The Grimaldi Forum broke records across the board in 2019 and it is hoping to follow that up with another exceptional programme of events in 2020, which marks its 20th anniversary year.
Around 400 people gathered on Tuesday night for the Grimaldi Forum’s annual meeting, where the results of the previous year are traditionally shared and the agenda for the coming year is revealed.
During her speech, Sylvie Biancheri, Director General of the Grimaldi Forum, revealed that Monaco’s premier conference centre hosted a staggering 117 events in 2019, while 290,000 visitors passed through its doors, a healthy jump on the previous year which saw 98 events and 250,000 visitors.
Sylvie Biancheri, Director General of the Grimaldi Forum. Photo credit: JC Vinaj
Financially, the Grimaldi Forum was a huge success as well. Turnover exceeded €21.5 million, a 20% increase on 2018 and the fifth consecutive year of growth. The spinoffs for the Principality amounted to €68 million, compared to €50 million five years ago.
The official 20th anniversary of the Grimaldi Forum will be marked in July, with a host of retrospectives and surprises, but the party will continue all year with an exciting variety of shows and events worthy of its reputation.
March will bring the great masters of tango to our shores all the way from Buenos Aires to perform for enthralled audiences in Tango Fire.
Legendary rocker Iggy Pop will play the Forum in April, while the centre will host the world premiere of the latest James Bond thriller Dying Can Wait. There is even talk that 007 himself, Daniel Craig, might attend the screening.
The musical, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, takes a cue from the cult film of the same name, entertaining crowds with the best hits of the disco era and beyond.
Finally, from July to September, the Grimaldi Forum will be holding an exceptional exhibition-event entitled ‘Monaco and the automobile from 1893 to present’, which will showcase more than 50 historic cars having participated in former Grand Prix or Monte-Carlo rallies, as well as a selection from the Prince’s own collection.
The signing of the partnership with the Grimaldi Forum and CMB: Francesco Grosoli, Etienne Franzi, Henri Fissore and Sylvie Biancheri.. Photo credit: JC Vinaj
Meanwhile, the Grimaldi Forum and the Compagnie Monegasque de Banque (CMB) have resigned patronage agreements to remain in partnership.
The Grimaldi Forum and CMB have a relationship which spans 15 years, when the bank first joined forces with the convention centre to help fund the development of major exhibitions. This initial partnership soon expanded to include all cultural events as well, paving the way for a host of exciting events and forward-thinking exhibits over the years.
President of CMB Etienne Franzi and CEO Francesco Grosoli both expressed their commitment, saying “The active Patron policy of CMB confirms its will to contribute to the cultural influence of Monaco. We are very committed to associating with partners whose image enhances the Principality and our house.”
After an exciting first half, the Roca Team fell apart in the second against Galatasaray, losing at Gaston Medecin 73-85 on Wednesday.
The Turks dominated the game leaving Monaco a bit shell shocked and perhaps a bit humbled after a rare defeat suffered by the team. This unfortunate start to the EuroCup Top 16 may be a wake up call for the usually unstoppable Roca Team. It is also far from meaning they are out of the running.
The game began well enough, with Norris Cole scoring a whopping eight points in the first quarter. Zach Auguste, Galatasaray’s superstar, was on brilliant form, scoring 10 points in the first half with seven rebounds.
The two teams were neck and neck most of the first half, trading the lead and staying in close proximity points-wise. At the half-time break, the score was almost even at 39-38.
This is when things went wrong. Having made a few rookie mistakes in the first half, Roca Team just couldńt get their mojo for the second. Despite gallant efforts by Yak Ouattara and Norris Cole, the team simply wasn’t gelling, whilst the Turkish team was on fire.
At one point Galatasasray had a massive 22 point lead, but with the fans, including Prince Albert II, cheering them on, they closed the gap, though were unable to retake the advantage. In the end, the score reflected the play and the Turks walked away victorious winning 73-85.
Coach Sasa Obradovic was disappointed and conceded that the Turkish team dominated and deserved the win.
“It’s just one match,” he said after the game, “I hope it will serve us. We have failed mentally and in play, we have forgotten the principles that make us strong. You have to be able to show something else.”
Eric Buckner, equally crushed, went on to say, “We lost by forgetting what makes our attitude… defense and rebounds. It’s a big disappointment. We will have to react as a team.”
The Roca Team play again on 11th January against Strasbourg in a Jeep Elite match.
Minister of State Serge Telle has revealed that an unprecedented amount of the government’s budget will be put toward the digital transition of the Principality in a speech to government officials and civil servants.
