Where poets become millionaires - UAE

Abu Dhabi - The 7th Millions Poet competition attracted several thousands applicants this year, but only the best 48 made into the finals.

The UAE is the first and only country in the world to make its best poets millionaires - and not just its own, but any man or woman from the region and beyond able to think, write and speak in Nabati rhymes.
This is about to happen again, for the seventh time, on May 17, when five out of 48 Arab poets that made it into the Million's Poet competition will be awarded Dh15 million for their own written and recited poems. In the meantime, all 48 have to go through a process of elimination, a process that already began on February 9.
Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi (CPHFC), the 7th Millions Poet competition attracted several thousands applicants this year, but only the best 48 made into the finals, coming from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait. Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Syria, Sudan, Iraq, Palestine and even Germany.
From 48, the best 24 made it to the next round, and now the top 15 will be announced next.
"Last Tuesday the 24 finalists segment was completed. All poets are becoming more famous now, because of the media, and they see the difference this is making in their lives, which is reflected in their stage performance," said Eissa Al Mazrouei, member of the competition's organising committee and managing director of Baynounah TV, which broadcasts the show live from Al Raha Theatre here.
From 10pm till well past midnight last Tuesday, over 1,000 people filled the Al Raha Beach Theatre auditorium to see one of the most popular Arab shows.
One by one, the last eight poets in the group of 24 stepped onto the stage and recited their poem.
Among the poets from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait there was also one from the UAE, the only female poet in the competition, Zeina Al Balouchi.
"I am a little anxious, but I love the competition. It is the biggest one in the world for poetry and I always enjoyed watching it on TV. This year I decided to participate, mostly looking forward to improve my level," said Zeina, who comes from Sharjah.
"I started writing poetry in 2007. I didn't have a teacher, it was something that came from within myself, but my father helped and inspired me. He is an expert in Nabati poetry. I am blessed to have his and all my family's support for being in this competition. My brothers and my mother are here with me tonight." Like all participants in the Millions Poet, Zeina writes on a variety of subjects.
The competition does not restrict participants to any particular subject, but each time they come on the stage they must present a new poem, which has to be written in Nabati (Bedouin) style and have between 10 to 12 verses.
Three judges - Sultan Al Amimi, Dr Ghassan Al Hassan and Hamad Al Saeed - are commenting on each of the contestant's poem .
"With millions of viewers from around the world, the Million's Poet is a path to stardom that begins with a small step on the stage of Al Raha Beach Theatre and ends with the raising of the poetry Bayraq for the winner of the title. Then again, we all know that all poets are winners," said Sultan Al Amimi, Director of the Poetry Academy and member of the Million's Poet jury.
After the Tuesday night show, the judges will select three poets to move on to the next round of 15, while the public will choose their favourite 12, who will be announced in the next show on April 19.
silvia@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi