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Month: December 2019

Looking ahead to Expo 2020 Dubai

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/12/2019

The largest, most significant event that Monaco will be involved in this year is undoubtedly the World Expo 2020 Dubai, set to take place in 10 months-time. To mark the countdown, Monaco Life is taking a closer look at one of the world’s oldest and largest international events and the top 10 pavilion designs.[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]

 

World Expos are almost incomprehensible in their size, scale, duration and visitor numbers. They have served as a platform for the unveiling of the world’s greatest monuments and achievements for the past 168 years, including the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Seattle Space Needle, the typewriter, the television, and even Heinz Tomato Ketchup.

Taking place every five years and lasting six months, World Expos are platforms for progress, technology and education, serving as a bridge between governments, companies, international organisations and citizens.

Founded in 1928, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is the intergovernmental organisation that regulates and oversees World Expos, preserving the core values of education, innovation and cooperation on behalf of its 170 member states.

The Expo 2020 Dubai site is set to be more than 4.4 sqm in size

The World Expo 2020 Dubai site will equal the size of Monaco itself – approximately two square kilometres. Outside this gated area will be a further 2.4 square kilometre space for amenities and facilities.

Within the Expo gated area, there will be three Thematic Pavilions and 192 individual Country Pavilions that will showcase each country’s unique architecture, culture and exhibits.

A water feature designed for the Expo 2020 Dubai

Expo 2020 Dubai’s theme is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’. Here are our Top 10 pavilion designs:

Saudi Arabia

The pavilion, resembling a huge window opening up from the ground and soaring into the sky, will offer visitors an immersive journey showcasing Saudi Arabia’s transformation.

Saudi Arabia Pavilion

Dubai

Designed in the shape of a falcon in flight, the UAE Pavilion will tell the history of the nation as a connected global hub, and the vision of its leaders to create a peaceful and progressive society with ambitious plans for the future.

Dubai Pavilion

Netherlands

Brimming with sustainable solutions, the Netherlands Pavilion will harvest water, energy and food through innovations including a cone-shaped vertical farm. Possessing a naturally controlled climate, the structure will be built using locally sourced materials that will be recycled after the Expo, minimising its ecological footprint.

Netherlands Pavilion

Monaco

Inspired by the ‘Rock of Monaco’, this gem-like, polygonal pavilion will take visitors on a multi-sensory journey through mirrored exhibition spaces, replicating the sights and smells of the French Riviera. The structure features two main exhibition areas. The ‘Garden of Opportunities’ includes a variety of interactive experiences that will bring to life Monaco’s warm, sunny climate. Visitors will then enter the ‘Kaleidoscope’, which will showcase the country’s art, culture, innovation, history, gastronomy and more.

Latvia

The design of this pavilion means it unfolds as one open surface, creating a distinct climate inside its own limits. It will be a space that is continuous, unobstructed and accessible for all.

Latvia Pavilion

France

Titled ‘Light, Lights’, the pavilion’s theme explores light as an enabler of progress, a vehicle for connections and a source of heat and creativity. It seeks to embody the Age of Enlightenment, the 18th century movement spearheaded by French intellectuals that emphasised concepts such as knowledge exchange and tolerance.

France Pavilion

 

Read more:

Monaco’s Philharmonic to provide Dubai Expo music

Building starts on Monaco Pavilion in Dubai

 

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Moreno ready to be Monaco’s number one

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/12/2019

AS Monaco has officially presented Robert Moreno as its new head coach. The former Spanish National Team manager is keen to draw a line under accusations he was disloyal by former boss Luis Enrique, saying the bitter bust-up had enabled him to advance to “number one” with the Red and Whites.

Moreno was unveiled as the new head coach of Ligue 1 side Monaco in a press conference on Monday 30th, after Leonardo Jardim was sacked for the second time.

He comes amid recent accusations he was being “disloyal” by Luis Enrique, but the 42-year-old says he wants to put his departure as Spain boss and subsequent fallout with Enrique behind him.

“I had nine extraordinary years at his side,” said Moreno on Monday. “”But that is all in the past.”

Moreno served as an assistant for La Roja until Luis Enrique stepped down in June to care for his young daughter Xana, who died in August following a battle with bone cancer.

“I’ve been a coach since I was 14, I have had my UEFA license since I was 25, and my dream has always been to become a head coach,” he continued. “Today I am grateful for the past, but I am looking to the future.”

He arrives as ASM is positioned in seventh place in Ligue 1 and 17 points behind leaders and defending champions PSG.

“I always wanted to become the number one. This is the start of that stage,” said Moreno who guided Spain through qualifying for Euro 2020 in the absence of Enrique. “AS Monaco is a great Ligue 1 team, we must stay on the lookout in the transfer window for all the opportunities that may arise. But today I am satisfied with the players we have, there is not one position that is at fault; it is a collective sport.”

Jardim, who took Monaco to the league title in 2017, was fired at the weekend, just over a year since he was previously sent packing.

Moreno will be accompanied by a team of five: assistants Dani Guindos and Carlos Martinez, goalkeeping coach Jose Sambade, physical trainer Juanjo del Ojo, and psychologist Marc Sellarés.

Photo: AS Monaco Official

Read more: Jardim sacked… again! 

