March 2017 - Page 17 of 30

Princess Charlene joins Team Monaco at Special Olympics Winter Games

20/03/2017

Princess Charlene joins Monaco for the Parade of Athletes during the opening Ceremony March 18 at the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games Photo: Eric Mathon/Palais Princier

Founded in the early Eighties, Special Olympics Monaco is an organisation under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert that provides opportunities for adults and children with intellectual disabilities to practice sport.

Special Olympics Monaco counts more than 70 athletes who represent the Monegasque delegation throughout the world. From the very beginning, Prince Albert had been the association’s Honorary President, until 2012, when Princess Charlene, a passionate advocate of the Special Olympics movement, stepped into the role.

Over the past week, a delegation of 23 athletes from Monaco has been participating in the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria, which runs from March 14 to 25.

UPDATE MARCH 28: Special Olympics Monaco set a record winning 11 Gold, 9 Silver and 10 Bronze medals, with 30 podiums, nearly double compared to previous Games in Korea.

Princess Charlene, after an eventful two days with the Monaco-South Africa Rugby Exchange, providing a water safety session with the teams on Friday, March 17, and then supporting the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament the following morning, flew to Austria later on Saturday to take part in the Winter Games Opening Ceremony at 7 pm.

The Princess met with Team Monaco and then walked proudly alongside them during the Parade of Athletes. Around 2,700 athletes from 107 nations participated in the march at the Schladming Planaistadium, with an additional 1,100 coaches, 3,000 volunteers and some 5,000 family members also in the stadium.

“I am so proud to be here at the Special Olympics to support Team Monaco” Princess Charlene told Monaco Life. “The atmosphere at the opening ceremony was electric, the place was buzzing with excitement.”

The Princess added, “The athletes are such an inspiration to me, their courage is remarkable.”

Princess Charlene with Team Monaco Photo; Photo: Eric Mathon/Palais Princier

Over eight days during the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games, there are nine disciplines – alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, stick shooting, floor ball, floor hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, speed skating and snowshoeing – held at three venues, and events are free for spectators.

Athletes are divided into groups based on criteria, such as age and ability. Like the Olympics, the top three finishers in each category are awarded gold, silver and bronze medals. And all participants are given a participation ribbon and the chance to stand on the victory podium.

Monaco’s team is made up of 17 male and 6 female representatives competing in three sports: alpine skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and the Principality has earned several podium positions over the last few days.

As of Monday, March 20, in the snowshoe competition, Monaco had 7 men and 4 women: Rabab Bechti won gold in 100m, Clement Collon won silver in 100m race, Agnes Danna picked up a gold in 100m as did Khadija Danziger for division F13, and Sandra Franco won silver in 25m. Diego Bolatti, Stephane Mencarelli, Stephane Polin, Gael Ranise, Gregory Rossi, Anthony Zenati are also competing.

Five men and two women represented the Principality in alpine skiing – Yann Bouvry won bronze in Super G, Francois Dewisme got a silver for Intermediate Super G, Alain Jobert won silver in Intermediate Super G and Nathalie Stapffer picked up a silver in Novice Super G. Still on the schedule are Luca Brenna, Elsa Clement and Denis Lupo.

Meanwhile it’s an all-male team for cross-country skiing: Philippe Calmes won gold in 50m Race Classical, Gael Desbordes won silver in 50m Race Classical division M09 and Thibault Viale picked up silver in 50m Race Classical Division M10. Eric Bruno and Stephane Kelkal make up the rest of the team.

The Closing Ceremony for the 2017 Special Olympics World Winter Games will be held on Friday, March 24, at 7 pm.

The Special Olympics World Games take place every two years and alternate between Summer and Winter Games, a schedule similar to the Olympics and Paralympics. The 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games will be held in Abu Dhabi. (Feature image: Special Olympics 2017 Flickr)

Article first published March 20, 2017.

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Amber Lounge races against dementia at Monaco Grand Prix

by: Cassandra Tanti

20/03/2017

Amber Lounge, which celebrates its fifteenth anniversary this year, has joined up with Sir Jackie Stewart’s foundation “Race Against Dementia” with a charity event to support research into preventative medication for this heart-breaking illness.

