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Month: July 2021

Theatre Festival programme revealed

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/07/2021

The World Amateur Theatre Festival is celebrating its 17th edition this year with acting companies from all over the globe  coming to perform in Monaco. 

Taking place every four years since 1957, the World Amateur Theatre Festival is returning with shows at the Théâtre Princesse Grace and at the Théâtre des Variétés from 17th to 22nd August. The event is organised through the Studio de Monaco.

Nearly 190 actors from 15 acting troupes selected by their home countries will entertain audiences on two consecutive days during the event. Additionally, each morning a conference joining the festival goers and the three companies who performed the prior evening have a chance to get together and discuss the ways their group works, as well as what amateur theatre looks like in their countries of origin.

The nations represented at the festival are Argentina, Belgium, Cuba, Spain, the United States, Finland, France, Italy, Hungary, Lithuania, Morocco, Portugal, Central African Republic, Slovenia and Slovakia. 

Two afternoon workshops will also be on offer to participants under the themes ‘What the mask’ and ‘All together! Create a modern choir in a classic room’. Finally, the 37th Congress of International Association of Amateur Theatre (AITA / IATA) will welcome around 60 delegates to the event.

The main events, the evening theatre shows, are free though reservations are required, and they all have a 6pm start time. There are half hour intermissions between the performances to allow for set changes, and the performances are no more than one hour each. The lengths vary from one evening to another.

In revealing the programme on Thursday, General Commissioner of the event, Patrice Cellario, said that it was “intended to unite and bring together all theatre lovers around their common passion,” and went on to pay tribute to the many volunteers that help make the event happen.

For more information on the programme of events and to make reservations, visit www.mondialdutheatre.com

 
Photo of Princess Grace Theatre by Monaco Life

 

Live music targeted in new Nice restrictions

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/07/2021

The City of Nice is banning music on terraces and beaches amidst a resurgence of the virus.
According to Nice Matin, Mayor Christian Estrosi is tightening the rules to limit the spread of the Delta variant throughout the city.
A decree is due to be passed on Saturday banning music and live bands from performing on restaurant terraces and beaches where, Estrosi says, “people are getting together and dancing.”
It is due to come into force either Saturday evening or Sunday.
He is also calling on the Prefect to apply the same rule to indoor establishments amid concerns over the rapid rise in Covid cases, especially the Delta variant among 20-49-year-olds.
Meanwhile, faced with increased circulation of the virus among children and adolescents, Mayor Estrosi also announced on Friday that from Wednesday 28th July, children at holiday centres will only be admitted “if they are provided with a PCR test of less than 48 hours or, for over 12 years of age, a vaccination certificate. Saliva tests will be authorised.”
By midday Saturday, the mayor had backtracked, instead saying that tests were encouraged but not mandatory.
“The City of Nice offers and recommends these saliva tests to families to avoid an increased circulation of the virus and the total closure of the centers which would penalise parents and children,” wrote Christian Estrosi on Twitter. “Facilitators and staff who are not vaccinated will need to be tested to ensure the best possible protection,” he added.
 
 
Photo of a live band performing at a beach in Nice, by Monaco Life
 
 

Which visitors to Monaco need to show a health pass?

