Today, the National Eisteddfod announced that Maxine Hughes, Washington DC, USA is this year’s Wales and the World President
Originally from Conwy, she attended Ysgol Bryn Elian, Old Colwyn, before leaving Wales to study in France and then the United States. She competed in judo and acrobatics for Wales, but a university football scholarship took her to America. She fell in love with the country and spent several years there before returning to the UK to work for the BBC.
She is an experienced journalist, reporter and presenter. Her work has included some of the world's biggest news stories over the past few years, from the earthquake and tsunami in Japan to the war in Syria, and of course the American elections.
Much of her work has focused on politics and extremism. She has infiltrated extremist groups, and interviewed high profile people, including US President Donald Trump.
Her favourite work so far has been with Hollywood actors, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 'Welcome to Wrexham' which has won Emmy Awards.
She is passionate about our language, believes in breaking headlines in Welsh, competing on a global stage through the medium of Welsh, and in making the language accessible to everyone.
She will be honoured in a ceremony at the beginning of the Eisteddfod’s Cymanfa Ganu, held in the Pafiliwn on Sunday evening, 3 August, and will also be honoured by Gorsedd Cymru on Friday morning, 8 August.
The Wrecsam National Eisteddfod is held from 2-9 August. For more information go to www.eisteddfod.wales.