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Month: July 2019

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.