Million's Poet
Million's Poet (Arabic: شاعر المليون) is a reality television show on the United Arab Emirates television network Abu Dhabi TV and the Million's Poet Channel.[1] The show is a competition for the most talented poet in Arabic poetry with prizes for the top 5 poets ranging from AED 1 to 5 million (US$272,294 to $1,361,470). The show is taped at the Al Raha Beach Theatre. The show, which has been compared to American Idol, is very popular in the Persian Gulf region; in its first season, its ratings overtook those of the UAE's national sport, football, and led to the show being called one of the most successful Arab television shows ever.[2] The show is funded by the Abu Dhabi Authority of Culture and Heritage in order to revive the poetry of Nabati, Mwal, Shalla and Qalta. Competitors are judged both by the quality of their poetry and by their recitation.
Million's Poet | |
---|---|
Country of origin | United Arab Emirates |
Production | |
Production location(s) | Abu Dhabi |
Release | |
Original network | TVE 1993-2006 Abu Dhabi TV 2006-present |
Original release | 2007 – Present |
In 2010 Hissa Hilal was the show's first female finalist, reciting a poem strongly criticizing "ad hoc fatwas".[3] The series was won by Kuwaiti amateur poet Nasser al Ajami.[4]
See also
References
- Politics Dominates the Million's Poet Zawya.com.
- Pearson, Bryan (4 April 2008). "'Million's Poet' a runaway success". Variety.
- Million's Poet finalist defies death threats Archived 2010-09-29 at the Wayback Machine The National.
- Saudi death threat poet misses out on Million's Poet title Arabianbusiness.net.