With Padstow’s ‘Obby ‘Os and Helston Flora Day now out of the way, Cornish eyes now go down to the Yorke Peninsular in South Australia whwre the Kernewek Lowender (the world’s largest Cornish festival) is well ready to get underway today (10 May).
The 20th festival held since it started in 1973 promises to again bring people from far and wide together for 6 days of cultural refreshment and some fun as well.
Thousands of locals are being joined by visitors from interstate Australia and from as far away as Canada and the USA, as well as Cornwall itself.
The distinctive local ‘Moonta’ style of Cornish pasty will be consumed in their thousands, as will the local brew of swanky beer, and fairgrounds in two towns on two days will hear the sound of happy children and weary parents.
Exploring family roots and experiences among the world recognised Cornish mining heritage of what is know as ‘Australia’s Little Cornwall’ will be to the fore for many.
On a more cultural note for this significant Australian migrant ethnic minority will be a gathering of Cornish Bards in Australia, Cornish celtic christianity events, and the Cornish History Seminar, with papers presented on the theme: ‘The Ingenious Cornish’. Professor Philip Payton from Cornwall and Australian Professor Geoffrey Blainey will speak.
Cornish Bards from across Australia, and from Cornwall and USA gather at Davies Square, Wallaroo, during the 2009 Kernewek Lowender
Chris Dunkerley
10 May, 2011
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