After 16 weeks of gripping suspense for contestants and viewers alike, season three of the highest-rated show on Abu Dhabi TV, Millions Poet comes to a climactic close with the winner crowned. With fireworks blazing and cheers erupting, Saudi Ziad Hajab bin Naheet won the prestigious title of The Millions Poet and the Five Million Dirham prize.
Even more exciting for Ziad is that he will be the one finally bringing home to Saudi Arabia the Millions Poet berag (flag), which has become a symbol across the Gulf for the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a Nabati poet. After two years in Qatar, it was made clear last week that with five poets all from Saudi Arabia competing, the berag was sure to make its way to the Kingdom but it was only revealed today who would be bringing it home.
Tensions were high in the theatre since the start of Thursdays show and with SMS votes closing only 15 minutes before the winner was announced, the 2000-strong audience of Al Raha Beach Theatre held their breath waiting to hear who would be the winner of the TV competition. Legendary Emirati singer Hussein Al Jasmi entertained the audience minutes before Ziad was revealed as the winner. His nationalistic poem about King Abdulaziz Al Saoud of Saudi Arabia sealed the deal for the poet as the unanimous winner with the highest number of votes from both the judges and the audience.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces was joined by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister of the UAE and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai who did the honour of giving the poets their awards.
Coming in fifth place was Fahed Al Shahrani with a staggering prize of One Million Dirhams. His last poem of the competition spoke of his love for a girl named Abha. In fourth place with a prize of Two Million Dirhams was female poet Ayda Al Aarawi Al Jahani who recited a poem political about the trials of women in Arab society. Switching up the sequence, the second place winner was announced next with the prize of Four Million Dirhams going to Ayed Aabhoul Al Dhafiri who delivered a rousing poem about his personal sadness at being away from his love.
As the three contestants stood to the side, two more awaited their fate. Ziad Hajab bin Naheet and Mohammed Al Fares Al Tamimi could be clearly seen getting more nervous by the minute as they waited to see who would be declared the first place winner with a prize of Five Million Dirhams and who would be declared the third place winner with a prize of Three Million Dirhams.
Over the screams of the crowd, Ziads name was called as the new winner of The Millions Poet. The live audience erupted into cheers as fireworks blazed and confetti rained down on the stage. A strong contender throughout the competition, it was no surprise that he would be the one to win the prestigious title of The Millions Poet and take home the berag.
The Millions Poet was launched by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and is produced by Pyramedia. Its aim has been to bring the regions youth back to its roots by taking the traditions of the Bedouins from the Gulf into the 21st Century by bringing them to our screens. This years live competition will see 48 poets battle it out through various stages to impress their audiences with their poetry and win the prestigious title of the Millions Poet as well as a cash prize of five million Dirhams.
The five enigmatic and sometimes critical judges are back for the third season in their set roles for Millons Poet. Taking their seats once again are Sultan Al Amimi, an established writer and Nabati poet from the UAE, Dr. Ghassan Al Hassan, Professor and Arabic poetry specialist from Jordan, Turki Al Mureikhi, a magazine editor from Saudi Arabia, Hamad Al Saeed, a Kuwaiti editor of a poetry magazine, and Badr Al Sefoug, a founding member of several poetry magazines from Kuwait.
Viewers can tune into the recap show to watch behind the scenes footage and interviews with the poets on Monday at 19:00 on Abu Dhabi TV.
For an English press pack and more information or interview requests, contact Mira Nasser, mira@pyramedia.biz, +971 50 813 8269.
