23 ° C
Profile

Day: 9 June 2021

Does Monaco still need tough restrictions?

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/06/2021

The National Council has called on the government to lift a number of restrictions in light of the positive health situation in Monaco, including the curfew and mandatory mask wearing outdoors.
After a meeting with the government as part of the Joint Covid-19 Monitoring Committee on 8th June, the National Council released a statement on Wednesday saying that it had asked the Monegasque government to relax some of the last restrictions still in play in Monaco, in light of the evolving situation in the neighbouring French region of the Alpes-Maritimes and the positive health position of Monaco.
Given the very low circulation of Covid in the Principality, and the fact that there are no residents currently hospitalised at the CHPG, the National Council argues it is no longer necessary to apply a “precautionary principle” to the country that is “unnecessarily restricting freedoms and limiting the resumption of economic, social and cultural activity.”
The Council is asking the government to completely lift the curfew currently in place, to open restaurants and cafés to everyone regardless of residence, to remove the need for mandatory masks outdoors “with the exception of areas with high concentration” such as Casino square, and to accelerate the implementation of an electronic vaccination certificate, otherwise known as a “health pass” for travel.
“The people of the Principality must be able to freely access all places and countries that require this device,” said the Council in its statement, adding, “Elected officials do not forget, however, that it is necessary to remain attentive and to continue justified prevention efforts and the extension of vaccination to the largest number of people.”
 
 
Photo by Mark de Jong on Unsplash
 
 
 

Opening of Monaco’s first summer pop-up restaurant

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/06/2021

Popular delivery and click & collect eatery Mezze Kitchen now has a brand new pop-up restaurant for summer so lovers of their delicious modern Lebanese cuisine can enjoy a sit down meal featuring all their favourite dishes.

Three passionate chefs, Riccardo Giraudi, Maxime Giaccardi and Albert Hahas, came together this year to offer fresh, yummy Lebanese dishes for lockdown-starved patrons looking for something a bit different than the usual fare of frozen pizzas or endless leftovers.

The concept was a catered-only set-up offering click & collect or delivery options only. This was fine during the lockdown, but now that life is slowly returning to normal, the trio decided to add another dimension to their dining experiences, namely the opening of a pop-up restaurant on Rue du Portier, which will serve up all the same exquisite fare, but give diners the option to eat out.

The dishes are authentic as well as delicious and include such wonders as a Fattoush Salad that features croutons made of Lebanese bread, a beetroot Mouttabal is a visual as well as culinary hit with its pretty pink colour, Makanek sausages are glazed with a sweet pomegranate molasses sauce, and beef Shawarma tickles the taste buds with its spices and grilled onions.

Meat-eaters will adore the Mousakhan rolls with pulled chicken, Shish Taouk chicken skewers or ground beef and lamb Kafta, whilst vegetarians will go crazy for the roasted cauliflower with roasted almonds.

Desserts include classic baklava, a selection of uniquely flavoured ice creams or, for those looking for something a little out of the ordinary, Mouhallabiyeh, an orange-blossom infused creamy mix of milk and cream with just enough sweetness added.

Lunch menus can be had for €22 and include choices such as the Mezze Bowl, or a selection of cold mezes and grilled meats.

Mezze Kitchen still delivers as well, from Tuesday through Sunday, for both lunch and dinner.

 
 
Photo by Fabbio Galatioto – Mezze Kitchen 
 
 

Fête de la Musique at Fort Antoine

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/06/2021

Celebrate the summer solstice with Faada Freddy’s heady soul music, taking place for Fête de la Musique this year not at the port, but at the Fort Antoine Theatre.
For many, the Fête de la Musique signifies the traditional start of summer on the Côte d’Azur. Held on 21stJune, the actual first day of summer, music fills the air in every town and village in the area.
This year, the Fête in Monaco will be extra special, not least because it will be the first since the onset of the pandemic, but also because it will be at a new location.
Monday 21st at 8pm, music lovers can gather at the Fort Antoine Theatre to hear Senegalese R&B, soul and gospel singer Faada Freddy perform his hauntingly beautiful songs that are popular the world over.
The free concert has been organised by the Monaco City Hall and will be held by reservation only, with all health precautions in place, such as compulsory mask-wearing and designated seating.
Tickets to the concert will be distributed on Monday 14th June at the Espace Léo Ferré upon presentation of a Monegasque national ID card. There is a two ticket maximum per ID card. In the event that tickets are not completely sold out on Monday, those holding residency permits will be allowed to collect tickets on Tuesday 15th June.
Faada Freddy, the stage name for Adbou Fatha Seck, grew up in Dakar, making guitars from tin cans in order to fulfil his dreams of becoming a musician. He travelled the globe with his group, Daara J and collaborated with several international stars such as Wyclef Jean of the Fugees and Damon Albarn from Blur and Gorillaz.
Freddy went solo in 2014 and his critically acclaimed album, Gospel Journey, was recorded without any instruments, only his voice and body percussion were used, accompanied by backup vocals and finger snapping.
For more info on how to see Faada Freddy, call +377 93 10 12 10 or go to the Espace Léo Ferré website at www.espaceleoferre.mc
 
