New photovoltaic panels have been installed on the roof of Monaco’s fire station in Fontvieille, making it the Principality’s largest producer of renewable energy to date in a public building.
The government’s energy transition policy is moving full steam ahead. With the fitting of solar panels in the Fontvieille station, the energy output will cover nearly 40% of the entire compound’s energy needs, including the 40 autonomous dwellings attached to it.
The photovoltaic field covers an area of 490m2 and is comprised of 299 separate panels. The annual production is approximately 113MWh (113,000KWh) and will reduce the carbon footprint of the edifice by 9.3 tonnes each year.
These panels are part of the larger scale energy transition plan, which aims to see the Principality carbon neutral by 2050.
The three pronged effort is focused mainly transport, waste and energy consumption. In the transportation sector, the idea is to reduce emissions from cars, buses and other petrol-powered vehicles by using alternative forms of transport, such as bikes, electric vehicles and walking.
The handling of waste means encouraging residents and visitors to responsibly dispose of it through recycling efforts, as well as reducing the amount of unnecessary waste in the first place.
Energy consumption is directed at both public and private buildings where compliance with strict new measures to improve energy ratings in existing edifices and in the construction of new ones using energy-saving techniques are being implemented.
Prince Albert first initiated these changes in 2016 in his ongoing work toward using environmentally sound practices in the Principality and abroad.
Top photo: Courtesy Communication Department, Government of Monaco
Monaco’s National Day, or Fête Nationale, is fast approaching and celebrations are ramping up all over the Principality.
Festivities will commence ahead of the event, kicking off Friday evening at the La Condamine market, which will be host to fun, food and entertainment for two nights.
Favourite Monegasque treats such as fougasse, orange liquor carob, and the most famous snack in Monaco, the barbagiuan, will all be available from vendors to eat on site or for take-away.
No party would be complete without dancing, and on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th, visitors can get their boogie on from 7:30pm to 10:30pm. Music is also planned for Tuesday 19th from 10am to 2pm as well as a giant stockfish feast in Place d’Armes.
But the Condamine isn’t the only place to catch the festivities. On 18th November at 8pm, a fireworks display will light up the night sky over the Port of Monaco, followed at 9pm by a show from French comedienne and actress Chantal Ladesou at Espace Léo Ferré.
On National Day, 19th November, the Principality is inviting all residents to show their spirit by decorating windows, facades and balconies with banners and the national flag. A few reminders on this point: flags must be hung with the red above the white, and when hanging a banner or flag vertically, the red should be to the left of the white.
The Monaco Economic Board (MEB) recently hosted an event in Turin, Italy featuring the Monte Carlo Ballet in an effort to strengthen bonds between the two regions.
Turin is the undisputed centre of the Piedmont region of Italy. Not only is it the regional capital, it is also the economic hub where success stories abound from a series of companies who have household name-type recognition. It is the home to Fiat, Ferrero, Alessi and Lavazza to name a few, and as a reasonably close physical neighbour to Monaco, building strong ties is in the interest of both.
To that end, the Ambassador of Monaco in Italy, the Honorary Consul of Monaco in Turin, the Turin Chamber of Commerce and the association Destination Ambassador’s Club Monaco organised an event earlier this month to introduce the vast economic opportunities Turin has to offer to 10 interested parties from the Principality.
To entice the movers and shakers further, the event featured an evening performance with the Monte Carlo Ballet at the spectacular Teatro Regio.
The trip could be considered a success, as a few deals came from the meeting. Monaco Inter Expo signed a partnership agreement with Exclusive Brands Torino (EBT) to create lines and products made in Italy. This collaboration allows EBT a place at the Monaco Pavilion at the Expo Dubai 2020 taking place next autumn.
The visit was also a chance for the Monaco Chamber of Commerce to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Turin’s Industrial Union.
Seven of Monaco’s leading business people have received the prestigious Monaco Eco Club Awards 2019, including the heads of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and the Automobile Club of Monaco.
The awards, organised by the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) in partnership with the Nice-Matin Group, were held on Tuesday evening at the Grimaldi Forum and brought together the major players in Monaco’s economy.
Minister of State Serge Telle presented the Special Prize to Michel Boeri, President of the Automobile-Club of Monaco (ACM), which recently celebrated its 90th anniversary, for the Monaco Grand Prix.
