June 2018
Issue 49
Mia Mottley, Barbados first Female PM 1
CONTENTS Production and concept: D.T. Kalloo
Janet Kay – Queen of Lovers Rock.
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Green Days by The River.
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Mia Mottley, Barbados first Female PM. 8 Culturepulse is designed and produced by Cashewmedia Ltd and published online through www.issuu.com Copyright 2018 Views and comments expressed by contributors are not necessary those of Culturepulse or Cashewmedia Ltd but of the author/s.
For all enquiries, please contact: 07738864335 cashewmedialtd@gmail.com Culturepulse list of contributors in making the magazine a success. Natalie Alicia Dookie, Lyndon Brathwaite, Ansel Wong, David Wears, Chris Boothman, Nasser Khan, Malaika Crichlow, Amos Armstrong, Soshina Stephen, David Rudder, Jimmy Kainja, Paul Ade, Akilah Holder-Stewart, Michael La Rose, Dr Michelle Yaa, Dr Juanita CoxWestmaas, Dianne A Kalloo, Shabaka Thompson, Ron Ramdin, Rhianna Kalloo, Angelique, Dorothy Scott, Memory Pincheck, Erica Williams-Connell, Darren Lewis, Tessa Robinson, Cindy Mollineau, Omardath Maharaj,
Selena Carty, Alison Bajaican, Mahalia Mayne, Afridiziak, Ron Ramdin, Caroline Muraldo, and Nestor Sullivan.
Hail the Dark Lioness.
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Andrew Ramroop OBE, delivering excellence in T&T.
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Gambia back in the Commonwealth.
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Explore the wonderful world of Gin.
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Eddy Kamuanga IIunga: Fragile Responsibility.
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The Killing Fields.
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Uber Launch ebike stakes in Berlin.
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Master Sommeliers 2018.
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Greece and Macedonia agreement falls to pieces‌again
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Member
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Firstly, I must apologise for the lengthy absence of Culturepulse, it had become necessary to take a sabbatical to pursue academic interest. I can assure our readers that Culturepulse continues to strive in bridging the Diaspora as it has always intended. The success of the magazine could not be measured without the generosity and support of all our contributors and readers across various continents. We hope to engage in bigger stories and reach new audiences at every level without losing sight of its purpose to bridge the diaspora. We would like to convey congratulations to the new Prime Minister elect of Barbados, Mia Mottley. Miss Mottley became the first woman to be democratically elected as Prime Minister of Barbados. She scored two first, one being the first female PM of Barbados and second, the leader of a to have won every single contested seat in at the General Election in the region. Congratulations also to Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes on becoming the sixth President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on March 109, 2018. She is also the first female President of Trinidad and Tobago.
Show your respects for our War Heroes. Place your orders now for Windrush Day 2018 www.blackpoppyrose.org info@blackpoppyrose.org
David Kalloo Editor
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Janet Kay - The Queen of Lovers Rock Just a mention of the words ‘Lovers Rock’ and the name Janet Kay automatically pops into your head. It is not surprising as she is hailed the ‘Queen of Lovers Rock’. 2017 marked a milestone for Janet Kay, celebrating 40 years in the business and still doing wonderful things on the music circuit. Janet Kay’s emerged onto the music scene when she was invited to by her school friend to a band rehearsal where Tony Gad (Aswad) heard her and was so impressed that he invited her to meet Alton Ellis which resulted in Janet recording a reggae cover version of Minnie Ripperton’s ‘Loving You’ which spent many weeks at No.1 on the reggae charts. Between 1977 and 1978 Janet had two more cover version hits reaching No.1 with ‘I do Love You’ and That’s What Friends Are For’. Janet made history in 1979 when she became the first British born black female artist to have a reggae song at the top of the British charts with ‘Silly Games’
produced by Dennis Bovell. The song went on to become a hit across Europe and even recorded into the Music Guinness Book of Records. Her first album Capricorn Woman became a best seller and she was presented with the awards for Best 7” Vinyl Single, Best 12” Vinyl Single and Best Female Vocalist 1979 by Black Echoes Music Newspaper. The 80s did not let up and Janet’s success continued with her hit Eternally Grateful and further collaboration with the late Jackie Mitto to
