The Gorsedh Kernow Awards celebrate and honour those who demonstrate the Celtic spirit of Cornwall in creativity or community work and it is open to anyone to nominate. The scheme caters for all ages, with Young People’s’ Awards up to age 18, and Adults’ Awards and the new Certificates of Recognition. Last year saw a record number of nominations and submissions. This year’s deadline of 31 March gives plenty of time to nominate someone, or submit work, this year. Last year’s winners included filmmaker Mark Jenkin for his outstanding creative work and Craig Weatherhill, for a lifetime of service to Cornwall. Who will be honoured this year?
These awards are agreed by a panel whose judgments are informed by specialist adjudicators but candidates are nominated by the public. If you have been inspired or impressed by an outstanding contribution to Cornish community or culture made by an individual or group you can nominate them for a Gorsedh Kernow Award. This may be someone, or a group, whose creative or community work has promoted, embodied or demonstrated the Celtic spirit of Cornwall for a considerable time or in an exceptional way. Winners will be awarded the prestigious Awen Medal, specially designed and made from Cornish tin.
You can also enter your own work for recognition by Gorsedh Kernow’s specialist adjudicators. Successful submissions will be awarded a new Certificate of Recognition and may, in exceptional circumstances, be awarded an Awen medal. Adults can submit work in Cornish language writing, Cornish dialect writing, Cornish study, and Creative Work. Creative Work is a new category that enables individuals or groups to submit evidence of their own project (such as an exhibition, new song, or performance). Published books from 2020 should be submitted instead to the Gorsedh Kernow Holyer an Gof Awards scheme. http://www.holyerangofawards.org.uk .
Details of how to nominate someone for an award, to submit your own work for recognition, and of the Young People’s awards, are available on the Gorsedh Kernow website at https://gorsedhkernow.org.uk/awards/
In normal circumstances all winners are invited to a presentation evening, with entertainment, and exhibition at the September Esedhvos Festival of Culture. Last year Covid19 restrictions meant we celebrated our winners online but we hope that this September, regulations permitting, the Grand Bard, Elizabeth Carne, will be able to present medals and certificates at a live event at the planned Esedhvos in Bude & Stratton.
If you would like more information on the Gorsedh Kernow Awards, please email awards@gorsedhkernow.org.uk.