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Month: September 2021

ASM come from behind to win comfortably

by: Luke Entwistle
27/09/2021

Monaco overcame an early setback against the newly-promoted Clermont Foot to secure a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions. The 3-1 win moves AC Monaco up to eighth position in the Ligue 1 table and level on points with last season’s champions Lille.
The newly-promoted Clermont Foot were buoyed by a raucous crowd at the Stade Gabriel Montpied, and they quickly took the lead through Mohamed Bayo – sweeping in a tantalising cross from Vital N’Simba to send the home crowd into raptures.
Monaco quickly dampened the mood as a composed Wissam Ben Yedder rounded the Clermont keeper and slotted home to restore parity, to net his fourth goal in three games. Clermont, however, continued to threaten and created a string of high-quality chances to retake the lead, the most clear-cut of which was spurned wastefully by Bayo.
After a disappointing first half, AS Monaco were quick out of the blocks in the second half and immediately took the lead through Kevin Volland, who finished off a neat Monaco move, having found himself completely unmarked within the opposition box.
AS Monaco and Clermont Foot then proceeded to miss guilt-edged chances, first Gedson failed to get on the end of a cross-goal pass from Diop, where any touch would certainly have put Monaco 3-1 up. Dossou then shot wide, having done well to manufacture space within the Monaco box, taking out two defenders and leaving only the goalkeeper to beat.
Clermont would rue that missed chance, as they struggled to create any more clear-cut opportunities, although Dossou, seeking to atone for his earlier miss, once more threatened with a well-hit drive, which stung the palms of Nübel in Monaco’s goal.
Sofiane Diop then rounded off the victory in injury-time, finishing off a well-worked counter-attack with a neat flick, which ought to have been saved by the Clermont goalkeeper. The three points take Monaco’s tally for the season to 11.
This was very much a game of two halves, and post-match, Coach Niko Kovac alluded to this admitting that, “I would say we managed to score the first goal in a way that we’ve become accustomed to doing, although I was not completely satisfied at this point in the match with the mood and attitude. The second half was a lot better in terms of both our play and motivation. It is very important to take this away from the match.”
Having secured an important three points, Kovac is now seeking to build upon his side’s recent success stating that, “An important week is looming with a trip to Real Sociedad and a visit from Bordeaux. We want to continue this run, continue to win.”
 
 
Photo source: AS Monaco Football Club
 
 
 

Mask requirement to remain for outdoors

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/09/2021

The government says masks must still be worn outdoors, despite a significant drop in Covid-19 circulation and a request by the National Council to relax some of the stricter measures, including in schools.
Minister of State Pierre Dartout told a press conference Friday that “The war is not over, we have not won.” He said that the Principality is in a more positive position than it was at the start of summer and the incidence rate has been dropping since August, falling significantly from 270 at the end of July, to 37 currently.
Indeed, according to the latest health figures, of the 3,964 Covid tests conducted in the Principality in the week ending 19th September, only 0.86% came back positive.
However, the minister added that most of the restrictions will remain in force in Monaco, citing three key reasons: the onset of the winter period conducive to virus circulation, the fact that the incidence rate remains high in the neighbouring department of the Alpes-Maritimes and thousands of workers cross the border daily, and – with 77% of the population receiving at least one injection – the Principality has not yet reached sufficient vaccination coverage. “Wearing a mask outdoors therefore remains essential,” said Dartout.
There will be some easing of restrictions, namely the capacity at cultural and sporting venues can return to 100%, while the number of restaurant guests at the same table will increase from 10 to 12 people.
But, according to the National Council, the government has not gone far enough. “The easing of the measures, in our opinion, are too limited,” it said in a press statement late Friday.
Councillors had called for the lifting of mandatory mask wearing outdoors, except in high-traffic areas, as well as in primary schools while students are seated in class.
“France has decided to lift the obligation for children to wear a mask in class from 4th October in the departments whose incidence rate is less than 50, which is the case in Monaco,” said the National Council. “School sport in the Principality should also, according to elected officials, be the subject of significant relaxation.”
The National Council says it will continue to push for further relaxation of mandatory mask requirements in light of the positive health situation in the Principality.
 
Photo by Monaco Life
 
 
 

Sharon Stone dazzles as guest of honour at Monte-Carlo Gala

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/09/2021

Glamour was back in full force Thursday as Monaco staged the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, this year for the first time ever at the Palace, where the Princely family welcomed celebrities and VIPs for the exclusive Prince Albert Foundation charity event.

It was the fifth edition of the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, the year’s largest fundraising event for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and American actress Sharon Stone was the night’s Guest of Honour, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award for her years of work towards humanitarian efforts and the empowerment of women. The 63-year-old looked luminous in a dramatic lilac coloured gown that trailed gracefully behind her as she made her way up the “red” carpet in strappy black heels.

