The Monaco Pavilion at the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai will be filled with beautiful music supplied by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Principal Conductor and Artistic Director Kazuki Yamada of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic has been asked to record the musical score, entitled Monegasque Fantasy and composed by Dédé Truqui.
The score mixes modernity with tradition and follows several themes. His Homage to Princess Grace has a distinctly Irish flare, the Homage to Prince Rainier utilises sounds from earlier times, and The Rise of Prince Albert II focuses on today and the future. Additionally, there is a farandole, a lively Provençal style tune, that gives a nod to both the Monaco national anthem and to Hereditary Prince Jacques.
Dédé Truqui is best known for his collaborations over the years with Aimé Barelli at Le Sporting. He is locally renowned for his love of regional traditions, which he expresses through his music, poems, drawings and parodies.
The music, like the Pavilion itself, will highlight all the many facets of the Principality, a 360° perspective of Monaco.
The architectural design of the Monaco Pavilion in Dubai 2020
The Monaco Pavilion is being touted as “a kaleidoscopic experience that will reveal new perspectives” and will feature replicas of the quaint streets of the city as well as a Garden of Opportunities, which features the warmth and sunshine the Principality is so known for.
The Expo 2020 Dubai takes place from 20th October 2020 to April 2021 and is the first World Fair Expo ever held in that region. Nearly 200 participating countries will gather over a six month period to celebrate culture, collaboration and innovation on a grand scale.
The Moscow Circus on Ice comes to Monaco this Saturday for two spectacular performances.
The ice rink at the Port of Monaco will host the ice show featuring the delightful and amusing feats combining the grace and precision of ice skating with the excitement of circus acts.
The performance will give onlookers a chance to see daring stunts, juggling acts, silly clowns, stilt walkers, magicians, light shows and, of course, skating. In all, 40 artists will perform at the open-air rink.
The Moscow Circus on Ice was first established in the 1980’s in Russia by non-touring troupes. They include as part of their show traditional Russian music and dance, including favourites such as the kalinka and the kasatchok, along with exquisite costumes.
Two performances will be given on Saturday 21st December, the first at 5:30pm followed by an 8:30pm show, and each one lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. No public skating will be possible on the day of the show. Be there early as admission is free and seating is subject to available spaces.
For more information contact +377 93 30 64 83/+377 93 15 06 09 or email them at animation@mairie.mc
No one can say they weren’t the Comeback Kids of the season, but despite all the hard work and great effort, AS Monaco was knocked out of the BKT Coupe de la Ligue on Tuesday night after a disappointing defeat to Lille.
It was a tough night at the Stade Louis II for the Red and Whites, as they took a pounding 0-3 defeat from LOSC Lille. But despite the loss, there were a few bright spots for Leonardo Jardim’s boys.
First, this match saw the return of goalkeeper Danijel Subašić, who had been suffering from an injured thigh since last May’s game against Saint-Etienne. Though he gave up three goals on the night, the Croatian played a good match and made some excellent saves against tough opponents.
This night also saw the return of fellow Croatian and former Montenegrin International, Stevan Jovetic, who did not start the match but replaced Cesc Fàbregas. “Jove” had been out since April of last year with a torn ligament he got playing Reims. He played a strong game, nearly scoring a goal in the 75th.
In addition to the welcome return of two old faces, a new one appeared on the scene as well. This was the inaugural match for Arthur Zagré, the 18-year-old PSG alumni and French U-19 International star, who played a very active game in his left-wing offense position, showing his excellent technical abilities and a willingness to hustle.
The Red and Whites will have their chance for revenge against Lille on Saturday night, when they play them again at home for the 19th matchday of the Ligue 1 Conforama series.
There’s a new face on the Rock, Portuguese-Australian restaurateur John Contente. With his French chef in the kitchen, this pair is delivering the ultimate French comfort food in a family-style restaurant, far from the hustle and bustle of Monte Carlo.
In an interview with Monaco Life, John talks about why, in just three short months, Le Petit Bar has become such a hit with the locals.
