Gwenno: Cornish Songs & Inspiring a New Generation | Cornwall
- Cornish singer Gwenno Saunders, a Mercury Prize nominee, is advocating for increased Cornish language instruction in schools.
- Saunders recently visited Mevagissey community primary school, where she sang with Year 5 students.
- Singing in Cornish, Welsh, and English, Saunders emphasized the importance of local heritage.
mercury prize nominee Gwenno Saunders champions greater Cornish language instruction in schools, urging its vital role in preserving Cornish culture. News Directory 3 reports on her recent visit to Mevagissey Community Primary School, where she engaged students with performances highlighting the importance of local heritage. Saunders emphasizes that incorporating the language into the curriculum fosters a sense of place and community, crucial in today’s globalized world.She connects ancient events, like the Cornish rebellions, to underscore this need, while also noting the limited exposure of Cornish to students.The Cornwall Council‘s “Go Cornish for Primary schools” initiative supports these preservation efforts. Discover what’s next for Saunders and the Cornish language movement.
Gwenno saunders Calls for more Cornish Language Education
updated june 08, 2025
Cornish singer Gwenno Saunders, a Mercury Prize nominee, is advocating for increased Cornish language instruction in schools. She believes this would protect the language and preserve local culture in the southwestern region of Britain.
Saunders recently visited Mevagissey community primary school, where she sang with Year 5 students. The performance, ahead of her appearance at the Lost Gardens of Heligan, covered topics ranging from the vitality of Kernewek (Cornish) to historical rebellions and even cheese.
Singing in Cornish, Welsh, and English, Saunders emphasized the importance of local heritage. “It’s really nourishing for children to learn about local heritage and history in a language that is from the place where they live,” Saunders said.
Saunders noted the children’s limited exposure to the Cornish language. She believes incorporating it into the curriculum would benefit students. “Having local strains of history and language and accents gives you a sense of place and sense of community and creativity,” she added, highlighting the risk of homogenization in a globalized world.
At the school,Saunders performed “Den Heb Taves,” a song about language loss and its impact on identity.She also discussed the Cornish rebellions of 1497 and 1549, connecting historical events to the importance of language and cultural preservation.
“The children in Mevagissey weren’t that familiar with the language as they don’t have access to it. I think it would be really useful for it to be on the curriculum.”
Gwenno Saunders
Cornwall Council estimates there are approximately 500 advanced Cornish speakers and 2,000 with basic proficiency. The council has launched “Go Cornish for Primary Schools,” a free initiative aimed at promoting Cornish language and culture.
Saunders also lightened the mood with “Eus Keus? (Is There Cheese?),” a song she said embodies the humor and absurdity inherent in any language or culture.
What’s next
Saunders continues to promote the cornish language through her music and performances, including an appearance at the Heligan Homecoming festival. Her advocacy aims to ensure the language thrives for future generations.