It was an exciting day for swimmers and fans at the 37th annual International Swimming Meet held at the Albert II Nautical Centre last weekend. Three new records were set on Saturday, followed by another six on Sunday.
Hungarian Katinka Hosszu took the gold in three events: the 200m Butterfly, 100m backstroke and 200m medley. Daiya Seto, the Japanese powerhouse, set the world record for 400m men’s medley, beating his 2015 best.
American Michael Andrew set a Mare Nostrum record in the 50m backstroke, and also came in at the top spot for the 100m backstroke.
And Siobhan Haughey became the first swimmer from Hong Kong to ever win gold in the Mare Nostrum Series.
Mare Nostrum is a series of swimming meets with three events taking place around the Mediterranean sea – Monaco, Barcelona and Canet-en-Roussillon in France. Until 2005 a meet in Rome was also included in the series.
It was an exciting day for swimmers and fans at the 37th annual International Swimming Meet held at the Albert II Nautical Centre last weekend. Three new records were set on Saturday, followed by another six on Sunday.
Hungarian Katinka Hosszu took the gold in three events: the 200m Butterfly, 100m backstroke and 200m medley. Daiya Seto, the Japanese powerhouse, set the world record for 400m men’s medley, beating his 2015 best.
American Michael Andrew set a Mare Nostrum record in the 50m backstroke, and also came in at the top spot for the 100m backstroke.
And Siobhan Haughey became the first swimmer from Hong Kong to ever win gold in the Mare Nostrum Series.
Mare Nostrum is a series of swimming meets with three events taking place around the Mediterranean sea – Monaco, Barcelona and Canet-en-Roussillon in France. Until 2005 a meet in Rome was also included in the series.
The Zakhar Bron School of Music is organising the first ever violin and cello master class under the patronage of the great violinist Maxim Vengerov. Talented young musicians from around the world will receive advice from some of the most renowned musicians of our time, before performing a concert for the public at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Monaco.
Maestro Maxim Vengerov
Master classes with famous musicians are a motivating experience for young students, who often began their studies at the age of just five in order to reach elite level.
“It is indeed demanding to learn to play an instrument and to perform on stage, in concert and in competitions, especially for children who have not reached the age of puberty,” said Liana Tretiakova, co-founder and principal violin teacher at the Zakhar Bron School of Music. “What we dream of most often in the musical world is to meet a superstar, the one who is at the top. In the world of classical music, the great violinist Maxim Vengerov is considered a living legend because of his exceptional talent as an interpreter.”
“We are truly honoured to be able to offer our students and other students from all over the world the opportunity to meet the Maestro Maxim Vengerov,” she added.
Maestro Maxim Vengerov and a student
In addition to Maestro and Liana Tretiakova, violinist Priya Mitchell, a professor at the University of Graz in Austria, and cellist Claire Oppert, a professor at the Conservatoire de Rayonnement Départemental in Paris, will take part in the event. From 13th June, all Master Classes at the Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel are open to the public to see.
The Master Class on Saturday 15th June from 2pm at St. Paul’s Anglican Church with Maxim Vengerov and young violinists is also open to the public.
The culmination of three days of intensive work will be a free concert presented by the young musicians at 5pm on Saturday 15th June at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Participants, including many international competition laureates, will present works by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, Prokofiev and other composers.
The Grimaldi Forum is set to unveil a new outdoor space that will allow clients to enjoy sea views while soaking in the sun and warm temperatures of the Mediterranean.
The new 600 square metre terrace will be located on the building’s seaward side and will open alongside the promenade. Work is set to begin in November and is due to be completed by January 2020.
The space will be able to accommodate 800 standing people and will be offered as a place to host lounge and networking events, or for finger buffets and outdoor cocktails.
The terrace was designed to blend in with the current façade and will be built with eco-labelled wood to meet environmental standards, in accordance with the Grimaldi Forum’s objectives to limit its environmental impact.
The Grimaldi Forum is Monaco’s leading ‘Event Factory’, hosting around 80 professional and cultural events each year including the highly anticipated summer art exhibitions and the Top Marques supercar show. It features numerous exhibition and catering areas, auditoriums, meeting rooms and welcome foyers over six levels.
With its ISO 14001 environmental certification, the Grimaldi Forum contributes to the commitment of the Principality to sustainable development, under the leadership of HSH Prince Albert II.
The Grimaldi Forum generates nearly 45 million euros of economic benefits for Monaco.
The Monaco chapter of Friends of l’Arche, l’Amadarche, will screen a documentary that follows the life of Jean Vanier, founder of l’Arche, who passed away on 7th May. Three screenings will take place on 12th June at the Agora Diocesan House at 4pm, 6pm, and 8:30pm.
Screenshot: Jean Vanier in a scene from the film ‘The Sacrament of Tenderness’
The film, titled ‘The Sacrament of Tenderness’ and directed by Frederique Bedos, tells the story of the man who dedicated his life to helping the developmentally disabled and those who care for them.
Vanier was a Swiss-born Canadian theologian and humanitarian who was the founder of the international string of “communities” which came to be called l’Arche, in 1964.
Spanning 37 countries, their philosophy states that, rather than being burdens, people with disabilities are here to be our teachers, a radical idea in the 1960’s where often these people were institutionalised for life and largely forgotten about.
Monegasque association Les Enfants de Frankie has put a smile on the faces of a large number of sick, disabled and underprivileged kids, organising some fun on the sea recently.
Photo: Roca Jet Club
On 8th June, 80 young people ranging in age from five to 15, were invited to spend a day riding jet skis and bobbing around on rubber tubes behind boats. The event, co-hosted by the Roca Jet Club, is in its 11th year and supports local sick, disabled and disadvantaged youth. The day was aimed at introducing kids to water sports, as well as giving them a reason to smile.
The all-day adventure began at 10am and included jet ski rides, which the children were allowed to drive with an adult’s assistance, boat rides and towed buoy rides.
Roughly 30 volunteers were in attendance, giving the children basic knowledge of water safety and showing them how to use equipment. Among the volunteers was co-world champion jet skier Lisa Caussin-Battaglia, who has been working with the association for a number of years. “Before starting in competitions, I participated with the association as a volunteer,” said Lisa. “I enjoy investing in this club, I get to share my passion and my experience.”
The day ended at around 5:30pm, and the children were sent home with smiles after their adventure and some fun in the sun.
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