15 ° C
Profile

Month: June 2021

Call out for projects for Pelegos Initiative

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/06/2021

The Pelagos Sanctuary, a marine territory off the coasts of Monaco, France and Italy, is about to have the weight of several organisations behind it with the introduction of the Pelegos Initiative. All that’s needed now are relevant projects to support.
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the WWF, the IUCN and MedPAN have joined forces to create the Pelagos Initiative in support of the Pelagos Sanctuary.
This marine territory of some 87,500 km2 is just off the coasts of the Principality, France and Italy, and is home to a vast number of marine species, including several marine mammals such as dolphins, fin whales and cachalots. The three nations formed the sanctuary through the signing of the Pelagos Agreement back in November 1999.
The new initiative follows closely the objectives of the Agreement in that it has vowed to promote collaborative studies and activities in the sanctuary area for conservation purposes, to raise awareness, to promote interaction and coordinate joint activities amongst the sanctuary’s various marine protected areas, and to raise funds and launch calls for proposals to implement the above actions.
To this end, the Pelagos Initiative is looking for projects which have the same goals. Selected projects must be ready to get underway by the start of 2022 and must have a project life of a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 36.
The themes of interest to the organisers are projects that demonstrate a knowledge of the ecosystem, species and activities of the region, that are interested in the prevention and mitigation of anthropogenic impacts and pressures, as well as how to manage any emergency situations that arise and that include communication, awareness and involvement of the public and stakeholders.
Potential projects must be located within the Pelagos Sanctuary, cover at least two countries, and their project funding cannot exceed 75% of the total project budget.
The initiative is offering two levels of support. The first ranges from €10,000 to €30,000 for projects with a maximum total budget of €100,000 and a duration of one to two years. The second option offers funding from €50,000 to €70,000 for budgets as high as €300,000 and a two to three year duration.
The date for applications will close on 15th September. The application and more information can be found at https://www.fpa2.org/en/initiatives/the-pelagos-initiative-010
 
 
Photo by Ranea Smith on Unsplash
 
 

Leclerc on Styrian GP: “One of my best performances”

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/06/2021

Despite an incident that sent Charles Leclerc off to the pits and put Pierre Gasly out of the race in the Styrian Grand Prix’s first lap, the Monegasque clawed his way from 17th place to finish a remarkable 7th, saying that the accident proved to be a “big opportunity.”
The opening lap of the Styrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria on Sunday could have been a disaster for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. In the first corner of the first lap, Leclerc had a brush with Alpha Tauri’s Pierre Gasly, damaging Leclerc’s front wing and putting Gasly out of the race.
When Leclerc was able to hit the track again, he was in 17th place, and it looked like the day was all but over for him. Clearly, the young Monegasque felt differently and, after a series of remarkable overtaking moves, he made his way up the ranks to slot in just behind his teammate Carlos Sainz in seventh position, where he finished. His moves earned him Driver of Day.
“If we look at the first lap, it’s been an incredible race for us,” Leclerc told Sky F1. “We’ve been incredibly quick, but obviously this first lap basically stopped us from doing something much, much, much better today.
“It was a big opportunity. The pace was incredible. It’s probably one of my best performances in Formula 1, apart from the lap one.”
Leclerc said he wasn’t sure whose fault the accident was, and that blame may be a bit on both parties.
“To be honest, I need to re-watch the images from outside,” he said. “I have no idea whether Pierre went a little bit to the left, and I went a little bit to the right at the same time. I guess it’s a bit of both. And in the end, we touched.”
He added on social media (Twitter), “So bittersweet. One of my best performances with heaps of overtakes but should have been higher without the contact with Pierre. A shame about what happened but we’ve spoken, and everything is ok. Our speed looks good for next weekend and thanks for your Driver of the Day votes.”
Despite the troubles, Leclerc is optimistic for next week’s Austrian Grand Prix, which will be raced on the same track.
The winner of the Styrian Grand Prix went to the seemingly unstoppable Max Verstappen, who fittingly won for Red Bull at the Red Bull Ring, followed by Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.
 
 
Photo courtesy Scuderia Ferrari Press Centre
 
 
 

Gastronomic excellence label for retirement home  

by: Stephanie Horsman
28/06/2021

Monaco’s Residence A Qietüdine has received the prestigious Gault & Millau label for its restaurant, earning an impressive 8.1 out of 10.

Care homes and gastronomy are rarely thought of in the same breath, but in the Monaco-based Residence A Qietüdine, it is not only a consideration, it is a reality.

On 1st June, experts from Gault & Millau visited the restaurant at the care home located at the Princess Grace Hospital and proudly awarded them their respected label after giving them an 8.1 out 10 rating.

Opened in 2010, A Qietüdine has 69 residents averaging nearly 90 years of age. The modern, well-kept facility has focused from the start on comfort and exceptional culinary service for the inhabitants. As such, the chef and his team have been offering traditional and gourmet dishes using fresh, seasonal products prepared on site since inception.

Photo by Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace – CHPG

The goal of the chef is to offer pleasure whilst respecting dietary restrictions and various tastes, in an elegant setting where the residents are professionally served at table. This service is not only beneficial to the health of those living on-site, but also helps contribute to mental well-being.

An excerpt from the welcome booklet states: “Our project is to allow you to experience a happy and peaceful advancement in age, with all the respect we owe you in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere. Our mission is to support you on a daily basis in your life and individual care projects through warm and caring listening.”