The Foundation will take centre-stage at Amber Lounge’s 11th Charity Fashion Show on Friday, May 26, at Le Méridien Beach Plaza, one of the highlights of the Grand Prix weekend.

When Sir Jackie Stewart announced the launch of Race Against Dementia, Amber Lounge CEO, Sonia Irvine, wanted to help in any way she could. Just like Sir Jackie Stewart and his wife Lady Helen, Sonia and her brother, former F1 driver Eddie Irvine, have seen their mother Kathleen fight a battle with an illness over which they have no control.

With both families so connected to the racing world, it was a natural decision to connect this potentially life-changing foundation to the Amber Lounge Charity Event “Amber Fashion”.

Jackie Stewart (GBR) Matra, won his first World Championship tile as a result of taking his sixth victory of the season. He's pictured here with his wife Helen Stewart (GBR) and son's Mark Stewart (GBR) right, and Paul Stewart (GBR), second from left. Italian Grand Prix, Rd8, Monza, Italy, 8 September 1969. Photo: Sutton Images — Jackie Stewart (GBR) Matra, won his first World Championship tile as a result of taking his sixth victory of the season. He’s pictured here with his wife Helen Stewart (GBR) and son’s Mark Stewart (GBR) right, and Paul Stewart (GBR), second from left.
Italian Grand Prix, Rd8, Monza, Italy, 8 September 1969. Photo: Sutton Images

Sir Jackie Stewart commented: “I am very grateful to Amber Lounge for their generosity towards Race Against Dementia, in helping to raise funds through the auction at the Amber Fashion event in Monaco. My wife Helen sadly suffers from dementia, so I am absolutely behind the event and look forward to a very special evening.”

There are 45 million people around the world living with dementia today. One in three will get dementia in their lifetime and, one person is diagnosed with dementia every three seconds.

“Alzheimer’s struck our family ten years ago, and we believe that it is one of the hardest diseases to come to terms with,”Amber Lounge’s Sonia Irvine commented. “The person is physically there, but the mind slowly slips away and with that their lifelong memories, leaving the families behind powerless and stuck in a time warp. The disease is at epidemic proportions and requires funds to raise awareness, support for the families and much-needed resources for research.

“We decided there was no better person and no better partner for this cause than Sir Jackie Stewart and his charity Race Against Dementia, and my brother Eddie and my father Edmund will be present to lend their support. The Amber Lounge Charity Auction is a perfect opportunity for us to join forces and drive forward the fight against this terrible disease.”

Amber Lounge CEO, Sonia Irvine, with her parents

World famous personalities and VIP guests, including leading figures from Formula 1, sport professionals, the CEOs of global companies and generous bidders, will come together as the Grand Prix weekend’s events open with red carpet arrivals and a cocktail reception, followed by the legendary Amber Lounge Fashion Show. F1 drivers will walk the runway dressed in bespoke Apsley Tailors suits while F1 ladies will showcase an exclusive silk collection from Silviya Neri.

The evening will continue with the much-anticipated live auction, featuring iconic items and experiences with a minimum value of €50,000, while bidders will also be able to purchase lots of between €5,000 and €10,000 through the silent auction.

Coveted auction items will include a fabulous and unique framed painting made by artist Arunas Rutkus, an impressive leather Luvienz trunk containing exclusive bottles of caviar-tasting champagne, a personal vintage package of champagne by Hatt & Soner, a series of unique motor racing photographs offered by Sir Jackie Stewart and many other rare collector items and experiences.

Formula One World Champion and Monaco resident, Nico Rosberg, at Amber Lounge 2016.

Dinner follows the auction before inevitably hitting the Amber Lounge dancefloor through to sunrise at this world-renowned after-party featuring international live acts and DJs.

U*NITE tables (which include dining, fashion show and Amber Lounge after-party) range from €7,200, shared table passes from €900, After-party access from 11 pm only, tables from €5,200 and €350 per individual pass.

For ticket information or to make an auction donation, or email fashion@amber- lounge.com or visit the Amber Lounge website. Donations can also be made justgiving.com/race-against-dementia.

