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BBC Radio 4 Extra

Poetry Extra

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Weekly opportunity for listeners to revisit the riches of the BBC radio poetry archive

A brand new poetry slot on Radio 4 Extra gives listeners a weekly opportunity to revisit the riches of the BBC radio poetry archive

Poetry Extra: Poetry Idol

26/06/2016

Poetry Idol

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Poetry Extra, Poetry Idol

Daljit Nagra introduces Poetry Idol - a contest to find the best poet in the Middle East.

4 Extra Debut. Daljit Nagra introduces Poetry Idol - about a competition to find the best poet in the Middle East. With Shahidha Bari. From March 2014.

BBC Radio 4's Poet in Residence, Daljit Nagra revisits the BBC's radio poetry archive with 'Poetry Idol'. 

Poetry's always had an essential role to play in Arab literature, and the tradition is thriving in unexpected ways. Shahidha Bari travels to Abu Dhabi to join the audience of 'Million's Poet', a massive televised competition to find the best poet across the Middle East.

Every year this huge contest takes place under the spotlight of the cameras in Abu Dhabi. Million's Poet is broadcast live with a huge following, as judges and viewers both have the chance to vote. There's plenty at stake, as the top prize is an eye-watering five million United Arab Emirate dirhams, a figure getting close to one million pounds.

So how did this TV contest begin and why do people tune in to hear poets reading their work? It's not the sort of show that would be likely to take off in the west. Judges, competitors and the audience all offer clues to the secret of the success of Million Poet's.

Producer: Mark Rickards

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.

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