Abu Dhabi is gearing up for the much-anticipated eleventh season of the Prince of Poets competition, organised by the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority. This renowned television programme, which occurs biennially at the Al Raha Beach Theatre, is a major platform dedicated to the identification and promotion of poetic talent.
The committee overseeing the Prince of Poets programme has successfully completed the evaluation process for this season, meticulously reviewing submissions from aspiring poets. Out of a large pool of entries, 150 poets have been shortlisted to perform before the jury at the Al Raha Beach Theatre in October 2024. This phase of the competition will involve a series of competitive assessments to determine which 20 poets will advance to the live episodes scheduled for December 2024.
This year’s application process saw an unprecedented number of poets participating, with over 1,000 entrants from 33 different countries. This marks the highest level of international representation in the competition’s history, underscoring its expanding global influence in promoting Arabic poetry. The diverse geographical representation highlights the programme’s significance in elevating Arabic literature on a worldwide stage.
In a notable trend, this season welcomed submissions from poets in 14 non-Arab countries, indicating a burgeoning international interest. Past editions have seen participants from nations such as India, the United States, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, and Nigeria.
Since its inception, the Prince of Poets title has been awarded to poets from seven Arab nations: Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Mauritania, and Oman. Saudi Arabian poets have excelled in this competition, securing the title four times in a row from the sixth to the ninth season, which represents 40 percent of the total titles awarded.
Additionally, poets from the UAE, Mauritania, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, and Oman have each claimed the title once. The tenth season of the competition was particularly historic, as it witnessed the crowning of the first female poet to earn the title, marking a significant moment in the annals of this prestigious programme.
Throughout its ten seasons, a total of 245 poets have showcased their talents, representing 25 different countries. Notably, women have made significant strides in this competition, with 60 female poets among the participants, constituting about 24 percent of total entries.
The winner of this year’s competition will receive the coveted title of Prince of Poets, alongside the traditional Poetry Burda cloak, a ring symbolising the title of Emir (Prince), and a cash award of AED 1 million. The second-place winner will earn AED 500,000, while the third-place recipient will receive AED 300,000, the fourth-place winner will get AED 200,000, and the fifth-place winner will be awarded AED 100,000.
Since the competition’s inception, the Poetry Academy, which operates under the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, has been committed to publishing the works of top-ranking poets. In its second edition, the Prince of Poets received the shield and certificate of the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Award for Arabic Poetry, further solidifying its status as a cornerstone initiative of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority.
