The children's poetry program 'Poet of the Million – Poets of the Future' has concluded its private audition stage, held at the Rahat Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi. The event saw the participation of gifted children in Nabati poetry from the UAE and several Arab countries. This marks a key stage in selecting promising poetic voices for the program's subsequent phases, organized by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage. Following the application period, which was open to children aged 7 to 12, a specialized judging panel evaluated the poetic submissions and conducted interviews with the talented participants. The panel included poet Fahad Al-Dubdab (Kuwait), poet Faisal Al-Harb (Saudi Arabia), and poet Ahmed Al-Kaabi (UAE). The evaluation was based on precise technical criteria, including the correctness of the meter and rhyme, the coherence of the idea, the beauty of the poetic image, the strength of the recitation, and stage presence, while taking into account the participants' age and expressive maturity. The auditions featured 33 child poets, with the UAE leading the list with 15 participants (45%), followed by the Sultanate of Oman with 9 children (26%). Bahrain, Kuwait, and Yemen were each represented by two children (6%). The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Syria each had one participant (3%). The new season coincides with the final stages of the 12th season of the main 'Poet of the Million' program, clearly reflecting the Abu Dhabi Authority's commitment to investing in poetic talent from its earliest formation, viewing it as a genuine cultural current passed down through generations to help preserve the UAE and Gulf cultural heritage. Last season's program was a great success, with Muhammad bin Saleh Al-Sahli (Saudi Arabia) taking first place and the Poet's Pennant. Second place went to Sultan Al-Shamisi (UAE), third to Zayed Al-Bathri (Oman), fourth to Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed bin Sakr Al-Khalifa (Bahrain), fifth to Duraan Al-Dosari (Saudi Arabia), and sixth to Hind Al-Naqbi (UAE).
