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Month: January 2023

Dominant Sébastien Ogier wins ninth Monte-Carlo Rally

by: Luke Entwistle
23/01/2023

Sébastien Ogier led from start to finish on his way to securing his ninth Monte-Carlo Rally victory in just 14 years, overcoming last year’s disappointment in what he described as a “perfect weekend”.

The Frenchman was denied the title last season, with a mechanical issue on the final day putting pay to his ambitions. Instead, it was the legendary veteran and his teammate Sébastien Loeb who took the title. But there was no denying Ogier this year, who stood atop the top step of the podium for the ninth time in Place de la Casino on Sunday 22nd January.

Following the presentation of the cars last Thursday night, the grid made its way up to the mountains and towards the Col de Turini. Here, Ogier and his co-pilot Vincent Landais raced into an early lead ahead of Welshman Elfyn Evans.

Ogier’s domination continued into Friday, as he won four of the six stages, building a nine-second gap to Evans in second and a 23-second gap to third-placed Kalle Rovanperä.

However, Finnish driver Rovanperä hit back on the Saturday, winning three of the six stages and closing the gap to 16 seconds. Ogier’s lead was still considerable, but not unassailable, and if he was to overcome last year’s disappointment, he would have to work for it going into the final day.

Rovanperä’s comeback acted as a wakeup call for Ogier, who in the early hours of Sunday morning, struck back, extending his lead once again on his way to an ultimately comfortable victory.

On his way to taking his ninth Monte-Carlo Rally title, Ogier picked up nine stage wins out of a possible 18, becoming only the fourth driver to pull off such a feat in the 21st century.

Reflecting on the victory post-race, Ogier paid homage to his co-pilot, Landais.

“It’s a good time with the whole team, with Vincent, and it was his first victory in Monte-Carlo, I think he had tears in his eyes. He is very proud today, and he deserves it,” he said.

The Monte-Carlo Rally, the curtain-raiser to the 2023 World Rally Car calendar, provided an unmistakable sign of Ogier’s dominance. As the grid heads to Sweden, it is clear that the Frenchman will be difficult to beat this year.

 

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Photo by Red Bull Content Pool / Jaanus Ree

Drone show to feature in Sainte Dévote celebrations

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/01/2023

In line with Monaco’s sustainable ethos, a drone show will replace fireworks as the entertaining aspect of Sainte Dévote celebrations this week.

With all Covid-related health restrictions lifted, it will be the first time in two years that the public will be able to properly participate in Sainte Dévote festivities this year.

On the forecourt of Place Sainte Dévote, they will be able to attend the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The ceremony will be broadcast live on screen at 7pm.

The public is then invited to move to a secure area on Quai Albert Ier to watch the traditional burning of the boat.

From there, they will be able to witness the drone show accompanied by sound, organised by the Mairie de Monaco.

At around 8:15pm, 100 luminous drones will fly in the Monegasque sky above the Prince’s Palace. The unique show, lasting eight minutes, will revolve specifically around Sainte Dévote and will illustrate different symbols related to this traditional festival.

Access is controlled and free.

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

How to celebrate Monaco’s patron saint: Sainte Devote

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/01/2023

With the commemoration day of the Principality’s patron saint coming up, Monaco Life presents the roster of events as well as how you can get involved.  

Sainte Devote, the fourth century martyr who later became patron saint of both Monaco and Corsica, is celebrated in the Principality on 26th and 27th January.  

Her story is rather a gruesome one, with the legend saying she was tortured and killed for her Christian faith on her native island of Corsica. It was reported that her mouth was crushed and she was dragged through brambles and over rocks. Eventually, she was either put to the rack or stoned to death.  

After her passing, it was ordered that she be burnt to prevent veneration, but her body was saved by fellow Christians and placed in a boat headed for Africa. The boat was blown off course by a storm and landed instead in Monaco.  

A chapel was built in her honour in the hollow of the Vallon des Gaumates, where it still stands today. It is said that flowers bloom before their seasonal time on 27th January, her official saint’s day.  

This year in Monaco, her day is marked with special tributes. In the early evening of 26th January, the public are invited to gather on the Albert 1er embankment to watch the ceremonial arrival of the boat, as well as to see the relics associated with the young saint. A procession will then begin, taking the crowd to the Sainte Devote Chapel, where a holy sacrament is performed, before the boat is lit on fire by Prince Albert II and the Princely family in her memory. A drone display is then scheduled above the Palace of Monaco and can be witnessed from the secure area on Port Hercule. 

