Three Emiratis are in final of Million’s Poet

Emiratis dominate heading into the sixth season finale of Million's Poet, representing one-half of the six finalists.

The six finalists on the TV show Million's Poet. Courtesy Million's Poet

Three Emiratis are heading into Wednesday's finale of the sixth season of Million's Poet.

The UAE’s Saif Al Mansouri, Ali Al Qahtani and Hamad Al Baloushi dominate the competition, making up one-half of the six finalists appearing in the episode, which will be broadcast live tonight from Abu Dhabi’s Al Raha Theatre on Abu Dhabi Al Emarat and Baynounah TV.

They join fellow competitors Kamal Al Bathery from Oman, Saudi Arabia’s Mastour Al Dhaouby and Bahrain’s Mohammed Al Arjani.

All six are in the running for cash prizes ranging from Dh5 million for the winner to Dh1m for fifth place.

Under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, and organised by the Poetry Academy, Million's Poet is a talent quest in search of the best poets from the region. The latest season kicked off in February and the competition saw 48 regional contestants performing the genre of Arabic classical poetry called Nabati in front of a judging panel and live television audience.

Contestants qualified for the next round based on 40 per cent of the votes cast by the judges and 60 per cent from the public. Al Mansouri and Al Qahtani made it through to the finals after impressing the judges with their performances, while Al Baloushi was a crowd favourite who made it to the last episode on the back of public ­voting.

As well as the battle of words, the final episode will have extra entertainment value with students from Abu Dhabi schools appearing to perform a segment paying tribute to the UAE’s history.

Speaking to The National at the launch of the latest season, the Poetry Academy director Sultan Al Amimi explained that Million's Poet aims to inspire a new generation of creatives from the Arab world.

“Thanks to this unique competition, these poets have become the heart of a larger public attention in the Arab world,” he said.

“The audience had a first-time chance to discover a number of creative works and listen to fine poetry.”

Million’s Poet final is broadcast live on Abu Dhabi Al Emarat and Baynounah TV on Wednesday at 10pm. Go to www.adtv.aefor more information.