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Day: 24 August 2020

Art fair brightens Monaco amid uncertain times

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/08/2020

The first edition of the art3f fair Monaco held over the weekend was a great success, welcoming over 200 artists and thousands of visitors under the Big Top for three days of international contemporary art.
The event was held from Friday 21st to Sunday 23rd August and was one of 13 art3f fairs that are staged throughout France and Europe each year.
According to organisers, “art3f is a clever mix of Coup de coeur art, affordable art and the most wonderful artistic representations of the moment.”
The fair was an opportunity for art lovers and collectors to gather for the first time since the Covid-19 crisis hit, in a safe and welcoming environment, to share their love of art with artists. It was also a unique opportunity to discover new talents and rising stars in the art world.
Among these talented young painters, sculptors, photographers and ceramists were also established artists including Marcos Marin, and prestigious works by the likes of Jeff Koon.
In all, more than 3,000 works were on display at Monaco’s Chapiteau de l’Espace Fontvieille (Big Top) including a selection by international visual artist and art director Houda Bakkali, who is based in Barcelona, Spain.

Houda Bakkali and her artwork at the art3f fair in Monaco

“People were really interested in new trends,” Houda Bakkali told Monaco Life. “I had the opportunity to show my artwork ‘Life is beautiful’, a tribute to Monaco through augmented reality, and it was really well received by visitors who were interested in the new techniques and technologies being applied to art.”
In addition to showing and selling their works, artists were also able to use the opportunity to establish contacts and help develop their businesses.
Houda Bakkali’s work was featured at private viewing at the emblematic Le Pinocchio restaurant

But for Houda Bakkali, the highlight was Monaco itself.
“It really was really a wonderful experience,” explained the artist. “During the fair I met very interesting people, visitors, artists, curators, press, etc. Each one had a story to share and it was a great motivation for me. I also had a private viewing at the emblematic Le Pinocchio restaurant. I have a wonderful memory of Monaco, and I feel absolutely privileged.”
 
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Interview: Brazilian artist Marcos Marin

 
Top photo: Houda Bakkali and her works at the art3f fair in Monaco
 
 
 

Last minute cancellation sends shockwaves

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/08/2020

Organisers of the Cannes Yachting Festival say they are shocked at the local prefect’s decision to cancel the event, just two weeks before it was due to go ahead.
In a disappointing, though not wholly unexpected, turn of events, the Cannes Yachting Festival has been cancelled due to health concerns and the growing number of coronavirus cases in France.
In a statement released by Reed Expositions on the weekend, festival organisers confirmed a rumour that had began circulating on Friday. “It is with our greatest regret and with some misunderstanding that we are forced to announce the cancellation of the Yachting Festival 2020.”
Show Director Sylvie Arnoult had only days earlier confirmed the show, saying she was excitedly preparing for its guests and exhibitors.
For many months, the Yachting Festival team had worked to create the conditions required to be able to open the show, creating – among other measures – a rigorous health protocol.
But on 11th August, the French government decided to extend a ban on mass gatherings of 5,000 people or more until 30th October. Local authorities are able to request an exemption to the ban and despite such a request, the prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, the only official empowered to ultimately rule, decided on Thursday 20th August not to grant the dispensation that would have allowed the Cannes Yachting Festival to go ahead.
“This decision is a huge disappointment for the entire nautical industry, with exhibitors in the lead, the City of Cannes and its professionals, the show’s service providers and the Reed team, who have worked together relentlessly for months to prepare the 2020 edition in the best possible conditions taking into account the context,” said Ms Arnoult. “The implementation of the health protocol that we drew up, certified by APAVE and recognised as completely satisfactory by the prefecture’s services and the Regional Health Authority (ARS), would have made the 2020 Yachting Festival one of the safest events in terms of health in France. Also, it is with great surprise and incomprehension that we take note of the prefect’s decision.”
The Monaco Yacht Show 2020, which was due to take place from 23rd to 26th September, was cancelled in late June, despite reassurances from organisers that it too was going ahead as planned.
 
