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Day: 22 February 2021

Securing the Jardin Exotique for centuries to come

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/02/2021

The Jardin Exotique will remain closed to the public until 2022 as the council battles unexpected hurdles renovating one of Monaco’s national landmarks.
After the end of the first lockdown in May of 2020, the Jardin Exotique started undergoing long-overdue restoration projects that were expected to last only a few months.
When the actual work began, François Lallemand, the Deputy Mayor, and Benjamin Marchal, Head of Municipal Technical Services, realised the task was much more complex than initially thought, as the site itself has topographical constraints, making transportation of machinery and materials particularly difficult. Add to that the lack of documentation from when the site was first created between 1913 and 1933, and the revamp has proven to be a far larger job than anticipated.
In order to create a safer locale, demolition of artificial rock structures on or near the public path needed to come down. This work began last summer and continues throughout several sectors of the garden. The most dangerous man-made structures on the Cap d’Ail side have now been secured, with the Menton side receiving attention all this year. Once the sites are deemed safe, reconstruction efforts will start by rebuilding new rock formations.
Footbridges are also receiving an overhaul. By the end of March, four will have been replaced. The majority of this work is done at night, making the job that much more complicated as it is necessary to block traffic on Boulevard du Jardin Exotique in order to complete the works.
In the end, a total of nine footbridges will be replaced. When complete, the bridges will have the same look as when they were first designed, ensuring the integrity of the site as it was first imagined over a century ago.
The cost of the works will come in at €1.16 million, a sum that was voted on unanimously by the Municipal Council. Securing the artificial rock structures will cost €600,000 and another €500,000 was earmarked for the reparation of the four bridges. Another €100,000 has been used for land studies, surveys and tests. The final phase of the works will be taken over by the government.
In addition to construction workers, the site has their usual staff of gardeners who are on hand to maintain the precious plants, as well as to temporarily move them when required.
As there are thousands of species harboured at the Jardin Exotique, some centuries old, one of the primary concerns is the protection of as many plants as possible. To this end, modernisation projects including refurbishment of rainwater drainage paths, updating irrigation systems and installing new lighting networks are part of the overall project, in the hope that in 2022, the public will be able to enjoy a new look whilst preserving the best elements of the past.
 
 

Partial lockdown ordered for French Riviera

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/02/2021

The Alpes-Maritimes will be placed in to lockdown for the next two weekends as authorities try to counteract a circulation of Covid-19 in the department that is said to be “out of control”.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Prefect of the Alpes-Maritimes, Bernard Gonzalez, and follows a visit to Nice by France’s Health Minister Olivier Veran On Saturday.
Mr Gonzalez revealed that the incidence rate in the Alpes-Maritimes is now 588 per 100,000 inhabitants, three times higher than the national average.
The situation in Nice is even worse, with the incidence rate reaching as high 735.
In an effort to slow down the contamination rate, linked to the more contagious UK variant, a number of tighter restrictions are coming in to play.
Weekend lockdown
For the next two weekends starting 26th February, a lockdown will kick in at 6pm Friday and remain in place until 6am Monday. Similar to the first lockdown in March 2020, trips to buy groceries, walk the dog or get some exercise will be possible but documentation will be needed and activity is limited to a five-kilometre radius with a one-hour deadline.
The restriction will apply to municipalities stretching from Menton to Théoule-sur-Mer, and take in Nice, Antibes and Cannes.
“The coastal strip of the department is particularly concerned because it concentrates a significant mixing of the population every day,” said Bernard Gonzalez, adding that the aim is “to preserve as much as possible the populations of the valleys, already hard hit by Storm Alex” in October. Around 90% of the department’s population is therefore affected by the measure.
Business closures
The prefect also announced that businesses and retail stores over 5,000 m² will be closed in the Alpes-Maritimes from Tuesday 23rd February for a period of 15 days, with the exception of food stores and pharmacies.
Border checks and random tests
Controls at the Nice Côte d’Azur airport and at the Italian border will be stepped up, said the prefect. “For foreign travelers who will arrive at the airports of the department, there will be PCR tests which can be performed on entire flights chosen at random.”
Vaccination boost
The Alpes-Maritimes is receiving 4,000 more doses of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine on Monday, adding to the 90,000 doses earmarked for the department and set to be delivered by the end of March. The next stage of the inoculation programme is also kicking into gear, with people aged 50 to 64 and suffering co-morbidities invited to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.
GPs in France will be able to administer Covid vaccinations from this Thursday, although doses are said to be extremely limited.
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 

Will you accept the challenge?

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/02/2021

British world-record holding long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe is challenging the students of Monaco and their families to practice a minimum of 15 minutes physical activity per day for the Two-15 Challenge.
Paula Radcliffe devoted her life to sport, being a three time winner of the London Marathon, a three time winner of the New York Marathon, and a one time winner of the Chicago Marathon over her long-distance running career.
Now she is challenging young people and their families in Monaco to follow her lead and get active over the school holidays with the Two-15 Challenge.
The programme, a coordinated effort between Radcliffe, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the Department of National Education, Youth and Sport (DENJS), is a two-week event aimed at getting kids and their loved ones moving.
She had been hosting these events all over Britain when she caught the eye of Princess Charlene, a world-class athlete in her own right. On her Instagram page, Radcliffe shared her delight in having crossed borders to have Monaco interested in being included in her endeavour.
“We are excited to announce that you all did such an amazing job with the Two-15 Challenge that you have inspired others,” she said. “Families on Track are travelling virtually to Monaco to support school children and their families in association with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation for their own Two-15 Challenge.”
The name Two-15 is a nod to Radcliffe’s world record marathon time of two hours, 15 minutes and 25 seconds, which went unbroken for 16 years.
The idea is to encourage students and families to engage in a minimum of 15 minutes of physical activity together every day of the two-week winter half term break. The goal is to offer families “the opportunity to engage in fun activities in complete safety.”
 