Article first published March 20, 2017.

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Renowned inventor at Villa Paloma with ties to Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti

20/03/2017

Curators Linda Fregni Nagler and Cristiano Raimondi

“Hercule Florence, the new Robinson”, has opened at Villa Paloma and runs until June 11.The exhibition is the result of a five-year research project on the work of Brazilian inventor and artist Hercule Florence (1804-1879), presenting it for the first time to the European public. Linda Fregni Nagler and Cristiano Raimondi serve as curators of this exhibition, which will be accompanied by a publication bringing together many international contributions.

Inventor of zoophony, a system of musical notation of bird songs, and polygraphy, a method of printing based on the principles of photography, Hercule Florence developed a photographic process as early as 1833 in Brazil, irrespective of the research carried out in Europe at the time, and was the first to use the term “photography”.

The drawings and manuscripts of Hercules Florence, as well as the first photographic copy of the history of the Americas, are gathered together for the first time in the same exhibition, which is partnered with Van Cleef & Arpels and UBS Monaco.

This very complete panorama makes it possible to retrace the development of the thought and work of Hercules Florence. His method, which involves copying, drawing and reproduction, whether manual or automatic, is the central theme of the exhibition.

The necessity of reproducing his own works in some quantity led Florence to invent printing systems which might offer an alternative to engraving, such as photography.

The project aims to make this famous person his true place in the history of culture, and more particularly of photography, while showing the relationship between his approach and that of his peers. An in-depth study of the origins of photography makes it possible to take a major step forward in the understanding of this complex figure.

Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (€6) with free admission every Sunday, with the added incentive of a reading of Hercules Florence manuscripts for visitors at 4 pm.

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Monaco targets visitors from Ukraine

by: Cassandra Tanti

20/03/2017

The Tourism and Convention Bureau (DTC) and its hotel partners, the Meridien Beach Plaza and the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, have recently returned from Ukraine, where they held a successful promotional tour.

Monaco’s delegation met more than a hundred professionals, who were all very interested in the topics presented. HE Mrs Dumont, French Ambassador in Kiev, met the Monegasque delegation to discuss possible future collaboration in Ukraine.

Tourists from Ukraine are already ranked twelfth in terms of nationalities visiting the Principality, and there is still a real potential for growth, according to the DTC.

The cities targeted were Kiev and Dnipro, where the delegation met tour operators and agents to showcase the Principality’s strengths, notably its new attractions: the CHPG Check-Up Unit and medical tourism and well-being in general. Also promoted were the “Dinner in the Sky” scheduled for July in Monaco, and the next Formula E Grand Prix on May 13.

Paolo Sari, Michelin-star Executive Chef Monte-Carlo Beach, told Monaco Life, “I believe that Dinner in the Sky could represent something innovative in Monaco. The sky platform will be like any other restaurant. The chosen chefs are professionals and they are used to perform in sometimes extreme conditions. On the other hand, it will be just one-man show as the chef will be in front of all the clients, relating directly to them, cooking in front of them.

“It’s in the same spirit of the Route du Goût, one in the sky, the other on the sea. That’s why I decided to take part in this project. Monaco is 20 years behind other cities like Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, and strongly needs to move on through some different events.”

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Cape Town’s victory Saturday, so much more than winning a game

by: Cassandra Tanti

19/03/2017

Princess Charlene and the first aid and water safety session for the South African exchange pupils at Charles III on Friday March 17. Photo: Eric Mathon/Palais Princier

I decided to drop by Stade Louis II on Saturday afternoon to catch a glimpse of the action at the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament, as organised for the last seven years by the Monegasque Rugby Federation in collaboration with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. I coordinated my arrival with the start of Tots Rugby, a free workshop for children ages 3 to 5, thinking I could take some playful snaps.

I left four hours later.

What I learned in those hours is that the Sainte Devote Rugby Tournament is about so much more than rugby. Alongside the fourteen teams in the U12-category – from Europe, Africa, Russia and the UAE – playing across the day in hope of reaching the playoffs, part of the stadium track was used for a rugby workshop for Special Olympics Monaco.

