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Day: 22 April 2022

Who is Monaco’s new Health Minister?

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/04/2022

Christophe Robino officially took up his post as Monaco’s new Minister of Health and Social Action on Wednesday, vowing to maintain excellence in health standards. So, who is this political outsider and what exactly does his job entail?

Christophe Robino is a busy man. He has spent the majority of his life as a medical doctor, specialising in nephrology and medical resuscitation. In this capacity, he was named as Head of the Department of Medical Specialities and Haemodialysis at Princess Grace Hospital (CHPG), Medical Director of the Private Haemodialysis Centre of Monaco, President of the Syndicate of Hospital Patricians, Member of the Board of Directors of the CHPG, Vice-President of the Council of the Order of Physicians, and Member of the Improvement Committee of the Scientific Centre of Monaco.

Robino is also a member of the National Council, where he serves as President of the Commission for Education, Youth and Sports, and in 2018 was appointed Chairman of the Commission for Social Interests and Various Affairs. Additionally, he actively participated in the meetings of the Joint Covid-19 Monitoring Committee set up in March 2020 to monitor the pandemic.

As such, Robino is well-placed to step into the role of Minister. The job is vast, and encompasses employment, labour relations, occupational health, public health, social security insurance, social services and families, the disabled and the elderly.

“Among the major axes around which his mission revolves, Christophe Robino wishes to continue to guarantee the excellence of the Monegasque health system, to maintain an effective model of protection, particularly for the most vulnerable, and to promote new social advances,” the government said of the new minister’s goals.

The departments that report to the ministry include the Department of Employment, the Department of Health Affairs, the Department of Social Welfare and Social Services, the State Medical Benefits Office, and the Secretariat of the Employment Tribunal in the public realm, and the Princess Grace Hospital and Social Protection Unit in the private sector.

Finally, it is also the task of the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs to monitor changes in international agreements relating to social protection and in particular bilateral social security agreements with France and Italy.

The new minister will have his hands full, to be sure, but as a man whose credentials and past work ethic have shown him to be professional and diligent, he will no doubt rise to the challenge.

 

 

Photo by Stéphane Danna, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

 

International Dog Show attracting “top dogs”

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/04/2022

The Monaco Kennel Club is set to host the International Monaco Dog Show, with nine expert judges choosing the best of the best canines over two days, with more than 170 breeds being represented.

On 7th and 8th May, the world’s top dogs will compete at the International Monaco Dog Show, hosted by the Monaco Kennel Club. Organisers are expecting over a thousand dogs to enter the ring throughout the two-day period.

Nine prestigious judges, well-known in the dog show world, will assess the qualities of a variety of pooches, including popular breeds such as terriers, dachshunds, retrievers, sheep and cattle dogs, pointers, sighthounds and even companion and toy breeds.

Divided into 10 groups, the dogs are judged by different criteria such as beauty, obedience and skills. The organisers have strict rules about animal handling and are no longer accepting animals with clipped ears, nor do they allow cages at the show. Vaccinations must be up to date and there must be no signs of mistreatment in any way.

Pups competing at the Monaco event can also go on to compete in the Mediterranean Trophy competition with the next step being in San Remo in June followed by the finals in Martigues in September.

For up and comers, there will be a Junior Handling contest where young people in training from age five to nine and aged 10 to 17 years of age will be judged as they present a dog. In this case, the handler will be on show, not the pooch, giving those new to the ring a chance to improve and learn.

Prizes and awards, including the Grand Prix d’Honneur, will be handed out on Sunday 8th May from 3:30pm.

 

 

Photo source: Monaco Kennel Club

 

 

 

 

 

Russian soprano Anna Netrebko a sell-out in Monaco despite controversy

by: Cassandra Tanti
22/04/2022

Monte-Carlo Opera is facing backlash over its decision to recruit Russian superstar Soprano Anna Netrebko for a series of four sell-out performances, starting Friday.

On 19th April, Monaco Life published an article revealing that the Monte-Carlo Opera had hired Anna Netrebko to sing the title role in four performances of Puccini’s ‘Manon Lescaut’ in April, replacing Maria Agresta who was forced to cancel for health reasons.

The Russian soprano, one of opera’s biggest stars, has faced a wave of cancellations around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera where she has sung for 20 years and become its prima donna, because of her ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After issuing three statements denouncing the war on Ukraine, and despite further cancellations in Munich and Zurich, the Monte-Carlo Opera hired the soprano for her debut performance on the Monte-Carlo stage.

“Anna Netrebko made a statement two weeks ago regarding the war and her relationship with Putin. She has taken a clear position against the war in Ukraine. As a consequence, she has been declared an ‘enemy of the homeland’ by the speaker of the Duma and a theatre in Novosibirsk cancelled her appearance,” the company’s spokesperson Christiano Ribeerio told the New York Times.

Anna Netrebko will therefore make her first performance in the Principality tonight, Friday 22nd April, in a sell-out gala show. Not a single ticket is available for all three remaining performances this month.

But the company has received enormous backlash over its decision.

Following publication of the article, Monaco Life has been inundated with emails and comments on our social media from readers.

“Shame on you, Opera de Monte-Carlo, cancel Anna Netrebko’s performance, save your reputation”, wrote one reader. “Disgraceful for Monaco, what a shame”, commented another.

