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Day: 23 June 2021

Monaco is getting into the “swing” of summer

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/06/2021

To mark the official start of summer on 21st June, SBM launched its hugely successful ‘Swing Monte-Carlo’ with a programme that combines shows, unique events, ideas for day trips and experiences at SBM resorts.
This year’s theme is ‘Marvellous Gardens’ and the second edition was launched on a beautiful summer’s night around the Place du Casino on Monday. Boutiques on the Promenade Monte-Carlo, a stylish open-air shopping area, stayed open all hours for the occasion, while the Hôtel de Paris hosted a series of ‘Escapes’ including wine tasting from the hotel’s cellars and massages by Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo.

Wine tasting in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

The highlights of Swing Monte-Carlo 2021 are the Festival of the Sea on 23rd June and the opening of Mada Lounge from the 24th, the summer pop-up venue of Mada One in Place du Casino gardens. Every Thursday until 28th August, Mada Lounge will offer musical nights from 4pm to 10.30pm in a chic Bohemian atmosphere amidst Place du Casino gardens and overlooking the legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Meanwhile, the boutiques on Promenade Monte-Carlo are dressing up in ephemeral decorations for the ‘Marvellous Gardens’ theme, with shop windows and pop-up terraces sporting the colours of Swing Monte-Carlo.
‘Marvelous Gardens’ is the theme of this year’s Swing Monte-Carlo, and they’ve also created the perfect spot to take a selfie

For those wishing to get away from it all, SBM is proposing “ways to escape” from breakfast to dinner around variousthemes. ‘Gourmet’ day, for example, starts with breakfast at the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, the mythical brasserie and hub of Monegasque life for 150 years, followed by window shopping on Promenade Monte-Carlo, lunch at Elsa restaurant at Monte-Carlo Beach, and, to kick the night off, an aperitif at the Blue Gin bar at the Monte-Carlo Hotel & Resort. But a gourmet day wouldn’t be complete without a dinner in Monaco’s most prestigious restaurant, the three Michelin starred Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris.
‘Swing Monte-Carlo’ was launched last summer after the first phase of the pandemic as a symbol of renewal and in reference to the hedonistic ‘Swinging 60s’ of London.
 
 
Photos by SBM
 
 

Lady Monika Bacardi accepts PeaceJam prize at TV Festival

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/06/2021

An Italian tv series raising awareness about violence against women has won the PeaceJam Special Jury Prize, an award supported by the GEMA Foundation and accepted by Lady Monika Bacardi.
The PeaceJam Special Jury Prize rewards the best tv series or documentary that embodies the Billion Acts Campaign and/or the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize.
PeaceJam itself is a global youth organisation led by 14 Nobel Peace Laureates dedicated to growing and supporting a generation of future Nobel Peace Laureates who believe peace is possible.
“I am very honoured to get this award on behalf of the producers of this series Bella Da Morire, which speaks about domestic violence and tries to bring awareness to our society,” said Lady Monika Bacardi, Co-Founder of AMBI Group and Iervolino Entertainement.
Bella Da Morire is an eight-episode television series that features award winning actress Cristina Capotondi, who plays the beautifully crafted role of Police Inspector Eva Cantini. The film takes on the topical issue of prejudice and violent crimes against women simply because of their gender.
The producers of the film thanked the PeaceJam Special Jury, saying: “We are truly honoured to receive this important award, particularly at times like these when all forms of violence against women are at the forefront.”

Victoria Silvstedt, Christian Moore and Lady Monika Bacardi, among other guests, at the 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival

AS member of the PeaceJam Special Jury and sponsor of the award, Christian Moore, Founder of the Monaco-based GEMA Foundation and GEM TV, told Monaco Life: “GEMA and GEM naturally partnered with PeaceJam close to six months ago to collaborate on projects together and support the noble cause. We donated the award to support their involvement with the television festival and to bring to light not only the important subject of the film but also the good work that the foundation is doing. Our aim is to increase the ability of PeaceJam across the world to inspire youth and have a lasting change towards positive impact and sustainable goals being achieved.”
GEMA (The Global Environment Movement Association) was created to raise global awareness of all environmental efforts by supporting media content for various platforms, while GEM (Global Environment Media) is the first tv and education platform dedicated to positive environmental solutions.
The PeaceJam Special Jury Award was presented by Victoria Silvstedt, who co-produced The Dalai Lama – Scientist, the sixth film in PeaceJam Production’s award winning ‘Nobel Legacy Film Series’.
 
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An animated Prince Albert features in latest ‘Blitz’

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/06/2021

The fourth volume of ‘Blitz’, the chess manga created by Monaco-based Shibuya Productions, will be released this week featuring a special guest star in the form of Prince Albert II.
On Friday 25th June, manga fans will be treated to a new instalment of the Monaco-produced Blitz.
“From the moment Blitz took place in Monaco, it was obvious to me to have the most important person in the country in the manga,” says Blitz creator and writer Cedric Biscay. “This volume four is really special because we have the honour to introduce an exceptional guest, Prince Albert. Moreover, he said yes right away, which is great!”
Whilst few specifics have been made public, the creators say the latest volume will show added depth and dimension to the main characters Tom, Harmony and Karl.
Shibuya Productions was founded by Cedric Biscay and Kostadin Yanev as an umbrella for production, development and creation of content for publishing, video game platforms, cinema, television.
When they launched Blitz in February 2020, it was in the hope that they could demystify the chess world and make it accessible and entertaining to people of all ages and backgrounds. In the latest story, there will be a “complete analysis of a game used in the book in order to help readers to understand the subtleties of the game”.
The Blitz series, supervised by the greatest player of all time Garry Kasparov, has been a huge success, prompting more to follow. Biscay considers this project his baby, and offers for an anime adaption have been made, showing an appeal far outside of the local market.
The latest volume will feature the Prince’s Palace on the back cover as well as the appearance of Monaco’s Sovereign.
“If I’m allowed to continue and the readership is still there, we can come up with 25 Blitz books with all I have to add to the story,” says Biscay.
 
