National poet

A national poet or national bard is a poet held by tradition and popular acclaim to represent the identity, beliefs and principles of a particular national culture.

[1] The national poet as culture hero is a long-standing symbol, to be distinguished from successive holders of a bureaucratically-appointed poet-laureate office.

The idea and honoring of national poets emerged primarily during Romanticism, as a figure that helped consolidation of the nation states, as it provided validation of their ethno-linguistic groups.

[1] Most national poets are historic figures, though a few contemporary writers working in relatively new or revived national literatures are also considered "national poets".

Though not formally elected, national poets play a role in shaping a country's understanding of itself.