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produce You Bring Out The Sun, a cover of Randy Crawford’s classic. The 80s also saw Janet launched into theatre when she was introduced to Victor Romero Evans of the Black Theatre Co-Operative in the play Mama Dragon by Faroukh Dhondy that toured England and Europe. She later went on to star in the first Black TV sitcom No Problem – a show conceived and created by a black theatre company. She later went on to become part of the BiBI Crew, a highly successful all-female theatre company. The multi-talented Janet composed and written songs for a Japanese TV series La Dolce Vita working alongside the famed Japanese composer Taro Iwashiro. Her visits to Japan include performances at the exclusive Blue Note Night Club and in Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya and Tokyo. She gained stardom in Japan with her track, Lovin You which went on to have Platinum and Gold selling albums, selling over 400 thousand copies in the first year in Japan. 2006 saw Janet return to theatre as the fairy godmother in the Pantomime, Cinderella at Hackney Empire which was rated best Panto of the Season by the London Evening Standard. Janet’s list of accolades is numerous, including being voted one of Britain’s Top 100 Black Britons by the Evening Standard and presented with a Silver Disc for Silly Games, Best Female Singer, Memorial Disc in Commemoration of her 2 Gold albums in Japan which was presented by Sony Music Japan in 1994. Other achievements include, Women of Merit by Darker than Blue in association with Barclays in 2002, Contribution British Black Music Industry in 2001 and
Outstanding Contribution to British Reggae in 2009, Hidden Creative Economy Awards 2010, PowerSis Women of Substance – UK & International Female Reggae Vocalist 2012 and PowerSis Women of Substance – Best Lovers Rock Single, Silly Games 2012 are but a few of the Queen of Lovers Rock, Janet Kay’s achievements. Janet continues to work alongside Victor Romero Evans and Carroll Thompson and appeared alongside the pair at Millfield Arts Centre in October 2017. Janet recently headlined the Notting Hill Carnival Pioneers community festival in London and performed at the Grenada Independence show in 2017. Earlier this year Janet played alongside Carroll Thompson and Victor Romero in Lovers Rock Monologues at the Luton Library Theatre sharing their ‘heart-warming and hilarious stories’ through their journey punctuated by songs of their era. Learn more about www.janetkay.com
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Photos courtesy: vocool.co.uk and cocoadiaries.com
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Green Days by The River Film Review By Rhianna Kalloo Captivating, relatable, and moving; Green Days by The River is the independent film adaptation of the book of the same name by Michael Anthony and premiered in the UK on Saturday 31 March 2018 at the Rio Cinema in Dalston, London. Directed by Michael Mooleedhar, the film is described as a truly Trinidadian film – having been written, funded, directed, and produced by Trinidadians. Having first toured the Caribbean, Green Days by The River now reaches the UK as it continues its journey promoting the movie in countries with a Caribbean diaspora. Set in 1950s Trinidad, the film is a coming of age story following a young boy named Shellie, played by Sudai Tafari, who has recently moved to Mayaro, and who finds himself developing a friendship with his neighbour Mr Gidharee, and his struggles of falling for two girls at the same time; Joan from Sangre Grande and Rosalie Gidharee. Alongside its prevailing coming of age exploration, the film effortlessly and sensitively handles themes of young love, family, honour, duty, and compassion. Michael Anthony himself also makes an appearance in the film, having a short cameo as Mr Prefat, which came as a pleasant surprise to many fans in the cinema. Green Days by The River is shot in such a way that time seems slowed down, with long sweeping shots of Trinidad’s landscape and its depictions of the indigenous
flora and fauna perfectly balanced between scenes that follow the characters. Intentionally done as a method to get audiences to relax and absorb the beauty of the landscapes and the depth of the story, Molehead states that he used this slowing down of time as a reflection of the way he felt time would have moved in the 50s in the absence of present day technologies and struggles. The cinematic choices in the linking scenes of landscapes aid this desire to draw viewers into the beauty of nature, aided by the masterful soundtrack to the film that transports the viewer away from the greys of London’s concrete jungle. In an interview with Michael Mooleedhar, he stated that he hopes people take away from the film that “this is what Trinidad was… and trying to get back to a place where we’re beautiful again”, before the influence of current technology, Hollywood, and that the film manages to
Michael Mooleedhar with His Excellency Mr Orville London, Rio Cinema, Dalston
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speak its own unique, language to its viewers.
