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Day: 30 May 2022

Ballet explores a different kind of love

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/05/2022

Coppel-I.A. is coming to the stage in June as Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot’s modern take on the 1870 classic comedic ballet Coppélia.

In 1870, choreographer Arthur Saint-Léon debuted a new ballet at the Théâtre Imperial de l’Opéra in Paris, to the delight of audiences. The comic ballet, entitled Coppélia, was the story of a Dr. Coppéllius, who created a life-size dancing doll so lifelike that a village youth falls in love with her, shunning his current intended.

Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s famed artistic director Jean-Christophe Maillot became fascinated with the concept and created an ultra-modern show where a man falls in love with an automaton.

In his version, an engaged couple’s love is challenged by the entry into their lives of a robot with artificial intelligence.

The company describes the story best saying, “Coppel-i.A. projects us into the near future where two young lovers, Frantz and Swanilda, discover carnal love while their society demands ever more conformity. When eroticism bursts into their lives, an artificial being shakes up their certainties and calls into question what they thought they knew about love. Is the ideal partner the flesh being that we have always known or the abstract being that questions our belonging to the human race?”

The music arrangement of Bertrand Maillot echoes the original by Léo Delibes, but with a modern twist.

Coppél-I.A. comes to the Salle des Princes at the Grimaldi Forum for three performances on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of June.

Monaco reveals first ever emergency unit for e-vehicles  

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/05/2022

As electric vehicles increase in popularity, Monaco has introduced a new processing unit that will help protect first responders and the population in the case of a fire.

In this brave new world of alternative energy vehicles, there are a huge amount of positives. These energy-efficient, low-emission cars, trucks, two wheelers and boats are the way forward, but this doesn’t mean they have zero risk associated.

In the case of an emergency situation, notably when a battery pack catches fire or otherwise malfunctions, special procedures need to be followed to prevent a threat to not only the people working to fix the problem, but to the public-at-large.

Now, if there is a problem with a battery pack on a public or private vehicle, Monaco has the ability to handle the incident safely and quickly thanks to a treatment box which has been installed temporarily at the Fontvieille Rescue Centre.

Developed by the Monaco Fire Brigade in collaboration with Sulitec Group, the box was designed on the basis of a maritime container and responds to the operational concept that can be summed up using the theme of Isolate – Check – Treat. This chamber, unique in the world, is instrumented and intelligent and is insulated to withstand temperatures of up to 1,100°C.

The way it works is that when a problem occurs, an insulating cover is used to protect workers from electrical risks, as well as isolating the possible poisonous gasses emitting from the vehicle.

The vehicle is then transported by tow truck to the isolation box using a winch. The box makes it possible to treat the gases released by the faulty batteries as well as any liquid effluents resulting from the incident.

In this box, equipped with thermal insulation walls and multiple sensors, an automatic extinguishing device based on solid microparticles is triggered at a predefined temperature in order to stop any runaway chemical reaction.

Photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

The unveiling ceremony was held on 25th May with Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario, Senior Public Force Commander Colonel Tony Varo, Head of the Fire Brigade of Monaco Lieutenant-Colonel Maxime Yvrard, and Serge Deschamps, Technical and Commercial Manager of the Sulitec Group.

Its commissioning is fully in line with the local precept of “Safe-City” and responds to the risks associated with the development of alternative energy vehicles in the Principality, which currently represents 12% of the registered car fleet.

It will contribute to maintaining a high level of security while promoting the energy transition. During Grand Prix periods, this concept makes it possible to offer an operational response to the specific risk presented by hybrid vehicles and therefore to raise the level of safety during events that have no equal on other circuits.

Now that Grand Prix is over, the box is to be relocated to a new permanent home in the Principality for convenient use throughout the country.

Top photo by Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

 

 

 

Large fire breaks out in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/05/2022

Thick plumes of black smoke rose above Monaco on Monday after a fire broke out among a group of scooters at the intersection of avenue d’Ostende and avenue de la Costa. No injuries have been reported.

The blaze began around midday when, according to early information, six scooters and a MonaBike caught fire.

The exact cause is yet to be revealed.

The bikes were parked at the intersection of avenue d’Ostende and avenue de la Costa.

Authorities say there were no injuries. Traffic was diverted as firefighters brought the blaze under control.

Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

Mairie hosting World Environment Day bash

by: Stephanie Horsman
30/05/2022

World Environment Day is coming up and to celebrate the Mairie will be throwing an eco-party in Princesse Antoinette Park filled with booths, workshops and fun.

Since 1973, World Environment Day, led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has held firm to its mission to raise awareness about planetary issues in need of urgent attention.

For almost five decades, millions of people have taken part in the yearly events, every single one doing a small part to facilitate bigger change and bring environmental causes such as climate change, marine pollution, wildlife crime, and sustainable consumption to the forefront of national and international policymaking.

