Marking an exceptional celebration of World Poetry Day, the National Black History Month Poetry Competition, under the inspiring theme “Saluting Our Sisters,” reached its grand culmination today. Hosted by BHM Magazine UK, this pivotal competition was conceived as a tribute to the Black History Month 2023, focusing on celebrating the invaluable contributions of Black women and bringing to the forefront the emerging poetic talents from young people and the African and Caribbean communities.

Engaging over 3000 poets across the nation, the competition highlighted the indispensable role of poetry in fostering education and cultural expression. From an overwhelming number of submissions, a panel of esteemed judges shortlisted 105 exceptional poems, with 17 talented poets advancing to the final stage.

The reception, held in the distinguished Churchill Rooms at the House of Commons and hosted by Marsha Chantal de Cordova, not only celebrated the achievements of the finalists and their families but also underscores the collective voice and transformative power showcased in this year’s competition.

Reflecting on the competition’s journey, the organisers shared, “The National Black History Month Poetry Competition was a key highlight of the Black History Month 2023 celebrations, under the theme ‘Saluting Our Sisters’. Aimed at honouring the legacies of Black women and spotlighting new voices within the African and Caribbean communities, the competition has reached its zenith on World Poetry Day and International Women’s Month, thanks to the overwhelming participation and the remarkable talent it has unveiled.”

Esteemed voices from the literary world have lauded the competition:

Joseph Coelho, award-winning performance poet, playwright, children’s author and Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2022 – 2024, remarked, “It was a joy reading and judging the poems for the BHM Saluting Sisters Poetry Competition. I was amazed by the strength and poetic power of these brilliant young voices.” 

Cherron Inko-Tariah, Editor-in-Chief of BHM UK Magazine, commented, “Being involved in this poetry competition has been an absolute delight. The diversity and passion in the submissions were outstanding. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this competition a success.”

Rob Neil, a judge for the competition, shared, “The experience of reading through these engaging, informative, and impactful poems was incredibly rewarding. The quality of writing and the range of topics covered were inspiring. I am grateful to all participants for sharing their heartfelt words.”

Another judge Charlotte Shyllon, founder and creative director of Black in White said: “It was a great honour to be involved in judging the national BHM poetry competition. There were so many superb entries which demonstrated a breadth and depth of talent across both age categories, from entrants as young as 15 right through to older adults. I really enjoyed seeing how the poems presented different takes on the theme. The quality of the entries made selecting winners and runners-up difficult, but the poems I chose just had that extra special touch. Thanks to all who took the time to enter the competition and share their stories.”

We extend profound gratitude to Marsha De Cordova MP for graciously hosting this significant event. Additionally, our principal sponsors, Kidoodle TV and Wedo TV, deserve special acknowledgment for their instrumental support in bringing this competition to fruition. Their commitment has been vital in amplifying the voices of young poets and ensuring the success of this celebration.

As we commemorate World Poetry Day, the National Black History Month Poetry Competition stands as a beacon of creativity, diversity, and cultural appreciation, celebrating both the enduring legacy of Black women and the dynamic talents of young people and our community.

Winners
Children’s Category – Ione Knight

Young Teens Category – Ebun Allen

Older Teens Category – Sasha Cummings

Adults Category – Marie Williams

Discover Paris: Your Perfect City Break Destination

Within years, the mapping and exploring of the world started to be undertaken. Therefore, the combined spread of science and Western culture had a huge impact on many regions and countries. Whether walking down the Seine river banks or enjoying the highest level of French cuisine, I always feel that Paris is a fantastically breathtaking adventure that is just waiting to get into your consciousness. Dive into Parisian streets where there are dungeons of architecture of different eras and get engrossed in the amazing cultural fabric that makes this city a desirable location for relieving-price breaks. While the nights in Paris undoubtedly turn this city into something exemplary when it comes to its skyline, on which the tower that took its name is the one that casts the most romantic sky, thus drawing everyone’s attention back to the love aspect of the entire trip. You can never tell whether you’re strolling the winding streets of Montmartre or competing in the majestical halls of the Louvre; the skepticism of Paris should be welcome.

