El Beit Show concludes a Successful Third Season with the Attendance of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed Al Maktoum

Dubai, UAE: 13th April 2016: His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai International Marine Club, has attended the 15th and final episode of El Beit’s third season.

The night’s poetic attractions continued with all eight winners from the two semifinal episodes of the Nabd Al Soura and Chater competitions being welcomed to compete with each other for the AED1 million grand prize. A variety local and Arab Nabaty poets were in attendance at the final episode, including renowned poet Rashid Sharar, Editor-in-Chief Nasser Al Subaie and Qatari poet Zayed bin Cruz and Kuwaiti poet Hamid Zaid.

Organized and produced by Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center, and filmed at Dubai Studio City, the show has brought together exceptional talents in Nabati poetry. Only the most outstanding poets were selected for the final episode for a chance to win the AED1 million top prize – for the Nabd Al Soura competition and the the Chater competition.

The final episode began with a special report on HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, which highlighted the march as a leader and a poet, after which the winners were crowned. Kuwaiti national Sultan bin Bandar won the judges’ vote in the Nabd Al Soura (Imagery Pulse) competition, while Bahraini - Al Hareth bin Wazea won the top accolade in the Chater competition. Both winners walked away with the grand prize of AED 1 million each.

Season 3’s winners described the euphoric feeling of being crowned the winners. Chater winner Al Hareth bin Wazea said, “The El Beit show is the true definition of honesty and integrity. By choosing not to show the winners’ names and countries of origin, any sensitive topics were defused in the spirit of fairness.”

Sultan bin Bandar, the winner of the Nabd Al Soura competition, praised the show’s ability to bring together some of the region’s most talented poets, saying, “I still can’t fathom the fact that I have won this incredible competition. I’ve had a fantastic time participating in the El Beit show. I have learned an incredible amount in how to hone my skills and improve my writing. The show is an arena for sophisticated Nabaty poetry, enabling talented poets to be discovered and rewarded under one roof.”

Both winners expressed deep gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, for providing an unparalleled opportunity for talented poets to showcase their creativity to the world.

Abdullah Hamdan bin Dalmouk, CEO of Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Center said, “The grand finale was a thrilling conclusion to an outstanding season, with passionate and talented wordsmiths competing to be crowned as the ‘best of the best’ in the field of poetry. This success greatly strengthens the essence of Nabati poetry.”

Majid Abdul Rahman Al Bastaki, the show’s General Coordinator, commented: “This season, our participants have raised the bar of creative expression to an exceptional new level. El Beit has proven itself to be a shining cultural gem, providing full support for poets to showcase their bright talents and masterpieces. We have reinforced the pillars of Nabati poetry and created an arena where poets can catch the eyes of our esteemed judges.”

Adding the perfect finishing touch to the night’s festivities, the season’s final episode welcomed talented Emirati artist Hussein Al Jasmi, who delighted the crowds by performing a Shalla (reciting Nabaty poetry in a certain way) dedicated to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The judging panels consisted of renowned pioneers of contemporary poetry in the UAE and the Gulf. The Verses Panel included Nayef Al-Rashidi (Kuwait); Madgham Bu Chaiba (Saudi Arabia); Mubarak Al Khalifa, (Qatar) and Mohammed Al-Murr Balabd Al Muhairi (UAE).

The Picture (Imagery Pulse – Nabd Al Soura) Panel included Saoud Al Tathoob (Kuwait); Awadh Khalifa Bin Hassoum Al Darmaki, (UAE) and Hamoud bin Wahga (Oman), while panel members from each division included  Mutalq bin Shuwyeh (Saudi Arabia); Mohammed Al Khalaf (Bahrain); Hadi Al Mansouri (UAE); Nasser Al Hajri (Kuwait); Mueeth Al Otaibi (Saudi Arabia), and Ayed Al Hbabi (UAE).

The show was hosted by Barakat Al Wagyan and the co-host for the third season was Emirati poet Ahmed Al Bidwawi.