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Month: December 2021

Tribute to famed Italian musician Lucio Dalla

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

Eleven years after his death, the life of beloved Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla is being celebrated by Dante Monaco in a tribute concert at the Théâtre des Variétés in Monaco.

For fans of musical legend Lucio Dalla, this will be a night to remember. A tribute concert entitled Meeting with Lucio Dalla, is being organised by Dante Monaco at the Théâtre des Variétés celebrating the works of the talented star whose life was sadly cut short by a fatal heart attack eleven years ago, just three days shy of his 69th birthday.

Leading the concert will be journalist and music critic Ernesto Assante, and one of the most talented singers of the last generation, Roberta Giallo. They will speak to the audience of their personal meeting with the music legend, and aim to reconstruct his artistic and personal life whilst taking a closer look at the myths that have sprung up around him.

Joining them on stage will be violinist and conductor Valentino Corvino, who was also a great friend of the late musician.

His music-making style will be highlighted by singer Roberta Gallo, accompanied by Valentino, who will perform both Dallo’s songs as well as a selection of her works that were favourites of the late singer.

Bolognese-born Dallo debuted in 1964 as a solo artist with the release of a single Lei, non è per me (Her, not for me). His career was punctuated by experimentation and talent, with his tribute song Caruso, about singer Enrico Caruso, being covered by the likes of Julio Iglesias and Luciano Pavarotti, whose version sold over nine million copies.

Dallo was known for having a jovial spirit and a common man’s touch that endeared him to his fans. He knew how to investigate the future with prophetic texts and create songs that take their gaze further, become an essential signal in the search for life and for poetry.

Tickets for the event are €20. Space is limited and it is advised to reserve in advance, by 16th January. For info and places, contact Dante at info.dantemc@gmail.com or on +377 97708947 and +33 6 40 62 29 53.

Mask wearing and health pass, or PCR or antigen test less than 24 hours old are required to attend.

 
 
Photo source: Gorupdebesanez
 
 
 

New gin named for “Explorer Prince” Albert I

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

Monaco Gin, a local distiller offering its first premium gin, has created a beverage named after the iconic Monegasque leader and environmentalist, Prince Albert I. Now this “universal gin made in Monaco” is available to the public under the name Prince Explorer Monaco Gin.

In a timely nod to Monaco’s Prince Albert I, whose life will be celebrated in 2022 on the centenary anniversary of his passing, a tribute of another kind has sprung into being.

A new gin from Monaco Gin has burst onto the market in a homage to the late Prince, named Prince Explorer after the nickname given to him during his lifetime.

“This gin is a tribute to his pronounced intellectual curiosity and enduring spirit of adventure,” says the company in describing their product.  

This gin is truly a well-travelled concoction being made from elements sourced from all over the world. The first batch of the gin contains juniper from Italy, Brazilian pink peppercorns, Sichuan pepper, Mediterranean thyme and mandarin, Indian coriander, and North American elderflower, to name a few of the special ingredients that make up this unique-tasting drink.

The beverage itself is distilled in a 19th century copper alembic and is made in small batches to ensure quality. The botanicals and peppercorns are sustainably obtained from small farms with traditional harvesting methods, in keeping with the ethos of the company, as well as those of the gin’s namesake.

On the palate, the first taste has been described as fresh and slightly sweet, followed by a warm, spicy base to round it out. The company has said it took years of research to hit upon just the right note to find this “harmonious balance”, making it a “rarity in the gin universe.”

Furthermore, the company has added to its street cred by making a pledge to donate €1 for every bottle sold to the Oceanographic Institute to “promote, love and protect the oceans.”

 
 

Monaco restates commitment to refugees

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/12/2021

The Global Compact on Refugees turned two this year and Monaco joined other signatories to review strategies and plans for the future in aid of displaced persons and host countries around the world.  

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) held its first meeting on 14th and 15th December to take stock of the implementation of the Global Compact on Refugees, two years after the first Global Refugee Forum was held in December 2019 in Geneva.

Monaco was represented at the meeting by Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, and spoke about Monaco’s commitment to promote the pact’s four primary objectives. These objectives, which include relieving pressure on the receiving countries, strengthening the autonomy of refugees, creating viable solutions in third countries and promoting conditions for the displaced to return to their countries of origin in safety and dignity, were explored and discussed.

“The Principality is committed to guaranteeing the fundamental rights of refugees, weakened by the health and socio-economic consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, and to promoting empowerment, in particular of women and girls,” said Ms Rosabrunetto in her speech.

She also took time to speak on the government’s pilot project, titled ‘Access to higher education for young refugees and displaced persons in humanitarian and development professions in West Africa 2021-2024’. The project is intended to be a solid way to improve the lives of refugees and host countries and is supported by the Principality, UNHCR, and the Bioforce Training Institute. The goal is to raise the number of refugee students in higher education to 15% by 2030, a vast improvement over the current 3%.

