The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has opened registration for the fifth season of the Al Mankous programme, continuing a series that promotes Nabati poetry as a living part of regional culture. According to the authority, the television show seeks to foster new talents and honour the values embedded in this traditional poetic form. Previous editions have drawn participants from every Gulf Cooperation Council country, establishing the programme as a key platform for cultural preservation across the bloc.
Nabati poetry, a vernacular art form with deep roots in Bedouin oral traditions, forms the core of the competition in which contestants perform Tarj Al Mankoos. The Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority has stated that the initiative helps ensure this heritage endures for future generations amid contemporary societal changes. Applicants must fall between 18 and 50 years of age, consistent with eligibility criteria the authority applied in earlier seasons.
Registration details are available through the programme’s official website and associated platforms such as Turathuna, the authority reported. Interested individuals from the UAE and other GCC states are encouraged to submit applications promptly to secure consideration for the new series. The authority’s past calls have typically remained open for several weeks, allowing time for a thorough selection process before filming begins.
The programme aligns with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority’s wider mandate to safeguard and promote the emirate’s intangible cultural assets. In an assessment of similar cultural programming, regional heritage bodies have noted rising engagement among younger audiences in poetry and traditional performance arts. Such initiatives contribute to broader national efforts to maintain identity while fostering community participation in the arts.
Earlier seasons of Al Mankous have successfully identified performers who later gained recognition within the Nabati poetry community, the authority’s prior updates indicated. The fifth edition builds directly on that foundation, expanding opportunities for contestants to showcase their skills before a wide audience. Additional guidance on audition requirements and programme format remains accessible via the authority’s designated channels.
