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Day: 30 December 2022

Roca Team finish 2022 on a high with Euroleague victory

by: Luke Entwistle
30/12/2022

AS Monaco Basketball will finish 2022 joint-top of the Euroleague after a late comeback against Zalgiris on Thursday (84-82) sealed a narrow victory at the Salle Gaston Médecin. 

The Roca Team were led for the entire fixture but produced a thrilling late comeback to ensure that they head into 2023 joint-top of the Euroleague table, with a playoff spot at the end of the season well and truly within reach.

As is often the case, Monaco had little time to prepare for the arrival of the Lithuanian team, and it showed in the opening quarter, with the home side failing to match the intensity of their visitors.

Heading into the second quarter with a nine-point deficit (17-26), Monaco had to muster a comeback, and they did so, albeit incrementally. Elie Okobo (22 points) was the face of the revival, helping the Roca Team come back into the game, and get within striking distance in the fourth-quarter.

With just a matter of seconds on the clock, the Frenchman took control, converting his free-throws before dunking Monaco level. Okobo, with Jaron Blossomgame, then allowed the Roca Team to grow a narrow lead. Nonetheless, Zalgiris did have the chance to win the game with the final possession, but they missed their buzzer shot, allowing Monaco to seal the victory (84-82) and ensure they finish the calendar year joint-top of the Euroleague table.

“I want to congratulate my guys for getting this difficult victory. We are top, but that doesn’t mean much. January is coming quickly and with an equally difficult calendar,” said Sasa Obradovic post-match.

Monaco now have a short break before returning to action with a trip to Partizan on 5th January.

 

Photo by AS Monaco Basket

 

Talent call for 2023 MC Summer Concert

by: Jessica Tatam
30/12/2022

The date for 2023’s MC Summer Concert has been set, and young musicians and artists can now apply to take part. Could you be the next star performer? 

Next year’s MC Summer Concert will be taking place on 7th July 2023. The event is a collaborative initiative born of the National Council, the Government of Monaco and the Monaco City Hall, and shines the spotlight on young musical talent in the Principality.  

The inaugural event in 2019 was a huge success, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it was forced to take a two-year hiatus. 2022 marked the highly-anticipated return of the concert and next year the popular music event will again return to the Espace Léo Ferré.   

Applications for the big event are now open for all Monaco residents between 13 and 25 years of age, alone or part of a group. Artists are asked to put together a 20-minute presentation of their skills; a showcase of “musical identity and stage presence”.  

The application form is available online and entries close on 27th March 2023. 

For more information, please click here.  

 

 

Photo source: Israel Palacio for Unsplash

Annales Monégasques: Special edition commemorates Prince Albert I

by: Jessica Tatam
30/12/2022

The 2022 edition of the Annales Monégasques takes readers on an intimate journey through the awe-inspiring years of Prince Albert I’s life, Monaco’s eminent “Explorer Prince”.

Each year, the Annales Monégasques publish a new journal that detail a chapter of the history of Monaco. This year, to commemorate the centenary of the death of Prince Albert I, the 46th edition celebrates the life and achievements of the Prince.

The symposium, The Careers of a Prince: The Life and Territories of Albert I of Monaco (1848-1922), was held in Monaco early this year, and it is with the proceedings of this event that this edition of the Annales begins.

Comprising 11 chapters, the first theme of Sports and Life in the Open Air presents to the reader a “richly illustrated monograph” detailing his journeys on a Humber Beeston motorcycle through France and Monaco from 1903 to 1905. Another passion of the prince was hunting, with a number of documents creating an image of someone who was practised in the sport, and who had anticipated current debates on the subject.

Another key theme, Exercises of Power, talks about the funeral of Victor Hugo in 1885 and how it marked a significant event in the Prince’s life. Readers are allowed an intimate view into his mind through a personal letter to his father explaining what he had seen as a member of the crowd.

Entitled Radiation and International Commitments of the Prince, three separate articles provide a deeper insight into his international dealings. The first looks at the contradiction between the Prince’s stance on anti-colonialism and his colonial business dealings in Mozambique, and these arrangements as a means of preserving peace. The second article covers Albert’s meeting with Iranian diplomat and pacifist Mirza Riza Khan and the first Peace Conference at The Hague. Lastly, the third article deals with the Prince’s involvement in the care and convalescence of wounded allies in Monaco during World War I.

Prince Albert’s scholarly life and scientific work are also documented in three articles, including his interest in anthropology, his contribution to marine safety and the preservation of fisheries resources, and his participation in the Geographical Society of Paris.

The final theme, Artistic culture and Patronage, deals with “the political and artistic sensitivity of Albert I” as well as the second wife of the Prince, Princess Alice of Monaco and the mixed opinions held by her contemporaries.

The 46th edition of the Annales Monégasques is now available for purchase here and is available in both paper copy and as a pdf.

 

Photo source: Annales Monégasques/Palais Princier de Monaco

€100 for new carpoolers as of New Year

by: Jessica Tatam
30/12/2022

As part of plans to boost the number of commuter rideshares, France is launching a financial bonus scheme for drivers, and it’s easy to apply.  

How does getting paid to help cut emissions and wasted time stuck in unnecessary traffic sound? From January 2023, drivers who offer a lift to co-workers via a recognised lift-sharing platform could be in line for a €100 bonus under France’s Daily Carpooling Plan, which is aimed at regular short-distance commuters.  

“The bonus is intended to promote carpooling,” says Agnès Pannier-Runacher, French Minister for Energy Transition. “In addition to the positive climate effects of this measure, it is a response to the increase in fuel prices.” 

The government, which will set aside €150 million for the plan over the next four years, estimates that carpooling currently represents just 3% of home-to-work journeys. With the launch of the new action plan, it is hoped that the figure will increase from 900,000 to 3,000,000 by 2027. Calculations by the Ministry for Transport suggest this would signify a 4.5 million tonne reduction to CO2 emissions each year as well as a considerable curtailment in the levels of traffic that bring cities to a standstill every day. 

How does the scheme work?

The €100 bonus will be paid in two instalments: an initial €25 once the first rideshare is completed and the remaining €75 following a further nine trips that must take place within the next three months.  

It is available to all first-time carpool drivers who offer a ride to colleagues and other local commuters using one of the many rideshare platforms available across the country (the official list of platforms that have signed up to the scheme can be found here).  

All carpool journeys of less than 80 km will be eligible. A valid driving licence is, of course, required.  

For further information, please click here.

 

 

Photo source: Nabeel Syed for Unsplash