The event takes place in person and online on Thursday 3 March from 16.30-19.00 on the Penryn Campus, to book a place visit: https://st-pirans-celebration-event.eventbrite.co.uk

Celebrate Cornish innovation past and present at exciting St Piran’s Day event

Cornwall’s unique heritage and identity will be celebrated at a special St Piran’s Day event which marks innovation in the county.

The celebration, hosted by the University of Exeter’s Institute of Cornish Studies and the FXPlus Archives, includes talks about diversity and identity and what it currently means to be Cornish.

Professor David Hosken, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter,Cornwall, said: “St Piran’s Day is enormously important day for Cornwall and Cornish culture, and we are proud to be hosting this event on our Penryn Campus through the Institute of Cornish Studies.  We have some excellent speakers reflecting on things Cornish and look forward to hosting friends from across Cornwall.”

Speakers will include:

• Will Coleman the Artistic Director of Golden Tree Productions, whose work masterminding cultural, educational, and environmental projects that celebrate Cornish distinctiveness and diversity includes The Man Engine, Kerdroya and Go Cornish.
• Edward Rowe, also known as the Kernow King and lead actor in the award-winning film BAIT, will talk about how he explores Cornish identity in his work as an actor, writer and comedian and his experience of its interpretation through performance. 
• Marcus Alleyne from Black Voices Cornwall and Matthew Kenworthy Gomes from Cornwall Pride will explore the lived experience and intersectionality of Cornish identities.

Matthew Kenworthy Gomes, CEO of Cornwall Pride said: "Cornwall Pride for the last five years has connected with University of Exeter through its incredible student union and many different partnerships. We have seen this as a highly valued relationship of co-celebration of the LGBTQ+ & marginalised communities here in Cornwall. Coming together at this St Piran’s celebration as a whole Cornish community after the last 2 years where we have not been able to, for us as a "hidden" community in Cornwall is a very special moment."

Kate Milan from Cornwall Cast will share her story of creating an innovative circular economy business repurposing plastic, glass and mining waste to create beautiful everyday items.

Professor Karen Hudson-Edwards from the Camborne School of Mines will talk about some of the innovative discoveries that are taking place in research and shaping the future of mining and energy in the county.

For those attending the event in person there will be a display of Cornwall Special Collections from the Library archive and a digital exhibition of Charles Woolf photographs.  Locally sourced refreshments will be served alongside entertainment from shanty singers, Stuns'ls.

The event takes place in person and online on Thursday 3 March from 16.30-19.00 on the Penryn Campus, to book a place visit: https://st-pirans-celebration-event.eventbrite.co.uk

Date: 23 February 2022