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Month: January 2022

Princess Stephanie’s Cirque FC win Fight Aids Cup

by: Luke Entwistle
25/01/2022

Stars of sport, both past and present, put on a brilliant sporting spectacle at the Stade Louis II on Monday to raise money in the fight against HIV.

Former Italian World Cup winning striker Luca Toni was the star of the show, his brace enough to give Princess Stephanie’s side the victory against the Barbagiuans of Prince Albert II.

After an extravagant entrance that involved the Monaco circus, proceedings were kicked off by Princess Stephanie and Prince Albert II, with a short pass within the centre circle marking the start of the match.

Both sides had chances to open the scoring in the first-half, as each team rattled the woodwork. Highly decorated midfielder Clarence Seedorf rolled back the years with some neat footwork and an impressive range of passing in the Cirque midfield, creating a flurry of opportunities, none of which were converted.

The Cirque band serenaded spectators with a jazzy half-time set-list, belting out the well-known pop anthems Happy and Despacito.

The second-half was a livelier affair. Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc made his entrance mid-way through the half, but didn’t quite have the touch to break the deadlock.

It was Cirque who opened the scoring in the sort of comical fashion that wouldn’t have looked out of place in an actual circus. Toni, more of an accessory than an instigator of the goal, couldn’t believe it when the ball struck his back and rolled over the line following an attempted goalkeeper clearance.

Toni doubled up soon after, this time with a smashing drive from outside the box that left the keeper with no chance. A late consolation from the Barbagiuans wasn’t enough to prevent Princess Stephanie’s side from raising the trophy at 2-1.

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expressed his disappointment at having managed the losing team after full-time. “It’s difficult to have lost the match that we had under our control in the first half.”

Leclerc reminded us of the raison d’etre of this important match, saying to the press after the game, “It was a great match, and it’s for a good cause. We have to continue to fight against this virus, and at the same time we had a lot of fun, even if I’m bad at football!”

The Ferrari driver also told Monaco Life that the event was good for his preparation going into the new season. “The match plays a part in my programme. I have plenty of things on the go. I’m not only doing this, but for sure it compliments it nicely.”

The event brought together elite-level names from the world of football and beyond for an exciting footballing festival for all who attended, whilst continuing to raise awareness and funds in the fight against HIV.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZMJHHPsylk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

 

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

 

Public safety figures for 2021

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/01/2022

As Monaco’s Public Safety Department marks its 120th anniversary, the force has released crime figures for 2021, showing that Monaco’s ‘Safe city’ image has been well maintained in 2021.

Created by Prince Albert I in 1902, the Public Safety Department has been a staple of Monegasque society, protecting and looking out for the people of the country for 120 years.

After recognising the significance of the anniversary, Police Commissioner Richard Marangoni presented the crime figures for 2021 on Monday at the Lycée Technique et Hôtelier, noting that general crime has remained stable, going from 712 cases in 2020 to 716 cases in 2021. Most types of crime were down over the previous year, with two exceptions. Car theft was up 400% from zero cases to four, and pickpocketing was up 100% to two cases over one in 2020.

As for other types of crime, theft of vehicles with two wheels was up significantly at 71%, drug offences were down by 21% as was driving under the influence, which saw a 22% drop. Additionally, public drunkenness was down by 8% and traffic accidents fell by 10%.

Between the years 2016 and 2021, general crime in Monaco fell by 32% and street crime by 74%.

Police had given around 60,000 verbal warning stops in 2021, mainly for not wearing masks correctly or not at all, while 9,127 fines were handed out.

The maritime police were also busy in 2021, taking part in 11 sea rescue operations and carrying out 21,000 Covid health checks on boats. The management office handled more than 40,000 letters and received more than 9,000 emergency calls.

The conference also revealed big developments on several fronts including the ongoing digitisation of residence cards, 4,924 of which were issued last year, the reorganisation of the judicial police, and how crime prevention through deterrence is the way forward, giving Monaco a ‘Safe City’ moniker.

Training will be emphasised in 2022, with crisis management at top of the agenda. The scientific branch will benefit from a new scanner and biometrics terminal and the maritime police will be getting a new boat. Additionally, increased efforts against cybercrime, financial crime and protection of the vulnerable will be priorities.

The new police headquarters were also spoken of, with an expected completion date in 2023. Finally, there will be an increase in civil servants on the force planned for 2025.

 

 

Photo by Marc de Jong on Unsplash

 

 

“Violence can settle insidiously in a home”

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/01/2022

The latest study on violence against women in Monaco has shown a decrease in incidents reported in 2021, however the minister for women’s rights says that the crime remains a “constant battle because it can settle insidiously in a home”.

The Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights and IMSEE, Monaco’s statistical agency, published the 2021 study on ‘Violence against women in Monaco’ on Monday 24th January. It is the third study of its kind in the Principality.

Various indicators from a variety of reference sources are used to compile the report, including the Department of Public Security, the Department of Judicial Services, Princess Grace Hospital Centre, the Department of Social Action and Assistance (DASO), and the Association for Assistance to Victims of Criminal Offenses (AVIP).

“This study makes it possible to follow the evolution over time of violence committed against women in Monaco,” said Céline Cottalorda, Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights. “We’ve seen a general drop in the acts of violence declared in 2021 to each entity.

“This decrease can be partly explained by the continuation of the health crisis which still impacts the movements and the life of the population. The Committee recalls that violence against women remains a constant battle because it can settle insidiously in a home. This is also the subject of the last awareness campaign that we sent out in November.”

The findings show that 23 violent acts against women were reported to the police in 2021, versus 39 in 2020. In 60% of cases, the violence was physical and in 12%, sexual abuse was involved. 74% of the victims were Monaco residents and the average age of the woman was 41, whilst the average age of the perpetrator was 46. Over a quarter of the incidents occurred at home and 57% were committed by a partner or former partner.

Meanwhile, 38 cases were taken to court, down from 50 the previous year, including 11 for acts committed in 2021. Two convictions were made and two cases were dismissed.

The report shows that the Princess Grace Hospital Centre admitted 41 female victims of violence, with 44% being physical. This is also down from 2020 when the number was 53.

The Association for Assistance to Victims of Criminal Offenses (AVIP) received 36 women over the course of 2021, compared with 42 in 2020, while DASO dealth with 13 cases of violence last year.

At AVIP, 78% of the women were Monaco residents and the average age of the victim was 44, with 58% of the violent acts being committed by a partner or former partner. Interestingly, 19% of AVIP’s cases were for physical abuse, but the majority, 29% of cases, were psychological abuse, then harassment at 22%, and sexual abuse at 6%.

Whilst the figures are relevant, Director of IMSEE Alexandre Bubbio says they are not necessarily cumulative. “The same female victim may have been counted several times, for example if she declared more of a case of violence during the year or if she has presented herself to different services accounting for the acts of violence. The results presented must not be added together and are understood entity by entity.”

 

 

Photo by Yoann Boyer on Unsplash

 

 

 

CMB, Grimaldi Forum renew historic partnership

by: Cassandra Tanti
24/01/2022

Monaco’s main culture and exhibition centre, the Grimaldi Forum, has secured an exciting schedule of events this year thanks to the resigning of premium sponsor CMB private bank on Monday.

It is a partnership that began in 2005, but each time CMB renews its annual financial support, it is an enormous relief and boost of confidence for the team at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco.

“We thank CMB Monaco for its support and its loyalty, particularly in this context of the health crisis which has been raging for almost two years,” said Grimaldi Forum Chairman Henri Fissore.

The signing of the partnership, which symbolically took place on Monday at the Grimaldi Forum before the press, secures a strong schedule of events for 2022, headed by Managing Director Sylvie Biancheri.

“The programming has to be more and more ambitious,” Biancheri told Monaco Life. “We make a lot of effort to renew the partnership in the best conditions, to meet the expectations of CMB by organsing big names, big shows and big exhibitions. We are very proud to get this renewal for 18 years now, it is very meaningful.”

Photo of the Grimaldi Forum Monaco, by Monaco Life

Headline shows this year include French singer and former first lady Carla Bruni, who performed in January, the “Godfather of Punk” Iggy Pop in May, and French pop singer Christophe Maé also in May.

Modanse, created by the world’s greatest ballet superstar Svetlana Zakharova and featuring stars of Bolshoi, will have its European premier in Monaco in April. Featuring costumes by fashion house Chanel, the unique performance is expected to be a sell-out.

In line with this fusion of the arts theme is the hugely popular annual summer expo which this year is dedicated to fashion designer and shoe icon ‘Christian Louboutin – the exhibition(ist)’ and will take place in the months of July and August.

Other highlights include the Salon du Livre, Thursday Live Sessions and Top Marques.

“The quality of what Sylvie is doing is second to none,” Francesco Grosoli, Managing Director of CMB Monaco, told Monaco Life. “There are many things happening in the Principality, but the visibility that the Grimaldi Forum brings both inside and outside of Monaco is very important.”

