Today thirty-five poets will converge in Abu Dhabi, competing for the coveted title of “Prince of Poets.” This is the third time the televised competition has been held.
According to the Book Bench, thousands of people flock to the poetry recital contest and millions more will watch the show on television. Variety reports that 4,000 poets entered the contest in 2007 and were judged by a panel of five poets.
Here’s more from the Book Bench: “The first year of ‘Prince of Poets’ was marred by controversy; there were claims that the judges, hoping to engender national pride, awarded the top prize to the Emirati poet Karim Maato, when the Palestinian poet Tamim Al-Barghouti was favored to win (he came in fifth). It’s Al-Barghouti, though, whose stardom increased. His poem ‘In Jerusalem’ even became a ringtone.” (Photo via)