Welsh-Iraqi poet Hanan Issa has been named the new National Poet of Wales. She takes over the role from Ifor ap Glyn, who completes his tenure this summer.

Her publications include the collection My Body Can House Two Hearts (Burning Eye. She is the co-founder of the Cardiff open mic night Where I’m Coming From, and a filmmaker and artist.

She 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.”

Hanan will be Wales’ fifth National Poet. The appointment process began with a public call for nominations before shortlisted poets were interviewed by a selection panel. The panellists were Natalie Jerome, Curtis Brown literary agent and deputy chair of Literature Wales, former Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh-language Children’s Poet Laureate) Casia Wiliam, agent for change at the Arts Council of Wales Andrew Ogun and Ashok Ahir, director of communications, president of the court and chair of the board of the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

On behalf of the panel, 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."

PHOTOGRAPH: POETRY WALES