The Prince’s government has agreed to reveal key screening details in its regular communication about Monaco’s coronavirus situation, including the incidence rate – an important factor in determining government action and which has just halved within a week.
At a recent meeting of the Joint Covid Monitoring Committee, Stéphane Valeri, president of the National Council, requested that the government share more details of its Covid strategy in its public communication to give the population a clearer understanding of the health situation in the Principality.
On Monday evening, the government said in its daily Covid count that it will make weekly updates every Monday on the screening strategy implemented in the Principality.
Therefore, it was revealed that, from the period between 8th and 14th February, there were 5,422 Covid-19 tests carried out in the Principality. Of those, 105 people returned a positive result, putting the positivity rate in Monaco at 5.68%.
The all-important incidence rate is also now being communicated weekly. This refers to the number of positive coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants over a 7-day period and reflects how quickly incidence is increasing or decreasing. It is important because it provides a more complete picture of the Covid situation in the Principality and is fundamental in determining the government’s course of action.
The incidence rate of the previous week was therefore 276.32, compared to 436.84 the previous week – a significant drop and a move in the right direction for the Principality.
Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communications Department
Local artist Marcos Marin talks to Monaco Life about his latest instalment of Princess Grace in the maternity ward of the CHPG and what it was like to watch Prince Albert unveil the portrait.
It was a special day for everyone on 9th February when ‘Grace Forever’ was officially unveiled at the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, particularly for its creator Marcos Marin, Benoîte de Sevelinges who requested the work, and Prince Albert, her son.
Just as she cared for the citizens of Monaco for 26 years, Princess Grace now looks upon those who come to bring new life to the Principality or pray in the hospital chapel.
But it is not the first portrait of Princess Grace that Brazilian artist Marcos Marin has lovingly created and, as he revealed to Monaco Life, it certainly will not be the last. Monaco Life: Where did the inspiration for this portrait of Princess Grace come from?
Marcos Marin: Finding inspiration to make a portrait of Princess Grace is relatively easy in the face of so much beauty, serenity and history of an icon. I was motivated to create it after the director of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre (GHPC), Benoîte de Sevelinges, said that she wanted to have a new, large portrait of the princess. I am also in the middle of a project called ‘Grace Forever’, which is a series of portraits, sculptures and Grace paintings. So, finding a prestigious location among a magnificent art collection, that of the CHPG, was a union of desire, opportunity and fulfilment. Can you tell us about the artistic process?
This portrait of Grace is a 230x200cm acrylic painting on canvas, which occupies a floor to ceiling space at the entrance of the maternity ward, embracing anyone who enters into a spiral of lines from the pupil of Grace’s eyes.
A study of the dimension of the hall and the movement of the spectator in the passage gave rise to the concept of the work. I chose a picture of Grace when she was a princess – serene, kind and engaging.
After deconstructing the picture into almost abstract lines, I did the physical hand execution of the work in my studio in Torri, Italy. The work was then assembled on stretcher wood and framed in Ventimiglia. There was already a robust wooden structure at a perfect angle at the hospital, and we used it to support the work, which finally became a mural. Can you tell us more about your ‘Grace Forever’ project?
In 2019, it would have been Grace’s 90th birthday, and it was Prince Albert’s wish to celebrate in memory of his mother. Luciana de Montigny, a friend of the Prince, encouraged the organisation of a series of events, and a large gala was celebrated at the Hôtel de Paris in Monte-Carlo on 2nd November 2019. I was invited to present a sculpture also entitled ‘Grace Forever’ that would be co-signed by Prince Albert. The work was auctioned for charity.
Another similar sculpture, but three-metres long, was presented in Paris at the Mostra GV Monumental. Other editions of ‘Grace Forever’ sculptures were also presented at the New York Princess Grace Foundation Gala in 2019.
With the pandemic, other ‘Grace Forever’ projects were interrupted, until finally in December we installed Grace’s large portrait at the Monaco hospital. It was officially inaugurated on 9th February when Prince Albert also co-signed the work.