Trinidadian
The UK premiere of Green Days by The River was well received by the audience, with attendees stating in the Q&A after the screening that it was delightful to see their favourite book finally on the big screen, with others asking when it would be released on DVD. The consensus was that of joy and gratitude that Trinidadian talent was being explored and funded, and an attitude of extreme readiness to promote the film and the talents behind it. Also, in attendance at the premiere was His Excellency Mr Orville London, the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner to London. When asked about his thoughts on the film, he proffered that the film made him feel a sense of nostalgia and pride, encapsulating it with the word “impressive�. Green Days by The River premiered at the Rio Cinema in Dalston on 31 March 2018. Photo by Rhianna Kalloo
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Mia Amor Mottley, Barbados first female Prime Minister Another chapter in the history of Caribbean politics has been written in Barbados, where the electorate has for the first time in the country's history voted in its first woman Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley.
Ms. Mottley and the BLP won a landslide victory at the polls when they capture all 30 seats in the House of Assembly in the May 24 general elections. Praises and congratulatory greetings extended from across the Caribbean and Latin America on Ms. Mottley's victory. Andrew Holness, the Jamaica Prime Minister as well as newly re-elected President of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro were among those offering commiserations. Prime Minister Holness described Ms. Mottley's triumph as "a profound historical moment in the region."
work and most of all her capacity to care for her country and region."Ms Mottley has certainly demonstrated her capacity for caring about her country. In the absence of an official opposition, she has made provisions to amend the Constitution to allow the appointment of two opposition senators. Also extending warm wishes was Timothy Harris, prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis. He noted that he was ‘confident ‘the new Barbados Prime Minister will serve with ‘diligence and tenacity.’ However, just days after being sworn in, the new prime minister has been faced with the first casualty. The duly elected parliament member for St Michael West, Joseph Artherley has resigned from the BLP and will now stand as the lone opposition member in the country’s parliament. It has been rumoured that other members of the party have voiced their intention of defecting, so far only Mr Artherley has resigned.
The victory of Ms. Mottley follows in the footsteps of Eugenia Charles who became the first woman Prime Minister of Dominica in July 1980, Portia SimpsonMiller of Jamaica, Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago and Janet Jagan of Guyana. Speaking about Ms. Mottley's victory, Josanne Leonard said, "I am so immensely proud of this Caribbean woman – her stature, her resolve, her courage, her intellect, her passion, her 8
Hail the Dark Lioness By David Kalloo
South African artist, Zanele Muholi has joined the ranks as one of the country’s biggest international art stars. The art world first took notice of Muholi when a series of lesbian portraits were exhibited at Documenta, the German show that has launched many artists over the years.
there is still a long way to go in having total tolerance to people’s sexual orientation. In her touring exhibition, Somnyama Nygonyama: Hail the Dark Lioness. Muholi says “I am reclaiming my blackness…my reality is that I do not mimic being black; it is my skin, and…we live as black people 365 days a year, and we should speak without fear.” Muholi’s art has been shown in ten cities across the world in the past year, as part of the Performa Biennial festival in New York where her images were displayed on digital billboards in Times Square. The exhibition was also sold out at the New York gallery. Muholi’s work gives new and powerful credence to her self-described ‘visual activist’ were she uses everyday articles and workday materials of servitude such as, clothes pegs, appliance hoses, latex
Muholi comes from a black, working class family in Umlazi, South Africa and studied at Ryerson University. She is a selfdescribed visual activist. Judging from her current work where she explores what it means to be black. Muholi throws open the doors and flirts dangerously, with what Mark Gevisser calls, ‘racist iconography’. A bold statement, some may argue, but Muholi grew up in a homophobic society that was not tolerant to gay and lesbians. Today, while the country as amended its laws to accommodate the LGBT community, 9
gloves and scouring pads. She depicts her subjects as strong and dominant by using the power of blackness to convey not only strength, but beauty. She explains that the images are darkened not by make-up, but digitally in post-production. Muholi, has cleverly captured both beauty and pain in her subjects, she admits that, the idea was to “make something beautiful that is not usually perceived as such.”
