The 9-day festival bonanza created to celebrate the uniqueness of Cornish language, culture and heritage will take place at The Acorn Theatre in Penzance, the arts and entertainment heart of the city. Organised by Cornish Quest, a small charity which has been established to encourage the education of Cornish history, culture, language and law, the Kernewek Festival is funded by a successful application to the National Lottery 'Celebrate' fund.

The festival will start on Saturday 25th February with the conference entitled 'The Framework Convention, the European Charter and the Cornish Language' led by the Council of Europe's Dr. Tove Malloy, a world expert in cultural and ethnic minorities. The following days will be filled with an exciting arrays of events, entertainment and learning activities. Amongst the highlights there are Cornish language sessions, guided walks through Penzance to explore the history of the city and its prominent position within Cornish culture and even a treasure hunt, nothing less to be expected from a place that was once the most important pirates hub of the country. Music concerts will take place every festival's night and on 5th March the St Piran Parade, a suggestive recreation of the medieval procession of St Piran through the streets of Penzance, will officially close the festivities.

Where to Stay

The Artist Residence – A laid-back, relaxed attitude meets artistic flare in this lovely, little gem of a hotel on Chapel Street, the most charming street in Penzance's old quarter. A comfy, elegant 14-bedroom hotel right in the heart of the city. Doubles from £75 a night.

Chapel House - An historic boutique hotel in Penzance blending Georgian style and architecture with contemporary comfort, it features 6 double rooms overlooking Mount's Bay. Intimate and cosy, this is the perfect place for a romantic getaway. Doubles from £150 a night.

What to Visit

For visitors wanting to discover more about the thriving Penzance artist scene, one of the major spokespersons from the Black British photography movement, Joy Gregory, will be showcasing his work at The Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange.

Featuring a body of work spanning 20 years, Gregory's art focuses on marginalised indigenous languages with photographs showcasing the realities of South Africa, the Orkneys, Sri Lanka and the Caribbean. The Exhibition, Lost Languages and other voices, will run from 11th February – 7th May 2017.

What to Eat and Where

The Cornish Barn – Deliciously simple and committed to use only locally sourced, fresh Cornish products, this rustic restaurant has its own smokehouse and a lovely location in the old quarter of Penzance. Roasted seabass and BBQ belly ribs are amongst the signature dishes not to be missed.

The Dolphin Tavern – Dating back to 1585, tourists won't easily find more iconic Penzance locations than this.  Locally caught fish and a tantalising array of desserts are the highlights of a place perfectly mixing a sense of history with a welcoming, cosy ambience.

The Shore – Serving only the best produce from local growers, fishermen and farmers, chef Bruce Rennie of Michelin-starred restaurants fame and his wife Anita are the winning team behind one of the most successful and respected restaurants of South-West England.

For additional information and suggestions on what to do and where to go in Penzance visit: www.lovepenzance.co.uk