This year, the Maire of Monaco, led by Marjorie Crovotto, Deputy Mayor in Charge of the Living Environment the Environment and Sustainable Development, will be holding a day-long event at Princesse Antoinette Park using this year’s World Environment Day theme of Only One Earth.

“Harmony” is the buzzword for the day, symbolically linking the ties between man and Earth, therefore the day will feature several informative and fun events set in the beautiful surroundings of the park.

There will be several stands set up, including one from the park’s gardeners, where they will demonstrate the olive tree “in all its states”, showing how the wood is recycled, how the tree grows, and giving out samples of the 2021 batch of oil made from the trees.

The Monaco Media Library will be exhibiting a selection of works related to the environment and will showcase its new grain library, and the Ecopolis Association will invite visitors to taste natural infusions, discover a composter that can be made at home called a vermicompost, and will speak on climate change.

The Mission for Energy Transition (MTE) will also be on hand promoting the National Pact for Energy Transition in order to raise awareness among young generations on how to contribute concretely to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Finally, the Monegasque Sanitation Society will highlight essential information on the subject of recycling.

Workshops will stem from the Ecole Supérieure d’Arts Plastiques Pavillon Bosio who will hold an artistic event giving the public a chance to create a lithograph from a drawing of the park’s olive trees whilst also promoting the benefits of the using nature as the subject of art.

Local association Les Petits Ecoliers de Monaco will offer its third eco-fun workshop for children aged six to 10, where they will create their own vegetable gardens using recycled containers such as egg boxes or yoghurt pots. Four sessions are scheduled at 10 am, 11am, 1pm, and 2pm. Registration is required for a spot, and can be done by ringing 06 80 86 41 52.

The “Ecology of the Body” workshop will be led by naturopath Thierry Villette and will consist of a one-hour contemplative walk focused on the harmony of the body. It will aim to show participants how to understand the relationship between well-being and nature. Three sessions are scheduled at 10:15am, 12pm and 1pm. To book a space, email jbonnin@mairie.mc

Additionally, there is the Leave your Print workshop, referencing carbon footprints, where each visitor will be able to affirm their commitment to the fight against climate change by putting their thumbprint on a large drawing representing leaves.

Finally, there will be an eco-themed treasure hunt taking place in eight stages, using riddles, rebuses, charades and other fun games, suitable for the whole family to enjoy together.

World Environment Day will run from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 4th June. Access to Princesse Antoinette Park is free, though reservations for workshops are needed.

 

Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

 

 

 

James helps Roca Team rediscover their magic touch

by: Cassandra Tanti
30/05/2022

An incredible overtime victory in the final second of AS Monaco Basketball’s Betclic Elite play-off second-leg against Strasbourg takes the series to a decider at the Salle Gaston Médécin on Monday.

Saturday’s match in Strasbourg was a do-or-die moment in their season. Defeat would have seen them finish a promising domestic campaign with a whimper. For large swathes of the match, the game looked beyond Sasa Obradovic’s men, but having taken their opponents to overtime, the class of Mike James shone through to take them over the line.

After two tight quarters, in which neither side managed to pull away, Strasbourg and Monaco went back into the dressing rooms level-pegging. The second two-quarters were more fluctuating with both sides taking the ascendancy in different moments.

It was Strasbourg who grew their lead in the third-quarter, leaving them on the brink of qualification for the Betclic Elite semi-finals, but Monaco, who finished second during the regular season, still had fight left in them.

Apart from a general increase in intensity from Obradovic’s men, the most discernible difference from Wednesday’s limp display at the Salle Gaston Médécin was the presence of James, whose ability can be decisive at any moment.

James’ driving run into the key and pass to Will Thomas tied the scores in the final seconds of the final-quarter to take the game into overtime. Thereafter it was a James masterclass, as he scored 13 of Monaco’s 19 points. Two three-pointers from the American point guard without reply opened-up a healthy gap, before another on the swivel grew the gap to nine (80-89).

Strasbourg looked down and out, but as their manager Lassi Touvi told Monaco Life on Wednesday, his team are full of “hungry and humble” underdogs, who thrive best when they are written off.

12 points behind with under 1:30 left of the clock, Strasbourg launched a full offensive assault, overwhelming Monaco. With only six seconds left on the clock, a three-pointer levelled the scores (95-95), sending the home crowd at the Rhénus Sport into raptures.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. James, from his own baseline, dribbled the length of the court, crept into the key and launched a two-pointer, finding the hoop with just 0.4 seconds left before the final buzzer.

Victory for Monaco (95-97) means they take the series to a deciding tie at the Salle Gaston Médécin on Monday. Obradoivc’s men will not only have home advantage, but also the momentum as they seek to end their season with a piece of silverware.

 

 

Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball