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Day: 1 July 2019

Charlotte Casiraghi marries again, in Provence

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/07/2019

Charlotte Casiraghi and Dimitri Rassam have continued their wedding celebrations with a second, religious service and private reception in the south of France.

While Charlotte Casiraghi, daughter of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and 11th in line to the Monegasque thrown, wed film producer Dimitri Rassam on 1st June in Monaco, the couple continued festivities on Saturday with a religious service and private celebration at the Abbaye Sainte-Marie de Pierredon, outside St. Remy de Provence.

In the first official photograph, taken by Félix Dol-Maillot, the bride and groom are seen walking arm-in-arm down the aisle, Casiraghi in an off-the-shoulder silk chiffon gown by Giambattista Valli Haute Couture featuring delicate embroidery throughout, accessorising with a simple veil.

The second photo shares the post-nuptial kiss between the happy couple, as Casiraghi clutches a very Provençal bouquet of lavender.

Photo credit: Félix Dol-Maillot

Traditionally speaking, Monégasque royal weddings usually do have several components to them: a civil ceremony, a religious ceremony, and a reception. Casiraghi has simply chosen to space her events out across the month, while past royal brides, like her mother and grandmother Princess Grace, have hosted them closer together.

But the date of the wedding is symbolic: Princess Charlotte seemingly chose to pay homage to her mother’s first marriage to Philippe Junot, which took place on 29th June 1978.

Casiraghi and Rassam became engaged in March of 2018 after a year of dating and they also share a son together, Balthazar, who was born in October of 2018.

Read more about their first wedding here.

 

Monaco strengthens friendship with Lebanon

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/07/2019

Monaco has sent a special delegation to Lebanon to discuss partnerships in health, education and socio-economic integration of the most vulnerable populations. It is also aiming to increase its support of Lebanon’s refugee efforts.

Isabelle Rosabrunetto accompanied by Daniela Leinen, Deputy Director of UNRWA Affairs in Lebanon, at the Bourj el-Barajneh camp. © UNRWA

The delegation, led by Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation Isabelle Rosabrunetto, was also an opportunity to strengthen the ties of friendship between the two States during an interview at the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Held from 18th to 22nd June, it followed a visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Gilles Tonelli just over a year earlier.

At the invitation of Fondation Mérieux, the Lebanese NGO Amel and the Municipality of Douris, Ms. Rosabrunetto participated in the official inauguration of a mother and child health centre in Douris, alongside the Lebanese Minister of Health, Dr. Jamil Jabak. In April 2018, Gilles Tonelli participated in the official ceremony of laying the foundation stone of this same centre.

Inauguration Cceremony of the mother and child centre in Douris (Lebanon) by Isabelle Rosabrunetto, alongside the Lebanese Minister of Health, Dr. Jamil Jabak. © DR

“The book we are celebrating is a perfect illustration of the importance you attach to – and give – the health and well-being of the people of this often-felt region of Lebanon,” said Ms. Rosabrunetto. “I am thinking in particular of children this year as we celebrate the 13th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is to them that we must provide the best protection to guarantee their future.”

After meeting with Claudio Cordone, Director of UNRWA in Lebanon, Ms. Rosabrunetto went to the Bourj el-Barajneh camp in Beirut, where she visited a health centre and learned about the daily challenges of Palestinian refugees, including access to care.

As part of the first area of ​​intervention of the Monegasque Cooperation in Lebanon, the delegation went to Kefraya, Bekaa, to attend the care operations of the mobile medical unit of the Order of Malta Lebanon (ALCM ) in an informal Syrian camp. The trip ended with a moment of sharing between the elderly people of the ALCM day centre, which has been supported by the Prince’s Government for more than three years.

The bilateral cooperation between the two countries was initiated in 1993, with Monaco’s investment of more than six million euros in Lebanon in response to socio-economic issues. According to the government, the Principality aims to intensify its support for Lebanon with regards to the current Syrian crisis, considering that Lebanon has the highest number of refugees per capita: one refugee for every three Lebanese.

Sheikh Bechara K. El Khoury acts as the Principality’s Consul in Lebanon.

The Monegasque delegation was composed of: Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, Elodie Martin, Lebanon Program Manager at the Directorate of International Cooperation and Joseph Hayek, Honorary Consulate of Monaco in Lebanon.

Shoppers rejoice at Sunday trading announcement

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/07/2019

Sunday trading will now be available in Monaco throughout the busiest months of the year, after the National Council and the Government were able to come to an agreement on the details.

The National Council voted unanimously to amend the Sunday trading bill. Photo: National Council of Monaco

Retail stores now have the freedom to open on any Sunday that they wish, provided they do not exceed 30 Sundays within the year.

The government of Monaco had initially aimed to rezone the Principality as part of the Sunday trading bill and introduce the possibility of opening 25 Sundays per year in the Monte Carlo district, while the rest of the Principality would open for nine Sundays of the year.

One Monte Carlo forms part of the new shopping options in Monaco. Photo: Monte Carlo SBM

“We managed, after long debates, to reach an agreement with the Monaco Government, which wanted to create two zones and limit the number of Sundays according to the districts, which was unfair and incomprehensible for consumers,” said Council President Stéphane Valeri. “The voted text is balanced and is a big step forward for consumers, employees and traders who want it.”

