The "My Dream" Painting Competition for African Teenagers will hold its award ceremony in Beijing on September 13. Over 2,000 entries from 42 African countries were submitted for the competition. Starting on September 7, CGTN has been introducing a selection of art by these young artists, focusing today on paintings that reflect the artists' personal dreams.

1. "The Stars of Hope" by Tah Abono Jephté from Cameroon is one of the 15 pieces to win the Wentian Award (second prize). It features a bright yellow tree, green grass and African children, conveying messages of youth and hope. The dark sky is adorned with shooting stars, and red ribbons hang on the wishing tree, possibly influenced by Chinese traditions of praying for the future.

2. "Open a book and the world opens up to you" by Amani Mohamed Ali from Djibouti also received the Wentian Award (second prize). It showcases piles of books forming a shape resembling a huge rocket, with two teenagers in spacesuits engrossed in reading. The painting symbolizes the idea that the future lies in books and the vast ocean of knowledge they offer.

3. "Her hope" by Abigail Berhanemeskel from Ethiopia, a Wentian-Award (second prize) winner, depicts a dark sky with a glimmering light in the girl's hand, symbolizing hope for the future as long as her hair and as vast as the universe.

4. "My dream is my goal" by El Amraoui Khaoula from Morocco explores themes of girls' dreams and empowerment. Two-thirds of the canvas is dominated by the vast universe, while a girl diligently works on her computer. A closer look reveals that the young artist has used her scarf to connect reality with her thoughts, much like the previous painting used hair to bridge the present and future. The painting received the Wentian Award (second prize).

5. "Never give up on your dreams" by Amadeo Nze Nengomo from Equatorial Guinea received the Mengtian Award (third prize). The artist shares childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut, with the painting featuring an astronaut's helmet, a poster of a rocket launch, and toys of rockets and astronauts that once adorned the boy's room, reminding him of his original dream.