There was also the Tots Rugby, with volunteers teaching various exercises to a scattering of little players that involved some hand and ball coordination, at least for the kids who didn’t run away.

The values of rugby and the Sainte Devote tournament go beyond physical aspects. The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation tries to instil team spirit and the notions of solidarity, respect and fair play. It was apparent.

When I walked out on the field, Cape Town had just secured a spot in the finals. The twelve underprivileged boys, age 12, that make up the team from South Africa had been invited to the Principality from March 14 to 20, as part of the “South Africa-Monaco Rugby Exchange”, one of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation’s flagship projects in its Sport & Education programme, in partnership with the South African Rugby Legends Association (SARLA).

In turn, a Monegasque team will travel to Durban in South Africa in July 2017.

Gavin Varejes started Rugby Legends sixteen years ago, and is also part of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation South Africa. He told Monaco Life, “Bringing the kids once a year to Monaco, and participating in the Sainte Devote tournament is wonderful. Some of the kids have never been in a motorcar before, and to put them on an airplane, and bring them to Monaco where they get such an amazing reception from Princess Charlene and Prince Albert, and their families, is absolutely life changing for them.

“These are memories that stay with the boys forever. This has been the most uplifting programme for the kids we’ve brought over the last two years.”

Outside of the Sainte Devote tournament, the young athletes from South Africa and their counterparts from the Principality participate in school and activities providing mutual enrichment through their cultural differences.

They practiced with the Toulon rugby team earlier in the week, which was a real thrill for the boys, many of who dream of playing professionally one day for the South African national team, the Springboks, and becoming the next Bryan Habana, one of country’s greatest ever rugby players, currently playing for Toulon..

And on Friday morning, they had the special privilege of a first aid and water safety session from Princess Charlene at Charles III pool.

I hang out in the bleachers with the team before the big match at 5 pm. They tell me how cool it was to meet the Princess, and try to teach me Afrikaans. It’s as foreign as Quebecois French to me.

They talk about taking a plane (some were nervous, but others said it was really nice) and, as they munched away on baguette sandwiches and Mars bars, they tell me about their siblings back home who wanted to come with them to Monaco.

Polite, friendly, happy … it was hard to imagine these kids coming from villages without electricity or the impoverished surroundings as described to me by some of the SARLA team.

I am reminded about Princess Charlene’s Foundation and its initiative to promote water safety. I presumed incorrectly that the Princess chose this cause because she was living in Monaco and close to the Mediterranean. It was only recently that I learned it’s to educate children in South Africa, and worldwide, who don’t know how to swim. And the story to illustrate this was that of women washing their clothes at the river, kids in tow, when there’s suddenly a flood and the children drown because they’ve never been in water and cannot swim.

This is a world away from where we live.

At 5 o’clock, the boys are back on the field against Lausanne. Ten minutes later they are victorious with a score of 5-0. They are jubilant; they are gracious, immediately shaking hands with the opposing team.

SARLA and the coaches are clearly emotional, too. A fine example of tears of joy. The trophy – “la Coupe de HSH Prince Sovereign” – is presented by Princess Charlene’s brother, Gareth Wittstock, who has indefatigably entertained the Cape Town team and crew since their arrival.

“These kids take home hope and dreams, know things are achievable,” Mr Varejes explained. “And they learn ‘Don’t ever give up on yourself or your friends’.

“This is what rugby does. Rugby is the most incredible sport for uniting people and playing as a team on and off the field. This experience teaches them to believe in themselves.”

Article first published March 20, 2017.

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene with Cape Town at Ste Devote Tournament. Photo: Eric Mathon/Palais Princier

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Monaco Brazil Invest tackle data protection and the cloud

by: Cassandra Tanti

19/03/2017

AMBI Founders: Arnoldo Wald Filho, President of AMBI in Brazil and Honorary Consul of Monaco in Brazil, Marcos Pileggi, President of AMBI in Monaco, Luciana de Montigny, Secretary General of AMBI and President of Brasil Monaco Project and André de Montigny, President of Honor of AMBI and Honorary Consul of Brazil in Monaco.