identity. The Western world has suddenly found a fascination with African art and its cultures and, it is rewarding to see artists take full advantage of these opportunities. Photos courtesy the artist website. Somnyama Nygonyama: Hail the Dark Lioness New Art Exchange Until 24th June 2018 39-41 Gregory Boulevard Nottingham NG7 6BE Gallery Opening Hrs Mon- Fri 9am – 6pm Sat 10 am – 5pm Sun 10am – 4pm
Somnyama Nygonyama: Hail the Dark Lioness exhibition comprises of 75 photographs where Muholi’s uses her subjects as her canvas to confront the politics of race and representation, encouraging dialogue about social justice and human rights as well as the ‘contested representations of the black body.’ Most of her subjects were photographed between 2014 and 2017 and she uses the dark complexion hues to interrogate the ‘complex representation of being black’ yet maintaining a cultural 10
Andrew Ramroop OBE, delivering excellence in Trinidad and Tobago collaboration with the Savile Row brand is a stepping stone to achieving excellence in bespoke tailoring. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Paula Gopee said, “this project takes us…one step closer to harnessing the talents of our creative sector, specifically those within the Fashion Industry.” One man who has shown his dedication for giving back to the country of his birth, it is Professor Andrew Ramroop OBE, founder of the Savile Row Academy. In November 2017, Ramroop in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the MIC Institute of Technology launched the Ultra Bespoke Tailoring programme in Trinidad and Tobago where the it as had overwhelming support. Professor Ramroop said, “This programme is an investment in the people of Trinidad and Tobago, in an effort to create meaningful and sustainable career opportunities.” Such commitment from a member of the diaspora can only be an encouraging step for others in the diaspora with skills and capabilities, but more importantly, the commitment to deliver opportunities to the future generation of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ramroop began his Savile Row career with the house of Maurice Sidwell which was established 80 years ago in Fleet Street. Today, Ramroop now owns Maurice Sedwell as well as the Savile Rowe Academy yet still finds time to sit and sew. Ten years ago, Ramroop was awarded and OBE, becoming the first Savile Row tailor to be awarded one. Photo Courtesy Savile Row Academy website. The Savile Row Academy 19 Savile Row, London W1S 3 PP Tel: +44 (0) 207 734 0824 https://www.savilerowtailor.com
Professor Ramroop has 12 years teaching experience at the London School of Fashion and more than 45 years’ experience in the Fashion Industry. His expertise is sought throughout the world and has travelled to India and Asia sharing his knowledge with tailoring enthusiast. Wherever you are in the world, the Savile Row brand is well respected, and the Savile Rowe Academy is no exception. To have the opportunity to participate in 11
The Gambia readmission into the Commonwealth of Nations.
The recently completed CHOGM in London saw two significant developments, first was the outrage and swift handling of the Windrush fiasco by the Home Office that manifested amidst the CHOGM hosted by the head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty the Queen. Second was the welcoming of The Gambia back into the folds of the Commonwealth family. President Adama Barrow of The Gambia who on becoming the third president applied for read mission to the Commonwealth of Nations in February 2017. The Gambia former president Yahya Jammeh withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2013. The decision to re-join the Commonwealth was a unanimous one from Gambia’s parliament in December 2017, the readmission of The Gambia was supported by the current 52-member states of the Commonwealth.
official invitation to attend the 25th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which concluded in London. The Gambia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Francis Blain commented at the flag raising ceremony, “The Gambia looks forward to being able to contribute and to benefit from the collective wisdom of the Commonwealth family of countries, and to playing an active role in supporting the work of the Commonwealth.” The Commonwealth now consists of a family of 53 countries that spans every continent on the globe and representing over 2.4 billion people. The next CHOGM is scheduled to be held in Rwanda in 2020. There is anticipation that Zimbabwe will return to the Commonwealth of Nations family.