Government agents gathered on Wednesday 8th January at the Grimaldi Forum to hear Mr Telle’s annual well-wishing and speech.
“I am very pleased to see you all here today, and I want to emphasise ALL of you […] because this is not possible in any other country in the world. And this is far from anecdotal,” he said.
The minister used the opportunity to outline the three major projects that the administration is charged with carrying out in 2020. Firstly, public finance and the establishment of budgetary accounts, “which will allow us to know in detail and to the nearest euro what public policy will cost”; the digital transition, “to which unprecedented resources will be devoted in 2020”; and “the course of careers which must accompany changes in the world and encourage the nurturing and development of talents”.
“Thus,” said Mr Telle, “we will be able to meet the clear and ambitious objectives set by H.S.H. the Sovereign Prince […] and look to the future with serenity.”
Amid record-breaking strike action, train operator SNCF has announced that it will refund commuters with pre-paid subscriptions for the month of December.
Frank Lacroix, CEO of TER SNCF, announced on Twitter on Wednesday night: “In response to the difficulties experienced by our customers, I proposed today to the regions that SNCF proceeds with the full refund of December TER subscriptions, whether annual, monthly or weekly. The terms will be available on TER sites by January 15.”
Commuters across France and Monaco have suffered through one of the worst transport strike periods on record.
It is reportedly up to each regional department to accept or decline the gesture.
“The strike has caused significant disruptions in December, a period of leave and holidays. It seemed necessary to make a strong gesture vis-à-vis our customers,” said John Francçois Trestard, Director of SNCF communications for the south region, to Monaco Matin.
While the terms are still to be specified, subscribers will likely have to complete an online request, indicating their subscription number. “This may not be necessary for annual subscribers who are already known,” said Jean-François Trestard.
According to Mr Trestard, SNCF is currently assessing the overall cost of the strike and this refund. The daily loss is already estimated at €20 million.
The refund announcement came amid a new wave of demonstrations organised on Thursday in France, the 36th day of strike action against pension reform in France.
As we enter a new decade, we all have our own vision of what the 2020s should look like. Here are the hopes and ambitions of some of Monaco’s personalities.
Fabrice Marquet
Fabrice Marquet, Cofounder and Managing Partner at Monaco Foundry
What are your goals for the ‘20s?
My main goal is to bridge the gap between fundamental research and business development. My partners and I want to help deep tech companies thrive and scale internationally. Those companies are harder to develop because they are more capital intensive and require a longer time to market. But there is, on one hand, a great need for true innovation to tackle societal issues we are facing.
On the other hand, we need to escape the Ponzi scheme that venture capital has become by building sustainable businesses instead of selling huge exit promises to investors focusing solely on exponential growth.
What are your wishes for the ‘20s?
I wish that more of today’s leaders don’t get vision and tools mixed up. As a consequence, they end up buying into fads that use a lot of buzzwords but have no real strategy. Digital transformation is one perfect example as digital technologies are just tools. As powerful as they may be, they do not add any value intrinsically. Tools are not clever, only the way we use them might be.
What are your predictions for the ‘20s?
Humans are historically terrible at making predictions because we have many biases and we cannot process a lot of data. For instance, Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman said in 1998: “By 2005, it will become clear that the Internet’s impact on the economy has been no greater than the fax machine’s.”
So, hard pass on being that wrong, retrospectively. I would rather buy into Abraham Lincoln’s view on the matter: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” This implies a much more active and empowering process.
Konrad Bergström, President and Founder of XShore
What are your goals for the ‘20s?
To make XShore 100% electric craft the world’s leading boat brand and inspire other companies to become sustainable.
What are your wishes for the ‘20s?
I wish for us all to start to working as one team in order to make humanity work again in harmony with Mother Earth.
What are your predictions for the ‘20s?
We are in a very difficult situation where the world is facing climate, political and religious challenges. We all need to step up and start collaborating in order to survive. Johan Pizzardini
Johan Pizzardini, Communications and Media Manager, Monaco Yacht Show
What are your goals for the ‘20s?
To connect to people. Really. I’ll do my best to go deeper into human relationships and go beyond the simple (superficial) social codes. Really meaning what we think and what we ask, taking time to really listen to the other. Society is going too fast, we’re bombarded with thousands of news stories every two minutes, kidnapped by social media; we have a family to care for, a career to manage, etc… We feel a general need to slow down the pace and really assess what is a priority, what is important and what is nonsense. So, my goals are to sit on a bench, open a box of chocolates and to better consider life.