Monaco is one of the programme’s main per capita contributors, ensuring access to education, health and sustainable employment to displaced persons in host countries.

 
 
Photo of Isabelle Rosabrunetto, Director General of the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, source Monaco Government, DR 
 
 

“We needed a big victory”

by: Luke Entwistle
30/12/2021

The Roca team backed up their emphatic win at Fos-sur-Mer with a 82-76 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at the Salle Gaston Médecin on Wednesday.
Sasa Obradoivc’s men finished the calendar year in style, registering only their second victory in nine attempts in the Euroleague.
The result hinged on a phenomenal defensive performance, and the creative efforts of point guard Mike James, whose 13 assists on the night were enough for Monaco to edge past the Israeli side.
The improvement is evident for both Obradovic and James. The former stated, “The defence is definitely better. You can see that the guys are really fighting.”
James shared his coach’s positive appraisal, saying, “We’re making steps to improve every day.” This can be a sign of cautious optimism for the second-half of the season.
The recent return of James and captain Leo Westermann, both of whom were injured towards the end of Zvezdan Mitrovic’s reign has bolstered Obradovic’s roster, and the improvement is clear to see.
James was the scorer of 12 points on the night, contributing with a couple of crucial three-pointers, whilst Westermann also registered 10 points. The French player was particularly integral in the tightly contested first-quarter in which Monaco came out marginally second best.
The Roca team quickly overturned the deficit early in the second-quarter and proceeded to control the game. Donatas Motiejūnas’ 16-point haul saw him finish as Monaco’s top scorer, but Tel Aviv’s Scottie Wilbekin, who was imperious in the reverse fixture, was the overall top scorer with 31 points.
Going into the final minutes with only a slender lead, Monaco’s game management was exemplary. At times they have succumbed under such pressure, but on this occasion Obradovic’s men rose to the challenge.
Despite having very little training time in what is a tightly packed schedule, Obradovic is clearly already making his mark on this side. His imprint will become deeper, with a gap in the schedule affording the Serbian coach time to instill his ideas in his squad.
The Roca team’s first game of 2022 will come away at Lyon on Friday 7th January.
 

 
 
Photo: Stephane Dana, Communication Department

It's almost sales time

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/12/2021

The January sales are fast approaching, giving bargain hunters a chance to nab great deals on coveted items that didn’t quite make it under the tree this year.

Some people believe Christmas to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for shoppers, that time comes after the hustle and bustle of the holidays when the annual January winter sales begins.

This year, the Monaco sales period runs from 2nd January to 15th February for all retail shops, except for sporting goods stores. To get savings on sports kit, buyers will have to wait until 15th February to get the best prices.

Monaco stores have the jump on the French, who start their sales period a full 10 days before. The Alpes-Maritimes sales run from 12th January to 8th February this year, making them not only a later start, but for a shorter time period as well.

Winter sales, and their summertime counterpart, are a long-standing tradition in this part of the world. People are known to save up holiday time to be able to partake in the event, trying on or testing out items weeks in advance so that when the clock strikes 9am on the designated day, they will be able to swoop in and get desired items at great prices.

The sales are also the perfect time to take advantage of the Carlo app. The app, usable at more than 320 retail outlets in the Principality, gives buyers 5% cash back on purchases made, rewarding people for contributing to the local economy and giving even more savings.

The dates of the sales are fixed by ministerial decree and are designed to be for a maximum of two months per period.

 
 
 
Photo of One Monte-Carlo by SBM
 
 
 

Minister of State “doing well” after testing positive for Covid

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/12/2021

Monaco’s Minister of State Pierre Dartout and several members of his family have tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from vacation in the Alps.
The Prince’s government released a statement on Wednesday saying that the minister and affected members of his family are “currently in solitary confinement in accordance with the protocol in force in the Principality.”
The government added that “Mr Dartout and his family are doing well.”
The Minister of State is responsible for directing the work of the Monegasque government and is in charge of foreign relations.
Pierre Dartout was appointed to the position on 1st September 2020, in place of Serge Telle who also contracted Covid-19 in March 2020.
The government says his schedule will be adjusted so that he can work from home and his meetings in the new year will be reorganised accordingly.
All citizens, residents and workers of the Principality are encouraged to test for Covid at the end of the school holidays to break the chain of contamination. The government is offering all students a free self-test on their first day of school, while employers are invited to purchase subsidised tests for their workers.
The circulation of Covid has never been so high in Monaco, with the incidence rate edging towards 1,000 and new daily cases topping record highs.
 
 
Photo by Michael Alesi, Government Communication Department