The welcoming of The Gambia back into the Commonwealth family was marked by a flag raising ceremony at the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat on February 8th, 2018 and President Adama Barrow received his 12
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Explore the wonderful world of Gin Have we gone mad for Gins that bursting with botanicals? It would seem so, for there are an abundance of Gins on the markets packed full of aromatic botanicals to entice our taste buds. Even the Japanese are getting in on the Gin agenda with the launching of Suntory’s Roku Gin later this year. This Gin is bouncing with botanicals that boasts sencha tea, sansho pepper, sakura leaf and gyokuro tea as well as a citrus nose of mandarin and jasmine flowers, clove and lime.
suspending turkey and chicken breast over the still to add subtle flavours to the gin. It harnesses botanicals such as plums, apples, brown rice, passion fruit, cinnamon, nutmeg and lemons. www.portobelloroadgin.com www.folkloresocietygin.com
If that was not enough to tempt new comers to the world of Gin, Far Reaches Gin is a quadruple-distilled gin that has at least 13 botanicals stretching 5 continents. Yes! 5 continents. They include the guandong fruit from Australia, sarsaparilla of South America, grains from Africa kumquat from Asia. This London Dry Gin has a palate of vanilla and balanced with kumquat that makes a Martini heaven. Most Gins have a price tag averaging around £35 - £45 per bottle which is a bit pricey because of their craft gin status. Top of my list to sample is the world’s first ‘Pechuga Gin’ from Portobello. It is my understanding that this gin is made by 14
Eddy Kamuanga IIunga FRAGILE RESPONSIBILITY
coltan, the raw material that is used in the manufacture of computers and mobile phones.
This exhibition by Eddy Kamuanga IIunga is one not to be missed at the intimate October Gallery in London. Eddy Kamuanga IIunga was born in Democratic Republic of Congo in 1991 and pursued his studies in painting at the Academie des Beaux-Arts in Kinshasa. While Eddy Kamuanga IIunga developed sophisticated skills at the Academie, he found it stifling and eventually left to aligned himself with other artists and established M’Pongo, a studio where young artists shared ideas and exhibited together to maximise and generate their own vibrant scene in contemporary Kinshasa. Eddy Kamuanga IIunga embraces and explores the shifts in the economic, political and social identity of the Democratic Republic of Congo since colonialism. While globalisation has helped other nations to expand and embrace multi-ethnic heritage, the DRC seems reject this indigenous route in a country that is devoutly Christian. Eddy Kamuanga IIunga marries modernity with the DRC’s traditional cultures through its brightly coloured fabrics with images clutching ritual objects in their hands this inter-dimensional brings together the underlying anguish and emptiness of a country that is the largest supplier of
Kamuanga’s work has been exhibited at the Dak’Art Biennale OFF Senegal in 2014 and made its debut at the Saatchi Gallery’s Panagaea II in 2015. The 24-year artist also had enormous success at the London’s 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair in 2015 followed by an exhibition at New York’s Amory Show. He was also longlisted for the FT/Oppenheimer Funds Emerging Voices Awards in 2016 and in 2017 his work was included in the AfricanPrint Fashion Now! At the Fowler Museum, UCLA; I Want! I Want! Art and Technology at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, UK.
Photos courtesy the artist website.
Eddy Kamuanga IIunga FRAGILE RESPONSIBILITY May 10 – June 16, 2018 October Gallery 24 Old Glouscester Street Bloomsbury London WC1N 3AL Opening Times: Tuesday- Saturday 12:30 – 17:30 15
7 Uxbridge Rd, Shepherd's Bush, London W12 8LJ 020 8743 5050 www.bushtheatre.co.uk
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The Killing Fields By David Kalloo In last decade or so, South America and the Caribbean has seen an increase in the number of homicides and has led to the region being classified as the most violent place on earth. The Latin American region has 8% of the world’s population and accounts for a staggering 38% of criminal killings. In 2017 there were 140,000 murders in the region and killing has now, in some parts of Latin American and the Caribbean, become a way of life. El Salvador, in 2015 was classified as the world’s deadliest country with a murder rate of 81 per 100, 000 inhabitants while Jamaica recorded 58 and Trinidad and Tobago 30.90. These are all very worrying statistics and makes the region look like killing fields. What is even more worrying for the region, there seems to be no solution to the escalating problem.