The ritual of the burning on the boat in memory of Sainte Devote. Photo from the Monaco Communications Department

The next morning, the relics will be taken to the Cathedral and a high mass celebrated, led by Archbishop of Monaco Dominique-Marie David. After the service, another procession will take place, this time around Monaco Ville, while the archbishop blesses the palace, the town and the sea.  

At 4pm on 27th January, the Direction des Affaires Culturelles de Monaco has organised a concert featuring the traditional organ played by Silvano Rodi at the Eglise Sainte Dévote. Entry is free although space may be limited.

For more information, please click here.  

 

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Photo source: Monaco Communications Department. This article was originally published on 16th January. 

The official celebration of Chinese New Year in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/01/2023

Chinese New Year, the most important festival of the Chinese community throughout the world, will be celebrated during a special gala dinner at the Hôtel Hermitage supported by the Embassy of Monaco in China.

Chinese New Year officially begins on 22nd January 2023 under the sign of the rabbit, and more specifically the water rabbit.

Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, stretching to the Lantern Festival on 5th February 2023.

To mark the occasion, Monaco Dragon Prestige and the Monaco-China Association are organising a gala in the Salle Belle Époque of the Hôtel Hermitage on Tuesday 24th January at 7pm. The evening will be supported by the Embassy of Monaco in China.

According to the organisers, “the event will combine Chinese and Mediterranean tradition and gastronomy in a glamorous and prestigious atmosphere. Dragon dance, popular Chinese and international songs, and shows will accompany the festive meal prepared especially for this unique evening by renowned chefs”.

The evening is expected to be attended by Monegasque and Chinese guests from the political, economic and cultural spheres, and will be opened with a speech by Her Excellency the Ambassador of Monaco to China. Also present will be representatives of the Chinese community from various European countries, including journalists, influencers and travel agents.

For more information: info@monacodragonprestige.com

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Photo credit: Ng Jing Xuan on Unsplash. Note this story was originally published on 11th January 2023. 

2022 Monaco crime stats: overall crime down, drink-driving and break-ins up

by: Stephanie Horsman
21/01/2023

Monaco Police Commissioner Richard Manangoni has revealed a mixed bag of statistics from 2022: crime in general has fallen, but drink-driving is on the rise.

Held at the Oceanographic Museum, the Monaco police force recently hosted its New Year event for the first time since the Covid pandemic. It was an opportunity for Commissioner Richard Manangoni to talk hard figures on the crime rates in the Principality’s with his colleagues as well as Prince Albert II, Interior Minister Patrice Cellario and Minister of State Pierre Dartout, who also attended. 

The statistics show an overall drop in crime between 2019 and 2002 of 9% from 889 to 810 incidents, with street crime falling by 34%. However, this positive news was offset by concern as both of these figures have increased since 2021. Last year, cases of break-ins rose to 15 from eight, and there was a dramatic rise in drink-driving incidents, from 132 to 282.  

Narcotics-related crime, however, was down from 85 to 83 cases, and not a single instance of pickpocketing was reported in 2022.  

The biggest news from last year included the inauguration of Villa Marcelle, the new home to Monaco’s version of RAID – France’s elite police unit – as well as the police department’s 120th anniversary last July and the digitalisation of administrative services, which handled 15,232 residency cards. 

At the end of the ceremony, Prince Albert II took to the stand to speak to those gathered, expressing his thanks to the force for their service and good work in keeping Monaco’s streets safe.  

“Everyday language abounds expressions such as ‘it’s a safe place’, ‘it’s in a safe place’, which all qualify our Principality. But why is this so? Because for decades, policies have been implemented in order to guarantee to the women and men who live, work or simply come to be in this country, the safety of their persons and their property,” said the Prince in his speech.

 

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

Podcast: This Week in Monaco #2

by: Cassandra Tanti
21/01/2023

Presenting ‘This Week in Monaco’, our new Podcast where we talk to the journalists behind the biggest headlines of the week.  

In this edition of This Week in Monaco, we talk about:

  • Prince Albert at the World Economic Forum in Davos
  • Property boom in the Alps
  • A stellar year for SBM and the job drive
  • This month’s events including Sainte Devote, the International Circus Festival of Monte-Carlo and more
  • The story behind Monaco’s popular orange harvest
  • Monte-Carlo Rally fever hits Casino Square
  • Monaco’s Maserati MSG Racing performance in Formula E
  • Has AS Monaco Basketball made the Euroleague this year?
  • Romeo Beckham turns heads at La Turbie
  • Monaco Life Snow Report
  • Presenting Monaco Life’s new Best of Series: #1 Vintage

Click on the Podcast below to play…

Total time: 30 mins.