Monaco Life: Can you tell us how you came to be a restaurant owner at the Rock?
John Contente: I was born in Portugal and raised in Australia. I went travelling in my 20s and met a girl in London who was from the south of France. We both moved there in 2005, and my first position involved opening a Four Seasons in Provence, now known as Terre Blanche. As you can imagine, it was a rude awakening coming from London to Provence, so I left that position and started working as a waiter at The Pacific and, once I learned French, I got picked up by Sass Café where I stayed for a few years. Then, The Pacific called me back to take over as manager, so I remained there for about three years, before heading over to the Fairmont and eventually the Italian restaurant Pulcinella for five years. An opportunity to take over Le Petit Bar came along, and after waiting three months for authorisation, we opened in early September 2019.
Why did you feel the need to open your own restaurant?
It has always been a dream of mine since I started working in this industry – to either have my own bar or restaurant. Here, I have both!
Why the Rock?
To be perfectly honest with you, I had only been to the Rock twice for weddings and that was it. But the price was right and the opportunity was there. I was convinced by friends and family to go ahead with it, and when I thought about it – that everything down in Monaco was way out of my price range – I thought why not start up here and see where it takes me?
What was your idea when you took over this restaurant?
My chef Jean-Marc Troussard and I have worked together before, and he wanted to come on this journey with me. His specialty is French food, so we are offering the sort of dishes that people grew up eating, but that you don’t necessarily see in restaurants anymore, like
Blanquette de Veau and sausages with lentils. It is comfort food in a very relaxed environment. We don’t want to work in ties and be too serious, we want people to come up here and feel like they are going home – to their parent’s house for a roast chicken on a Sunday. Obviously, the chef puts his little spin on the dishes but he is also staying true to the classics.
How have you found the response from customers?
Very good. For example, our plate of the day today – roast beef with caramelised shallots and roast potatoes – sold out within the hour. Our prices are also very good, probably too good to be honest. But it is the beginning. We want to get through the winter and see how it goes, and see what our market is for the coming season. We want people to come and try it, like it and enjoy their experience.
At this time of year, you must rely a lot on the day trade and the locals?
Yes, people who work in the Mairie and the Palace come in for lunch, while residents of the Rock come in mainly at night. The previous owner only opened for breakfast and lunch, so the locals were all very surprised and happy to have another option to dine in the evening.
Can you tell us about the produce you use at Le Petit Bar?
Everything is seasonal. What you see here is what you get. We can’t store anything for long periods because we don’t have the facilities, so customers are basically eating everything that is delivered in the morning. Our produce is locally sourced, fresh, and mostly organic. There are only two of us working, so everything here is made by hand. The chef even prepares his own brioche to make the dessert.
It’s an open kitchen so there’s nothing to hide here. It really is like going to your family’s house for dinner…
You can sit here and have a chat with the chef while he is cooking. Some people ask him what they should eat that day, and he will explain what came in that morning and how he is preparing it. The guests love it. That’s what makes the charm of this place, because even if you eat by yourself, there is a show going on behind you in the kitchen.
Can you tell us about the wines you have here?
I change the menu regularly because I want people to try as many different things as possible from Europe and Australia. I have a white and red from Margaret River, Australia, and I also have a white and red from Portugal. All the rest are French wines because it is a French kitchen, but I do want to put my own influence in the menu. We have a gin that’s made in Valbonne, so we also try to have local alcohol too.
How many people can you fit in here?
12 outside and 21 inside, so it’s very cosy and manageable for the two us.
What is your vision for Le Petit Bar?
To be one of the go-to places on the Rock. If you want to eat good, fresh, homemade food, then this should be your number one place to go. Apart from the gastronomic restaurant 50 metres away, the rest of the eateries here are tourist traps – pizza, pasta, sandwiches. We do real food in a laid back, family-friendly atmosphere.
Why should people come to the Rock at night?
For the experience. The Rock at night is completely different to Monte Carlo, which is so busy. There are no cars here and no scooters after 10pm. It is perfect for a romantic night out or a quiet dinner with family and friends. You feel very calm and relaxed up here.