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MYS cancelled
 
Photo: Cannes Yachting Festival
 

AS Monaco draws in first game of season

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/08/2020

After five months off, AS Monaco returned to Stade Louis II in a hard-fought face off against Stade de Reims ending in a 2-2 draw.
The long anticipated 2020-21 Ligue 1 season has begun and AS Monaco, along with the rest of the league, were raring to go. The Red and Whites returned to the pitch against Reims, the team they battled against in the last game of the aborted 2019-20 season.
Starters for the match were the same as Coach Niko Kovac had in place in the friendly match against Alkmaar, where Monaco won 2-0, and they played in the same 4-3-3 line up.
Unfortunately, the game didn’t start out exactly as hoped. Within the first five minutes of play, Reims’ Boulaye Dia banged one in over the head of Benjamin Lecomte making it a quick 0-1 lead for the opposition.
It wasn’t until about 20 minutes in that the Red and Whites saw their first clear opportunity. Axel Disasi, in his first game with the team, made a clear shot that ultimately bounced off the hand of Thomas Foket, leading nowhere except to a bit of confusion over whether to play on or not. The referee instructed the players to carry on and Reims struck back only a minute later with El Bilal Touré recovering the ball and left-footing it right between the posts.
AS Monaco, clearly on the backfoot, leapt into action. Gelson Martins had three back-to-back attempts on goal in the 29th, 33rd and 37th minutes of the game. None were successful, but the team sprang into action and soon after, another attempt was made by Wissam Ben Yedder.
It was former Reims defender Axel Disani who finally converted for the Red and Whites bringing them to within one goal of their opponents. It was Benoît Badiashile who stepped up in the 55th minute to even up the score. With Monaco maintaining 80% possession of the ball in the second half, Reims barely had a chance to regain the lead, and alas, never did.
After the match, midfielder Youssouf Fofana spoke out about this tough first game of the season saying, “It should be remembered that Reims are not a European team by luck. We were very disappointed that we started the game badly, but after the cooling break we had a very good reaction. The coach has only arrived recently, understanding is being created and this is a good omen.”
Coach Kovac added: “I must admit that I was surprised and shocked because after two goals by the opponents, we were down 2-0. It really was not easy, but in the end I’m happy and proud because the reaction from my team has been very good. We showed that nothing is ever finished after 20 minutes, and we had character. We dominated the game by creating more clear chances, but we must not forget also the decisive save by Benjamin Lecomte. We are on the right track: tactically, technically, we will continue to progress.”
 
Photo by AS Monaco
 

Italian Covid cases on the rise

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/08/2020

Italy’s daily Covid count hit over 1,000 cases in a single day on Saturday, the first time since lockdown was eased back in May. However, authorities say another lockdown is not on the cards.

One of Europe’s worst-hit nations during the height of the epidemic, Italy, bounced back and became one of the first to reopen its borders and internal doors back in May after an incredibly strict lockdown period.

Fast forward to today. There was a steady increase in daily cases over the summer months, but not an alarming jump as was the case in other places in Europe, such as in France and Spain – until last weekend.

Saturday saw 1,071 new reported cases hit the books, causing the government to react with words of comfort to dispel fears of a repeat of last spring. Italian Health Minister, Roberto Speranza, spoke to reporters after a meeting held by European Health Ministers, stating that he does not foresee a new lockdown and assured the public that Italy’s health system is strong and has learned much since the last episode.

The number of available beds for patients has doubled in intensive care units throughout the country and they are prepared for local spikes, say authorities.

Italy’s situation is far less grave than those of Spain and France, who have seen their infection rates skyrocket over the past weeks, however the daily death toll remains low.

There have been over 35,000 Covid-related deaths in Italy, with the peak being back in March and April. The country decisively fought back with strict measures, but the summer months have brought tourists back, as well as young people gathering in night spots, which authorities believe have almost certainly caused the new rise in cases. As a result, the government shut down all nightclubs over a week ago and made masks mandatory between the hours of 6pm and 6am to try and stem the tide.
 
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Italy tightens mask rule

 
Photo: Pixabay
 
 

ASM – VBET deal

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/08/2020

AS Monaco have signed online bookmaker VBET as a partner in a two-year deal.
VBET is also Premier League Arsenal’s betting partner. It’s logo will now feature on AS Monaco’s shorts in a package deal that also includes digital rights and activation.
“We are very pleased to seal this partnership with VBET, a very dynamic and key player in its sector,” said ASM Vice President and General Manager Oleg Petrov. “AS Monaco and VBET are now linked by a common activity and passion, football, but also and above all by the same spirit of conquest, innovation and a strong will to impose themselves on very competitive markets.”
Operating in the French market since 2019, the Monaco deal is the first one in French football for the Armenia headquartered bookmaker and online casino operator.
“We are proud of this long-term partnership with AS Monaco, which is undoubtedly a major milestone in the history of VBET,” added Vigen Badalyan, founder and CEO of VBET. “Let’s move forward together, towards victory.”
No value was given for the deal.