“It is a joy and an honor to share this evening with my long-time dear friend and compatriot His Serene Highness Prince Albert of Monaco,” said Sharon Stone during her acceptance speech. “We have known each other our entire adult lives and once again our friendship deepens as we share this common goal. It is with great humility that I accept this honour to serve at His command.”

Sharon Stone attends the 5th Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health. Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

In reference to the health of our world and ourselves during the pandemic, Stone added, “One of the things that happens most directly during these times that we stay alone is that we understand the importance of being present. When you see what’s happening to our environment, we understand most predominately what being present in ourselves and in our world means.”

Though perhaps known best for her work in films such as Basic Instinct and Casino, Sharon Stone has been honoured with a Nobel Peace Summit Award, a Harvard Humanitarian Award, a Human Rights Campaign Humanitarian Award, and an Einstein Spirit Award, among others. Her role as producer in the documentary My Name Is Water contributed to both awareness and funding towards clean water, wells, rainwater harvesting structures, and more in rural Sub-Saharan, Africa.

Monte-Carlo Gala 2021 © Eric Mathon Palais Princier

Stone was joined by British star Orlando Bloom, who made the appearance without fiancée Katy Perry and looked dashing in a traditional tuxedo, as well as model Victoria Silvstedt, who looked stunning in a baby pink gown with a matching cape and sky-high silver sandals.

Prince Albert II was joined by his sister, the ever-elegant Caroline, Princess of Hanover who debuted her new grey bobbed hairstyle and wore a beautiful brocade gown.

Victoria Silvstedt at the Monte-Carlo Gala for Planetary Health, photo @victoriasilvstedt instagram

Prince Albert addressed the audience with a reminder of the continuing theme of the Gala – the protection of our environment and the impact of climate change: “We must refuse to close our eyes  faced with situations that concern us all, whatever our circumstances and wherever we live…the deterioration of the ocean has devastating effects on the coastal population and on humanity as a whole…plastic pollution contaminates the food chain and contaminates each one of us…that the disappearance of the most fragile ecosystems, such as the corals, will deprive us of essential resources in the future.”

This year, the Prince’s Foundation joined forces with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to both saving and inspiring young lives with educational and development initiatives through sports.

Unable to attend the gala in person, the Princess sent a message from South Africa, saying: “My Foundation and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation joined forces a few years ago to develop a number of projects directed to clean our Mediterranean sea of plastics, and more largely, oceans around the world. I was not able to join this evening, but I would like to thank you all for your support and generosity. It is my strong engagement and determination to support these projects, as we have an immense responsibility towards our future generations with the state of the Planet they will inherit from us.”

Auction items this year included an arctic expedition to the North Pole with Prince Albert, a custom-made Van Cleef & Arpels sapphire and diamond pendant created from the Ocean tiara of Princess Charlene, a Porsche Taycan Turbo S (the very first electric Porsche) from Prince Albert’s personal collection, and a studio visit and creation of custom artwork from Jeff Koons.

Proceeds go towards helping the Prince Albert Foundation fulfil its mission to help develop marine protected areas and protect threatened wildlife species, as well as promote actions to mitigate the impact of climate change and acidification on the ocean and to fight against plastic pollution.
Sharon Stone joins a prestigious list of past honourees – Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Robert Redford and Sting.

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“The Prince’s involvement makes all the difference”

By Cassandra Tanti/Stephanie Horsman. Top photo: Caroline, Princess of Hanover, Prince Albert II of Monaco and Sharon Stone, by Eric Mathon Palais Princier
 

 

 

Monaco's gastronomic adventures continue

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/09/2021

Divine food and beautiful locations with amazing chefs over seven weeks will be the hallmarks of SBM’s latest culinary event which will take place from the end of September through to mid-January.

After the huge success of the Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) summer event, the ‘Festival of Stars’, the group has decided to continue giving patrons gastronomical delights into the autumn and beyond with their latest offering of a series of themed culinary weeks.

From 27th September to 16th January, SBM bistros, restaurants and brasseries will take turns hosting seven week-long events giving visitors the chance to discover new spots and rediscover old favourites.

The event kicks off on 27th September at Le Deck at Monte-Carlo Beach with a Greek-themed week, where chef Pascal Garrigues will prepare a selection of Hellenic delicacies for lunch until 3rd October to end the beach season with a bang.

Then from 11th to 17th October, guests will get a Caribbean vibe from chef Marcel Ravin at Mada One where he takes his “snackonomy” concept to a whole new level. The chef, who hails from the French island of Martinique, is embracing his heritage and sharing it with the scents and flavours of his native land.