 
Photo: Cedric Biscay at the press conference for the launch of Blitz volume 4
 
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TV Festival draws to a close with high-tech awards ceremony

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/06/2021

Monaco Life was there for the final episode of the 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Wednesday night. Here are the highlights.
It was an evening that marked the end of Monaco’s first major festival since the pandemic began. The public turned out to see celebrities, television stars and A-list personalities walk the red carpet, including Ferrari driver and Monegasque favourite Charles Leclerc who stopped to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

Photo of Charles Leclerc greeting fans on the red carpet by Monaco Life

Prince Albert, Honorary President of the Television Festival, was joined by his nephew Louis Ducruet and wife Marie for the main event in the theatre of the Grimaldi Forum – the presentation of the Golden Nymph Awards.
Monaco beauty Victoria Silvstedt was one of the first to present an award, rising up to the stage amidst a hologram of golden swirling stars. She presented the PeaceJam Special Jury Prize, sponsored by Monaco-based GEMA Foundation, to Lady Monika Bacardi for the Italian series Bella Da Morire.
Photo of Victoria Silvstedt by Monaco Life

US film Uncle Frank, produced by Miramax and Amazon Studios, was the big winner of the night, taking out Best Film, Best Creation and, for lead actor Paul Bettany, best Actor.
The UK’s It’s a Sin won Best Series, while lead actress Lydia West won Best Actress.
In the news category, ITV News won Best News Coverage for its Inside US Capitol production.
In total there were 14 winners selected from 27 nominated programs from 14 countries across the Prince Rainier III Special Prize, News and Fiction categories as well as a number of accolades including the Monaco Red Cross Prize and the AMADE Prize.
The coveted Crystal Nymph Award, destined for an actor for outstanding work, was presented by Prince Albert to French Tchéky Karyo.
“This 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival has been a successful edition not only because of the remarkable and diverse talent who have joined us from around the world, but also in regards to the exceptional circumstances of the health crisis surrounding its organisation,” said Prince Albert, Honorary President of the Festival.
In a spectacular display of glitz, glam and technology, award winners who were not able to attend because of travel restrictions were projected on to the stage as holograms.
“I am very proud of the fact that, with the united effort and support of our friends and colleagues, we have managed to organise this exceptional edition of the festival during the global pandemic,” said Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “A huge thanks to the entire festival’s team who worked tirelessly to make this anniversary memorable. It has been a fantastic five days here in Monaco culminating in an innovative and ground-breaking awards ceremony. The festival prides itself on its modern approach and, in this anniversary year, has truly celebrated the depth and breadth of global television as it continues to adapt and evolve.”
 
 

What are rules for travel to Italy?

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/06/2021

Now that summer has well and truly arrived, we outline what the latest rules are for travellers wanting a bit of La Dolce Vita in Italy.
Day trips to Italy have long been a pastime for those living on the Côte d’Azur and in Monaco, especially in summer when the idea of shopping in open-air markets followed by a leisurely lunch in a family-run restaurant in the sun has a nostalgic appeal for a Covid-weary public.
This return to a semblance of normalcy is most welcome, but there are still some regulations to be followed when entering the country.
As of 28th June, mask-wearing will no longer be required outdoors, according to Italian Minister of Health Roberto Speranzo. The decision comes from a steep drop in the number of cases, though the advice is that masks should be worn, even outdoors, in larger gatherings where the risk of spreading the Covid virus is higher.
This does not mean social distancing measures should be dropped, and people are still required to carry masks, though from the 28th, they will only have to wear them in indoor public places.
From 1st July, the EU’s health pass will be recognised for internal travel within the Schengen region. The Covid-19 green pass will be valid as a digital certificate and should facilitate travel to and from all EU countries, Italy included, making travel less hassle.
This certificate will have either proof of vaccinations, a negative test result or proof of recovery from the virus in the last six months. A locator form is still required and will ask for the same information that is provided on the health pass.
Some visitors will be exempt from having to produce a negative Covid test. These include vaccinated travellers, those who will stay for no more than 120 hours in the country for the purpose of work, health or an emergency, those who are transiting the country in private modes of transport not to exceed 36 hours, travellers making an international transit through an airport who do not leave the airport, frontier workers, staff from companies and institutions with registered or secondary headquarters in Italy not to exceed 120 hours, students in Erasmus-type study programmes, and children under six years of age.
There is no quarantine for entering Italy, nor is there a quarantine for re-entering France or Monaco.
The green pass will be necessary for those who would like to attend weddings and large events such as fairs and concerts.
The Italian government has said that nightclubs will be reopening in “early July” but is yet to set a firm date. The green pass may be used as a criteria for entry and no decision has been made on whether people will need to wear masks.
In an interview with Italian broadcaster RTL 102.5 on Tuesday, Deputy Health Minister Andrea Costa shed some light on the matter, saying that nightclubs will be able to reopen “within the first 10 days of July.”
This is welcome news for club owners, who are holding on by their fingernails financially.
“We expect to be able to reopen on 4th July, because to go beyond that would be unsustainable,” Maurizio Pasca, president the trade association of clubs with dance, told news agency Ansa. “We expect common sense.”
“The government should not make us miss the first weekend in July, because our businesses are open at most twice a week. For the country, that date would not change anything, but for us it would,” he added.
So, the alpha and omega on travel to Italy is that a green pass is a golden ticket to entry and for that authentic pasta lunch you’ve been craving for 18 months.
 
 
Photo by Levon Vardanyan on Unsplash