Since 2006, the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival has given music lovers a chance to spend cold nights enjoying hot live concerts.
The 2019 edition of the festival, being held at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo in the Salle Garnier, is now in full swing with an eclectic and electric line-up. Touted as a jazz festival, the event welcomes artists from across a variety different musical spectrums, meaning every year has a surprise or two.
This year, the roster includes Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi, three-time Grammy winning jazz-funk group Snarky Puppy, American musical legend Herbie Hancock, flamenco guitarist Vincente Amigo, Prince’s former band The New Power Generation, IAM and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Monaco, and the London African Gospel Choir, to name a few.
Now in its 14th year, the festival has from the start enjoyed the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II.
Official launch of the Gazelles Morocco China rally
The new Gazelles Morocco China rally has been officially launched, supported by the Chinese branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
The rally was launched at a press conference on 22nd October in Beijing in the presence of dignitaries, officials, organisers and 18 Gazelles of 12 different nationalities who then participated in promoting the event in Naiman Province from 23rd to 26th October.
This new opus is an emanation of the famous Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles du Maroc, whose codes it also adopts: a 100% female event driven by the values of solidarity, sharing and surpassing oneself.
President of the Chinese branch of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Robert Shi recalled the support that the Prince’s foundation has provided for several years to the electrical section of the Rallye des Gazelles. Its deployment in China, which has hosted a foundation representative office since the summer of 2019, is a great example to follow in Asia, he said.
According to Mr Shi, the event is in line with the strategy and public policy desired by the Chinese authorities as part of the promotion of sustainable development and clean mobility initiatives.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation also welcomed the commitment of Dominique Serra and her teams, for their involvement and determination to see this initiative materialise in China, and for helping to promote sustainable mobility across borders in order to create a global and collective movement, to which the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation is committed.
Top photo courtesy: Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
The highly anticipated Bal de Noël will take place on 14th December in the Salle Belle Empire of the fabulous Hôtel de Paris.
Monaco Life caught up with Sandrine Knoell-Garbagnati, founder of the ball, to find out more about this favourite on the Monegasque Christmas calendar.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us why was the Bal de Noël created?
Sandrine Knoell-Garbagnati: The Bal de Noël was created in 2005 after I gave birth to my son at the Princess Grace Hospital. While I was there, the head of maternity asked if I could raise money to enable them to repaint the maternity ward.
So, as I was born in Strasbourg, I used my home town’s famous Christmas market as inspiration to create a charity event that not only helps raise funds but also combines all the wonderful aspects of Christmas and the glamour of Monaco.
This will be the ball’s 14th edition. How has the event evolved over the years?
The Bal de Noël has become bigger and bigger with the help of its unique committee, the generosity of many VIP’s, and our sponsors. We started under the High Patronage of Prince Albert of Monaco and now have the pleasure of the High Patronage of Princesse Charlène of Monaco. This has allowed us to form bonds with a large variety of incredible associations that help support such a great cause, which is the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and programmes that help fight against drowning.
How do you choose the theme for the Bal de Noël?
I use inspiration from my travels to pick the yearly theme, for example last year I spent a lot of time in London and decided to revolve the ball around the theme of Winter Wonderland. I also obtain inspiration from my travels to New York, St Moritz, Lugano, Moscow, Milan, Rome, Venice and many other beautiful places full of culture. This year, I chose ‘Dolce Vita’, inspired by Felini’s famous film and various other Dolce Vita-themed events that have occurred. It will celebrate our very large Italian clientele and we have the honour of welcoming Christian Gallo, the Ambassador of Italy, to this year’s event.
So, what can guests expect from this year’s Bal de Noël?
As always, the sublime Victoria Silvstedt will present the prestigious tombola and funds will be raised for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation thanks to an auction by Sotheby’s. As for the rest, you will find out more at the ball!
Top photo: Sandrine Knoell-Garbagnati in white dress designed by Roxana Pansino, surrounded by guests at the Bal de Noël
Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella steal the show on National Day
Monaco’s National Day, celebrated on Tuesday, was filled with all wonderful pomp and ceremony the people of the Principality have come to expect, but this year, the crowds had even more. Everyone was positively enchanted by the nearly five-year old princely twins, who adorably made the day.
National Day, held every 19th November, is about paying tribute to HSH Prince Albert II. The Sovereign respectfully awards medals to his loyal staffers, reviews his troops, and attends mass at the Cathedral. He then, alongside his family and as tradition states, greets the crowds from the balcony of the palace.
