Over 1,000 people gathered at Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday night, January 16th, and numerous thousands extra turned on the Baynounah and Al Emarat TV networks at 10 pm to view the first episode of Million's Poet 2018.

One by one, the first six poets - Nabhan AlSalti (Oman), Ali Al Ghayath (Jordan), Musaaed Al Ajmi (Kuwait), Nawaf Al Dhaferi (Saudi Arabia), Tahani Al Tamimi (Saudi Arabia) and Obaid Al Kaabi (UAE) - gave their best composed verses and performance on Al Raha Beach Theatre's stage, in front of the packed audience and the three competition judges, who gave each competitor feedback on the quality of their poems.

Organised by the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi, the Million's Poet competitors is the most significant verse show worldwide. It is revitalizing the centuries old Nabati (Bedouin) verse, giving the young Arab generation a platform to preserve this art kind, which is at the heart of the Bedouin cultural heritage.

Over the following 15 weeks, 48 poets from 10 different countries will certainly deal with battles of words to win the title and the AED 5 million cash money awarded to top place. Completely, the cash prizes for the competitors complete AED 15 million, split between the top 5 poets - AED 5 million for starting point, AED 4 million for the second, AED 3 million for the 3rd place, AED 2 million for the fourth and AED 1 million for the 5th place. The winners will certainly be disclosed on April 24, the last day of the show.

His Excellency Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee - Abu Dhabi, mentioned his pleasure to start the Year of Zayed with the Million's Poet competitors.

"The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - God rest his heart - had instilled a sense of satisfaction and recognition in the new Emirati generations for their society and heritage; he taught them to like and look after our personalizeds and practices. Sheikh Zayed himself was one of the most ardent admirers and fans of Nabati poetry, as it represents the conscience of the country, and shares our identification and our humanity," he said.

"Since the Committee introduced the Million's Poet and the Prince of Poets back in 2006, relaying them live to countless Nabati and classic Arabic poetry fans, 569 poets reached be understood by Arab audiences worldwide. Over the 8 seasons, The Million's Poet programme, succeeded in revitalising this art form as one of one of the most important pillars of our heritage. The real-time show highlighted 384 real poetic talents and, at the same time, making Abu Dhabi a regional and international cultural hub," included His Excellency.

This year, the 48 finalists were selected from thousands who looked for the competitors. Given that October in 2015, the Board had explored Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait and Abu Dhabi to hear the candidates and make a preselection of 150. After extensive screening, the judges selected the most effective 48 to enter the live show. They are this year's best wordsmiths from Saudi Arabia (16 poets), Kuwait (nine poets), Jordan (five poets), Bahrain (three poets), Oman (three poets), Syria (three poets), Iraq (two poets), Egypt (one poet) and Yemen (one poet). From the UAE, five poets have qualified for the competition.

Through an elimination process, based on the judges and audiences' votes, the most effective six will qualify to the final round, when the leading 5 will be granted. The competitions will happen every Tuesday night, from 10 pm, at Al Raha Beach Theatre.