环球英语 — 284：Middle Eastern Pop Idol

　　Voice 1

Hello. I’m Marina Santee.

Voice 2

And I’m Ruby 1 Jones. Welcome to Spotlight 2. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

Voice 2

Have you seen the popular television show, Pop Idol 3? It started in Britain, but there are local versions 4 all over the world. Spotlight even did a program about it!

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Who will be the winner? Who will be your next idol?

Voice 2

Young singers performed in front of judges. People watched with excitement. Watchers at home voted for their favourite performer. Judges gave the winner a recording 5 deal. The singer could produce a CD. Then the public could hear the singer on the radio. Many of the winners became famous.

Voice 1

In other countries the show has developed in a very different way. The shows mix tradition and modern culture! In today’s Spotlight we look at two exciting shows in the Middle East.

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The words you are hearing are from a Nabati poem. This way of writing dates back to the fourth century. It is native to the Bedouins - an ancient Arab people group. The Abu Dhabi Authority 6 for Culture and Heritage 7 wanted to bring this poetry to the twenty first century. So they launched 8 ‘Million’s Poet’ - a poetry Pop Idol. International media group Pyramedia Ltd produced the show. Abu Dhabi television first broadcast the show in November, 2006.

Voice 1

Young people travelled across the Arab world to take part. They read their own words - using the Nabati form. They competed for the winning prize of one million [1,000,000] dirma - around two hundred thousand [200,000] dollars! Judges also gave the winner a printed book of their poems. As well as this, the winner’s poems were put into song. The show was a huge success. And so producers decided 9 to make another series!

Voice 2

Million’s Poet is an interesting mix of tradition and modern culture. The show set looks similar to the western Pop Idol. There are bright lights and tall beautiful presenters 10! But behind this, is tradition and culture. The judges are experts in Nabati poetry. The show is a huge success. Around seventeen million [17,000,000] people watch it. They vote for their favourite poetry reader to win. They send text messages from their mobile 11 telephones.

Voice 1

In particular, the show is a huge success among countries in the Arabic Peninsular 12 - countries like Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Kuwait and Qatar. These countries have a tradition of writing Nabati poetry. But not all Arabic countries share this tradition. So, the Abu Dhabi Culture Authority launched a second show - ‘Prince of Poets.’

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Prince of Poets permits many more Arabic speaking countries to enter. More people know the subject - classical Arabic poetry. Judges consider different kinds of poems. But they must all be in this classical Arabic form. The show is a chance to unite different Arab poets. They meet and perform together in a recording studio in Abu Dhabi.

Voice 1

Prince of Poets and Million’s Poet are both successful shows. The shows appeals to the culture of its watchers. The shows are not copies of the ‘Western’ Pop Idol. One of the show’s producer’s said that this is why shows have failed before. In the past, television producers have tried to use the same shows as in the West. But the interests and culture are very different. So these shows were not a success. The poetry shows use the idea of Pop Idol. But they use it in a way that pleases the Arabic nations. They centre on poetry.

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Poetry is an important part of Arabic culture. This way of writing is an art form. It is able to produce deep emotions in its listeners. The winner of the first Prince of Poets series was Abdelkareem Maatouk.

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He speaks of the history of his home country, the United Arab Emirates. And he speaks of his love for his country.

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Another performer was Rawdha Al Haj. She was the only woman to reach the final. She is from Sudan. Tamim Al Bargouthi was another popular entry. He is Palestinian. He came fifth in the show. But he was the favourite among many in the Arab world. His performance was very exciting. Palestinian newspapers reported unity 13 among two opposing Palestinian political groups Fatah and Hamas. Their television stations encouraged people to vote for Tamin. Tamin’s most popular poem is ‘In Jerusalem.’ It tells of a day he spent there. It talks about the beautiful history of the city. And it tells of his sadness that the holy place is divided. He talks about his forgotten people. And he shares his personal opinion of the situation.

Voice 3

‘Oh you history writer what happened to not include us?

You old man, read again, write again, mistakes you have made.

You, crying behind the wall, foolish you are!

Your Arab eyes should not cry. You should know that in the holy city, all people are in the holy city.

But I see nobody there - except you.’

Voice 1

The poetry shows of the Middle East seem a long way from the first, British Pop Idol. This centred on being famous and having riches. In the Middle East, poetry writers have used the show to express their deepest feelings about their home country, land and people. With beautiful words they sing or write of their history and culture. They tell of their hopes and desires for future change. They use their words to make people think, question, hope - dream. The poetry shows of the Middle East will encourage people in other countries. They may see that a voice can be very powerful. It can bring much more than just money and fame. It can bring hope and change. It can affect and influence a nation.