Photo of Faada Freddy by Barron Claiborne
 
 
 

Harnessing GP fever for a good cause

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/06/2021

Important funds were raised over the Grand Prix weekend for two charities supporting mental health among yacht crew, an issue that needs more funding and awareness within the industry.
While yachting can deliver crew incredible adventures to remote parts of the world that few other occupations could offer, it is also a hard career both physically and mentally.
According to a survey by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), 82% of superyacht crew had experienced low crew morale, 57% of women and 39% of men had suffered from social isolation or loneliness, and 55% of female respondents found accessing mental health care to be a challenge.
Meanwhile, 53% of women and 30% of men said they had experienced discrimination, harassment or bullying from the owner, crew or guests, most commonly from captains or other senior crew.
In 2019, Will Faimatea, director and founder of Bond TM, spotted an initial funding request by Colin Squire of Yachting Matters. He told Monaco Life: “After further talks with Colin and Brendan O’Shannassy, I realised that they had been looking for funding for some time and I decided to donate the initial funding to start the Yacht Crew Help, a division of ISWAN.”
Yacht Crew Help is an online toolkit that provides crew with a direct line to free, 24-hour emotional support, guidance, and useful health and welfare resources.
“As a former yacht crew member who has come ashore, I feel compelled to give back to the industry and support the crew who may need it,” said Will Faimatea. “As well as the helpline, this project increases awareness in the industry that the mental health and wellbeing of crew is just as important as it is in other walks of life and everyone should learn to recognise any warning signs in themselves and in others, and do what they can to assist.”
On the terraces of Bond TM, overlooking the start line of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, fans gathered ahead of the race to enjoy the atmosphere. It wasn’t just the thrill of the GP that had drawn them there, it was the knowledge that their money was contributing to this important support network, Yacht Crew Help, as well as a second charity, Sail2help, which raises awareness of mental health issues among all young people and finances support strategies.
In total, over €7,600 was raised for the two charities – a figure that could have been higher if health measures restricting numbers were not in play over the grand prix weekend.
Still, it is a great achievement, and Will Faimatea hopes that it is just the start of continued support for the two important causes.
“I would like to see Yacht Crew Help have sustainable funding and I want to raise awareness of this need for funding amongst the companies that work in the yacht industry, as well as increase the awareness amongst yacht crew,” says Faimatea, who is now looking to create an industry awareness day that will be followed by regular mental health education among crew.
People wishing to donate to the charities can do so here:
Yacht Crew Help: https://justgiving.com/campaign/yachtcrewhelp
Sail2help: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tim-davies-9643
 
 
Photo: Shutterstock
 
 
 

Carabinier concert for charity

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/06/2021

The Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra will be holding a jazz concert Wednesday night and during Fête de la Musique to benefit two local charities.
Get set for an evening of fantastic jazz when the Prince’s Carabiniers Orchestra play on the roof terrace of the Lycée Albert 1er on Wednesday 9th June at 7pm, with all proceeds going to local charitable organisations Monaco Disease Power and Monaco Humanitarian Aid.
The concert will not only provide entertainment but will have a two-fold purpose as well. Firstly, it will allow student members of the H2O Humanitarian Club from the lycée to carry out the actions they have been striving toward all year, namely the integration of those at the school with disabilities.
Several other activities were carried out throughout the school year to benefit the two charities, and this final concert will give them the ability to donate sums to help improve the daily lives of disabled people in the area.
Additionally, the concert will allow the Corps of the Prince’s Carabiniers, currently in a recruitment phase, to introduce themselves and the opportunities that life in the corps can offer to post-baccalaureate students as a career path.
This concert will be the first of three this year, the other two being a performance during the Fete de la Musique on 19th June and another at the Universal Expo in Dubai on 13th November.
Entry is free for the concert at the lycée, but reservations are required. To get a seat, email concertcarabiniers@gmail.com or go directly to the Lycée Albert-Ier.