Another similar painting, part of the ‘Grace Forever’ project, will be presented in Singapore at the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Gala in November 2021.
This huge and audacious project was carried out thanks to the great patron and art collector Riccardo de Caria, donor of the work to the hospital. Prince Albert co-signed the ‘Grace Forever’ portrait by Marcos Marin What was that moment like when Prince Albert officially unveiled the portrait of his mother in front of other key Monegasque personalities?
Despite the strict protocol surrounding Covid-19 and also out of respect, the atmosphere was smooth and serene, with a certain emotion that Grace’s face exudes. The strength of art spoke for itself.
For us, Grace is the princess, the Hollywood actress. But for Prince Albert, it is a portrait of his mother; he had another emotional perspective.
Also in attendance at the unveiling were Minister of Health and Social Affairs Didier Gamerdinger, Chairman of the Board of Directors at CHPG André Garino, Director of the Hospital Benoîte de Sevelinges, artist and President of the Brazil Monaco Project association Luciana de Montigny, and a representative of the patron, Riccardo de Caria. How do you feel about the portrait’s positioning in the maternity ward of the CHPG?
I am very happy that once again my work of art is a vehicle with which people can honour the memory of Princess Grace and her legacy to the Principality of Monaco, a country that has welcomed myself and my art. I know how much Princess Grace is respected by her people and how her beautiful story still enchants the world.
My portrait is situated next to incredible works of art by great masters, such as the huge Vasarely installed nearby in this wing of the hospital. Art plays a very important role in Monaco and this is vividly present in its history. I hope my Grace can embrace the hearts of the people who go there at the entrance to both the maternity ward and the chapel of the hospital as well. How many portraits of Grace Kelly have you painted so far?
I think I have already lost count, but at least 15 very important portraits have been made in these past 16 years of living in Monaco – works that found brilliant destinations, fulfilled charitable missions and are part of the history of Monaco. A Princess Grace sculpture by Brazilian artist Marcos Marin Can we expect more unveilings of your work soon?
I hope so. I am waiting for my schedule of events in Monaco, since we have reworked many plans due to the pandemic. At the beginning of March, I am due to inaugurate an imposing public monument in Ventimiglia at Cala del Forte, where an extension of the port of Monaco is located. And I am preparing some portraits of personalities for the Monte-Carlo Television Festival scheduled for June and the Cannes Film Festival in July.
The average temperature over the past decade in Monaco was more than 1°C hotter than the norm. It was also a decade that saw extreme heat waves and months without a single drop of rain.
The latest report by Monaco’s statistics group IMSEE reveals that temperatures in the decade from 2011 to 2020 in the Principality had a marked increase, with three of the four hottest years on record taking place in 2020, 2019, 2018. The average temperature last year was 17.8°C, while the average temperature for the decade was +1.33°C compared to the climactic normal.
Data shows that 2020 was a particularly hot year, with greater than normal temperatures most of the year, except for the months of October and December. The summer was punctuated by episodes of extreme heat, with a record high of 33.3°C recorded on 9th August at the weather station in the Jardin Exotique.
An abundance of sunshine contributed to the mild winters enjoyed in Monaco, with over seven hours of sun on average per day. The number of hours of sunshine was more or less the same in 2020 as it was in 2019, but the monthly distribution was skewed – there were 87 fewer hours of sunshine in March, but there were 52 more hours of sun in April and 37 more in May.
According to IMSEE, since the early 1970’s, every decade has shown an increase in temperatures over the previous one. The decade ending in 2020 is no exception. There was not a single negative temperature recorded in 2019 or 2020, with the low being a relatively balmy 6.6°C.
Rainfall totals show that five years in the decade had abundant rain, including 2014 which was a year of record rainfall. Despite this, the cumulative rain totals for the decade are below normal. Monaco’s norm is 735.4mm of precipitation on 63 days per year. 2020 saw 715mm, so was only slightly below the average. The spring and the month of December were the wettest with higher than usual accumulation. By contrast, February, July and August were almost without rain at all.
