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Day: 13 January 2021

Civil status figures give snapshot of 2020

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/01/2021

Victoria climbed the ranks to become the most popular name for girls in Monaco last year, while Léo maintained top spot for boys. Figures for 2020 also show there were slightly more deaths recorded in a year marked by Covid-19.
The Mairie de Monaco released the annual Civil Status figures for 2020 on Wednesday, providing an interesting snapshot of society. The numbers refer to both residents and non-residents.
It revealed that there were less births, marriages and divorces in Monaco last year, however there were more deaths.
In total, 911 babies were born in the Principality, all in the maternity ward of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre. Just over half, 461, were born into a married couple.
Only 239 families who had a child in Monaco were residents of the Principality, while 672 lived in neighbouring towns, particularly Menton, Beausoleil and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin.
The name Victoria advanced from fourth position in 2019 to take out the most popular name for girls last year, followed by Alice, Mia, Chloé and Théa.
For the boys, Léo was again top pick for parents, followed by the names Gabriel, Ethan, Andrea and Théo.
The Principality recorded 535 deaths last year, compared to 524 the previous year. Three of those were Covid-19 related. The majority were males (295) and 83% occurred in hospital. Among the deceased, 274 were residents of Monaco and 261 lived in a neighboring municipality.
Meanwhile, the Principality witnessed 174 marriages, 28 less than in 2019. Only four marriages united two people of Monegasque nationality; 44 Monegasque men married a woman of foreign nationality; 30 Monegasque women chose to marry a foreign husband; and 96 united two persons of foreign nationality.
The number of divorces decreased slightly with 63 separations recorded in 2020 against 70 in 2019, all nationalities combined.
 
Photo source: Pixabay
 
 

Crucial funding continues for Monaco's main cultural centre

by: Cassandra Tanti
13/01/2021

The Grimaldi Forum’s largest sponsor, CMB, has renewed its partnership for 2021, securing Monaco’s world-class cultural programme for the year including the exciting Alberto Giacometti summer exhibition.
The partnership was signed in front of the press on Wednesday by CMB Monaco Chairman Etienne Franzi, CMB CEO Francesco Grosoli, Grimaldi Forum Chairman Henri Fissore and Grimaldi Forum General Manager Sylvie Biancheri.
It marked the continuation of a 16-year union between the two Monegasque companies, and was particularly significant for Sylvie Biancheri, who told Monaco Life: “Following the difficult times of 2020, the fact that the CMB accepted to renew their partnership at the same level as 2019 is very important to us.”

Photo: CMB Monaco Chairman Etienne Franzi, CMB CEO Francesco Grosoli, Grimaldi Forum Chairman Henri Fissore and Grimaldi Forum General Manager Sylvie Biancheri, by Monaco Life.

The funding allows the Grimaldi Forum to push ahead with its major concerts, congresses and exhibitions for the year, particularly the incredibly popular summer exhibition which this year takes the theme: Alberto Giacometti, A Restrospective, Marvelous Reality.
“We have been planning the Giacometti exhibition for three years, and it would have been disastrous to not have the support of CMB because of what happened in 2020. It is an enormous relief,” said Ms Biancheri.

For Etienne Franzi, the sponsorship symbolises CMB’s confidence in the dynamic company and the private bank’s commitment to contributing to the cultural influence of the Principality.
“It is important for the CMB to keep its strong partnership with the Grimaldi Forum because it is the heart of culture in the Principality,” Mr Franzi told Monaco Life. “Putting our name close to the Grimaldi Forum is even more crucial today because culture is one of the sectors suffering most, and it is important that we are here to support and work hand in hand with the forum in the weeks and months ahead.”
The Grimaldi Forum is proving very resilient in light of the event cancellations that took place in 2020 and the postponements that continue to unfold this year. Sylvie Biancheri has a very positive outlook for 2021 because, she says, the team has learnt to adapt.
“We have been working as though 2021 is completely normal in terms of programming,” she said. “We will be delivering the best. However, to minimise risk, we are organising more events from France.”
Meanwhile, disruptive works related to the neighbouring land extension which were due to take place in autumn have been brought forward to the start of the year, capitalising on a slow first quarter.
 
Photo of the Grimaldi Forum by Cassandra Tanti for Monaco Life, all rights reserved
 

Through the lens: Monaco’s biodiversity

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/01/2021

An exhibition by photographer JC Vinaj is putting on display the riches of Monaco through its flora and fauna in Principality of Monaco – Biodiversity under high surveillance.

