Poetess garners audience support in TV competition

Abu Dhabi: Words are all she has - and that's what will win her the Million Poet's contest.

Helala Al Hamadani, an 18-year-old Omani woman, continues her quest to regale the audience. She has entered the second round of the contest by winning the highest number of votes from the television audience and top marks from the judges panel.

Helala, who is studying media at Sohar University, entered the second round along with 24 other contestants. "Winning the title will mean the world to me. It will put more pressure on me to remain at the top of my field," she told Gulf News.

In the last episode, Helala appeared very confident. The field is dominated by men, but she is undaunted. "I'm not worried about that, I'm just concerned whether I deserve to win the title."

The competition, which is broadcast live on Abu Dhabi TV, aims to keep a very ancient form of Nabati poetry alive. It has attracted poets from Arab countries.

Poetry lovers gather every week at the Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi to watch the competition and support their favourite poets.