Gault & Milleu is a major player in French gastronomy and is found in over 15 countries. Gault & Millau selects some 5,000 restaurants in France and Monaco to receive their label following their strict specifications: independence, anonymous tasting and no advertising from the restaurants.

 
 
Top photo by Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace – CHPG
 
 

Monaco drops curfew and restaurant restriction

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/06/2021

The curfew in Monaco has been lifted completely and restaurants will once again be able to welcome foreign customers under further easing of Covid restrictions.
According to a statement late Friday, Prince Albert has made the decision – effective Saturday 26th June – in light of the positive health situation in the Principality, and after consultation with the National Council as part of the Joint Monitoring Committee.
The government, however, has warned the population not to let its guard down, particularly now the Delta variant has been detected in Monaco and the neighbouring region of the Alpes-Maritimes.
“The contaminations of recent days have occurred almost exclusively during private gatherings, in the absence of respect for barrier gestures and between people who were not vaccinated,” said the government in a statement, renewing calls for as many people as possible to get vaccinated. From Monday, all public sector employees will be eligible for the jab.
No customer restrictions at restaurants and bars
With the rollout of Monaco’s Health Pass, and the EU equivalent, the government has also decided to lift the restrictions on foreign customers at restaurants and bars.
“In order to guarantee maximum health security in the Principality, people wishing to go to a restaurant must have a health pass or any equivalent document allowing them to verify their vaccination status, their result of a negative test or their certificate of recovery,” says the government.
This measure does not apply to Monaco citizens or residents, employees of the Principality, or residents of the Alpes-Maritimes and Imperia. However, proof of residence must be shown.
Night clubs remain closed, for now
There has been no date set yet for the reopening of night clubs, which have been closed since the pandemic began in March 2020, however, “The Prince’s Government will initiate consultation with operators to consider the conditions for reopening,” according to the statement.
 
READ ALSO:

How to get your Monaco ‘Health pass’

 
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 

Mini-series marks wedding milestone

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/06/2021

The 10th anniversary of the marriage of Prince Albert II to Charlene Wittstock is coming up on 1st and 2nd July and it will be celebrated with a 10-part mini-series chronicling their lives together.
The Prince’s Palace has released a video teaser of the upcoming mini-series on their social media page, highlighting the couple’s best times over the past decade of marriage.
“Their Serene Highnesses Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene will celebrate the 10th anniversary of their marriage on 1st and 2nd July. To celebrate this event, a 10-episode mini-series recalling the ceremonies and festivities of the summer of 2011, the couple’s personal journey, their meeting and their family life with their children, will be broadcast on the Palace of Monaco’s social networks from 1st July at 6pm,” said the Palace.
Princess Charlene has been suffering with an ENT (ear, nose and throat) infection which the Palace says has prevented her return to Monaco from her native South Africa, where she has spent the past several months.
According to reports, she will not be returning for the 10th anniversary because of operations to treat the problem.
Though she has not been seen in Monaco since January, the couple was recently reunited in South Africa when the Prince visited her with their twins, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.
 
Image taken from a scene from the trailer featured on the Prince’s Palace Facebook page
 
 
 

NFT drop at this year’s UPAW art event

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/06/2021

When street artists descend on Monaco for UPAW this year, they’ll be raising funds the Prince Albert Foundation. But they will also have the unique opportunity to be part of the NFT revolution.
Urban Painting Around the World (UPAW) returns for the 5th edition at the Esplanade des Pêcheurs from Tuesday 6th to Thursday 8th July, bringing international StreetArt artists to the Principality of Monaco for the benefit of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
The 2021 edition features 12 artists from seven different countries: Nadib Bandi (France), Cacao Rocks (Greece), Chicadania (Colombia), Michael Bereens (France), Manomatic (Spain), Misterpiro (Spain), Andrea Ravo Mattoni (Italy), Pez (Spain), Spok Brillor (Spain), Jacques Schneider (Luxembourg), Mr OneTeas (Monaco), and Tones (Switzerland).
Like every year, the 2021 theme is linked to the protection of the environment: ‘The planet and its colours’.
Money raised from an auction of the street art on Thursday 8th July will go towards the Mediterranean Monk Seal Alliance conservation initiative spearheaded by the Prince’s Foundation. Previously, funds have been raised to help finance a project for the protection of chimpanzees in Uganda, and the BeMed (Beyond plastic Med) initiative to fight plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.
Urban Painting Around the World was created by Alberto Colman in 2017 to bring StreetArt to Monaco and show the sensitivity that street artists have for the environment, while bringing fans closer to the cause.
This year’s art show and auction will be complimented by other interesting side events.
On Wednesday 7th July at 4pm, there will be a Zoom session with the Abobo Contemporary Art Museum in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, who will show their simultaneous StreetArt exhibition featuring African artists.

StreetArt artist Pez from Spain will feature at this year’s UPAW event

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this year’s event comes on Wednesday at 6pm, when there will be a roundtable titled ‘NFT on StreetArt’ moderated by art advisor Karolina Blasiak. It will a range of interesting speakers from Arteïa who will discuss the implications of NFT’s (Non Fungible Tokens), why they matter and how to participate in the art revolution.
Arteïa will supply the 12 participating artists with NFC tags, which the artists will be able to attach to their artwork.
Meanwhile, Thursday 8th July at 5pm will see the presentation of the book ‘Sous le StreetArt, le Louvre: Quand l’art classique inspire l’art urbain’ by art historian Cyrille Gouyette.
 
Photo of Spain’s Misterpiro