Paris: A Timeless Beauty

Romance and culture are the two inseparable names connected with Paris, as well as a high degree of sophistication. It is De Beauvoir’s timeless beauty which does not wear off with calmness, from the splendor of the Belfry Eiffel tower towering over Paris to the solemnity of Notre Dame Cathedral. On your way alongside the Seine River in the middle of the town or through the cozy reservoirs, you cannot feel Europe filling with its rich history and extremely attractive surroundings.

The streets of Paris are decorated with exquisite ateliers, pensive cafes and well-known marks of history, which can be found in every corner and attract high-art, fashion, and gastronomy lovers at the same time. The city’s collections at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay have a blend of the world’s renowned artistic masterpieces that appeal to tourists and give them incredible cultural experiences. Alongside its historical appeal, Paris throbs with thriving modernity, which is strengthened by a rich art scene and a wide choice of cuisines that meet the various taste preferences of its visitors. No matter if you’re enjoying a fattening macaron in a stylish patisserie or sipping champagne at the top of the Montparnasse Tower, each second in Paris is thus permeated with mysticism and delicacy. To further explore the “romantical essence” of this magnificent city, check out the guidetoeurope.com website.

Iconic Landmarks and Attractions

No journey to Paris is complete without investigating its top historical places. The Eiffel Tower, with all its splendor, has become the symbol of the city, which welcomes guests on the top floors in order to enjoy a beautiful panorama of Paris. While we indulge in the abundant shops at Galeries Lafayette, the Louvre Museum is a destination for art lovers,  showcasing the mysterious Mona Lisa. Further key landmarks are the grand Notre-Dame cathedral, the ancient Palace of Versailles, and the seductive Montmartre quarter.

Cultural Delights

Paris is a cultural powerhouse where you can find top-class museums, theaters and galleries. Art lovers will be drawn into the Musée d’Orsay and the Centre Pompidou’s incredible art collections, while theatre fans can have a taste of the Théâtre de l’Odéon ambiance. Moreover, Paris offers the palate of foodies an almost unlimited choice, from gourmet restaurants with one, two or more Michelin stars to local eateries and crowded markets quite often providing a gastronomic Irish stew.

Charming Neighborhoods

For instance, migrating to certain parts of the city feels like a genuine exploration because every neighborhood seems to have its own distinctive character. The Marais is very trendy because of the numerous new shops and the wonderful night life, while Saint-Germain-des-Prés is famous for the atmosphere it has with its galleries and writers’ cafes. On the other hand, the Latin Quarter is full of something—its old streets and a young student hustle and bustle. Getting lost in charming cobbled streets and tiny alleys of Montmartre or sitting down for a coffee in a small coffee shop in Le Marais will give you the unique feeling of a genuine Parisian stroll around the neighborhoods.

Parisian Romance

As either lovers, artists, or travelers, many admired Paris and assigned it the ultimate romantic status. Now, I can safely say that they were right. Spritely saunters alongside the Seine during lunchtime to dimly lit restaurants full of shadowy views of the city—mos—seem to happen in Paris, leaving a lasting romantic impression. Go up the Eiffel Tower for a nightlife view with lights everywhere and kiss each other, or take a sunset cruise alongside the river to experience pure love.

Shopping Paradise

Shopping in Paris is a shrine to all who love following the latest fashion and are eager to shop till they drop. The metropolis is a kind of mess-up of some 20th-century fabulous fashion houses that were well-known, like Chanel and Louis Vuitton and Dior and Saint Laurent. Let yourself go dreaming around the luxury shops of Champs-Élysées or the unique vintage stalls of Le Marais your heart desires. And not to mention, two major department stores—Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché—are the places for you to get yourself some bigtime shopping fever.

