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Day: 2 September 2020

Government lays out plans ahead of school reopenings

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/09/2020

Students in CP and above, as well as teachers, will be required to wear masks when Monaco schools resume next week. The government may also decide to close schools again if the Principality is declared a “red zone”.
During the traditional pre-school press conference held on Tuesday 1st September, Isabelle Bonnal, Director of National Education, Youth and Sports, noted that 5,774 students will be heading back to the classroom within the week, on Monday 7th September.
As part of return to school health measures, students aged from six years – or in CP – and teachers will be required to wear masks. Hydroalcoholic gel will be made available in all institutions and barrier practices such hand washing and social distancing will be encouraged. Masks will be distributed if necessary.
Meanwhile, the education minister outlined three scenarios according to the evolution of the coronavirus in the Principality.
Firstly, in the event of moderate circulation of the virus, which is currently the case, Isabelle Bonnal said that “the functioning of schools will be normal, with the application of regulatory health measures”.
Secondly, in the event that someone tests positive for Covid-19, student or staff member, the entire class will have to self-quarantine for 14 days and students will continue classes remotely.
Finally, if circulation of the virus becomes very active, categorising Monaco as a “red zone”, the Prince’s government may make the tough decision to close schools once again. Students will then follow distance education, as was the case during confinement.
The minister noted that digital technology has proven to be an effective solution for distance education and highlighted the fact that the Princely Government has launched the E-education project, as part of the Extended Monaco program, to “prepare students to evolve in a world where digital is the norm, a world where information is more and more accessible and where digital tools are mastered.”
Around 500 laptops have already been distributed to teachers to enable them to “develop digital practices in the classroom in secure conditions”. Additional computers will also be distributed to students in the Principality.
Ms Bonnal said that there will be no Covid-19 screening tests carried out within the schools themselves and insisted that respecting barrier measures and wearing a mask “is sufficient enough to avoid any contamination, given that the establishments are disinfected three to four times a day”.
 
Photo © Michael Alesi – Direction de la communication
 
 
 

New Minister of State assumes responsibilities

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/09/2020

Prince Albert has outlined his expectations for the new Minister of State, Pierre Dartout, who was officially sworn in this week and chaired his first Council of Government on Wednesday.
The swearing in ceremony for the new Minister of State took place on 1st September at the Palace with the Sovereign Prince and all members of the Prince’s government and cabinet in attendance, as well as members of the Honorary Service of the Palace of Monaco.
After the ceremony, the Prince and his minister spent some private time together outlining the minister’s duties and prioritising the plans of action for the future per the advice of the Prince.
In a written address made public, the Prince stated that he would like Mr Dartout to focus on three main objectives whilst in office: sustainable development, security, and the “implementation of a recovery policy which takes into account the international situation”.
The letter goes on to cover each of the three points in great detail, giving the new minister a precise roadmap for the Principality and the years ahead. The Prince signs off with a vote of confidence, saying: “I know I can count on My Government, under your wise leadership, to stay the course.”

National Council President Stéphane Valeri with Minister of State Pierre Dartout, courtesy National Council of Monaco

On Wednesday, Mr Dartout met with Stéphane Valeri, President of the National Council of Monaco, as well as the Presidents of the Commissions. He also chaired his first Council of Government.
Pierre Dartout was formerly the Prefect of the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region and took over the role of Minister of State from Serge Telle.
 
© Photos : Gaetan Luci / Palais Princier, Direction de la Communication / Michael Alesi

Grace Kelly as you've never seen her before

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/09/2020

Never before seen footage of Grace Kelly from the Grimaldi family archives will feature in a new documentary film airing on Friday night, promising audiences an intimate glimpse into the life of the Hollywood star who became a princess.
From the Palace of Monaco in the presence of Prince Albert II, Stéphane Bern will present an exceptional evening dedicated to Grace Kelly with a new film directed by Serge de Sampigny. Featuring on French television station France 3, Elle s’appelait Grace Kelly (Her name was Grace Kelly) tells the story of the life of the style and cinema icon through photos and private videos.
The film is a treasure trove of family videos that Prince Albert agreed to share for the first time ever, family archives that show Grace Kelly as never before, providing an intimate reverse shot of the international star, the woman behind the icon: a free, flirtatious, facetious, unpredictable and, above all, very human woman.
The first private videos were shot by her father in 1932 and take us back to her childhood, when she was only three years old. We see her evolve over the years, until she is 18 years of age: a discreet little girl, different, who is not interested in sport and prefers to tell stories, alone in her room.
The amateur videos pick up again in 1952. Having become an actress, she films in Kenya with Ava Gardner and Clark Gable. With her own camera, she captures the camp, the actors, the lions …
While her marriage to Prince Rainier is one of the biggest media events of 1956, this documentary shows unseen photos of her honeymoon. In getting married and giving up a life of acting, Grace Kelly makes up for it by filming characters herself, those around her. As Alfred Hitchcock had shown her, she likes to be behind the camera, and she never stops filming herself with her husband Rainier, her children Albert, Caroline and Stéphanie, and her Hollywood friends, to keep the memory of her best years alive.
Prince Albert provides the commentary for this never-before-seen footage, along with Grace Kelly’s American friends and family, who have rarely spoken on the subject until now.
At the end of the documentary, Stéphane Bern speaks with Prince Albert inside the Palace, where he reveals personal memories of his mother.
 
 
 
 

Donations now sought for water bike challenge

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/09/2020

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has launched a charity donation drive for the upcoming Calvi to Monaco Water Bike Challenge, with proceeds going towards water safety.
The Calvi to Monaco Water Bike Challenge, a highly-anticipated and publicised event being held on the 13thand 14th of September by the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, has officially opened its donation drive.
An online fundraising page is now active with proceeds going towards water safety awareness and anti-drowning programmes sponsored by the foundation worldwide. Last year alone, the foundation reached 60,000 people, teaching them to swim or showing them water safety techniques, saving countless lives.
The Calvi to Monaco Water Bike Challenge is a 24-hour marathon event where two teams will compete to make the journey from the Corsican port city of Calvi to the port of Monaco in the least amount of time. The Princess heads up her own team, Serenity, and her brother, Gareth Wittstock, is captain of the opposing team, Notorious.
The Serenity team consists of Princess Charlene, French swimmer and Foundation Ambassador Yannick Angel, and Australian cyclist David Tanner. Notorious will have Gareth Wittstock, General Secretary of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, Mathew Bennett, the Guinness World Record holder for rowing across the Atlantic with the fastest time, and former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) featherweight and lightweight champion Conor McGregor.
To donate, visit the website at https://fpcm.mc/thecrossing
 
 

ASM to play friendly against Nice

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/09/2020

This Friday, AS Monaco will play a friendly “behind closed doors” match against cross-town rivals OCG Nice.

During the international break, the Red and Whites will keep their skills honed for a friendly game against OCG Nice on Friday at 6pm at the Allianz Riviera stadium. The game will not be televised on the platforms of either club, so the outcome will be a surprise until the end.

This break will see seven Monaco players join their national teams to play in the Nation’s League, whilst others will remain to continue training and to play in friendlies such as the Friday match-up.

Those selected to play for national teams are Wissam Ben Yedder for France A, Benoît Badiashile for France Espoirs, Willem Geubbels for France U20, Stevan Jovetic for Montenegro, Radoslaw Majecki for Poland U21, Strahinja Pavlovic for Serbia, and Arthur Zagré for France U20.

The remaining players can be found at the training centre in La Turbie where they will be practicing not only for the game against Nice, but also their match on Sunday, 13th September against FC Nantes at home at Stade Louis II.