“Receiving an active Putin supporter looks very bad on the Opera of Monte-Carlo. Is it done to please the tastes of Russian oligarchs supporting the war?” wrote another in an email, which – like most of the emails we received – was copied to members of the Monte-Carlo Opera. They added, “Will the proceeds of these performances be used to support Ukrainian refugees?”

However, not every response has been critical. Some have actually praised the opera’s decision to separate art and politics:

“Bravo Monaco! And bravo Anna who hasn’t done anything wrong besides being celebrated in her home country by its president, who has done what he has done but was at the time the respected leader of his country.”

“Do not mix art and war!!”, declared another, while others were grateful to receive the soprano in the Principality for the first time: “Lucky are we! Greatest soprano of our time. Big thanks to the Metropolitan Opera”.

In addition to Friday night’s gala performance, Anna Netrebko will take to the Monte-Carlo stage on Sunday 24th, Wednesday 27th and Saturday 30th April.

“I am overjoyed to be unexpectedly making my stage debut at the Monte-Carlo Opera,” Netrebko said recently. “It is going to be made even more special by performing with my husband, tenor Yusif Eyvazov, in the same Puccini masterpiece that marked our first encounter at the Rome Opera in 2014. I wish my friend and colleague Maria Agresta a full and speedy recovery.”

 

SEE ALSO:

Russian soprano hired by Monaco after being shunned in NY

 

 

Mairie unveils support group for caregivers

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/04/2022

A new programme called ‘Meetings for Caregivers’ is being launched to give support to the people who have the selfless and sometimes difficult task of caring for others.

Caregiving is no walk in the park. People who look after a sick, disabled or non-mobile charge often find themselves isolated with no one to speak to about the daily challenges, as well as the rewards, of this noble occupation.

The American Psychological Association states that caregivers are under huge strain, and often find themselves overworked, stressed, fatigued, guilt-ridden, depressed, and full of anxiety. This can lead to the carer themselves falling ill or becoming burnt-out.

One of the recommended ways of reducing stress and helping caregivers know they have support is by being part of a group. To that end, the Mairie, under the impetus of First Deputy Mayor in Charge of Social Affairs Camille Svara, has created a new monthly meeting called the ‘Meeting for Caregivers’.

These one and a half hour long sessions will be led by a social worker and coordinating nurse in a warm and intimate setting. They are meant to be a place where caregivers can talk about their experiences and where they can be heard as a voice of their own. It is also a good social outlet where they can meet others in situations similar to theirs and have a relaxing moment without worries. 

Additionally, for those who are struggling, the facilitators will have advice on outside resources that caregivers can use to help.

The meetings will take place the first Thursday of every month in the A Fabrica room at Princesse Antoinette Park. The meetings are free of charge and the next one will be held on 5th May at 5pm.

Despite free access, registration is requested. To inscribe, call Seniors and Social Action on +377 93 15 28 35.

 

 

 

ASM match preview: Clement not embracing favourites tag

by: Luke Entwistle
22/04/2022

In Friday’s pre-match press conference, Monaco manager Philippe Clement played down the side’s “favourites” tag for the podium. Ahead of Saturday’s match against Saint Etienne, his sole interest is controlling the controllables.

With the short gap between games, it remains to be seen whether Clement will start the same side for the third time in-a-row. “I need to look now at the recuperation, because of that I can’t say who is the starting 11 for Saturday. I need to see the training, and see tomorrow how everyone is,” said the Belgian.

However, given Monaco’s strength in depth and their prolific record from the bench, Clement needn’t fear turning to his reinforcements. “In Ligue 1 and the top five leagues in Europe, we are the team that has the second most goals off the bench, from substitutes, just behind Atalanta. That only happens when every player is involved.”

Monaco Life attended group training on Friday and can confirm that although Cesc Fabreagas trained, he will not be in the group for Saturday’s fixture against Saint-Etienne, but will be involved for the N2 side at the Stade Louis II. Meanwhile, when questioned by Monaco Life as to whether Krepin Diatta would be available for selection again this season, Clement replied, “impossible”.

Monaco go into the fixture high on confidence, and rightly so. With five consecutive victories, they are the form side in Ligue 1, but when it comes to the “favourite for the podium” tag that has been attributed to the Principality side, Clement isn’t paying any attention to it. “What people think isn’t important. For me the important thing is to stay focused every match. Every month the favourites have changed. A few weeks back, everyone said that Rennes were already certain of the Champions League and now after two weeks that has changed.”

The former Club Brugge manager continued, “I just want to focus on ourselves, stay at a good level and take lots of points. That is what is in our hands.”

That has been Clement’s approach throughout, even during the difficult period in March, as defender Axel Disasi told Monaco Life.

“He has brought confidence. Even when things weren’t going our way, he was always confident, always motivated,” said the French defender. That confidence was well founded, and has spread through the rest of the squad, with remarkable improvements made by many members of what was an underperforming squad for periods of the season.

Monaco will travel to Le Chaudron confident of bringing home the three points, having seemingly broken their curse against low-blocking, relegation struggling sides. Undefeated in four out of their last five home games, Les Verts are still kicking in their fight to avoid the drop.

Now level on points with the current occupant of that much-coveted third-position, they may not be favourites to qualify for next season’s Champions League (at least according to Clement), but they certainly are the most experienced. At this point of the season, under an unrelenting and ever-increasing pressure, that fact cannot be understated.

 

Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life