The number of major storms also are also notable, with examples such as Storm Alex in October followed by another massive storm in November which caused widespread flooding and fatalities, becoming more common than in the past. Storm Alex produced an incredible 100mm of rain in Monaco, making it one to remember for many.
A Winston Churchill manuscript, family photos of Tsar Alexander II, and a bespoke snow globe by Tiffany are among the lots to be auctioned at the end of February by Hermitage Fine Art, which is this year going largely digital.
For its first auction of 2021, Hermitage Fine Art is offering a range of bidding options in light of the Covid pandemic.
The first day of auction on 25th February will feature Russian art and historical pieces, whilst the 26th is all about fine art, design objects, jewellery and manuscripts.
Bidding can be done from the security of home either by telephone or online through one of six portals being used in partnership with the auction house.
The Russian catalogue being auctioned on 25th February will start with two paintings by impressionist Konstantin Korovin and will be followed by highlights from Russian masters such as Vladimir Orlovsky, Philipp Malyavin and Ilya Mashkov.
In addition, other Russian portrait art pieces will go under the gavel, including a two-metre long painting of the Russian Imperial Navy, as well as portraits of Tsar Alexander I, Prince Grigory Grigoryevich and Empress Maria Feodorovna. Some beautiful furniture and decorative pieces are also being sold and include a magnificent mahogany and bronze table and a collection of silver including a signed piece by Fabergé.
Book collections of classic works on topics as diverse as psychology, medicine, history, arts and sciences will also be available for lovers of all things Russian, as well as photographs from various eras. Bidders can choose between family photos of Tsar Alexander II, avant-garde shots by Rodchenko and Klutsis or postcards from Solomko.
On 26th, there will be fine art collections from the XVII to XX centuries including a large coastal view by Jean-Baptiste Olive entitled View on the Port of Dieppe. For those with more modern tastes, Rene Gruau’s Diorissimo presenting a new perfume by designer Dior is also up for grabs.
European silver collections, vases, lamps, Lalique glass pieces, a signed Cartier clock and a bespoke snow globe by Tiffany are the highlights of the decorative objects section of the auction.
The fine jewellery going under the gavel will make any jewel lover’s mouth water. A pair of diamond and Burmese sapphire earrings, Swiss-certified ruby and diamond rings, Van Cleef and Arpels signed gold earrings, and a diamond and leopard brooch signed by Fred are a few examples of the selection going up for sale. For the gents, cufflinks made of diamond and platinum or gold and lapis lazuli will be auctioned off.
Finally, collectors of manuscripts will be treated to a remarkable choice of lots signed by known political and historical personages, as well as from famous composers, writers and actors. Some of the biggest names include Mohammad Ali, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Winston Churchill, Carl Jung, the Marquis de Sade and Charles Darwin. This section also features a pair of iconic two-dollar bills signed by Andy Warhol. An eclectic mix, to be sure, but something for everyone’s tastes.
The Scientific Centre of Monaco is exploring a new type of Covid screening as an alternative to the widely-used nasal tests, forming part of a larger study of this world-first alternative.
The Scientific Centre of Monaco (CSM) and the Department of Health Action (DASA) are working together on the new Covid cellular test as an alternative to the current PCR test widely in use.
“The tests are being evaluated as samples at the cell level and they must absolutely validate the quality of the samples and not get lost in sensitivity,” explained Professor Patrick Rampal on the government channelMonaco Info.“There is now the possibility of a cellular test using saliva.”
A first-of-its-kind study is being undertaken to try out the new tests that could include swabs from the gums or saliva, using a rather large pool of participants to gauge the promising alternative.
Thomas Althus, an epidemiological doctor at DASA-CSM says, “The name of the study is called Cordage and this allows you to compare different oral techniques and the method of reference. The reference is the nasopharyngeal PCR study which began a few days ago and for the moment we support the participation majority. It is a first of its kind study with 1,500 participants which allows extremely robust conclusions.”
The first results of the study will be published in about two months.
The Principality already offers a range of Covid testing options, the most popular being the PCR blood test, the PCR nasal swab, and the antigen nasal swab.
Photo by Stephane Danna / Government Communication Department
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