Gorsedh Kernow

The Gorsedh Kernow is a bard Association of Cornwall with the aim to explore Celtic literature, art and music to promote the Cornish language and maintain contacts with other Celtic cultures. These can be found in Brittany and in Wales, where the Breton language and the Welsh also have Celtic languages ​​are spoken. There are Gorsedd of Bards and with the Goursez Breizh also appropriate bard associations. The word is borrowed from the Welsh Gorsedd Gorsedh and means throne. Kernow is the Cornish name of Cornwall. In English, the name of the Gorsedd Bards of Cornwall will be used. The Gorsedh Kernow is attributed to the movements of the Celtic Neopaganism.

History

Probably stems from a well-known early medieval bard Association of Cornwall, because in the Welsh Triads from the 6th century AD the Gorsedd of Boskawen of Dumnonia as one of the three major Gorsedds of Poetry of the Iceland of Britain is called. Some researchers assumed now that it is Boskawen is located in the Cornwall stone circle of Boscawen - Un and there Celtic bard rituals were held. Dumnonia was a Celtic kingdom in the post-Roman Britain, which probably consisted of Cornwall. In 1928, therefore, Henry Jenner in this stone circle in the course of the revival of the Cornish language and culture, the foundation of Cornish bard association before. Who traveled Archdruid ( Archdruid ) of Gorsedds of Wales appointed the founding ceremony Jenner Grand Bard (Great Bard ) and twelve other Chosen to simple bard. Since then, except for the period between 1939 and 1945, was celebrated an open Gorsedh in September on the first Saturday, which was modeled on the supposed Celtic ceremonies. After the crowd had become bigger and bigger, was no longer considered the most difficult to reach Open Gorsedh stone circle of Boscawen -Un from, but in larger towns with better parking.

Open Gorsedh

At the annual Open Gorsedh the deceased is first thought. Prizes will be awarded Following writers, poets and artists who have rendered outstanding services to the preservation and promotion of the Cornish language. A highlight of the celebration is the flower dance costumed children and the offering of flowers and herbs to the Lady of Cornwall. The delegates of the Gorseddau from Wales and Brittany, recognizable by the color of their robes, holding short speeches in their own language. Then new entrants bards are solemnly received by the Great Bard, by the novices get Celtic names that reflect their origins or interests. The ceremony ends with the oath on the sword of Cornwall, which is supposed to represent the legendary sword Excalibur of King Arthur. Finally, you still sings together the Cornish national anthem Bro Goth Agan Tasow.

Membership

For member can be only on the proposal of bards and by decision of the Gorsedhs. Mastering the Cornish language is not required, but certainly helpful. Barden contribute celebrations ceremonial blue dress with headscarf. In contrast to the Gorseddau from Wales and Brittany, where can I find the three ranks of the Ovates, Bards and Druids with the Archdruid ( arch-druid ) as the head, the Gorsedh Kernow content with simple bards and the Grand Bard (Great Bard ) as head which is chosen as the Arch Druid only for a period of three years. Currently, there are about 500 Bard.

Previous Great Bard

The Awen

As a symbol of the Awen / is of the Gorseddau of Cornwall and Wales | \ used is the center of a rising sun rays and the virtues supposed to symbolize love, justice and truthfulness. Awen is Welsh and means muse or inspiration. It probably goes back to Edward Williams, the founder of the Welsh Gorsedds of Bards, who himself very little made ​​use of it. 1833, was first seen in 1850 on banners and proclamations of Gorsedds of Bards. Today is made of this sign extensive use. The bard union of Brittany used this symbol.