Abu Dhabi Opens Registration for Prince of Poets Season 12, Winner to Receive AED1 Million
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has announced the opening of applications for Season 12 of Prince of Poets, one of the Arab world’s most popular television competitions celebrating classical Arabic poetry.
Poets from across the Arab world can submit their applications online from July 7 until August 6, 2026, through the official Prince of Poets website.
The competition welcomes both male and female poets aged between 18 and 45. It aims to discover new literary talent, support classical Arabic poetry, and introduce promising poets to millions of viewers across the region.
Applicants must submit either a traditional Arabic poem containing 8 to 20 verses or a Taf’ila free verse poem made up of no more than two sections, with each section containing 10 to 15 lines. They must also complete the online application form, provide a short biography, and upload a passport that is valid for at least one year.
After the registration period closes, a panel of judges will review all entries based on literary quality and artistic merit. Poets who make the shortlist will be invited for interviews before the final contestants are selected to compete in the live television rounds at Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi.
The first-place winner will receive the prestigious Prince of Poets title, the traditional Burdah cloak, the Championship Ring, and a cash prize of AED1 million.
Cash prizes will also be awarded to the other finalists:
- Second place: AED500,000
- Third place: AED300,000
- Fourth place: AED200,000
- Fifth place: AED100,000
- Sixth place: AED50,000
For more than a decade, Prince of Poets has attracted thousands of contestants from across the Arab world. The program has become one of the region’s leading platforms for discovering talented poets and introducing classical Arabic poetry to a wider audience through television.
The competition has helped many young poets build successful literary careers while bringing together different generations of writers. It continues to promote the beauty of the Arabic language and encourage creativity among young people.
The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority said the competition reflects the emirate’s ongoing commitment to preserving Arab cultural heritage and strengthening the role of Arabic poetry in modern society. The program also supports Abu Dhabi’s growing reputation as a regional center for culture, literature, and the creative arts.
Season 11 featured outstanding competition from poets representing several Arab countries. Emirati poet Abdulrahman Al-Humairi won the coveted title. Abdulwahid Omran of Yemen finished second, followed by Yazan Issa of Syria in third place. Othman Hichou Krabchi from Morocco secured fourth place, while Al-Mukhtar Abdullah Salahi of Mauritania finished fifth. Emirati poet Asma Al-Hammadi claimed sixth place.
The success of the previous season highlighted the competition’s growing importance as one of the Arab world’s leading platforms for discovering, developing, and celebrating outstanding classical Arabic poets.