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/07/2021

From Saturday 24th July, health passes will be compulsory for foreigners wishing to enter Monaco’s restaurants and bars. But there are exceptions. We explain.
It was only a month ago that the Prince’s government announced a relaxing of Covid restrictions in light of the positive health situation in Monaco, opening up restaurants once again to foreign tourists provided they had a health pass, and allowing visitors from the Alpes-Maritimes and Liguria regions to dine pass-free.
But as circulation of the coronavirus picks up speed, fueled by the dominant and more contagious Delta variant, the government has been forced to put the break on some freedoms.
As of Saturday 24th July, only Monegasque citizens and residents, employees and school students will be able to enter restaurants and bars without the need to present a health pass.
Everyone else – including friends and family of Monaco residents, family of employees, and residents of the Alpes-Maritimes and  Imperia – must present a health pass to enter these establishments.
The only non-resident foreigners who don’t have to present a health pass to access a restaurant or bar are visitors staying in a hotel in the Principality or those onboard a boat docked at a Monaco port.
What will be checked?
There are four ‘certificates’ that will be accepted in Monaco. Establishments have been instructed to check for a QR code of the health pass in digital or paper format, a certificate in paper or electronic format indicating the result of a PCR or antigen test of less than 48 hours, a certificate in paper or electronic format indicating the vaccination status for Covid-19 of those who have yet to receive their QR code for technical reasons or who have performed their full vaccination in another country, or proof of recovery following contamination by the virus.
Proof of identity
The health pass or related documents do not have photos, therefore establishments have also been instructed by the Monaco government to ask for proof of identity.
Staff throughout the Principality will be using the Tous Anti Covid Vérif application to confirm health pass status.
Compulsory masks outdoors
While the outdoor mask rule only applied to tourist hotspots in Monaco, it will now be compulsory for everyone over the age of five in all public outdoor locations in the Principality.
 
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Stricter Covid rules to come into play from Saturday

 
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 
 

Princess opens up about extended stay in South Africa

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/07/2021

Princess Charlene has revealed further details of her medical condition to South African media, explaining why she has been unable to return to Monaco since earlier this year.
There has been much speculation as to why the Princess and mother of two has remained in her native South Africa for more than three months, where she initially went to work with rhino charity Thanda Foundation. She has since missed several high-profile events, including her 10th wedding anniversary.
Prince Albert and twins Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella made the journey to Charlene’s homeland to visit her earlier this year, pictures of which were proudly shared on the Princess’ social media.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPvVKxVlXbv/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The Palace later released a statement confirming that the Princess was effectively stranded in South Africa after undergoing “multiple, complicated procedures” for a serious ear, nose and throat infection.
Princess Charlene told People at the time: “My daily conversations with Albert and my children help me keep my spirits up a lot, but I miss their presence very much. I can’t wait for us to be together.”
Now, the Princess has further explained the cause of her delayed return to the Principality, telling South African outlet Channel24 that she underwent a sinus lift and bone graft in preparation for dental implants in May. This surgery was performed prior to her mid-May arrival in South Africa. She says she sensed a problem in June when she began suffering extreme soreness in her ears. A second corrective surgery conducted on 23rd June forced the postponement of her scheduled return to Monaco to celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary in early July.
The princess revealed that her inability to equalise the pressure in her ears means that flying above 20,000ft is currently out of the question.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CRHBkXCFYwd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
In order to pass the time before she can return home, Princes Charlene is continuing her charity work, sewing blankets for the local creche and helping the rhino conservation, all while keeping in very regular contact with Prince Albert and the twins.
“Albert is my rock and strength and without his love and support I would not have been able to get through this painful time,” the Princess told Channel24, adding, “I miss my husband, my babies and my doggies.”
 
 
Top photo from Princess Charlene’s Instagram page
 
 
 

“We want the YCM marina to be an innovation laboratory”

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/07/2021

The Yacht Club of Monaco will host the first ever Monaco Smart Yachting and Marina Show in September with the goal of speeding up the transition to more environmentally-friendly yachting practices both in harbours and on the seas.

In the run-up to the Monaco Yacht Show, the inaugural Monaco Smart Yachting and Marina conference will be held on 20th September to introduce new ideas for building “virtuous” marinas and using sustainable and eco-compliant practices.

Organisers Monaco Marine Management say they aim to “present all the new solutions and innovative technologies in favour of the preservation of the environment in order to design more virtuous marinas,” including encouraging renewable energy usage and other means to help in ocean protection efforts.

It also puts a fine point on the direction the Principality is heading in terms of looking to be a leader in the new green yachting trend.

“Smart yachting is an axis of the future for Monaco,” says Frédéric Genta, Interministerial Delegate in charge of the Digital Transition in the Principality.

“It is a component full of potential for the transformation of our economy and our attractiveness.”

