Day: 28 January 2018

Monaco’s most important annual feast day, Saint Devote, started on Friday, January 26, with the annual burning of the boat outside the church bearing the name of the Principality’s patron saint following the religious service attended by Prince Albert and Princess Charlene.

A large crowd watched the Prince set fire to the boat representing the small craft on which the body of the 19-year-old virgin saint arrived in Monaco in the very early fourteenth century, during a period in which the Christian church was being persecuted by the Romans in Corsica under the local governor, Diocletian.

The young Christian had died a martyr in her homeland, according to local legend, and fellow Christians had put her body into a small boat hoping that she might receive a Christian burial in North Africa. However, a storm brought the craft to Monaco, to be welcomed by a small community of Christians.

Prince Louis II is credited with having started the modern tradition of the burning of the boat by setting it alight with his own hands in 1924.

Celebrations continued on Saturday, January 27, with a pontifical mass and the ceremonial welcoming of the saint’s relics at Monaco’s Cathedral.

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News

With a view to improving the reception conditions for primary school children in the Condamine district, the Prince’s Government announces that, starting from the 2018/2019 school year, pupils in kindergarten classes at the Condamine School (Small, Medium and Large Sections) will now all be housed in a new school in the building “Le Stella”, on Place des Bougainvilliers.

These children will benefit from modern equipment, in a brand new space, particularly well suited to various educational practices.

As for the École de la Condamine, it will be dedicated exclusively to students of the Preparatory Course (CP) in the middle of second year (CM2) in an even more pleasant school environment, thanks to more space being available.

For the start of the 2018/2019 school year, the enrolment of pupils, from kindergarten to CM2, will take place at the secretariat of the Condamine School until February 23, 2018, inclusive.

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The 10th meeting of the French-Monegasque Cooperation Commission was held in the Principality on Friday, January 26, under the joint chairmanship of HE Maurice Gourdault Montagne, Secretary General of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and HE Serge Telle, Monaco’s Minister of State.

This Commission, whose last session was held in May 2016, was established by the Treaty of October 24, 2002, which stated that the close and special relations between the Principality of Monaco and the French Republic formed “a community of destiny”.

The Monegasque delegation included all the members of Government and the Ambassador of Monaco in France. In the French delegation was the French Ambassador to Monaco, as well as the Secretary General of the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Sub-Prefect Nice-Montagne.

The two sides spoke about the negotiations of an association agreement between the Principality and the European Union. In particular, they discussed the impact of these negotiations on existing bilateral treaties and points of common interest.

Among the other items on the agenda, the parties talked about the question of French residents in Monaco regarding housing, the payment by the Monegasques of the General Social Contribution (CSG) and the Social Debt Repayment Contribution (CRDS) for their income on goods in France, the treatment of traffic offences detected by cameras, and also the terms under which Monegasque companies can apply during French public procurement processes.

The parties also welcomed the joint efforts to open the Beausoleil motorway junction. In a spirit of cooperation and goodwill, these constructive exchanges also focused on health and social issues, such as the opening of the new CHPG Palliative Care Unit, and the possibility of welcoming French medical interns into the CHPG community.

The two delegations also referred to the situation and training of unemployed residents in the Principality.

Finally, the two parties agreed on their commitment to strategic thinking on strengthening cross-border cooperation and the future of the Franco-Monegasque region.

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News

Teenage striker Pietro Pellegri has arrived in Monaco from Genoa to complete a medical and will transfer for a reported €25 million plus 10 percent of a future transfer fee, according to Football Italia. The 16-year-old already has eight Serie A appearances and three goals under his belt.

He had been in negotiations with Juventus, but Monaco stepped up a gear on Friday and quickly sealed a deal. Pellegri will sign a 5-year contract worth approximately €1 million per season to begin with.

“I am very happy to join AS Monaco and I was quickly convinced of this project that allows young people like me to progress and flourish in the future,” Pellegri said. “I will work hard to become an important player of the club in the future.”

Meanwhile, Monaco has reportedly agreed to sell Guido Carrillo, the 26-year-old Argentinean to English side Southampton for €21.6 million (£19 million), a record for the UK club. Carillo scored five goals for Monaco in 22 appearances this season.

Carrillo said. “I know Southampton from watching the Premier League from when I was small, I’ve always regarded it as the most important league in the world.”

Manager David Moyes said he needs Mario to adapt quickly to the demands of the Premier League: “My biggest concern is not him as a footballer but getting used to the Premier League, the speed and competitiveness compared to Italy or Portugal,” he commented.

“His ability as a footballer is not in question, he’s proved it, and I just hope he can hit the ground running. That’s my only concern.”

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