As the show approaches the final stretch, four new poets compete for a place in the finals on Tuesday night's episode of Million's Poet. This week saw fan favorite Nasr Al Fara'anu from Saudi Arabia go on to the finals and the UAE's Hazza bin Abdullah was chosen as the wild card.
In a refreshing change, last night's contestants featured Hilala Al Hamadani from Oman as the only remaining woman in the program, performing alongside Badr Al Khalidi and Bandar Al O'taibi from Saudi Arabia and Amr bin Amru from Yemen. In the first part of the show, the poets recited poems talking of the nation, the situation in the Arab world and the honesty and glory of Arabs.
Amr bin Amru proved to be the favorite of the audience, earning 90% of the live audience's vote for excellence. Taking the stage amid deafening cheers and a standing ovation from an audience full of his fans, Amr recited a poem about the generosity, honesty and glory of Arabs and Arab poets.
"Glory is a target and the poetry is the mean The second is the path for the first to walk to The insistence is a sword that facilitates the impossible And honesty is a shield that saves the wearer."
Eighteen-year-old Hilala Al Hamdani, the youngest poet remaining in the competition recited a strong poem full of power and femininity, providing the perspective of a woman in a show where all her counterparts this week are male . With the knowledge that women have been writing poetry for centuries, Hilala confidently recited her poem and further maintained her regal stature as the judge's criticized her use of words in describing the state of Arabs.
"Humiliation pierces the nation's bad luck From the Digla Coast to the coasts of the lost Verses bleed trying to overcome the spread of sadness Dreams are buried and tears for Jerusalem's melancholy."
Despite harsh reviews from the judge's last night, the live audience proved Hilala's popularity as the only female by giving her 80% for excellence and placing her in second place after Amr bin Amru.
There is only one more week to go until 24 poets will have been cut down to just six leaving them with only two more weeks to decide who are the top three of the competition and more importantly who will become this season's Million's Poet. The winner will win 1 Million Dirhams and the prestigious title of the "Million's Poet."
The live shows are aired on Abu Dhabi TV on Tuesdays at 22:30. Viewers can also tune in this week to watch the recap shows where you can see what the poets got up to during the week and exclusive interviews with them. Recap shows can be watched on Abu Dhabi TV and the Million's Poet Channel on Thursdays and Sundays at 20:00.
Repeats of the show and also extra exclusive behind the scenes footage can be viewed around the clock on the dedicated Million's Poet Channel on Nile Sat 11919 MHTz, Horizontal, 27500, ¾ and Arabsat Bader 4 DL, 11804 Horizontal, 27500, ¾.
It is free to attend the live show each week on Tuesdays at Al Raha Beach Theatre, audience members are asked to arrive by 21:00. This show has been commissioned by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage and is produced by Pyramedia.
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For an English Press pack and more information or interview requests, contact Pyramedia's Head of International Publicity on hana.alhirsi@pyramedia.biz, Tel: +971 50 818 7518
Hana Al-Hirsi
Head of International Press & Publicity
Pyramedia FZ-LLC
Mobile: +971508187518
Fax: +97126211463
Email: hana.alhirsi@pyramedia.biz
Website: www.pyramedia.biz
© Press Release 2008
