National Poet of Wales' Poem Rejected for Royal Visit Ceremony

Hanan Issa, the National Poet of Wales, has expressed concern after her poem was rejected for a royal visit ceremony at the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament. The Senedd Commission stated that the poem, titled "To Grow," was "not the right fit for this occasion."

Issa explained that the feedback she received indicated the poem had an "edge" and "could perhaps be softened," but that even a revised version was ultimately deemed unsuitable. She found it "telling" that a poem addressing political issues was not welcomed in the Senedd chamber, where such matters are typically debated. "A poet's role is to try to express how people are feeling and it felt like an important moment to do that," Issa remarked, drawing inspiration from John Lennon.

According to Issa, the brief for the poem asked for a celebration of members' achievements and a reminder of their commitment to the people of Wales. She felt that celebrating achievements just before members were sworn in was premature. Instead, she aimed to write a piece that would remind politicians of their responsibilities. She initially conceived of Wales as a garden with Assembly Members as its gardeners, but later shifted to a more abstract approach.

Issa noted that she tried to compromise and find a middle ground after the initial submission. She felt that a poem that was merely "surface level," like one about daffodils, would be a disservice given current events. She cited concerns about recent wildfires, the upcoming season of floods, and the proposed data centers as issues that felt important to address.

The Senedd Commission released a statement acknowledging Issa's artistic independence and valuing her work. However, they concluded that "after a development process, we concluded that the poem was not the right fit for this occasion." Vaughan Gething, a Welsh government minister, speaking to BBC Radio Wales Breakfast, described Issa as a "fantastic poet" and called her poem's absence "disappointing." He reiterated the Senedd Commission's position that the poem was not deemed appropriate for the specific event.

Gething emphasized that the official opening of the Senedd term is a ceremonial occasion meant to mark the beginning of the Senedd's work, celebrate Welsh communities, and remind members of their service. He stated that this particular day is intended for pausing and reflection, rather than for political debate, which he affirmed occurs robustly within the Senedd on a regular basis. He added that other "fantastic performances" were part of the ceremony.

Sources within the Reform party indicated they believed the Senedd Commission made the correct decision in rejecting the poem. The poem reportedly touched upon themes related to Gaza and transgender healthcare, which were elements that ultimately led to its exclusion from the ceremony.