It has been argued that rapid urbanisation leads to an escalation in violence since growth and income boost stimulate crime. However, according to The Economist ‘India and China have relatively low crime rates’ in its urbanised areas. Urban growth globally is set to
increase by at least 90% by 2030 according to HSBC bank in places like Karachi, Lagos, Dhaka and in Latin American countries and the Caribbean. Reflecting on these statistics, the likelihood of an increase in violent crime appears imminent unless steps are taken to address the problem. There is also the emergence of street gangs fuelled by drug trafficking and territorial wars among gangs that account for high numbers of murder in regions like the Caribbean and Latin America. Unemployment and inequality as well as dislocated families and, the easy access to firearms are high contenders when seeking to evaluate the cause for the drastic rise in homicides in the region. There is a contrasting phenomenon here, for while crime is on the decline in the ‘developed’ world, the opposite has been happening in the ‘developing’ world, except for London when in March 2018, the murder rate had surpassed that of New York. Violent deaths have plagued the world with over 560,000 reported in 2016. A staggering 68% of those deaths were murders with just 18% caused by wars. Most of these violent deaths are of males between the ages of 16 -35 resulting in societies being deprived of thousands of young able-bodied males in their prime. Yet, while great measures are taken to prevent wars, the effort into stopping murders has not been as comprehensive. In one Latin American country, it has been noted that the restriction of alcohol 17
countries cut their murder rate in the region, more than 1.35 million lives could be saved by 2030. Failure to do so would result in the loss of 1.25 million lives which would have a devasting effect on many societies being deprived of young men between the ages of 16-35. firearms helped to cut the murder rate by at 35%. Columbia noted for its violence with drug cartels has manged to slash its murder rate in 2017 to 24 per 100,000 its lowest in 42 years according to the data from The Economist. One striking factor with Columbia is that the citizens have a renewed faith in the police and, now the streets are safer. Citizens support is one of the greatest assets of any police service and once a police service can work towards harnessing public support, it will go a long way in assisting the reduction of the murder rate in many countries where the relationship between citizens and the police are absent.
Building on good data collection and analysis plays a significant part in curbing violent crime. According to an international campaign called ‘Instinct for Life’ data is essential for reducing murders. It can provide information on what needs to be done, recording the extent of what worked and what didn’t and, how best to implement prevention and intervention. Murder has outpaced war as a cause of death and Latin America and the Caribbean region cannot afford to lose 140,000 young able-bodied men to senseless violence every year.
Inter-regional collaboration on strategies and methods can also play an integral role in combatting the homicides and gun crime in Latin America and the Caribbean. However, it should not be seen where rubber-stamping one formula that worked in one country to work in another without the consideration of tailoring each strategy to reflect the society in which strategies are implemented. The Small Arms Survey estimates that if 18
Uber Launch its ebike in Berlin
Uber has set its sights on entering the ebike sharing industry with the launch of Jump bikes in Berlin later this year. The plans were announced in Berlin recently by Uber’s chief executive, Dara Khosrowshahi. Berlin would be the first city outside the US to have the luminous red electric Jump bikes and will join thousands of other dockless cycles that are available in the German city. Uber will be competing for a market share from other rivals such the Chinese firms Mobike and Ofo as well as US company, Lime.
hinted that Uber plans to expand into other European cities. Uber is a relatively newcomer to the already crowded bikesharing market.
The demand for cleaner transportation in the German city has tempted Uber into the ebike market after purchasing Jump two months ago and has poured investment into expanding beyond San Francisco and Washington DC. Pedal cycles have become a city norm and as an alternative to cars for short journeys in major cities ever since the first municipal bike sharing service, Velib was introduced in Paris. The electric Jump bikes which has a pedal assist function that provides a speed boost to facilitate longer distances. Uber ‘s Jump bikes and scooters can be rented at a reasonable cost through smartphone apps. Mr Khosrowshahi 19
Master Sommeliers of 2018 If there is one wine event you should have pencilled in on your calendar, it should be, the Best UK Sommelier Award and Walkaround Tasting. The event has become an annual fixture for the UK wine industry promoting Italian wines. The event is put on by the UK Sommelier Association and is the brainchild of Andrea Rinaldi who has been running the event for the last 4 years along with course director and vice president Federica Zanghirella.