 

 

Air strike called off

by: Cassandra Tanti
31/12/2019
Air France airplane

French airline crews have cancelled plans for strike action scheduled to run from 3rd January.

The largest union representing French pilots and air crew – SNPL – announced that its members will not go ahead with a threatened walkout after holding talks with the government. The scrapping of regimes that allowed air crew to retire earlier than 62 is reportedly at the core of concerns.

While air crews have not taken part in the mass transportation strikes that have hit France since 5th December, some ground crew and air traffic controllers did join the first few days of the strike.

The unions representing cabin crew – the SNPNC-FO, Unsa, Unac-CGC – have also withdrawn their strike notice.

The French government, who has been conducting separate talks with the unions representing air crew and pilots, has reportedly conceded that pilots will still be able to retire at 60, while there will be a later introduction of the new retirement scheme for cabin crew, so that anyone born before 1987 can continue to retire at the age of 55.

France has not seen such intense strike action from transportation workers since the 1980s.

 

 

Opera stars shine on new stamps

by: Stephanie Horsman
31/12/2019
Fidès Devriès stamp

The Monaco Stamp Office will be rolling out two new stamps for 2020 featuring opera stars Fidès Devriès and Tito Schipa.

American-born Dutch soprano Fidès Devriès came from opera singing stock, her mother being the celebrated soprano Rosa de Vries-van Os. She made her debut as Rose-de-Mai in Le Val d’Andorre at the Théâtre Lyrique in October 1868, before moving onto Brussels and Paris.

She first came to Monaco in 1887 singing in four roles at the Opera de Monte-Carlo. She returned two years later, where she entranced audiences with what became some of her final appearances before her retirement in 1889.

Tito Schipa stamp
Tito Schipa stamp

Tito Schipa was an Italian tenor, who is considered to have had one of the best tenore de grazia voices of all time. Born in Lecce in 1888, his career took him around the globe, where he performed in Rome, Buenos Aires, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Milan and he created the role of Ruggerio in La Rondine at the Monte-Carlo Opera in 1917.

His political leanings during World War II marred his reputation, but he remained a favourite during the post-war era until he retired in 1958 to teach voice.

The new stamps will be for sale on 20th January at La Poste and Stamp offices.

 

 

Roca Team ends year with a win

by: Stephanie Horsman
31/12/2019

In a tough game against Cholet Basket, AS Monaco Basketball once again showed their opponent how the game is played.

The Roca Team was on the road in Cholet where they took on Cholet Basket in a post-Christmas match at the Meilleraie on 27th December, giving them their ninth consecutive win in the Jeep Elite Series.  

The first half started out with what looked like a pretty even match, with Kim Tillie and Eric Buckner serving up the first points of the game for Monaco, but CB’s Michael Stockton, son of jazz legend John Stockton, wasn’t about to let them off easy. Dee Bost and Norris Cole kept the points coming, and by 12 minutes in Monaco was on a roll and there was no stopping them. JJ O’Brien and Will Yeguete extend the lead to 29-19 and the Roca Team’s defence is playing hard.

By halftime, the score was 51-31, a comfortable 20 point lead, spurring Paul Lacombe, who had made seven assists by this point, to say, “We put defensive hardness to prevent them from playing, we have the rhythm and we put in.”

But Cholet wasn’t going down without a fight and came back from halftime raring to go. They immediately clawed back seven points causing coach Obradovic to call a time out, which seemed to get everyone’s heads back in the game.

Yeguete and Cole got the offense back on track, and by the 28th minute, the 20-point lead was restored, but not for good. With just over five minutes to go, Cholet made a last minute rebound and the score was within 10 points of each other. 

Obradovic hastily called a time out and the team towed the line, Dee Bost and Yakuba Outtara landing shots followed by a superb three-pointer by Norris Cole. In the end, the Roca Team won 84-71, ending the year on a high note.

Monaco Basketball returns on 5th January in a match at home against ASVEL Lyon-Villeurbanne.

 

Photo: AS Monaco Basket Facebook page

 

Princess Charlene opens up in new interview

by: Stephanie Horsman
31/12/2019

After enduring an incredibly painful year, Princess Charlene has opened up to a South African magazine about why she’s looked so sad this past year… and the reasons are touchingly normal. 

The Princess recently spoke to Huisgenoot Magazine, a publication out of her native South Africa, to dispel rumours of discontent and set the record straight. Her admissions are honest and marked by the quiet gentleness she has been come to be known for.

The Princess reveals that her year has been marred by the deaths of two friends within the space of 10 days, and concern over the health of her father, Michael Wittstock, who is due to have surgery soon.

“Well, sometimes it’s hard to smile,” acknowledges the mother of two. “They don’t know what’s going on in the background.”

The heart of the issue is something that most expats have experienced at one time or another and can strike at any time… homesickness.

“I have the privilege of having this life, but I miss my family and my friends in South Africa and I’m often sad because I cannot always be there for them,” she says.

Princess Charlene and the twins, five-year-old Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, made their first visit to South Africa earlier this year to see her parents, and Jacques reportedly was impressed with the sheer size of the place, which she said was “moving” for her.

With that precedent set, perhaps her visits back will become more frequent and 2020 will be the year everyone gets to see more of Princess Charlene and her lovely smile.