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Day: 18 May 2021

New season, new look

by: Cassandra Tanti
18/05/2021

The Prince’s Carabiniers guarding the Palace have adopted a new look for the summer season. But do you know the story behind this long held tradition?
On Monday during the Changing of the Guard, which takes place every day at 11:55am sharp, the Compagnie des Carabiniers de SAS le Prince changed their uniforms from warm, dark winter blues to a lighter, white uniform, better suited to the summer season.
The change of outfits according to the seasons was established during the creation of the Compagnie des Gardes (1870 – 1904). The Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince, which succeeded the “Papalins”, took up this tradition in 1904.
The Superior Commander of the Public Force then proposes a date to the Sovereign Prince, who puts it into action.
For the change to winter uniform, the day chosen is traditionally a Monday in the month of October, depending on weather conditions.
The same principle applies to the switch to summer outfits, which lands on the Monday before the Grand Prix.
Since their creation on 8th December 1817, the Prince’s Carabinieri have been tasked with ensuring the Guard of the Palace, the safety of the Sovereign Prince and the Princely Family, the integrity of his properties or residences and of their immediate surroundings, to provide him with honorary services, to ensure the execution of the laws and to participate in the maintenance of public order.
La Relève is a solemn, military ritual where coordination is essential. The motto of the Carabinieri Corps is “Honor, Fidelity, Dedication”. Currently, it consists of 124 soldiers.
 
 
Photos by G. Luci / Prince’s Palace
 
 
 

Show jumping event returns in July

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2021

The Monte-Carlo International Jumping competition will take place this year in early July at Port Hercule, the Equestrian Federation of Monaco has announced. 

After being forced to cancel the 2020 edition, which marked the competition’s 15th year, Monte-Carlo International Jumping is returning to Monaco from 1st to 3rd July.

The event is a major international competition and is part of the Longines Global Champion Tour, which covers a circuit spanning several continents and brings together the biggest names in the show jumping world.

Since its inception in 2006, the Monaco course is notoriously challenging, as it has restricted space – so it is narrow, short and obstacle-filled with many sharp turns. Only truly experienced horses and riders dare compete, making it an exciting show, even for those who are not enthusiasts of the sport.

It is also known for its glamorous location, a waterfront venue on the Port in Monaco under Le Rocher.

Monte-Carlo International Jumping is part show, part race and part jumping competition. The riders compete in no less than 15 events and the show culminates in the awarding of the Prince of Monaco’s Grand Prize.

Amateur riders compete during the day and the pros have their turn in the evenings.

The competition is the third most important sporting event the Principality holds each year, after the Grand Prix and the Rolex Masters Tennis Tournament.

Tickets are not yet available, but those interested can visit their official site at www.jumping-monaco.com and ask to be informed when they do. 

 
 

 

What the next 20 years with Monaco Telecom looks like

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2021

The government of Monaco and Monaco Telecom have renewed their public telecommunications concession for 20 more years in a show of trust that the company will continue to deliver top-notch service to the residents of the Principality.

The new deal will give “closer coordination” between the entities through a plan that sees them revisit developments in technologies and services every three years.

In practice, this will come about through the creation of a strategic committee that will include members of the government, the National Council and Monaco Telecom. They will meet once a year minimum, more if it is requested by any party involved, and will ensure the telecom company is offering the most competitive pricing and the best service possible.

“This new 20-year concession is the mark of renewed confidence on the part of the Prince’s Government and the National Council and rewards major investments in innovation, infrastructure, offers and services of recent years for the benefit of our residents and our businesses,” said Etienne Franzi, President of Monaco Telecom. “This is both a source of pride and a great responsibility. The international development of Monaco Telecom strengthens the innovation capacities of the company and the influence of the Principality. It will be actively pursued following this agreement.”

Monaco Telecom will be providing new and extended services from now until 2023, including the deployment of a fibre network covering the entire country. Currently, two-thirds of Monaco has this service, and in 2022 all homes and businesses will be able to benefit from better service.

