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Month: November 2022

Roca Team fall short despite thrilling late comeback

by: Luke Entwistle
23/11/2022

AS Monaco Basketball came close to overturning a 19-point fourth-quarter deficit against Fenerbahçe, but their ultimate loss to the Turkish table-toppers (93-96) on Tuesday relegates them to fifth in the Euroleague. 

The result means that the Roca Team have now lost four of their last five fixtures in all competitions, after only losing once in their first 13. The Euroleague defeat followed a narrow loss against Limoges in the Betclic Elite (80-84) on Sunday.

The victory against Baskonia at the Salle Gaston Médecin on Friday looked to have stemmed Sasa Obradovic’s side’s negative spiral, but in this tight run of fixtures, the Principality side have come once again unstuck.

Tuesday’s match at the Salle Gaston Médecin was no easy fixture. Fenerbahçe have been imperious so far this season, and they showed why in the early stages. Monaco had little response to their attacking efforts as the Turkish visitors won the first two-quarters (18-21, 20-24).

Monaco were, however, still within striking distance. That changed in the third quarter. As was the case throughout the match, Monaco found success in the attacking phases but were helpless to bleeding points at the other end. Going into the final quarter, Fenerbahçe had created a seemingly insurmountable 19-point lead (60-79).

What ensued was a crazy 10 minutes of basketball, which almost resulted in an improbable upset. Right from the start, the crowd were up, and a couple of early T3s provided the momentum to chase the Turkish side down. Having looked so fluid all night, Fenerbahçe were struggling at both ends and were helpless as they watched their mammoth lead slip away.

With just 12 seconds from the buzzer, Monaco were back within a point (93-94), but Obradovic’s men couldn’t find that crucial winner, and succumbed to consecutive defeats, despite their valiant fourth-quarter efforts.

“Fenerbahçe are probably the best team in Europe at the moment. We have to respect what we did in the final quarter in coming back from 19 points behind. We showed real character; it was a real spectacle for the fans. The season is long and we will learn from this kind of match,” said Obradovic post-match.

Looking to get their season back on track, Monaco welcome Bayern Munich to the Salle Gaston Médecin on the evening of Friday 25th November.

 

Photo by AS Monaco Basket

Maeght Foundation to undergo spectacular extension

by: Elsa Carpenter
23/11/2022

If you wondered why the Maeght Foundation was closed to visitors earlier this year, here’s the answer: the eminent art institution is undertaking a vast remodelling project. 

The goal is to significantly expand the exhibition space at France’s “first independent art foundation”. With the guidance of architect Silvio d’Ascia, the extension will improve the visitor experience as well as “enrich the foundation’s programming by offering additional space for conferences, screenings, performance, seminars, and concerts”. It’s a smart choice and it should help the foundation, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2024, diversify its revenue model. 

Currently offering 850m2, two new galleries will be added to the floorplan as well as one small interconnecting gallery and an introductory gallery that will lead to the Grande Salle; an additional 500m2 in total.  

There will be little impact to the original design of Josep Lluís Sert, the creative mind behind the existing architecture, as all expansion will cleverly take place at basement level, with the new spaces benefiting from the glorious natural light of the region via large windows that overlook the nearby pine forest. 

“The Fondation Marguerite and Aimé Maeght is neither a museum nor a gallery,” says chairman Adrien Maeght. “It was created by my family who wanted, from the start, to exhibit the artists we have always supported. What a joy to have new spaces. As soon as it opened, my parents planned to add galleries. This extension will make it possible to present the wealth of the Foundation’s collection that we couldn’t previously present.” 

Works are due to be completed in the 2024, allowing the renowned institution to reopen and celebrate its 60th anniversary in style.  

 

 

Photo source: Glamodrama for Silvio d’Ascia Archives/Fondation Maeght

Ducruet, Frolla and Coulthard join fight for an end to violence against women

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/11/2022

With the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women coming up this Friday, three Monaco associations and three familiar faces are planning an event to show men and boys how they can make a real difference in helping end violence towards women.

Since 2008, the United Nations has championed the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women as a way to increase public awareness on the issues surrounding women’s safety, as well as to enlighten people to what an insidious problem it is.

2022 has been a complex year for women’s rights. Although a prominent topic in the news, steps backward have been taken, not least the shock United States’ Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, which gave American women the right to choose in case of pregnancy.

In Monaco, the good fight continues, and three local organisations – Fight Aids Monaco and SheCanHeCan with the support of the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights – are taking advantage of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women to inspire male allies.

These groups believe men and boys are the “central actors” in ending violence against women, and will set up a stand in the Fontvieille Shopping Centre on Thursday 24th November. From here, they will ask men of all ages to come and be photographed with powerful anti-aggression messages. These messages will be posted on the associations’ social media accounts as well as on Clear Channel all day on Friday 25th November.

