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Month: January 2020

AS Monaco loses to Strasbourg

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/01/2020

New head coach Robert Moreno is under pressure after Saturday’s 1-3 loss and has conceded that his team needs to “work hard to learn about defence in particular”, highlighting the team’s soft underbelly.

The game started out looking pretty good for the Red and Whites. Two free kicks in the first four minutes, though no conversions, gave the appearance that Strasbourg was out to play aggressively but not necessarily smartly.  

Benjamin Henrichs and Wissam Ben Yedder followed up with two shots on goal in the 5th and 7th minutes, showing spirit and an offence that was clearly on the right track.

Strasbourg were waiting for their chance and it came in the 23rd, when Adrien Thomasson forced an outstanding save from Lecomte. This seemed to put the whole game into slow motion for the next quarter of an hour, when there was a lot of to and fro but not a lot of action. Fast forward to the 40th minute when Ludovic Ajorque left-footed the ball from close range right through the middle.

Monaco monopolised the ball up until the halftime break, but with no breakthroughs.  

The second half opened with Monaco at a 0-1 deficit, and a fired up Adrien Thomasson who made a near-miss attempt just past the hour mark and a beautiful left-footer between the posts at the 66th, putting the Red and Whites at 0-2.

This was quickly followed up eight minutes later by Stefan Mitrovic with a header into the right corner. Thomasson was back and made another try, but Lecomte made the block. 

Finally, in the 86th, it was Stevan Jovetíc who put one in for Monaco assisted by Ben Yedder, though it was a case of too little too late. The final score saw AS Monaco losing 1-3 against a decidedly tough Strasbourg team.

Coach Moreno was clear about his team’s shortcomings in the match, but equally clear that he knows what they are and is aiming to correct them.  

“We weren’t good on the ball today,” he said after the match. “We lacked the quality to make good passes and defend well. I think my players are good. The problem is we have to work hard to learn about defence in particular. We must take a collective approach.”

The next match will see Monaco take on Saint-Etienne for the 16th round of the Coupe de France on Tuesday.

 
Photo: Couresty AS Monaco

Council honours new police cadets

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/01/2020

The National Assembly has welcomed the latest graduates to the Principality’s Police Force.
The 29 graduates, both student lieutenants and student police officers, were received in the Assembly on Friday 24th January by National Council President Stéphane Valeri and a host of dignitaries. They were congratulated on their journey within the Police Academy of Public Safety.
In the presence of executives, including Director of Public Security Richard Marangoni, Deputy Director Régis Bastide and Captain Fréderic Aznar, who was responsible for their training, Mr Valeri paid tribute to the members of this new generation of law enforcement, which he referred to as “one of the best police forces in the world”.

“It is one of the pillars of our society, it ensures everyone’s tranquillity and embodies the image of security attached to Monaco in an uncertain world,” said Mr Valeri. “In our permanent dialogue with the government, be assured that we support the force when necessary so that your human and technical resources are up to your multiple missions, essential for the country.”
Mr Valeri spoke about the deployment on 3rd February of the new ‘Living Environment Preservation Unit’, which will, among other things, regulate noisy vehicles which disturb the peace.
 
Photos courtesy: Conseil National
 

Chimelong debuts as circus festival's strategic partner

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2020

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.
Read also:
China-Monaco circus festivals form new bond
 

Prince's prize for philanthropy awarded to Project CURE

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2020

HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco has awarded the Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy to Douglas Jackson, President and CEO of Denver-based non-profit Project CURE.
Project CURE was founded in 1987 to give doctors and nurses in developing countries the means necessary to treat illnesses, administer vaccines, perform surgical procedures and help with the safe delivery of babies. It is now one of the largest non-profit organisations in the world, collecting and sorting used or surplus medical equipment and supplies from manufacturers and hospitals and redistributing them in 130 developing countries. The initiative has giant distribution warehouses in six major cities across the US, as well as a network of smaller collection centres across other states – all for the benefit of clinics, hospitals and community health centres in developing countries.

Prince Albert II with Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville on the left and Olivier Wenden on the right, Vice President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation ©Gaetan Luci Palais Princier

The Prince’s Prize for Innovative Philanthropy supports innovative actions or projects in the field of strategic philanthropy and was created through a partnership between the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Tocqueville Foundation, a French-American initiative supporting democracy and the rights and responsibilities of all members of society.
The Prince’s Prize is awarded to individuals or institutions as part of the annual Prince Round Table for Philanthropy, a closed-door discussion which brings together major international philanthropists in the Principality. The event, organised at the Monaco Yacht Club, this year celebrated its 10th edition and gathered around 40 philanthropists to discuss the role of philanthropy in the context of the sustainable development goals as defined by the UN.
Top photo: Douglas Jackson received the prize from Prince Albert II of Monaco and Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville. ©Gaetan Luci Palais Princier
 
 

Two new summer concerts revealed

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2020

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.
 
Photo: Steve Hackett
 
Read more:
Céline Dion in concert
Tango Festival
 
 

National Pact achieves a milestone

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2020

The Public Force has signed up to the National Pact, marking the 100th entity to commit to Monaco’s Energy Transition.
The force was represented by Colonel Tony Varo, who signed the pact on 22nd January in the presence of HSH Prince Albert, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Town Planning Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario, and Director of the Mission for the Energy Transition Annabelle Jaeger-Seydoux.
Surrounded by Lieutenant-Colonel Norbert Fassiaux, Head of the Fire Brigade, and Commander Gilles Convertini, Head of the Prince’s Carabinieri Corps, Colonel Tony Varo signed on behalf of the two Corps under his authority.
Echoing this membership, Anthony de Sevelinges, Head of the Public Building Maintenance Service (SMBP), also gave a presentation on the installation of photovoltaic panels recently installed on the roof of the Fontvieille Barracks, showing in real time the energy production of the solar panels, directly fed back into the electrical installations of the building.
The signing means that 271 soldiers will engage collectively and individually in the National Pact, and they will also go on to train the 170 families and 200 children involved in this dynamic. The extent of the Public Force’s commitment then becomes quite significant.
“The commitment of the Prince’s riflemen and firefighters is a strong signal, especially since I know that your motivation is high and that it started long before today,” said Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, referring to the various initiatives that are already in place within the Public Force. They include the use of ecological vehicles, recycling practices at the four barracks with regular awareness workshops, implementation of the WIT system (monitoring of energy consumption implemented by the SMBP), reusing materials and an interest in renewable energies.
By joining the National Pact, the Public Force also commits to reduce the number of plastic bottles used, soon installing water coolers in offices, as well as organising training for eco-driving.
Each body has appointed an “energy referent” who will be responsible for monitoring consumption on WIT, while several MTE awareness workshops are planned for February and will continue throughout the year.
The National Pact for the Energy Transition has now attracted almost 1,200 signatories and 100 member entities, which represents more than a quarter of Monaco’s employees.
Photo: © – Direction de la Communication – Stéphane Danna