Up next is Limùn at the Hermitage Monte-Carlo where chef Jean-Philippe Borro and his team will provide delicious meals made from the restaurant’s very own vegetable garden. Titled ‘From land to plate’, the week of 25th to 31st October will be dedicated to fresh, healthy and tasty choices.

The cuisine of Monaco is the next to be celebrated at Le Salon Rose from 15th to 21st November in honour of National Day. All week, Le Salon Rose will be offering local specialities from the kitchen of chef Thierry Saez-Manzanares at both lunch and dinner.

L’Orange Vert at the Monte-Carlo Bay will be taking patrons to the Far East from 29th November to 5thDecember where chef Marcel Ravin will be tempting tastebuds with the exotic spices and subtle flavours of the Orient.

From 6th to 12th December, the Café de Paris will feature a week of treasures from the seas. The end of the year will be celebrated with glorious arrays of shellfish which can be eaten on site or taken home to be enjoyed.

Finally, from 10th to 16th January, L’Hirondelle will offer detox cuisine to wash away the sins of the festive season at Thermes Marin Monte-Carlo. Chef Jean-Laurent Basile will feature wellness cuisine that will make patrons feel lighter and cleaner after the excesses of the holidays fade away.

All the events will be held in compliance with the latest health measures. Reservations are recommended and can be made at the individual locations.

 
 
 

Red and Whites unveil new organic garden

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/09/2021

To kick off European Sustainable Development Week, AS Monaco is presenting its new organic vegetable garden intended to help the team boost performance through better eating whilst also encouraging local production and consumption.

AS Monaco has teamed up with urban agriculture specialists Terrae to create a vegetable patch at the team’s new performance centre to provide players with fresh, healthy produce throughout the year.

Introduced during European Sustainable Development Week, which runs from 20th to 26th September, the garden, that has been conveniently positioned near the performance centre’s cafeteria, has started growing a vast array of herbs, fruit and veg for the team’s consumption.

The company who set up the plot, Terrae, have already created more than 1,600m2 worth of urban gardens in the Principality and its latest has incorporated ecological farming techniques that make the best use of water and soil to yield the best possible crops.

The Red and White’s resident nutritionist then uses the home-grown goods to feed the players delicious and healthy meals. This in turn is meant to boost performance levels, allowing them to be at the top of their games throughout the season. 

“It’s important to be able to grow our products, with a traced provenance,”

explains Juan José Morillas, the team’s nutritionist. “Seasonal products with useful

properties for our players’ diet. Located in full view of everyone, the vegetable

garden has educational value because the players, who are increasingly

interested in nutrition, regularly ask me questions.”

“This garden was really designed for the players,” Jessica Sbarraglia, founder of Terrae, went on to say. “We thought with Juan about the products we planted. The aim

is to find a harmony, that the garden is efficient in terms of permaculture but also

useful for the players. It has many advantages, especially the short circuit. It’s a

virtuous circle that makes sense in terms of ecological values.”

The club also plan to use the garden to set up workshops to convey positive messages to younger players and to teach them about good nutrition and the importance of sustainability.

 
 

Call-out for Waste Reduction Week

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/09/2021

A call for participation has been put out for those who would like to make a difference during this year’s European Waste Reduction Week under the theme ‘Circular Communities’.
European Waste Reduction Week (EWWR), this year running from 20th to 28th November, is the biggest initiative to promote the implementation of awareness-raising actions toward sustainable resources and waste management during a single week in Europe. They invite volunteer countries to promote awareness-raising acts that can be followed throughout the year.
This year, they are asking people, companies, and clubs to join in and set up activities created for the general public or a target audience to follow, including school children, colleagues or associations.
The theme of 2021’s EWWR is ‘Sustainable Communities’ and can be expanded to include the idea of circular economic networks. The challenge is to inspire people to act together in solidarity to shape circular communities to reduce waste and to think of the next generations who will need absolute collaboration if they are to effectively fight against waste production.
“The actions carried out under the EWWR address the 3Rs: Reducing waste, Reusing products, Recycling materials — in this order. These are the main Rs, though there are many others, to have in mind when re-evaluating consumption habits,” say the organisation, who request all ideas for projects for the week work using this as a guide.
Last year, despite the pandemic and its restrictions, the week of 21st to 29th November saw over 10,600 actions related to waste reduction, product reuse, recycling, as well as clean-ups that were carried out across 33 countries in Europe and beyond.
The first information meeting will be held on 15th September at 9am by videoconference with a second planned for 28th September at 8am at #starsnbars, where a round table of actions will be discussed. Both events must be registered for.
Contact the Department of the Environment for more information or to register at environnement@gouv.mc