The Yacht Club of Monaco has been promoting sustainability for several years already, putting measures such as the SEA Index in place to assess the CO2 emissions of super-yachts since 2014.

“Many shipowners are very concerned about the future of yachting. This trend can only become a reality if the infrastructures that host them are adapted to this energy and ecological transition,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the Yacht Club and President of Yachting Monaco. “Our desire is to be able to test these solutions within our YCM Marina, like an innovation laboratory.”

The meeting will bring together big companies such as IBM, Schneider Electric and Teledyne, with innovators, investors and promoters of the virtuous marina scene from around the globe who will share their experiences and talk about the development of eco-responsible, efficient and practical marinas, in addition to making them real places to live.

“For several years, we have been reflecting on the development of virtuous marinas,” explains José Marco Casellini, CEO of Monaco Marina Management. “Places of life, smart marinas, respectful of the environment, must encourage the emergence of new activities and services, like the smart cities of which they are inspired.”

Alongside the conference, an e-catalogue of 50 start-ups will be available from 28th July of which 15 will be chosen by a panel of jurists from the field to be awarded the chance to present their projects at the 2022 Monaco Ocean Week organised by the Prince Albert II Foundation.

“The major issues in the conservation of the marine environment are now clearly identified,” explains Olivier Wenden, Vice-President of the Foundation. “Supporting research and development of new sustainable solutions for more virtuous yachting is all the more essential to continue to enjoy the pleasures of the sea while providing responses adapted to the challenges of preservation.” 

 

 
Photo by Matthias Mullie on Unsplash
 
 
 

Stricter Covid rules to come into play from Saturday

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/07/2021

Faced with a rise in Covid cases, primarily among the young and unvaccinated, Monaco has ramped up health measures again, including widespread mask wearing and a health pass requirement for those coming from neighbouring regions.
“For several weeks, as in other parts of Europe, the number of positive cases (in Monaco) for Covid-19 has been increasing due to the spread of the Delta variant. Most of these contaminations concern young people, not vaccinated and returning from abroad,” said the government in a statement Thursday evening. “These people are, moreover, very often, the origin of a chain of intra-family or friendly contamination in the Principality.”
The government revealed that in the month of June, nearly 60% of infected residents were aged up to 29 years, adding, “The incidence rate is on the rise among 6-18 year olds.”
As a result, Prince Albert has agreed upon a government proposal to re-establish the mandatory wearing of masks for anyone aged five and over throughout the entire Principality, starting Saturday 24th July.
“The relaxed observation of compliance with the current regulations in mask-wearing areas and the strengthening of health protection justify the implementation of this obligation,” said the government.
Health pass
In order to limit the number of new cases being brought into the Principality and following the measures recently announced in France, residents of the Alpes-Maritimes and the Italian Impéria region must present a health pass to access restaurants and bars from Saturday onwards. Monaco residents and employees are exempt, for now.
For events, shows and sporting events, a 70% capacity is maintained. Likewise, the obligation to present a health pass for any event welcoming 1,000 people or more remains in force.
In general, a health pass will not be required for minors under 16 years of age.
Covid tracking
The government also announced that, as of 15th August, PCR tests performed on foreigners without a medical prescription will no longer be reimbursed. However, the National Tracking Centre will continue to test residents free of charge without a prescription. Employees who wish to be tested at the centre must present a medical prescription.
Vaccination
Currently, 13% of people aged over 75 and 32% of the 65-75 age group have not yet been vaccinated. “To achieve the greatest possible herd immunity, it is important to vaccinate the entire population concerned,” said the government, reminding everyone that the shots remain free of charge for Monégasques and residents over 12 years of age as well as for employees over 50.
Other protective measures
While vaccinations have limited the number of hospitalisations, the government is calling on the population to maintain social distancing and hygiene measures, and get tested for Covid after returning from a holiday abroad.
“The goal is to immediately break any possible chain of contamination,” it said in the statement.
 
 
Photo by Monaco Life