The Gorsedh Kernow Awards 2026 are now open for all to enter. The Awards celebrate and honour those who express the Celtic spirit of Cornwall in creative or community work.  The scheme caters for all ages. Individuals and schools can enter the Young People’s Awards (up to age 18) while the Adult section is open to those over 18. This year’s deadline of 5^th May gives plenty of time to nominate someone, or submit work, so don’t hesitate to apply.

Last year, Awen medals were awarded for an impressive range of creative and community work across Cornwall. Winners included o-region theatre company for their iconic ‘The White Horse’, Matthew Kenworthy for work with the Pride festival, Tim Hambly for sustained work with Cornish language and Lilian James for work with Cornish language and heritage in Australia. Certificates of Recognition were given for new creative work – from poetry in Cornish and English, to film, dance, Cornish heritage, and film.

This year also sees the return of two iconic awards for Cornish language writing in prose and poetry.

These awards are agreed by a specialist panel, but candidates are nominated by the public. If you have been inspired by an individual or group’s outstanding contribution to Cornish community or culture, you can nominate them for a Gorsedh Kernow Award. This may be for work which has demonstrated the Celtic spirit of Cornwall for a considerable time or for something which has made an impact over the past year. 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 judges. Successful submissions will be awarded a 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. In this category individuals or groups are asked to submit evidence of their own project (such as an exhibition, new song, craft or performance). Published books should be submitted instead to the Gorsedh Kernow Holyer an Gof Awards scheme.

Details of how to nominate someone for an award, to submit your own work for recognition, and of the Young People’s awards scheme are available on the Gorsedh Kernow website at www.gorsedhkernow.org.uk/awards  

The closing date is May 5th. Winners will be announced in late June or early July. All winners are invited to a presentation evening, with entertainment, and exhibition at the September Esedhvos Festival of Culture, this year to be held in Marazion.

If you would like more information on the Gorsedh Kernow Awards, please email awards@gorsedhkernow.org.uk

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