“The Grand Prix is indicative of the love story between the Principality and millions of motor racing fans,” said Mr. Telle. “It is also the beautiful story of a country that prepares, lives and dismounts the Grand Prix, animated by all the heart and talent of the ACM and its teams in making the event a success.”
In accepting his award, Michel Boeri recalled the significant financial contribution that the GP makes to Monaco, saying: “The Grand Prix has provided official economic benefits to the Principality in the order of €90 million, to which should be added another €30 million generated by other ACM races. And then there’s the international visibility estimated at one billion viewers.”
This, the 9th edition of the Monaco Eco Club Awards, saw the creation of the new
International Prize of Influence which was awarded by Minister of Finance and Economy Jean Castellini. The recipient was Opéra de Monte-Carlo Director Jean-Louis Grinda for serving as an ambassador of Monegasque cultural excellence on the biggest stages of the world, for working with leading theatres across the globe and for producing a successful tour of Cécilia Bartoli and the ‘Prince’s Musicians’. Mr. Grinda has also been chosen to lead the prestigious Chorégies Orange Festival.
Frédéric Darnet was presented his award by Secretary of State Jacques Boisson
Meanwhile, General Manager of Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort Frédéric Darnet was crowned Manager of the Year. He was presented his award by Secretary of State Jacques Boisson. At the head of the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort since February 2016, Frédéric Darnet manages a team of 388 employees and a turnover of €53 million.
He has overseen a number of key initiatives including the opening of seaside facilities, the creation of the Rafael Nadal suite, the influence of the Michelin star restaurant Blue Bay and its chef Marcel Ravin, the installation of the most powerful solar power plant in the Principality as well as a supercharger, and also the successful implementation of a management system which has increased turnover at the resort by 10% over the past three years.
“I am very proud to receive this award which I dedicate to my colleagues, because a manager is nothing without his team and the confidence that they show in him every day by giving the best of themselves, for the satisfaction of a demanding clientele and to support the vision of the Société des Bains de Mer: to offer the most exclusive experience in Europe,” said Frédéric Darnet.
Other entrepreneurs from the Principality to be rewarded for success in their fields and for promoting the Monegasque economy were Roland de Rechniewski from Monaco Bus Company who received the Sustainable Development Award, Rachid Benchaouir from Coraliotech who received the Innovation Award, the Mercure International Hotel of Monaco’s Adnan Houdrouge was given the International Award, and Cruiseline’s Pierre Pelissier was awarded Made in Monaco.
Fashion and lifestyle contributor Alessandra Vicedomini takes us to the enchanting cocktail party held this week to celebrate Dolce & Gabbana’s latest collection.
Francois Magnen, former director of special projects for Ralph Lauren and Dior in Paris, opens the doors of Dolce & Gabbana to his very special guests.
Born in St Barth, Francois has also worked for the Moroccan royal family and assisted Paul McCartney overseas. He greets me with champagne wearing an amazing damask black and brown silk suit and gifts me with the most precious book titled ‘The Enchanting Power of the Goddesses’ By Dolce & Gabbana Alta Gioilleria – the star of the night.
As new coordinator of bespoke events, Francois explains that each glorious Dolce & Gabbana collection shown at the boutique is now accessorised to the hilt with the duo’s new high jewellery pieces, steeped in fantasy and as solemn as the couture clothing.
Elegantly displayed in plush velvet self-standing windows, the jewels count antique cameos, exuberantly coloured gemstones set with a masterful use of enamel, and gold that has been engraved, twisted, beaded and stretched by the house’s master craftsmen. They perfectly match the couture ball gowns, exuberantly printed with flora and fauna, ribbons and frames.
“Thanks to the extraordinary craft of the goldsmith and stone setters, each piece of high jewellery is transformed into a chest of secrets,” reveals Francois.
It is an ode to Italy, to the passion for detail and obviously to the Sicilian culture, but at the same time there is a strong symbolism, a returning tribute to holiness and religion and a feeling of blessing to express gratitude to God.
I adored the princess like multi-layered gowns made in mousseline and the portrait printed midi-dresses – the perfect combination between sexy austerity and clever innovation in style.
The brand’s DNA keeps shining within the rainbows of precise princess-cut gemstones, neatly contained between rails of gold. But turn these pieces to the side and a swirling openwork inspired by the decorative motifs of the Bourbon era reveals a baroque opulence that is whimsical and regal all at once.