The Prince was surrounded by his wife Princess Charlene, his sisters Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and Princess Stephanie, as well as several of his nieces and nephews and their children.
But the main event this year was clearly the twins. All eyes were on Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella as they stood faithfully with their Monegasque flags overlooking the attendees. Prince Jacques, for the first time sporting his rifleman’s coat and formal white gloves, saluted the troops and attended the ceremonies without fuss, as a good leader of the future ought. Princess Gabriella, slightly more precocious, kept removing her red beret and tugging at her little red dress with a very determined look on her face.
This year’s National Day was dedicated to the Sovereign’s mother, Princess Grace, who would have been 90 this year. In addition to the Monegasque rifle guard, an American contingent from the honour guard in Washington DC was present as a tribute to the American actress who became a princess.
After the ceremonies, the Grimaldi clan gathered together for a private luncheon at the palace.
The Only Watch biennial auction saw a staggering €35 million raised for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research, with a one-off Patek Philippe prototype going for an incredible €28 million.
Watch collectors and philanthropists from around the globe gathered at the 8th edition of the Only Watch charity auction supporting the Monegasque Association Against Myopathies (AMM). The event was held in Geneva on 9th November, and record-breaking sales were made with the purchases of one of a kind luxury timepieces made by the finest manufacturers in the world.
This year’s €35 million in sales counts for half the total of all editions of this event combined.
The most expensive watch in the world sold at auction for the benefit of a Monegasque association
The event was created as a labour of love by founder Luc Pettavino, whose son Paul suffered from, and succumbed to, the disease shortly before his 21st birthday.
99% of the proceeds from the auction go directly toward independent research projects aiming to put an end to Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a particularly destructive genetic disease which strikes one in 3,000 male births. There is no cure and the average life expectancy is 26, however thanks to new research – assisted by funds raised from the auction – strides have been made and many are now living into their 30s and 40s.
Prince Albert II of Monaco gave the opening address at the auction
“I want to state how proud I am of the progress we’ve achieved thanks to our collective effort on Only Watch,” said HSH Prince Albert II, who lends his name and support to the auction. “Monaco has been the epicenter of this beautiful initiative, pioneering in innovative ways to fund research and have it move faster and further in a more collective way. And today, thanks to you, we are on the verge of clinical trials for a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, with researchers working in symbiosis in Monaco, France and Switzerland, giving hope to thousands of boys and men around the world. (…) To all supporters of the cause, you have my gratitude.”
Luc Pettavino
Monegasque Association Against Myopathies has offered help to laboratories worldwide, exploring the most promising new treatments such as stem cell and gene therapies and antisense strategies, which in effect “rescue” mutated dystrophin genes.
Photos courtesy: Only Watch
Marcos Marin and Jeff Koons: Memories on the banks of the River Seine
Monaco Life Art Contributor Marcos Marin takes us to the banks of the River Seine where his bust of Princess Grace features nearby the controversial memorial by Jeff Koons.
Paris had never been so crowded with art, especially during the week of the FIAC International Contemporary Art Fair in late October.
As never before, Paris hosted a series of exhibitions of contemporary monumental works. From the Jardin de Tuilleries to Avenue George V, more than a hundred works delighted the public for free.
Jeff Koons’ tribute to the Paris terrorist attack victims, ‘Bouquet of Tulips’
On the banks of the River Seine, historical moments are remembered with all the power of art. The huge bouquet of tulips by Jeff Koons, made in honour of the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris, impresses with its sheer volume and daringness. In the gardens of the Petit Palais on banks of the Seine, the piece gives a strong emotion in its tribute.
Also in homage, the Optical Portrait of Grace Kelly, or Princess Grace, my masterpiece celebrating the 90th birthday of the actress and Princess In Memoriam. It was installed at the entrance of the Ponte de l’Alma, just in front of the flame of the Statue of Liberty. It is a place full of memories as it was right there that, tragically, Lady Diana was the victim of a car accident that led to her death in August 1997.
Marcos Marin’s ‘Optical Portrait of Grace Kelly’ in Paris
The flower bouquets traditionally placed there are now split between the two princesses. Grace’s beautiful face with all the kinetic optical effects characteristic of my work is framed by the majestic scene of Paris, the Eiffel Tower in the background, and the golden glow of the flame of the Statue of Liberty creating an idyllic setting.
