China’s Chimelong Group has participated as a partner in the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival for the first time ever. It is a major step in the circus’ plan to enhance each other’s influence, while deepening the friendship between China and Monaco in the process.
In November 2019, the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and Chimelong Group formally established a strategic cooperation. The logo representing the collaboration was unveiled at the Big Top in Monaco, the home of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival.
Kiko and Kika, Chimelong Group’s two mascots, gave the first performance of the show on 21st January, adding a new twist to the traditional local carnival which presents 30 acts from 16 countries and regions, who are all competing for the coveted Golden, Silver and Bronze Clowns.
The partnership is significant because the European circus industry is looking to enter into the Chinese market while China is simultaneously hoping to spread its circus culture to Europe, opening up significant opportunities for collaboration between the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and Chimelong Group.
Vice President of Chimelong Group Su Zhanhang was a judge for the 44th Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival and attended several circus-themed international conferences, events and banquets.
“Through cooperation, we will jointly promote our circus festivals as well as circus art and culture worldwide,” said Mr Su. “Chimelong also plans to establish a circus academy in China, providing a venue where circus talents from all over the world can exchange ideas.” Mr. Su Zhigang, Chairman of Chimelong Group, and Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, President of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival in 2016
Princess Stéphanie of Monaco, president of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, said that the efforts made by Chimelong Group to promote the development of circus culture are evident and that the cooperation between the two sides will be inevitable and long-lasting. “Audiences in Monaco and Europe are learning about Chinese culture through the circus, which serves as a bridge for cross-cultural communication,” said Princess Stéphanie.
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Music superstars Black Eyed Peas and Steve Hackett – Genesis Revisited will be heading to Monaco to perform shows this summer, SBM has just announced.
Hip-hop group the Black Eyed Peas expanded beyond their conscious rap roots to become one of the most commercially successful pop groups of all time. The founding trio’s career began modestly with a pair of albums inspired by the positive-minded likes of A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. Ignited by the Top Ten hit ‘Where Is the Love?’ and the Grammy-winning party anthem ‘Let’s Get It Started,’ the group scored three multi-platinum albums in 2003’s Elephunk, 2005’s Monkey Business, and 2009’s The E.N.D. (Energy Never Dies). While still connected to Hip-Hop, the group’s sound turned toward dance-pop, a forward-thinking move that transformed them from underground favourites into a chart-dominating mainstream phenomenon.
After a seven-year hiatus, the group reverted to its original lineup and Hip-Hop sound once again for 2018’s Masters of the Sun Vol. 1. The Black Eyed Peas will perform their latest album at the Salle des Etoiles for the very first time during an incredible stand up concert on 26th July at the Monte-Carlo Sporting Summer Festival.
Meanwhile, Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett – who went solo in 1975 – released his album Genesis Revisited in 2013, awakening passionate fans around the world. In 2019, Steve’s live performances reached their peak and he performed sold-out concerts merging the albums Mornings, Selling England By The Pound and At The Edge Of Light.
Critically acclaimed Steve Hackett announced a 2020 tour of Genesis’ live album, Seconds Out, recorded during a concert at the Palais des Sports in Paris in June 1977. On 18th September he will be performing at the Opéra Garnier Monte-Carlo.
The Riviera will have a direct connection to the Kingdom of Bahrain thanks to a new flight offered by Gulf Air this summer. It will be the airline’s only line to France outside of Paris and will utilise the latest generation Airbus A321neo, among the least emissive on the market.
From 2nd July to 30th August, Gulf Air will connect Manama, the capital of Bahrain, to Nice Côte d´Azur airport every Thursday and Sunday. The flight will include a one-hour stopover in Milan.
The Kingdom of Bahrain is now one of three Gulf countries to have a regular line to the French Riviera. The others are Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. According to Dominique Thillaud, Chairman of the Airports of the Côte d’Azur, the addition of this new Gulf country “testifies to the attractiveness of our territory for a clientele of high-end leisure travellers”.
Gulf Air will charter the Airbus A321neo, a modern aircraft with up to 30% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to aircraft of the same category. They will offer 166 places, 150 in Economy class and 16 in Business class.
“This new route symbolises our strategy of combining the development of our network, to the benefit of the dynamism of our territory, and the preservation of the environment, through the use of the most modern and least emissive planes,” said Mr Thillaud.
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