As part of the fibre package, Monaco Telecom will be offering a new television system developed with Apple and will also be able to provide companies with an integrated communication suite through the Box. The improved service will also help in home connectivity for those who will continue to work from home.

Additionally, the company will strive to generalise 5G coverage inside buildings, offer a mobile telephone service for those with limited coverage through a “voice-over WiFi” system and continue to expand the public WiFi network, which already has 72 hot spots in use, making it a free service.  

Monaco enjoys one of the more advanced telecom infrastructures in the world. It was the first to be fully covered by 5G, even in tough to access areas such as underground car parks, as well as giving more than 90% of fixed line clients 1GB of connectivity, going up to 10 GB for those with fibre.

The new agreement also makes Monaco Telecom an active partner of the Extended Monaco scheme and will use the greenest possible methods for delivering services, including using green electricity for data centres, finding new ways to optimise consumption, rolling out a 100% electric vehicle fleet, and developing a recycling programme for all its equipment.

“With this agreement which perpetuates the role and commitment of Monaco Telecom for the Principality, it is one more step for our Extended Monaco program, which can count on the mobilisation of all the actors concerned,” said Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate in charge of Digital Transition. “It is essential that our national operator fully supports the various objectives of attractiveness, sustainable development and digital transformation that we have set for ourselves. Today, this is an important step in consolidating our Monegasque ambition via a range of services and essential infrastructure for Monaco.”

The company is also dedicated to Integrating the digital identity developed by the government by offering a highly secure connection and generalising the electronic signature for customer convenience.

Infrastructure will also continue to be improved with secure hosting capabilities, offering a Sovereign Cloud service, and by becoming part of a 100GB international network securing Monaco’s connectivity. Business clients can also expect to see reduced tariffs to the tune of 50% over the next three years.

Locals will also benefit from tariff deals. The National Council has called for the company to offer discounts up to 30% for long-term residents and children born in the Principality.

“A single figure could sum up the progress obtained: €20 per month, this is the savings that a customer who has a one GB internet subscription will achieve. Today, they pay €59.99 each month with cable and old technology, tomorrow, they will pay €39.99 with  one GB fibre, Apple TV and Wifi Mesh technology,” explained National Councilman Franck Lobono.

Stephane Valeri, National Council President summed it up, saying, “This result is a new illustration of a pragmatic win-win policy, which we defend in our approach in general and of course in the negotiations concerning the conceded monopolies.”

 

Photo from left to right – Frédéric Genta – Etienne Franzi – Martin Péronnet – Christophe Pierre by Communication Department – Michael Alesi

 
 

 

“The Charles Leclerc Grandstand means a lot to me”

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2021

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has told Monaco Life that he is looking forward to finally seeing fans in the grandstand that the Principality has dedicated to him, and hopefully they’ll be able to witness him take out the win.

Team Ferrari pilot and native son Charles Leclerc spoke to local press in an exclusive virtual meeting on Monday ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, providing insights into his team, the future of Ferrari, and his thoughts on his new namesake grandstand.

Team Ferrari have had a far better start to this season than last year, when misfortune seemed to be everywhere. So far, 2021 has seen a much rosier picture for the Monegasque driver, who currently sits in fifth place in Formula 1 standings.

Leclerc says he strives for more but knows that both he and the team are building together and that building takes time.

“I am excited because I always hope to do better, but being realistic it is the best that can be hoped for this year after a very complicated 2020,” said Leclerc. “The only position in the championship that I want is the first one … but it’s a positive season and we are still maximising the potential of the car. 

“We are starting to work well and the way we work is very constructive. We immediately made little by little progress (this year). For sure it is a complicated year to create a miracle, especially in 2020-21 in view of the technical restrictions and what we want in the car. We work well today, we are showing them on the track once again, but it is clearly not where we want to stay. We want it to be provisional and there is still a lot of work, but we are moving in the right direction.”

