More than pasties and beaches: Cornwall celebrates St Piran’s Day amid cultural revival

More than pasties and beaches: Cornwall celebrates St Piran’s Day amid cultural revival In Launceston, revellers were celebrating ‘Cornishness becoming cool’ as well as the region’s patron saint A crisp morning in Launceston, an ancient capital of Cornwall , and the town was humming as St Piran’s Day celebrations got into full swing. Children paraded and danced, songs were sung, speeches made and the odd tear was shed as people gathered to celebrate all things Cornish. The day has become a highlight of the spring in the far south-west of Britain, a chance to celebrate a patron saint but, perhaps more than that, to think about what it is to be Cornish in the 21st century. “It’s a brilliant day,” said Launceston’s mayor, Nicola Gilbert, born and bred in Cornwall. “We’re very patriotic here, proud of who we are. We tend to get forgotten – we’re at the other end of the country. But we don’t forget who we are.” The modern incarnation of St Piran’s Day is going from strength to strength and while 5 March is the actual date, the event sprawls into the weekend. Celebrations such as the Launceston one were taking place in Bodmin, Truro and Falmouth and on Friday and Saturday, a new two-day festival marking cultural, academic and economic connections between Cornwall and Wales was being run in St Austell. “I think there’s a resurgence in Cornish culture,” said Ross Wheeler, a stilt walker who took part in the Launceston parade. “It would be great if could turn it into a bank holiday.” Cornish artist, musician and commentator Seamas Carey, said that when he was at school there were few St Piran’s Day activities. It is very different now. “I think it’s about Cornwall getting to grips with its identity. Wales has St David’s Day, Scotland St Andrew’s Day. What’s interesting with St Piran’s Day is because it’s new and fresh, it’s like a blank canvas. People are doing whatever they want and calling it a St Piran’s Day activity. To be Cornish means to be other. I don’t mind if peopl...