| A Wales Story Reported Internationally |
Public Culture: Public Communication |
| National Poet Excluded , Senedd , October 26, 2026 |
The new session of the Senedd opened with a new government in place after the election of 7th May. The monarch was present to lead the ceremony. The day was picked up by international media; the news item that caught the attention was without reference to the parliament of Wales or the programme of government from Plaid Cymru. * * * * The National Poet of Wales was interviewed for Radio Wales Breakfast on 15th October to say: “The feedback I was given “This poem has an edge. Can you perhaps soften it?” “That's what I thought I had done. But obviously it wasn't enough. I think it's quite telling, if in the Chamber, where discussion of political issues is going to be happening, every time Members meet, that a poem that raises political issues is not welcome, that is quite concerning.” Interviewer: “Are you welcome there today. Will you go?” Poet: “I'm not welcome any more. I won't be part of the ceremony.” * * * * Danielle Herbert and Angharad Thomas were authors of the written report for BBC Wales “Wales' national poet has said it is "quite concerning" that a poem raising political issues was rejected from the Senedd's opening ceremony. “Briefings to the media about the event said a poetry reading would be made by Hanan Issa at the ceremony on Thursday, which was attended by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. “But on Wednesday, Issa posted on social media that the poem she submitted, To Grow, which referred to Gaza and trans healthcare, was rejected on the grounds that the ceremony was "apolitical". “The Senedd Commission said the poem, that Issa had reworked and had already been translated into Welsh, was "not the right fit for this occasion". “Issa was given her support by one Plaid Cymru MS, Sera Evans, who said it was "very disappointing" the poem was not read at the ceremony. “...Speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Issa said she would not be attending the ceremony where King Charles and the Queen will officially open the Senedd's seventh term. “The poet added: "I am not welcome any more. I won't be part of the ceremony." “The first minister was among those greeting the King on the Senedd steps with the presiding officer Huw Irranca-Davies and Labour Welsh Secretary Stephen Kinnock representing the UK government. “The King gave a speech in the Senedd debating chamber, known as the Siambr “Issa said the feedback received was that the poem had an "edge" and could "perhaps be softened." "That's what I thought I'd done and obviously, it wasn't enough," she said. "Issa added it was "telling" that in the chamber where political issues are discussed "a poem that raises political issues is not welcome, that feels quite concerning". “The Welsh-Iraqi poet, filmmaker and artist said she was inspired by Welsh poet Saunders Lewis' imagery of Wales as a vineyard, and developed that around the brief's request. "The brief asked for something that celebrated members and their achievements, and something that served as a reminder of their commitment to the people of Wales. "I don't know about you, but celebrating the achievements of members when they are just about to be sworn in feels a bit premature." “Instead, Issa decided to write something to remind the politicians of "their commitment". "I wrote something that described Wales as a garden and our Assembly Members as its gardeners." “Issa said that after submitting the first version she could have refused to make changes, but instead chose to compromise and try to find a halfway point. “A second version used "more abstract language", Issa said, but it was also rejected. “Based on the brief, Issa said it did not sound like "they want a poem just about daffodils, and so it felt like a disservice to write something that was quite surface level". "We've just faced a summer of wildfires. We're going into a season, no doubt, of floods. The proposed data centres, people have lots of concerns about that. "There's so many things, and so it felt important for me to speak to those things." “Quoting John Lennon, Issa said: "'A poet's role is to try to express how people are feeling' and it felt like an important moment to do that." “...The Senedd Commission said: "After a development process, we concluded that the poem was not the right fit for this occasion." “It added: "We respect the National Poet of Wales' artistic independence and continue to admire and value their work." “Also speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, Irranca-Davies described Issa as a "fantastic poet" and said it was "disappointing" for her not to have her poem there, but added it had been "deemed not appropriate for this occasion". “He said: "I think the reason that's been made clear by the Senedd Commission is there's plenty of debate and political debate, not just in Wales, but within the Senedd day in, day out, week in, week out, and that's a really good thing, that robust debate on difficult issues." “He said the ceremonial opening was not a day for