Pyrros Dimas, the legendary three-times gold and one-time bronze Olympic champion, has been awarded the ‘Great Athlete’ distinction by the Hellenic Community of Monaco.
The award was given on Thursday 12th December in the presence of the Honorary Consul of Greece in Monaco Petros Machas and the Honorary Consul of Albania in Monaco, Marquis Giuseppe Durazzo.
President of the Hellenic Community of Monaco Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis awarded the world champion and record-breaking Greek athlete for his great contribution to sports and philanthropy. She also appointed him as an honorary member of the Hellenic Community in Monaco.
Pyrros Dimas is the Founder and President of the International Pyrros Dimas Institute, which leads sports projects for unaccompanied minors in cooperation with SOS Villages, provides educational programs for the value of sports in schools around Greece, supports athletes and is involved in the the organisation of weightlifting competitions. Mr. Dimas thanked the Hellenic Community for the warm Greek hospitality offered to him during his stay and for this exceptional award that will add value to his efforts to contribute more to vulnerable societies through the power of sport.
Pyrros Dimas had been invited to participate the 2019 Peace And Sport International Forum, which took place at the Convention Center of the One Monte Carlo, in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II.
Peace And Sport, an independent and neutral organisation based in Monaco, through its founder and President Joël Bouzou, is leading the ‘Peace through Sport’ movement and organised the 2019 forum and the 10th annual Champions For Peace Gala. This year, many important personalities from all over the world, heads of States, ministers, presidents, famous athletes, Nobel prize laurates and high-level guests participated in open discussions to present how the power of sport creates peace and happiness to communities around the world.
Hellenic Community member and International Relations and Sport Diplomacy Director at Peace And Sport Iris Vlachoutsicos was also involved in the organisation and coordinated the visit and activities of Mr. Dimas in Monaco.
Photo from left to right: Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, President Communauté Hellénique de Monaco; Ursula Garza Papandrea, President of USA Weightlifting Federation and VP of the International Weightlifting federation; Pyrros Dimas; Petros Machas, Honorary General Consul of Greece in Monaco; and Iris Vlachoutsicos, International Relations & Sport Diplomacy Director at Peace And Sport
As the SNCF strike rages on in France, workers travelling into Monaco each day – around 45,000 on average – are taking steps to lessen the burden on congested roadways and finding alternative ways to navigate their way to the Principality.
In the past, when the trains in France went on strike, access into and out of Monaco was virtually crippled, particularly during the morning and evening rush hours. Interestingly, this latest strike, which has been going on since 5th December, is only creating delays of 5 to 10 minutes from the motorway into town.
Why? Because the savvy commuters of today opts for solutions other than simply jumping into their cars and going it alone. They choose to carpool, use two wheel modes of transport or telecommute, rendering this strike far less intrusive on the daily lives of workers than in the past.
The Management Centre for Mobility (CIGM), the bureau that provides 24/7 road surveillance in the Principality, has stated that whilst it is slightly more difficult to enter Monaco, the density of traffic is not that much more than the norm.
This is a huge difference than in the past and can partially be put down to the habits being formed by a newly environmentally-sensitive population. Commuters have been trying out alternative forms of transport over the last year or two and are much less averse now as a result. This newfound flexibility has spilled over into times of trouble, like now, to the benefit of all, except perhaps the strikers whose impact is not being felt as keenly as hoped.
But calls are being made for further measures. Philippe Ortelli, the President of the Federation des Entreprises Monegasques (FEDEM), has long been an advocate of creating a completely different way to enter the Principality, namely an interurban metro system between Nice and Monaco.
His idea, which he editorialised on FEDEM’s website in July of this year, is to connect to the existing tram in Nice East and build a tunnel that would run all the way to Monaco, with a single stop in Éze, and that would take only eight minutes to arrive to either destination.
He argues that the line would reduce traffic problems, be a greener alternative for employees and would pay for itself after a hundred years.
In the meantime, Monaco’s employees will have to wait and see, and hope for an early Christmas present in the form of a settled strike.
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