Hanan on her National Poet of Wales photoshoot

“I was about 19 or 20 when I first came across the Arab Room in Cardiff Castle. Like most people living in Cardiff, I didn’t really notice the castle – even though my daily walk to and from uni took me right past its looming stone walls. So I must’ve walked into the castle entrance one day on a whim and the last thing I expected to find in this iconic Welsh building was Arab-inspired architecture.

“The room itself is breathtaking. From floor to ceiling, the detail is incredible. I was instantly transported to other Arabian spaces I’ve visited like the Andalucian Alcazar in Seville or the Umayyad Mosque of Damascus.

“I couldn’t believe I had this little slice of my Arab heritage so comfortably nestled inside one of Wales’ most beloved heritage sites. I promised myself, then and there, that if there was ever a reason significant enough, I would have a photoshoot in this space. And here we are. A real dream come true.

“My cape has been lovingly crafted by the skilled hands of Flowers by Grace and Emma from Wenvoe Flower Farm. All the flowers and foliage were grown locally and were chosen for their significance to Wales. If you look closely, you might be able to identify the broom, meadowsweet and oak flowers used to create the maiden Blodeuwedd of the Mabinogion legends.

“Just me existing here, as a hijabi Muslim woman cloaked in the blossoms of ancient Welsh folklore, in this space that celebrates both my Welsh and Arab heritage – I know I belong in both the past and future of Welsh history.”