Day: 28 May 2019

Have you ever wanted to travel to an international space station? Well now you can. During Grand Prix weekend, two astronauts came to Monaco and shared details of private space tourism, now available thanks to their company, Axiom Space.

On a yacht docked beside Monaco Yacht Club on Friday 24th May, an other-worldly experience was described by two astronauts. Onboard Motor Yacht Skyfall, Nicholas Frankl, whose company My Yacht Group hosted a tech event where the astronauts spoke, introduced them by telling a story.

“Imagine you are standing on the space station, strapped into an arm that is about 100 feet away from the station, suspended in a suit, attached to the shuttle. Below you is Earth.” Mr. Frankl told the story of being in space, as described by Michael Suffredini just weeks earlier in Monaco.

Mr. Suffredini is a former astronaut and CEO of the company Axiom Space. Together with Dr. Kam Ghaffarian, they have 60 to 70 years of human space flight experience between them. Their company offers the first opportunity for regular people to fly into space.

Right now, the International Space Station is circling above our planet. The huge spacecraft is about the size of a soccer field, according to Mr. Suffredini, who helped build it. Run by 28 countries, and having cost $100 billion to build, it is today’s newest tourism destination. It is 400 kilometres above earth and has been the home to professional astronauts from 15+ nations. But only seven private individuals have ever been able to visit; most spacecraft are currently being run by government institutions, which creates limited opportunities for regular people.

Because Axiom Space is a private company who uses rockets from Space X to move their own spacecraft, individuals can now have the life-defining moment of space travel. During the presentation, images were shown of the Aurora Borealis above Finland from space, with visions of unearthly lime green light shining on our jewel of a planet.

For 10 years, Mr. Suffredini was international space station program manager, and interviewed every astronaut that went to space before and after their journey. They all had what he called a life defining, spiritual moment. He described the experience of the rocket stopping, and microgravity setting in, seeing our planet with the darkness of the universe in the background, as an opportunity: To be inspired by a beautiful blue planet with a fragile thin atmosphere, countries free of borders, filled with individuals sharing the planet.

“You don’t see borders. You don’t see dogma,” said Mr. Suffredini.

He hopes that the people who take this journey will be inspired to make change on earth upon their return.

In an effort to make a smooth transition from traditional energy forms and usage to a modern approach, the Principality’s Department of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning is hosting a series of informational meetings to help Monaco’s citizens better understand the steps being taken toward a carbon-free environment. 

The meeting will provide answers to commonly asked questions about subsidies and changes to infrastructure brought about by the new plans.  

 The intention is improved quality of life for all. Changes implemented will create better ways of managing resources and include waste management, new energy alternatives and transportation solutions.  

Monaco Engages will be held on the following dates:

Wednesday, 29 May, 9 am-6pm: Carrefour Commercial Gallery

Tuesday, 4 June, 9 am-2 pm: Monte-Carlo Market and 4 pm-6pm: Esplanade of St Charles School

Wednesday 19 June, 9 am-6pm: Princess Antoinette Park

Tuesday, 25 June, 9h-18h: forecourt of the Oceanographic Museum

Saturday, 6 July, 9h-14h: Condamine Market

Saturday, 20 July, 9h-18h: Promenade Larvotto

For more information, visit the website: https://transition-energetique.gouv.mc  

Monaco’s Embassy in Germany gave support to the Berlin Diplomatic Choir’s concert on 23rd May called ‘Concert without borders – under the same sky’. Music from several genres, including Christian, Arab/Islamic and Jewish cultures were performed to an audience of over 700 people, including some of the elite from Berlin’s political, cultural and economic worlds.

The musicians and singers represented more than 20 nationalities. Several belong to Berlin’s diplomatic community. The purpose of the concert was to use music to promote cross-cultural and religious friendships, while also creating mutual understanding.

The event took place in the Berlin Cathedral under the direction of Barbara Leiter.

Monaco is preparing to host the second edition of the Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco. The unique event is an opportunity to discover the history of the Principality and the Grimaldi dynasty through its ancient territories.

The event takes place in the Place du Palais on 22nd and 23rd June and is organised by Prince Albert II. It aims to show and respect the traditions and know-how of the 12 former fiefs of the Grimaldi family.

Present during the day will be representatives from the former Marquisat des Beaux in Provence, and the County of Carladès in Auvergne, from whom Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella respectively bear their titles. The cities of Menton and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, which have been part of the Principality for five centuries, will also be there.

Others include Montélimar, capital of the former Duchy of Valentinois, Romans-sur-Isère, Buis-les-Baronnies, Chabeuil and Crest.

They are all former fiefdoms that once belonged to the Grimladi family and they will be presenting the history that binds them to the Principality and the Monegasque dynasty.

It is also an opportunity for the elected officials, tradesmen and craftsmen of these fiefs to highlight their cultural and artisanal heritage.

Medieval combat, sack races, piñata games, a colouring workshop, a treasure hunt, and a snakes and ladders session will form part of celebrations.

It has been announced that Dina Nikolaou will be welcomed as the first guest chef of Ômer, a new mediterranean restaurant in the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. The acclaimed chef and tv personality is a passionate ambassador for modern Greek cuisine.

Dina splits her time between Paris and Athens, showcasing the food of her country in her restaurant/delicatessen Evi Evane, hailed by Gilles Pudlowski in 2017 as the “best international restaurant in Paris”.

A familiar face on Greek cookery shows, Dina is committed to sharing her knowledge of her homeland’s produce, which she skilfully showcases in delicious, brightly-coloured dishes.

From 13th to 15th June, Patrick Laine will be welcoming the chef into his kitchens, where she will be offering two menus in addition to Ômer’s usual dishes: one lunch menu featuring mezze-type sharing plates, and one dinner menu.

It will be a fleeting visit, celebrating the best of Greek produce in the nautical surroundings of Ômer’s dining room, which was recently unveiled in the new Rotunda Wing of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

Diners will enjoy a meal that sings of the Mediterranean and features her signature dishes packed full of Greek flavours, including fava with a Corinth raisin preserve, octopus with Cretan thyme honey and fresh thyme, miniature puff pastries with the Mani speciality of siglino and bergamot, chocolate and hazelnut baklava.

Ômer is a new Mediterranean brasserie by Alain Ducasse, offering a tasting tour of the essential flavours of Greece, Lebanon and Turkey, as well as Morocco and Tunisia, sometimes lingering on the shores of Spain, Nice and Malta.