 

Date set for CC Forum Monaco 2021

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/02/2021

Five questions for Max Studennikoff, founder of CC Forum (Climate Change Forum), a global investment conference dedicated to sustainability that is set to take place for the second time in Monaco this July.
 
Monaco Life: You held the first ever CC Forum in Monaco last September, how did that go?
Max Studennikoff: We believe that we managed to get all the key messages across. Dedicated to investment in sustainable development, CC Forum Monaco enjoyed the high patronage of HSH Prince Albert II who bestowed his gracious presence to the awards gala and awards giving ceremony, which also saw a performance by Maestro Placido Domingo. The forum highlighted the need to see the pandemic as a reminder, an urge for us all to rethink our relationship with nature and change the ways in which we think in terms of investment and innovation. “Invest sustainably, innovate responsibly” is one of our mottos.
How much of this year’s CC Forum Monaco will be virtual/in-person? 
We are hoping that much of the event this year will be in-person since the world is slowly but surely returning to normal. Live communication is very much needed today, particularly when it comes to high profile investors’ meetings, which the CC Forum is all about. People are tired of zooms and webinars.
What can you tell us about the 2021 event?
This year’s CC Forum Monaco will be held on 6th to 7th July, during the start of the Cannes Film Festival, which this year has been pushed to mid-summer. One of the reasons why we will be holding the Monegasque edition in this particular time frame is that a number of Hollywood celebrities who have been scheduled to attend Cannes will be making a few global announcements at the CC Forum, showcasing or launching their sustainability and charity initiatives. We will share details with Monaco Life readers in due course.
Topics will centre around investment in sustainability and cover traditionally climate change, renewable energies, healthcare, education, finance, fintech and philanthropy. However, we have already begun work on shaping the agenda. One of the days will be dedicated to discussing the opportunities of investment in preserving the Mediterranean and we will be convening the mayors of the biggest Mediterranean cities to take part.
Ahead of the Monegasque edition will be CC Forum Middle East. Can you tell us about that event?
CC Forum Middle East has been our top priority for the last few months. Our inaugural edition will be held in Dubai on 31st March to 1st April. It has two main themes both reflecting two big resets – the revolutionary transition of the GCC area from fossil fuel-based economies to green energies, and ushering in a new economic paradigm following the signing of the Abraham Accords. One of the days of the forum will be dedicated to the new economic relations between Israel and the UAE. We are pleased to say that we have some of the biggest players on board – major investment funds, VC capital firms and angel investors. CC Forum Middle East will have a stellar line-up, an in-depth agenda and a host of networking opportunities.
 
Photo: Max Studennikoff (centre) at the CC Forum Monaco 2020 with Prince Albert II of Monaco
 
 

Monaco’s undefeated streak continues

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/02/2021

AS Monaco soundly beat last year’s reigning champs and one of their biggest rivals, Paris Saint-Germain, two to nil in an away game at Parc des Princes on Sunday. 
The Red and Whites faced off against powerhouse team Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday in a much-anticipated game that has solidified Monaco’s status as one of this season’s teams to beat.
Coach Niko Kovac put all the biggest guns on the field, with a line-up that included Wissam Ben Yedder, Kevin Volland, Sofiane Diop, Axel Disani and Ruben Aguilar.
The match couldn’t have started off much better for Monaco with Diop scoring the opening goal at only six minutes in. He planted a magnificent header right between the posts, scoring his sixth goal this year and surprising PSG, who had not conceded a goal this early in the game once this season.
This was the only goal scored in the entire first half, with only a few close calls for both sides. One was a free header made by Disani, handily blocked by Paris goalkeeper Keylor Navas, and another by PSG striker Idrissa Gueye, which was a close-but-no-cigar shot handled brilliantly by Benjamin Lecomte.
After halftime, both sides kept things under control for the first few minutes, but at the 53 minute mark, Guillermo Maripán picked up a loose ball and knocked it into the bottom corner of the net, putting Monaco in a comfortable two to nothing lead.
Paris has not seen a two point deficit since 15th February 2020, so needless to say they were a bit rattled. Couple this was a strong showing by the Red and White’s defence and it was Monaco’s match for the taking.
The win leaves Monaco in the enviable position of remaining undefeated in 2021. Though they are still in fourth place in the standings, they are solidly there, being 12 points ahead of the fifth place team, Lens. This match also dropped PSG to third, putting them only two points and spitting distance ahead of ASM, with league-topping Lille only four points ahead.
“It’s very tight and interesting for everyone,” said Coach Kovac. “I hope it will continue like this until the end of the season, it’s exciting. It is in the interest of Ligue 1, because there is not only one team that is dominating the league.”
 
Monaco Life with AS Monaco press release, photo by AS Monaco