Practical Tips for Paris City Breaks

Here are some practical tips for Paris city breaks:

– Transportation: Paris has a world- class public transport system that incorporates metro, buses, and trains which means you can move around with ease. Take advantage of Par Visite ticket, which will enable you to unlimitedly use public transport all over the city.

– Accommodation: Starting from luxury hotels to charming accommodations, Paris gives travelers room to pick the best as per their budget and preferences. Make a reservation with extra caution pinned to it; otherwise, you may end up staying home during the peak vacation months.

– Language: The appreciation of English is very high in Paris, yet there is always an underlying need to learn a few basic French sentences. Often, a small sacrifice can help in getting over the linguistic barrier and even enjoying the local customs and traditions.

– Safety: As in any large metropolis, you need to be careful and know your neighborhoods while sightseeing in Paris. Protect your belongings at all times, do extra surveillance while in crowded areas with tourists, and do not go out alone at night.

Conclusion

Paris is definitely a great option for a short getaway with it’s incredible natural beauty, abundance of culture and history, and the fun and lively pride the city has. Regardless of whether you go for a budget tour, a culinary tour, or a coupling tour, Paris gives you a variety of wonderful things to do. So why wait? Begin your planning of the Paris city tour right now and take a trip to the heart of Paris first of all.

Getting to know the city becomes a fantastic journey through its vivid boulevards and quiet, tidy neighborhoods. While wandering, you get absorbed by the energy of the city and its historical sense. In every single moment, be it a memorable evening shared with a friend in a charming café or gazing at the great artworks in renowned museums, one could feel the timeless beauty of Paris and its huge cultural depth.

Thus, if you want to experience a romantic escapade, are alone and seeking an adventure, or are traveling with the family, Paris allows you to enter the spell created by this city and to make memories that will be with you forever. Come under the spell of the Paris City of Lights, where you will have no other option than to explore its myriad wonders and find out what makes the city  the perfect getaway package for travelers who are seeking adventure in a city. Bisous et à tout près! Voir-vous en Paris!

Renowned feng shui master Mr. Ma Jun Cheng will soon disrupt the business world through his online course “The Twelve Strategies of Mystic Business“. Drawing on his record of helping numerous enterprises achieve unprecedented success, Mr. Ma’s comprehensive guide delves deeply into the realm of mystic business strategies, unveiling never-before-published content to provide powerful insights and strategies that solve 90% of your business difficulties and drive exponential growth.

This groundbreaking online course promises to unlock the secrets of mystical business strategies, applying the practical use of ancient strategies and modern data insights to empower entrepreneurs, business leaders and strategists. Mr. Ma’s professional expertise has been integral to the growth of many successful enterprises, some of which ultimately became publicly listed companies. Renowned corporate clients include Manulife and Utopia Newswire.

Fengshui Specialist, Mr. Ma Jun Cheng, at Morgan Stanley Private Asset Management

Mr. Ma’s mystical acumen is recognized by renowned businessmen and celebrities. Corporate clients include Yangmingshan Villa and Morgan Stanley; celebrity clients include Ronald Cheng, Chilam Cheung, Tam Yiu-Man and Leung Sze-Ho. Thanks to guidance from Mr. Ma, Leung Sze-Ho won the lottery second prize four times!

The Twelve Strategies of Mystic Business delves deeply into the following key areas:

(i) The twelve strategies of mystical business and their transformative impact on growth;

(ii) Practical applications of mystical business data to overcome common barriers;

(iii) Leveraging mystical insights to double your income and achieve significant growth;

(iv) Case studies of successful mystical business strategy implementation.

Drawing on his rich experience in guiding enterprises to achieve unparalleled success, Mr. Ma Jun Cheng’s online course will certainly change the way business growth is approached. Entrepreneurs, business owners and strategists are invited to embark on a journey of transformation, tapping into the potential of mystical business strategies and redefining their approach to achieving business growth.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/MejbD1NKQRI

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/embed/gfgYb_v040M

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