It will be the first year that Leclerc fans will have a dedicated grandstand in Monaco after its inauguration was postponed with the cancellation of last year’s GP. He is only the second pilot to have such a personal touch with his fan base in what is already a unique year.  

“The Charles Leclerc Grandstand means a lot to me,” Charles Leclerc told Monaco Life. “Finally, I will get the grandstand in my name, and I am delighted. It is for the people who are supportive of me and it’s true that it’s nice to have, because it’s been a long time since there have been people in the stands.

“It is the first Grand Prix of the year that is more open to the public, and it’s a pleasure that it is here in Monaco. It will be great to finally see a few of the fans again, especially those in the tribune, and we hope that normal life will return soon.” 

The grandstand, formerly known as Grandstand K, offers his supporters some extra perks including an official signed ball cap and t-shirt, a race programme, and the chance to speak directly to him via virtual chats in the Ferrari hospitality area and in the garage.

“I realise I’m Monegasque and I grew up here,” Leclerc told Monaco Life about his home track. “I respect it as my favourite track because there is just an incredible feeling here.”

Spectators can tune in and watch Charles Leclerc in action this weekend at the Monaco Grand Prix, with the final race held on Sunday 23rd May at 2pm. 

 

Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

 
 
 
 

 

‘Peacemakers Project’ takes grassroots approach

by: Stephanie Horsman
18/05/2021

Local organisation Peace and Sport has inaugurated its latest endeavour the Peacemakers Project, which will help train 200 peace educators supervising nearly 2,000 children over the next two years.
The Peacemakers Project will be, in their ramp-up first year, in partnership with 10 organisations based in 10 countries each selected for their previous work and dedication to the improvement of living conditions in communities through peace-through-sport programmes.
Taught using a grassroots approach, the project will look at several pressing social issues in at-risk areas using the Peace and Sport by My Coach app as well as relying on on-the-ground associations, including Terres-en-Mêlées, COP-Colombia, Fundación ADA, TIBU-Maroc, the National Olympic Committee of Burundi, All Black Hong-Kong, Naandi Foundation, APJS, AKWOS and RFI.
Peace and Sport will also be present to assist in training as well as assessing each location individually for maximum impact.
“The Peacemakers Project aims to support organisations that work for peace using sport as a main tool in their approach,” said Joël Bouzou, President and Founder of Peace and Sport. “Peace and Sport is proud to make its know-how available to selected organisations through the Peace and Sport by MyCoach application and an M&E program created in collaboration with leading universities. We are also pleased to note the appeal of this program to prestigious partners such as Danone, who will support the sustainability of this ambitious international program.”
Using the app as one of the training tools, “peace educators” will be trained in the skills they will need to implement the programme successfully. The app has been tested in the Great Lakes region of Africa, as well as in the Zaatari refugee camp on Jordan.
It offers peace-through-sport training sessions and up-to-date content, planning, monitoring and evaluation tools.
“We are all facing these unprecedented times, and now, more than ever, is the time to join forces,” saidFlorence Bossard, Marketing Director at Danone, who sponsor the Danone Nation’s Cup. “For 20 years, the Danone Nations Cup has been much more than an international soccer competition, encouraging participants and partners to take action to make a positive impact in their communities.
“Playing sports in these troubled times is crucial for the physical and mental health of children around the world. The DNC is pleased to support the Peacemakers Project and to be able to help set up the infrastructure that will allow children to continue learning about life through sport via coaches who are experts in the rules of the game but who are also sensitive to and aware of the values surrounding this sport, such as respect, inclusiveness, and solidarity in victories as well as in defeats.”
At the end of two years of continuous training, 200 peace educators supervising nearly 2,000 children will have been trained using the methodology developed by the organisation. In addition, Peace and Sport, in partnership with leading universities, will monitor and evaluate the impact of each program.