JC Vinaj has captured the natural beauty of Monaco on film and is now sharing his works with the public. In a joint venture between the artist and the Department of the Environment, Vinaj’s photos will be on display at the Galerie du Pêcheur until 23rd February.

In his exhibition, entitled Principality of Monaco – Biodiversity under high surveillance, the artist celebrates Monaco’s many species of animal and plant life in their natural environment.

The photos will also be released as a book this year so those unable to attend the exhibit can still enjoy the beauty of Monaco in pictures. The book includes a preface by Prince Albert II who reminds us, “Biodiversity is essential for the natural development of all ecosystems.”

He goes on to say, “For several years, the Principality has focused on deepening knowledge of its land and sea biodiversity. It is essential to understand the mechanisms governing ecosystems to elaborate on conservation strategies and adopt safeguards in a Monegasque context.”

 
Photo by JC Vinaj
 
 

Incidence rate in PACA exceeds “maximum threshold”

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/01/2021

Five out of six departments in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region have gone beyond acceptable government-set levels of new Covid cases, according to assessments from the week of 4th to 10th January.

Blame it on the holidays. That’s the word from the authorities in neighbouring Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA) region if France when faced with an alarming new spike in coronavirus cases.

Epidemiological reports from PACA’s regional health agency on Tuesday revealed that for the week of 4th to 10th January, five out of the six departments passed the alert threshold for new Covid infections. In real numbers, this means that the incidence rate has exceeded 250 positive test results per 100,000 residents.

Authorities are concerned there will be a large rebound in cases due to the loosening of measures that came about during the holiday period. The fears are backed by hard fact, as Public Health France, the governmental agency that reports to the Ministry of Health, confirmed a sharp increase in cases since the start of the year.

This rise coincides with the incubation period for the virus, which sits at anywhere between five and 14 days. This kind of spike has not been seen in the region since mid-October, six weeks after the resumption of school.

The Alpes-Maritimes, Monaco’s nearest neighbour, is amongst those that have seen a significant rise in cases. Only the Alpes-Haute-de-Provence has escaped the surge so far.

The high number of new cases in France coincides with a similar situation in the Principality. Tuesday saw 25 new cases, bringing the total to 1,092 people infected in Monaco. A seventh death, that of a 75-year-old victim, was also reported by Princess Grace Hospital on Tuesday morning.

 

 

Six Nations postponement looms large

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/01/2021

Talks will be held next week to decide the fate of this year’s Six Nations rugby tournament as France raises concerns about the potential spread of the new UK variant of the Covid virus.
The French government announced on Saturday a recommendation to postpone upcoming European Cup rugby matches with British teams due to the new Covid strain circulating the country, putting Six Nations in jeopardy of postponement as well.
Discussions will be held next week to decide definitively, but the possibility casts doubts over whether the final two rounds of pool matches, scheduled to begin next weekend, will go ahead.
The French Sport Ministry called the meeting to discuss the annual international tournament featuring teams from France, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy that was set to start on 6th February.
“This new variant of SARS-CoV-2 has increased transmissibility compared to those currently circulating in France, which then increases the risk of contamination,” a statement obtained from AFP said. “It’s why all travel or holiday to Britain is strongly ill-advised. The French government is leaning, on a short-term basis, towards the adoption of measures that restrict or even bar French clubs from participating in games against teams from the United Kingdom.”
The fears are not entirely unfounded. Six fixtures in both the Champions and Challenge Cups were cancelled earlier this season due to Covid infections amongst team members. In December, Bayonne and Pau recorded cases of the new variant in the ranks after playing games in the UK.
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) last week agreed to take another look at health protocols for international events, which some Top 14 clubs believed to be not strong enough.
Rugby isn’t the only sport having a closer look at their schedules. Formula One has announced the postponement of the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix races, scheduled for 21st March and 11th April respectively, due to travel restrictions to those countries.
A legendary ski race, the Wengen Descent, was cancelled as the Swiss ski resort that hosts it has seen a rise in Covid cases. The race has been moved to Kitzbühel, Austria.
North American sports are also facing Covid-related issues. Both the National Basketball League (NBA) and the National Hockey League (NHL) have reduced schedules or are being forced to reschedule matches.
The Australian Open tennis tournament organisers are making heroic efforts to move forward. The event has been postponed for three weeks, players must isolate in a Melbourne hotel for two weeks and special charter flights just for players were secured to attempt to make the event as safe as possible. Still, no one knows for sure if this will be enough.
Finally, and closer to home, English Premier League football and FA Cup matches are being held off, whilst the Champions and Europa Leagues are not set to resume until mid-February.
 
Photo source: Shutterstock