The Association Monaco Brazil Invest (AMBI) is holding their second year anniversary event on March 23 at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel. AMBI, a bilateral association of commercial economic and financial cooperation between Monaco and Brazil launched in 2015, has invited two distinguished speakers on Thursday.

“Each year we chose a unique subject,” Marcos Pileggi, President of the non-profit AMBI, told Monaco Life, “and this time we are presenting Monaco and data protection of the cloud.”

Two speakers will address guests at the invitation only event. Dr Renato Opice Blum, Digital Law Professor at Insper, will talk about “Cloud and its business in Monaco: Trends and Opportunities within a Data Protection Framework”. This will be followed by “Monaco Law and Regulatory Panorama in Regards with Data/IT Protection in Business”, delivered by Richard Mullot, Vice-President of the Monaco Bar, and former President of the Bar.

“Monaco is the safest country in the world for people, why not for data?” Mr Pileggi suggested.

Each country, and indeed each state within the US, has different legislation regarding data protection. Just last month, Javelin Strategy & Research stated an estimated 15.4 million American consumers – or nearly 1 in every 16 – were victims of ID theft last year up. This figure is up from 13.1 million in 2015.

The Javelin report opened with “2016 will be remembered as a banner year for fraudsters, as numerous measures of identity fraud reached new heights”, confirming fraud losses totalled $16 billion.

AMBI, which officially launched at the Monaco Yacht Club in March 2016, promotes and develops multilateral links between Monaco and Brazil, focusing on Monaco as a hub of international business and investment exchange. The conference this week is in collaboration with the Monaco Economic Board and sponsored by Powers Properties. The official partners are Monaco Asset Management and CMB Bank.

Working closely with the Brazilian Consulate in Monaco and the Monaco Consulate in Brazil, AMBI looks to build networks and create opportunities for members with introductions to prestigious personalities, and provide “Complementary Activities” with other organisations, such as Brasil Monaco Project and the Monaco Economic Board. Memberships are divided into four categories: Patron, Corporate, Individual and Institutional.

The new AMBI website will be launched later this week, in conjunction with the second anniversary conference on Thursday.

Marcos Pileggi, President of AMBI in Monaco, with Michel Dotta, President of Monaco Economic Board

Marcos Pileggi, President of AMBI, Luciana de Montigny, Secretary General of AMBI and President of Brasil Monaco Project,
Jacques Boisson, State Secretary,André de Montigny, AMBI President of Honour and Honorary Consul of Brazil in Monaco, Henri Fissore,Ambassador at Large

Marcos Pileggi, President of AMBI in Monaco, Olivier Wenden, Executive Director FPA2, Marie-Catherine Caruso-Ravera, Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations, André de Montigny, President of Honor of AMBI and Honorary Consul of Brazil in Monaco Luciana de Montigny, Secretary General of AMBI and President of Brasil Monaco Project, Arnoldo Wald Filho, President of AMBI in Brazil and Honorary Consul of Monaco in Brazil, Tânia Loeb Wald, Michel Bouquier, Senior Advisor, Finance and Economy Department of Monaco, Monaco Private Label — Marcos Pileggi, President of AMBI in Monaco,Olivier Wenden, Executive Director FPA2, Marie-Catherine Caruso-Ravera, Director of Diplomatic and Consular Relations, André de Montigny, President of Honor of AMBI and Honorary Consul of Brazil in Monaco, Luciana de Montigny, Secretary General of AMBI and President of Brasil Monaco Project, Arnoldo Wald Filho, President of AMBI in Brazil and Honorary Consul of Monaco in Brazil, Tânia Loeb Wald, Michel Bouquier, Senior Advisor, Finance and Economy Department of Monaco, Monaco Private Label

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Princess Charlene joins Team Monaco at Special Olympics Winter Games

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Amber Lounge races against dementia at Monaco Grand Prix

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Renowned inventor at Villa Paloma with ties to Monaco

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Monaco targets visitors from Ukraine

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Cape Town’s victory Saturday, so much more than winning a game

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Monaco Brazil Invest tackle data protection and the cloud

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