Ambassadors Louis Ducruet, Pierre Frolla and David Coulthard are hoping to collect over 200 portraits of men and boys who are willing to show that they stand against violence towards women.

Each man photographed will choose the message he wants to convey, from “A real man doesn’t hit a woman” to “I say NO to violence against women”. The participants will also be invited to take a Pledge for Equality.

“This initiative, launched in 2019, aims to encourage the local population to act daily to make equality a reality,” said the SheCanHeCan association via a communiqué.

For further information, please visit www.shecanhecan.org.

 

 

Photo source: Ashkan Forouzani for Unsplash

Waste Reduction Week: What’s on in Monaco?

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/11/2022

The European Waste Reduction Week is underway for the fourth consecutive year and Monaco is a keen participant, with numerous awareness-raising activities and events organised to encourage residents in the Principality to waste less and reuse more.

Waste Reduction Week is a Europe-wide event aimed at getting people to think harder about the three Rs: reducing, reusing and recycling. Monaco will champion the event up until 27th November and this year has set the theme of “Circular and Sustainable Textiles”.

The textile industry has a big impact on the environment, from the production and distribution phases all the way through to after-use, where many pieces end up in landfills. The Monegasque government is therefore asking people to consider what to do with clothes, shoes, towels, bedding and other textile products before mindlessly dumping them in the bin.

To help, they have set up a series of terrific events to discover sustainable solutions that are both informational and fun.

The creative ways the government and other associations in the Principality are getting involved range wildly from a treasure hunt to “Textiles in Bloom”, a weeklong programme by the Department of Urban Development that uses an original process for reusing used textiles and transforming them into a personalised and reusable tote bag.

Other events include sewing workshops, a charity work clothes collection for people trying to re-enter the job market, a raffle (for every three clothing items donated, a ticket to win prizes is offered), and the community creation of an XXL textile fresco made from used clothes, bed and table linen, and scraps of fabric.

There are so many more incredible ways to be a part of this year’s European Waste Reduction Week – far too many to be listed. The complete schedule can be found here.

Get inspired and get involved, Monaco!

 

 

Photo source: Lucas Hoang for Unsplash

Red Nose Day returns with new eco-friendly angle

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/11/2022

Red Nose Day, put on annually by local charity Les Enfants de Frankie, returns to Monaco this year with a new, eco-friendly angle. Rather than a foam ball, organisers are handing out red reusable shopping bags that can be used year-round as a show of support.  

There are few things sadder than a child who is stuck in hospital. Being sick is bad enough but staring at the same four walls with little in the way of variety to the day is definitely not what anyone wishes for their kids. 

Les Enfants de Frankie have dedicated themselves to finding ways to cheer up and support sick and disadvantaged children in the Principality of Monaco as well as the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region since 2005. As part of their many good works, the association puts on a yearly Red Nose Day to raise funds that can provide these children with special educational, cultural and therapeutic days out as well as help to pay for medical equipment that would otherwise be out of reach. 

This year, though, Les Enfants de Frankie’s Red Nose Day is deviating from selling its usual red foam ball to selling reusable red bags, which are better for the environment and can be used year-round as a reminder of the support and care needed – and provided – for children in hospital.  

The bags are on sale now and at only €2.50, they are a steal. The bright red bags can be purchased at post offices in Monaco, certain pharmacies and partner businesses, as well as at a dedicated stand in the Condamine Market on 25th November. Additionally, they can be found in the Fontvieille shopping centre on 3rd and 14th December, and every day until 6th December at the checkout stands of Carrefour Monaco.   

 

 

Photo source: Artem Kniaz for Unsplash

Japanese Night at the Condamine Market

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/11/2022

From traditional crafts to the nation’s celebrated cuisine, the upcoming Japanese Soirée in the Marché de la Condamine will champion all that Japan has to offer. 

Planned for the evening of Tuesday 29th November, Japanese Night is being organised by the activities branch of the Monaco town hall in conjunction with the department responsible for commerce, halls and markets in the Principality.  

Head down to the Condamine Market any time from 4pm for a range of cultural offerings: ikebana, the art of Japanese floral arrangement; origami, creative paper folding; kintsugi, the art of repairing broken pottery by mending the broken sections with precious metals; and calligraphy. 

Japanese cuisine is, of course, on the menu, and visitors can expect tastings of sake, matcha tea and takoyaki. A dinner service will take place later in the evening, accompanied by traditional Japanese music.  

Entry is free and access open to all.  

 

 

Photo source: Mgg Vitchakorn for Unsplash