political debate, but a chance to mark the start of the Senedd term. "It's the one day of the term when this official opening, when we come together to pause, mark the start of the Senedd, celebrate the communities of Wales, remind members of their service to the people of Wales that they serve, and there will be many fantastic performances here today as well," he added. “Sera Evans, Plaid MS for Afan Ogwr Rhondda, said it was "very disappointing" that the poem was not heard. "I think the two versions of the poem are extremely powerful." Issa's posts on Instagram were also reposted by Sarah Rees, Plaid MS for Pen-y-bont Bro Morgannwg. Rees told BBC Wales she would invite Issa to give the poem at the Senedd." Abridged, with thanks and acknowledgement, from the full article which can be read at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw99z17yz4p5o * * * * Ben Wildsmith added an opinion piece for Nation Cymru: “Firstly, nothing that happens at the Senedd is ‘apolitical’, nor should it be. It is the physical expression of our nation as a political unit, a geographical entity that has both distinctness and (limited) agency. “If its politics can be switched off when the king comes to visit, then that is a tacit agreement that political life in Cymru is an optional luxury instead of a vital right. The Senedd is politics. You might as well demand that the sea be less wet. “The question, then, becomes one of who is permitted to express their politics. Poetry fulfils a unique role in public life, reminding the collective of its responsibility to the individual, to humanity. “In South America, poets are routinely consulted on issues of the day. Their perspective is valued as a connection between tradition and modernity, society and the individual, the centre and the marginalised. “Issa’s poem references Saunders Lewis, reminding us of the centrality that poetry sometimes assumes here too. Welsh politics is something we imagine to be informed by culture and to honour the vigour of our national ways of being. “So, what in God’s name does the Senedd Commission think it is doing policing the contributions of the National Poet? The job of the Senedd is to safeguard national life: our beliefs, passions, and preferences. “The National Poet is appointed to articulate the culture of the people, to speak where others cannot. If even she is to be subject to the censorship of an unaccountable establishment beyond the reach of our government, then what hope do the rest of us have? “Ordinarily, the Commission is at pains to emphasise its commitment to free speech...so why the attack of the vapours over Hanan Issa’s carefully considered poem? “Details about that decision-making process are scant...By this shameful act of cultural vandalism, it has betrayed not only its independence but the nation’s political dignity. Abridged, with thanks and acknowledgement, from the full article which can be read at: https://nation.cymru/opinion/poetic-injustice/ * * * * Literature Wales issued a statement on the same day: “The National Poet’s role is, in its nature, ambassadorial, using poetry to inspire reflection, conversation and positive change. “Hanan Issa has always been principled and respectful in speaking truth to power, qualities which were key in the decision to appoint her as our National Poet in 2022. “This is evident in all her work, for example advocating for better conditions and pay for frontline health workers in ‘The Unsung’ – a poem to mark the 75th anniversary of the National Health Service. “Literature Wales are proud to have a National Poet who does not shy away from highlighting the issues facing the people of Wales, as well as wider concerns that resonate beyond our borders. “We respect the National Poet’s right to communicate messages in their own way, and to exercise their creative independence. Not every poetry commission is straight forward, and we appreciate that Hanan wanted her creative contribution to the opening of the seventh Senedd to raise legitimate concerns about Wales’ current situation. “She was also entirely within her rights to reject the commissioning fee and release the poem independently. “Equally, we recognise the Senedd Commission’s right, as commissioners of the work, to decide not to include the poem which they felt wasn’t appropriate for today’s ceremonial occasion. “We are disappointed that this formal celebration of Welsh democracy will not include a literary contribution but accept the Senedd Commission’s decision. However it is heartening that the value and power of words is being discussed across the media. “Literature Wales is a charity which exists to support writers and writing from Wales and will continue to champion work that uses the power of words to hold those in power to account and adds to the story of our nation, ein gwlad beirdd a chantorion.” Abridged, with thanks and acknowledgement, from the full comment which can be read at: https://www.literaturewales.org/lw-news/a-statement-from-literature-wales-2/ [To be completed in part 2.] |
Reviewed by: Adam Somerset |
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