The sommelier’s course is designed for those already working in the industry and for passionate wine lovers and professionals who wants to expand their careers and those simply wanting to learn the art of food and wine pairing.
Andreas has a dedicated passion for wine, he remembers fondly in his quest to become a sommelier back in Italy his father tried to get him disqualified because he was not of age to serve wine as a budding sommelier. Andrea says, “My passion for wine drives me and it is my aim to create world class sommeliers to continue the tradition of Master Sommeliers.” The Best UK Sommelier Awards is the culmination of 5 long months of sommelier training that takes place on the job for aspiring sommeliers at some of London’s prestigious restaurants and hotels and wine and food academies.
The UK Sommelier Association courses have been designed on the foundations and principles of the Italian Sommelier Association which has been offering wine education since 1965. Andrea says, “becoming a sommelier gives you career opportunities, it is a sophisticated job for those seeking greater knowledge and appreciation of fine wines and spirits.” 20
Nicolas Planty, sommelier at ISS and the first female to take the stage, Noemie Favrat, sommelier at The Bleeding Heart. The Best UK Sommelier 2018, Villa Sandi Award and Walkaround Tasting was hosted by television presenter Joe Fattorini. Judges for the performance Masters of Wine, included Christopher Walkey, David Bird, Anthony Rose, Christopher Cooper and Luca Martini. Role playing customers was performed by Champagne expert Simon Stockton and Olga Bussinello from Valpolicella Consorzio.
For anyone wanting to become a sommelier, the key factors are acquiring knowledge, service skill, communication, excellence and elegance and bench marks to aspire in becoming a master sommelier.
The UK Sommelier Association are currently enrolling for the next Sommelier Course starting in October 2018. Anyone interested in taking the sommelier course can contact the Andrea Rinaldi or Federica Zanghirella at UK Sommelier Association: andrea.rinaldi@uksommelier.com or info@uksommelierassociation.com
Villa Sandi, producers of iconic premium Prosecco were the main sponsors of this year’s Best UK Sommelier Awards and supported by over twelve wine producers and wine sellers including; Enotria & Coe, Delitalia, Azienda Agricola Malvira and Masciarelli were among others offering the best in Italian wines. Impressing the judges to be crowned master sommeliers of 2018 was Julien Sarrasin, head sommelier at Club Gascon.
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Greece and Macedonia agreement falls to pieces…again Since Macedonia declared independence in 1991 after the break-up of the Former Republic of Yugoslavia, it has manged to avert civil and ethnic wars that have plagued its neighbours. However, they have never been able to appease Greece who has continuously oppose the use of the name Macedonia. Now after 27 years Greece and Macedonia have reached a compromise and the country will now be known, internally and internationally as the Republic of Northern Macedonia. Its language will be Macedonian and its citizens, Macedonians. Greece have always contested that Macedonia already belongs to a northern region in Greece which is home to the country’s second city, Thessaloniki. When Macedonia adopted the name after the declaration of independence in 1991 it infuriated the Greeks who suspected that the new state ad ambitions on its territory. However, just hours after the compromise was announced there was furious backlash from Skopje and Athens as the bitter diplomatic feud continued. The Macedonian president Gjorge Ivanov refused to sign the deal saying, “My position is final, and I will not yield to any pressure, blackmail or threats.” The NATO secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg had welcomed the news that the two countries had finally come to a resolve, saying it was “an historical agreement” only to learn that the breakthrough was short-lived.
