Ertach Kernow Plus - Cornish kindness to Palestinian youngsters
Cornish people emigrated from Cornwall in great numbers during the 19th and early 20th century due to the failure of the mining industry and lack of employment. Travelling throughout the world our people found new homes where they were welcomed into communities. These people and their descendants form part of todays Cornish Diaspora many of whom still engage in many ways with friends and relatives here in Cornwall.
As the Cornish were welcomed so we today also welcome people who have issues in their own homelands. Whilst we may look on people from England coming to Cornwall to buy second houses with distaste we are welcoming to those from countries where there are dangers to life and limb. Many Ukrainians have moved to Cornwall due to the Russian invasion of their homeland and recently a visit by a Palestinian group was made most welcome here.
Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association (CADFA) is an organisation formed to promote awareness about the human rights situation in Palestine. Formed in 2004 linked Camden in London to Abu Dis a town in the suburbs of Jerusalem. Whilst issues of terrorism are to be totally deplored the horrors of what the Israeli state is inflicting on ordinary people eking out an existence in Gaza is believed by many to be war crimes and verging on genocide. The huge numbers of these folk killed and injured is documented and recorded, but what is often overlooked is the suffering of the population in the occupied West Bank by the Israeli army.
CADFA organised this year’s cultural exchange for a group of Palestinians to the UK including two days in Cornwall. Here they participated in a number of events in Penryn and Truro, a boat trip at Falmouth, provided free by a boatowner, in Newquay where they enjoyed the freedom of visiting a beach and seeing the ocean. What we take for granted, the freedom of movement, is denied to these youngsters through the Israeli occupation of their homeland and treatment as third-class citizens.
Mawgan Porth Village Hall became the venue for a céilidh, also known in Cornwall as a troyl, an evening of music, dance and song. There were sea shanties and a feast and then dancing to music performed by Bagas Fellyon. A real Cornish Celtic evening was an experience for these young people to take home along with Cornish St Piran’s flags.
These seven young people and their adult chaperones will have enjoyed an experience so different from their normal lives and no doubt remember Cornwall with great affection. On their return they will be able to tell people of Cornish friendship and support. Let us hope that these youngsters will see and enjoy the freedom our own young people experience.
With thanks to Kevin Scholes for information relating to this visit. Newquay Museum was pleased to lend Kevin our Baner Sen Peren, flag of St Piran, to help add to the Cornish event at Mawgan Porth.
