 September, concerts, Cornish wrestling demonstrations and a final service in Cornish at St Mary’s Church on 6 September. Grand Bard Jenefer Lowe welcomed the return of the festival to Bodmin, noting the last visit was in 1997, and Bodmin mayor Liz Ahearn highlighted the event’s significance for Cornwall’s language and heritage.

The newly appointed Bards represent a range of contributions to Cornish culture, from music and drama to language promotion and heritage preservation. They include individuals from across Cornwall and the diaspora, such as Paul Haas and Catherine Quayle from California, Phil Lokan from South Australia, and Francesco Trejo from Mexico, reflecting the global reach of the Cornish community.