Monaco Life Publisher Eric Brundage with Paola Orsenigo and Francois Magnen
Uniqueness is the seed generating the perpetual rebirth of Alta Gioielleria, accentuating the preciousness of the person who wears it.
Details have emerged about the upcoming Monte-Carlo Showdown, an unmissable evening of World Championship boxing at the Monte Carlo Casino in November.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing and the Monte Carlo Casino have revealed that undefeated Russian contenders Alexander Besputin (13-0, 9 KOs) and Radzhab Butaev (12-0, 9 KOs) will collide for the vacant WBA Welterweight World title in what is a big step up for both men.
Besputin, stablemate of three-division World Champion and pound-for-pound star Vasiliy Lomachenko, was an elite amateur at international level before turning pro in 2015 and earning his No.1 ranking with the WBA by racking up 12 straight wins.
Alexander Besputin
Butaev, ranked No.2 at 147lbs by the WBA, shares an almost identical record as his compatriot and ‘The Python’, also based in the USA, will be aiming to take home the bragging rights as well as his first world title in what is set to be a barn burner.
“This is a long time coming for me,” said Besputin. “I know I belong with the best Welterweights, and 30th November is my opportunity to prove that. I’ve prepared for this fight my entire boxing life. I had over 300 fights as an amateur and fought the best fighters the world had to offer. I am used to traveling to fight the best, and I look forward to impressing the fans in Monaco.”
“I am excited and honoured to be fighting for a World title,” added Butaev. “This is a great opportunity for me, and I will make sure that I do everything to take advantage of it. I have been working towards this moment all of my career and finally it is my time to announce myself to the world.”
In the second World title bout of the night, Norway’s Cecilia Braekhus (35-0, 9 KOs) and Argentina’s Victoria Bustos (19-5) will battle it out to become the number one Welterweight on the planet when they clash for the IBF, WBA, WBO, WBC and IBO crowns in a huge undisputed showdown.
“I’m very excited to fight in Monte-Carlo and be part of the region’s rich history of compelling fights and extraordinary sporting events,” said Braekhus. “I’m sure that Victoria Bustos will provide a tough challenge but I have prepared well and look forward to putting on a great performance for my fans in attendance and those watching all over the world.”
“This fight will be dedicated to all the boxing fans around the world who love this sport and support female boxing,” said Bustos. “I am thankful to everyone who always supports me, especially my family and my dad who is still present in my corner even though he is physically absent.”
China’s unbeaten Heavyweight star Zhilei Zhang (20-0, 16 KOs) returns to the ring to take on Russia’s Sergey Kuzmin (15-1, 11 KOs) in an explosive match-up. Zhang was last seen knocking out Don Haynesworth to claim the WBO Oriental title in September 2018 while Kuzmin tasted defeat for the first time in his pro career last time out at the hands of Michael Hunter.
Meanwhile, former World title challenger Hughie Fury (23-3, 13 KOs) aims to bounce back from his defeat to Alexander Povetkin and propel his name into the thriving Heavyweight scene. The 25-year-old has already mixed it with some of the biggest names in the division and will hope to end the year on a high as he targets more titles in 2020.
“I’m delighted to know I’ve got this date so soon after my last fight with Povetkin,” said Fury. “I feel I’ve much more to give and want to keep active and improve my game. Monaco holds a special place for me as I’ve more or less spent a lot of my younger years growing up there. My parents lived there and we have had many training camps there over the years, so it’s really nice to be fighting on such a high-class show.”
Rising talent Joe Cordina (10-0, 7 KOs) is quickly establishing himself as one of the hottest prospects in British boxing and ‘The Welsh wizard’ will have to be at his best when he meets dangerous Mexican Enrico Tinoco (18-5-4, 13 KOs) for the WBA Continental Super-Featherweight title.
“I’m delighted to be back in the beautiful Monte-Carlo Casino for another year of World Championship Boxing,” said Eddie Hearn. “This is by far the strongest card we have bought to the Principality.”
“Le Casino de Monte-Carlo and The Monte-Carlo Showdown are a perfect alliance,” added Pascal Camia, Executive Vice President, Gaming Operations. “Just as the exclusive events we host throughout the year which highlight the great art of gaming, the Monte-Carlo Boxing Showdown creates a unique experience in an iconic decor and as per the strategy of our Chairman and CEO, Jean-Luc Biamonti, gives energy and dynamism to all of our gaming rooms.”
The World Championship will take place on Saturday 30th November.
This story was originally published on 24th October
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