Just as employers will have the freedom to choose whether or not to open, employees will also be free to accept or reject the option of working on a Sunday, which will be paid accordingly.

The move has been welcomed by Councilor Christophe Robino, author of the bill. “The law we voted is satisfactory. It protects employees, whose employers’ expenses will be refunded and who will benefit from fair compensation, such as double pay or an extra day of rest.”

The Prince’s Government is now promoting the new trading hours with the launch of an annual summer campaign titled ‘Monaco Sunday Experience’, during which customers can enjoy a “complete and varied offer combining shopping, well-being, gastronomy and culture”.

The trading law amendment will bring Monaco in line with its neighbouring countries.

“This bill will help to maintain the attractiveness of Monaco on a day that benefits foreign competition: French and Italian,” said Councilor Corinne Bertani, responsible for trade and the first signatory of the bill.

It was one of five bills that were voted upon unanimously on 24th June during the public closing session of spring 2019.

Among the others was Bill 982, with amendments to certain provisions relating to the profession of a midwife. The law, which essentially limited the practice to “simple deliveries” and the prescription of examinations and medicines, now allows midwifes to provide preventive gynecological consultations, diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy, as well as postnatal examination.

Street Art Challenge Junior Awards

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/07/2019

The first ever Urban Art Competition for middle school students has been held and won in Monaco.

Mayor Georges Marsan and Minister for Youth Chloé Boscagli Leclercq, both members of the jury, with college students involved in the Junior Street Art Challenge 2019. Credit: WSM

The 2019 Street Art Challenge awards ceremony was organised by the Monaco City Council on Thursday 27th June in partnership with Urban Painting Around the World (UPAW).

The Urban Art Competition was an initiative suggested by students at Collège Charles III participating in the 2018-2019 Communal Junior Project. The council was excited by the idea and the contest was created in record time thanks to the motivation and responsiveness of everyone involved, including students and teachers, elected and administrative services of the City Council, and the organisers of UPAW who agreed to host the contest as part of their event.

Three teams of college students entered the Street Art Challenge Junior competition, working tirelessly from Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th June to create an artwork on the theme ‘Endangered Animals’, as chosen by UPAW this year.

On Sunday 30th June the jury, made up of internationally renowned street artists, gallery owner Willem Speerstra, collectors José Giannotti and Paolo di Nola, as well as Mayor Georges Marsan and Youth Minister Chloé Boscagli Leclercq, made their decision, impressed not only by the motivation and involvement of these young people, but also by the quality of their work.

At the awards ceremony, Alberto Colman, organizer of UPAW, announced the winners:

– 1st prize – Team composed of Laetitia Grandidier and Venice Bord (Charles III College – 3rd 7), Miriam Boughos and Roufail Boughos (Charles III College – 4th 3)

– 2nd prize – Team composed of Tesla Martin (Collège Charles III – 4th 6) and Natasha Newby (International School of Monaco – 9th grade)

– 3rd prize – Team composed of Noëlle Canonge, Constance Saussier and Stella Marchi (Charles III College – 5th 7)

The Monaco City Council awarded each participant with a trophy and a FNAC voucher, as well as a medal by UPAW. The canvases were then sold at auction, generating €600 for first prize, €410 for 2nd prize and €300 for the 3rd prize.

Shoppers rejoice at Sunday trading announcement

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/07/2019

Sunday trading will now be available in Monaco throughout the busiest months of the year, after the National Council and the Government were able to come to an agreement on the details.

Retail stores now have the freedom to open on any Sunday that they wish, provided they do not exceed 30 Sundays within the year.

The government of Monaco had initially aimed to rezone the Principality as part of the Sunday trading bill and introduce the possibility of opening 25 Sundays per year in the Monte Carlo district, while the rest of the Principality would open for nine Sundays of the year.

“We managed, after long debates, to reach an agreement with the Monaco Government, which wanted to create two zones and limit the number of Sundays according to the districts, which was unfair and incomprehensible for consumers,” said Council President Stéphane Valeri. “The voted text is balanced and is a big step forward for consumers, employees and traders who want it.”

Just as employers will have the freedom to choose whether or not to open, employees will also be free to accept or reject the option of working on a Sunday, which will be paid accordingly.

The move has been welcomed by Councilor Christophe Robino, author of the bill. “The law we voted is satisfactory. It protects employees, whose employers’ expenses will be refunded and who will benefit from fair compensation, such as double pay or an extra day of rest.”

The Prince’s Government is now promoting the new trading hours with the launch of an annual summer campaign titled ‘Monaco Sunday Experience’, during which customers can enjoy a “complete and varied offer combining shopping, well-being, gastronomy and culture”.

The trading law amendment will bring Monaco in line with its neighbouring countries.

“This bill will help to maintain the attractiveness of Monaco on a day that benefits foreign competition: French and Italian,” said Councilor Corinne Bertani, responsible for trade and the first signatory of the bill.

It was one of five bills that were voted upon unanimously on 24th June during the public closing session of spring 2019.

Among the others was Bill 982, with amendments to certain provisions relating to the profession of a midwife. The law, which essentially limited the practice to “simple deliveries” and the prescription of examinations and medicines, now allows midwifes to provide preventive gynecological consultations, diagnosis and monitoring of pregnancy, as well as postnatal examination.