 

SEE ALSO:

Handel and Chanel celebrated in exceptional ballet

Christian Louboutin: An odyssey through three decades of abundant creativity

 

Photo: CMB Managing Director Francesco Grosoli, CMB Chairman Etienne Franzi, Grimaldi Forum Chairman Henri Fissore, and Grimaldi Forum General Manager Sylvie Biancheri, by Monaco Life

 

 

 

Chanel celebrated in exceptional ballet

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/01/2022

Modanse, starring prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova and members of the Bolshoi Ballet, will present two exceptional performances dedicated to dance, music and beautiful costumes this April.

As far as spectacles go, this one rates high on the charts. Acclaimed Bolshoi prima ballerina Svetlana Zakharova will be on stage two nights at the Grimaldi Forum in April, for not just one, but two strikingly different dances in one single performance.

Zakharova, who is notable for being the first and only Russian Etoile at La Scala, will be dancing in a double bill by MuzArts entitled Modanse. The show commences with Come un Respiro (Like a Breath), a celebration of George Frideric Handel’s Baroque style music complemented by a dance choreographed by Mauro Bigonzetti and elegant costumes designed by Helena de Medeiros.

The second part of the performance will be the ballet Gabrielle Chanel, a tribute to the fashion icon and legend. The show takes the audience through Coco Chanel’s journey from an obscure provincial singer to becoming an enduring household name in the world of fashion and design. Her connection to the ballet was cemented over the years through her collaborations with great artists and choreographers including Serge Diaghilev, founder of Ballets Russes.

The show will feature over 80 costumes that were specially designed by Chanel Creative Studio Creative Director Virginie Viard and will use archived photos and videos to further enhance the beauty of the event.

Svetlana Zakharova will be joined on stage by a star-studded cast of dancers from the Bolshoi ballet, including Jacopo Tissi, Vyacheslav Lopatin, Mikhail Lobukhin, Denis Savin, Anastasia Stashkevich and Ana Turazashvili.

Modanse, organised by Luxpro and Valna Management Muzarts Production, is coming to the Grimaldi Forum’s Salle des Princes on the 7th and 8th April.

 

 

Restoration of Boulevard du Larvotto underway

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/01/2022

As steady progress continues on Testimonio II, the project’s partners are initiating works to restore Boulevard du Larvotto to its original state, allowing for traffic flow to return to normal.

Road works will begin on 24th January to revisit the original outline of Boulevard du Larvotto. Groupe Marcozzo and VINCI Immoblier will be in charge of the project which will connect the new section to the historic road.

The operation will include some traffic disruptions that are expected to go on for two and a half months with completion in April. During this period, an alternating traffic system is being established to allow for access and to limit disruption.

As the works on the road start, network projects are simultaneously being worked on in Testimonio II’s public technical galleries, many of which will run under Boulevard du Larvotto. These networks will serve the entire district, including the thalassothermy network incorporated by the government.

This will require another alternating traffic situation running from April to mid-July, though exact dates have yet to be announced. This will signal the completion of this phase of works on the road, until 2024, when a roundabout will be created on the Boulevard to facilitate entry and exit from the car park at Testimonio II.

Testimonio II is one of the Principality’s largest construction projects currently underway. It will be made up of two residential towers with 348 state apartments and a 50-place creche, and will be the new home of the International School of Monaco, accommodating 700 pupils. Parking on 13 levels will accommodate 1,100 vehicles, including 850 for the state and public parking. There is also a private residence, Bay House, which will be comprised of 56 apartments and five villas.

The state apartments will account for roughly 10% of the country’s current stock and the total surface area of the project is approximately 150,000m2 using nearly 10,000m2 of land. The project will use 16,000 tonnes of steel and 120,000m3 of concrete. During peak times, there are more than 1,000 workers on site.

The project has not been without hiccoughs, though. They builders are working on a steep slope, reduced rights of way and with complicated hydro-geology and geotechnics.

The project was green lit in 2015, and has been progressing gradually, despite the pandemic, ever since. It is expected that the first tower and creche will be ready for occupation by the end of this year, with the second tower being complete in the 3rd quarter of 2023. The International School will be able to open its doors in 2023 as well. Finally, Bay House is set to be ready in 2024.

“Testimonio is more than a construction site for us: it is a major project for Monaco, which provides concrete solutions adapted to the needs of Monegasques and residents of the Principality,” said Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning. “It is also a project that requires going through many stages before seeing the end of the tunnel. We still have one important task left so that Boulevard du Larvotto can be returned to full traffic and alternating is the only solution: since the beginning of the year, we have been working with the promoter and the builder to adjust a device that allows for the completion of the work and will not cut off traffic.”

 

 

Image of the future Testimonio II project by DR, Monaco Government