Last January there had been renewed anticipation in Athens and Skopje with Macedonia pledging that it was ‘committed to finding a solution in six months’ as they sought to make progress for integration into the European Union and NATO. The Greeks also show optimism in reaching a compromise when Dimitris Tzanakopoulos said that, “the widest possible consensus is to solve a problem which has weighed on the country and the region for the past 25 years.” The setback with the latest stalemate has now cast a heavy shadow on how soon, or will Macedonia ever become part of the EU in the future. Greece has always vetoed any application made by Macedonia to join the European Union and NATO. The European Council leader, Donald Tusk said the agreement would have “set an example to others on how to consolidate peace and stability across the region.” Macedonia, after independence have managed to retain a peaceful state despite years of blockade from the Greeks and small skirmishes between its ethic population. However, the Greeks are fearful that if Macedonia is given the green light to join the EU and NATO they will eventually want to claim the ancient Macedonian Kingdom of Alexander the Great. At present Macedonia is officially recognised by the United Nations as the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. There is still hope that Greece and Macedonia can reach a resolve and end a feud that has lasted more than a quarter of a century.
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OXFORD UNIVERSITY STUDENT JOINS GRACEKENNEDY JAMAICAN BIRTHRIGHT SUMMER INTERNSHIP Caribbean Airlines, Go Jamaica Travel, Island Car Rentals and the leading visitor attraction, Dolphin Cove.
Oxford University student Joshua Tulloch (aged 20) has been selected to take part in a five-week professional and cultural internship, hosted by GraceKennedy in Jamaica this summer. Joshua will join three other students from Canada and the USA in Jamaica from June 27 to August 7 in the GraceKennedy Jamaican Birthright Summer Internship, designed to immerse them in Jamaica’s rich culture and provide hands-on training in their chosen career field. “The programme will empower Joshua and the other students to think differently about themselves, their heritage and their contribution to the world,” said Caroline Mahfood, Executive Director of the GraceKennedy Foundation.
Grace Foods UK and the GraceKennedy owned Hi-Lo Food Stores will also be backing the internship, along with FLOW Jamaica and Wendy’s and Domino’s restaurants, with additional support provided by the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission. “Thanks to the commitment and support of our partners, we will ensure that the students have a truly memorable experience whilst in Jamaica, helping to shape what we are confident will be exciting, successful futures,” added Caroline Mahfood.
For further Information on Grace Sponsorship please contact: MTJ Associates. Martin Jackson on 01772 421442. W: www.mtjpr.co.uk
“Joshua will return home with tremendous pride and we hope will become an ambassador for Jamaica.” Joshua, who hails from London, is a second-year student at Oxford, studying philosophy, politics and economics. GraceKennedy is partnering with numerous public and private sector entities to give the interns a true taste of Jamaica. Partner organisations include
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Not in the News…. More than 10 people, some of them children were beheaded in Northen Mozambique last month. It is believed that a group of jihadists carried out the gruesome attack. They have been operating in Mozambique with sporadic attacks since 2015 Viagra is now available without a prescription in British pharmacies. The drug that helps men with erectile dysfunction can now be bought over-the-counter. Viagra Connect can be purchased in packs of 4 for less than five pounds per tablet. A spate of road deaths rural roads has prompted the French transport officials to reduce the speed limit to 80kph. The prime minister announced that by reducing the speed limit from 90kph (55mph) will save up to 400 lives a year. However, rural France is not happy with the reduction of the speed limit and over 2 million French people have signed a petition in protest.
‘foreshadowed growth’ of almost $20 million over a two-year period 2017-2019. The company said that by introducing electronic platforms have allowed Bahamasair to have less reliance on human resources. St Lucia’s 2017 Carnival Queen has marked the end of her reign with the release of her first single, ‘Come Closer’. Chancy Fontenelle said reviews to the new single are exceeding her expectations. The song was written by Dellie Florenville and produced by Focus Productions. The world’s most distinctive trees, the ancient baobab is the latest victim of so-called climate change, according to scientists. The baobab tree is known as the tree of life and can reach up to 100ft and dates back almost 6000 years. Some of the oldest baobab trees in Africa are dying including 6 of the largest. Scientists say it is a disaster of unprecedented magnitude.
Bahamasair is set to expand and in doing so have reduced its staff from 587 to 530. By doing so Bahamasair has reduced its operating cost by $1.9 million which translates into a 27
Grenfell, A Day of Remembrance
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