The National Poet of Wales scheme, run by Literature Wales, strives to take poetry to new audiences and encourage others to use their creative voice to inspire positive change.
Established in 2005, the National Poet is an ambassador for the people of Wales, spreading the message that literature belongs to everyone and creatively addressing the most important issues of our time. Previous National Poets include: Ifor ap Glyn, Gillian Clarke, Gwyn Thomas and Gwyneth Lewis.
About Hanan Issa
Hanan is a Welsh-Iraqi poet, filmmaker, and artist. Her publications include her poetry collection My Body Can House Two Hearts and Welsh (Plural): Essays on the Future of Wales. She is co-founder of the Where I’m Coming From open mic series and the recipient of the 2020 Ffilm Cymru/ BBC Wales commission for her short film The Golden Apple.
Speaking of the appointment, Hanan said:
Poetry exists in the bones of this country. I want people to recognise Wales as a country bursting with creativity: a land of poets and singers with so much to offer the arts. I’d like to continue the great work of my predecessors in promoting Wales, Welshness, and the Welsh language outside of its borders. More than anything, I want to capture the interest and inspiration of the public to see themselves in Welsh poetry and encourage a much more open sense of what Welshness is.
The appointment process for the National Poet of Wales began with a public call for nominations. The decision was then handed over to a selection panel, consisting of literary agent Natalie Jerome; former Welsh-language Children’s Poet Laureate Casia Wiliam; Agent for Change at the Arts Council of Wales, Andrew Ogun; and Director of Communications Ashok Ahir.
On behalf of the panel, Ashok Ahir said:
The panel had to choose between a varied range of poetic styles and voices, and it was excellent to see the high level of talent working in Wales today.
This is a hugely exciting appointment.
Hanan's is a cross-community voice that speaks to every part of the country. She will be a great ambassador for a culturally diverse and outward looking nation.
