A PASSIONATE writer and textiles artist has been named as the new Hampshire Poet.

Every two years, Hampshire Cultural Trust (HCT) and the Winchester Poetry Festival appoints a Hampshire Poet, who leads workshops, gives talks across the county and serves as an advocate for poetry and literature.

Today, the trust has announced that Nazneen Ahmed Pathak from Southampton has taken up the position.

Nazneen is a novelist, textiles artist and poet, with her work often inspired by themes of migration, hope and diversity.

She said: ‘I am thrilled and not a little overwhelmed to have been chosen to be Hampshire Poet following Kathryn Bevis’ inspirational tenure.

‘I am really looking forward to working with Hampshire Cultural Trust and Winchester Poetry Festival to platform and celebrate the extraordinary diversity of poetry and communities across our fascinating county.’

Nazeen is currently the writer in residence for the Southampton Stories project at Southampton City Museums, and runs writing workshops in schools, libraries and more.

She was also recently commissioned by Poet in the City to write a poem inspired by the Covid-19 vaccination effort.

Deborah Neubauer head of community at Hampshire Cultural Trust, said: ‘We are delighted that Nazneen will be working closely with us for the next two years as Hampshire Poet.

‘We have seen from Kathryn Bevis’ two years that poetry can play an important part in bringing communities together, celebrating the cultural heritage of the county and inspiring people to get writing.

‘We are excited to see what Nazneen will bring to the role with her wealth of experience and creativity.’

Opportunities have been identified throughout the next two years for the Hampshire Poet to play a significant role, providing the chance to create new work, engage members of the community and connect to planned activities taking place across Hampshire.  

Jane Bryant, chairwoman for Winchester Poetry Festival, added: ‘We are very excited about Nazneen’s appointment to this special role.

‘Using the power and playfulness of words, poetry can also have a very positive impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing, and their sense of place and identity.

‘We look forward enormously to working with Nazneen.’