What are your wishes for the ‘20s?
I hope we will all give more sense to every single thing we do, being more aware of our current world. I consider myself a privileged person. This privilege gives me responsibilities. What to do with it? We are millions of privileged people on Earth. This may sound naïve but naivety allows us to express a good energy and reflect it around us, whether it is to your neighbour or on the other side of the world in Australia. The more you are aware of your world, the more you are connected to it. For the ‘20s, I wish that empathy and real comprehension will bring more people together.
What are your predictions for the ‘20s?
Technology will develop to support good causes: science, environment, health, society. Technology will help us raise up and not enslave us. Which may be the contrary yet. Alberto Vitale
Alberto Vitale, Founder and President, Vitale 1913
What are your goals for the ‘20s?
Personally, undertaking more prayer, meditation and sport; finding more new people for my company; to expand some services; and to start dealing through an online platform for very rare stones.
What are your wishes for the ‘20s?
No new wars or attacks, even cyber-attacks which are increasingly dangerous. I also wish for the young generation to take more responsibility of the urgent need to save our planet, and for the people in power to understand the gravity of the situation.
What are your predictions for the ‘20s?
In business, we will see new services from banks and from family offices in Monaco. I even see a new big bank in the city and one of the oldest will change its skin. With regards to diamonds, we will see more deals in natural, fancy coloured big diamonds due to the fact that customers and investors will read a lot of news about the rarity of some colours, starting with pink diamonds.
Gold will stay in high demand thanks to certain watch brands: Rolex and Patek. But in the same sentence, some new brands will start to disrupt their position in the investment market. Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis
Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, President of the Hellenic Community of Monaco and owner of Brooks Brothers Monaco
What are your goals for the ‘20s?
One of my goals is to unite the associations of all countries in Monaco so we can all understand more about the culture and customs of one another. Personally, I would like to help more people in need. This, unfortunately, is an endless goal.
What are your wishes for the ‘20s?
Luck, health and jobs for everyone so that they can afford a big family and a happy life, because children are our future.
What are your predictions for the ‘20s?
I try to be positive. I hope that whoever occupies an important position or title will use his or her power to make a better world and leaves a legacy as a pioneer of positive change.
Prince Pierre Foundation announces 2020 conference season
The Prince Pierre Foundation has an exciting lineup of conferences and events for 2020 featuring a writer, a choreographer, a director, an historian and a philosopher.
This year, the Foundation is honouring artists, cultural trend-makers and historians to share their experiences and provoke conversations with audiences. In 2020, the foundation will continue with its ‘Outside the walls’ series, where they will host two events away from the Principality, the first in Rome and the second in Paris.
But the first meeting of the year takes place right here at home with American author and illustrator Susie Morgenstern. On 20th January, she will be at the Variety Theatre from 6:30pm speaking about her passion for writing, drawing and entertaining children with over 40 books in her long career. She is considered to be one of the most popular kid’s writers in Europe, particularly in her adopted country of France, where she has spent most of her adult life.
The next event is also at the Variety Theatre at 6:30pm, this time with famed choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot, Director of the Monte-Carlo Ballet, who will be interviewed by journalist and sociologist Laura Cappelle. Some of the topics touched on will be Maillot´s love of collaboration as well as the root and motivation for his endeavors. He will open up his own personal and professional transitions over his years as a choreographer, as well as where he finds inspiration for his ideas and the evolution of those ideas. Audiences will get an inside glimpse at one of the dance world’s most celebrated talents.
Arnaud Desplechin is next up on 23rd March at the Variety Theatre at 6:30pm. This acclaimed director will chat with film critic Jacques Kermabon, discussing the challenges and rewards of crafting a film, from the first frame shot to the last second edited. Using extracts from his films as an example, he will illustrate how a director works with his actors, settings, and places to evoke emotion and suck viewers into a world only found on celluloid.
The first of the ‘Outside the walls’ events will take place in Rome on 8th April at 6:30pm at the Monaco Embassy in Rome. The talk, given by historian Georges Vigarello, focuses on Prince Albert I and his early 20th century push for creating modern hygienic standards and his promotion and development of safe, healthy and clean practices for people and industry, concepts that were way ahead of his time and still resonate today.
This will be followed up in June by the second of the two meetings being held away from Monaco. Philosopher and philologist Barbara Cassin will explore the world of language, languages and translation at the Institute of Paleontology in Paris on 10th June at 8pm. She offers her own personal insights and her pleasure in translating poetry and philosophical works from their native tongues to other ones.
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