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Day: 9 February 2023

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic set to compete in Monte-Carlo Masters

by: Luke Entwistle
09/02/2023

The 126th edition of the Monte-Carlo Masters will be an “ode to the Riviera” with big-name stars such as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic set to grace the clay courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

Speaking at the presentation of the event at the Monte-Carlo Bay Resort on Thursday, the competition’s new director, David Massey, revealed that Nadal and Djokovic had already signed up for the event, despite the fact that the former is currently nursing an injury in Mallorca.

Nadal hoping for 13th triumph

Should the Spaniard compete, he will be looking to win a 12th Monte-Carlo Masters title. Nadal, who shares his record for Grand Slam victories (22) win Djokovic, went on an incredible 46-match unbeaten run at the tournament between 2005 and 2013, which was ended by Djokovic, who went on to win his maiden title in 2013. The Serbian registered a further win in 2015 and is therefore looking to win his third title on the Monte-Carlo clay.

The full list of competitors will be released on 14th March, and most of the big names in tennis are expected to compete, including Stefanos Tsitsipas, who is looking to win a third consecutive title at the MCCC.

Following a 2022 event that was described as “a dream” by Massey, the tournament is looking to grow further this year. 80% of tickets for the event have already been sold, although a limited number are available to buy on the day. Last year, just over 76 million people watched the event on television, and that is expected to grow further this year, with matches from three courts to be broadcasted, as opposed to just two during the 2022 edition.

High hopes for the Monaco contingent

Aesthetically, this year’s event is being billed as an “ode to the Riviera” by organisers, with the courts and stands themselves to be inspired by the colours and culture of the Côte d’Azur, whilst all of the VIP lodges will be facing towards the sea and the sun.

Whilst the masses will descend on the MCCC to watch the world’s biggest stars, Massey also expects a solid performance from the Monégasque contingent. The British director referenced the Principality’s recent Davis Cup victory over the Dominican Republic, as well as Hugo Nys’ spectacular route towards the Australian Open final as reasons for optimism amongst Monaco fans. “We can expect them to go far,” he proclaimed.

An event that heralds the start of Monaco’s great sporting summer, represents the beginning of the European clay court season, and gathers the world’s greatest tennis stars, returns to the iconic Monte Carlo clay on 8th April.

 

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Photo of David Massey by Monaco Life

 

Podcast: This Week in Monaco 9th February

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/02/2023

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

This week, we talk about the new-look Café de Paris and its Amazonico restaurant, the world’s safest airlines, how to become a member of the Monaco Ambassadors Club, earthquake relief, National Council elections, tennis and Formula One fever.

 

 

Monaco’s premiere anime conference, MAGIC, returns to the Grimaldi Forum

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/02/2023

MAGIC, organised by Monaco-based Shibuya Productions, returns this year with loads of conferences, workshops and events for lovers of the worlds of anime, comic books, games and animation. 

The last time fans were able to come to the Monaco Anime Game International Conferences (MAGIC), organised by Shibuya Productions at the Grimaldi Forum, was back in March 2019.

This long break was not intentional, but it gave them time to regroup and put together a fantastic line-up of round-tables, conferences and debates featuring famous international game designers, producers, screenwriters and illustrators interacting with the audience.

At a press conference on Tuesday 7th February, Shibuya Productions President and CEO Cédric Biscay revealed that this year’s event will feature 150 prestigious invitees, over 100 international cosplayers from 40 countries, and more than 500 participants in the manga contest.

Speakers  include Hironobu Sakaguchi, founder of Final Fantasy, Koji Igarashi and Ayami Kojima, both from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Nick Dudman, make-up artist for films such as Batman where he created the Joker’s look for Jack Nicholson, and Stefanie Joosten, the main female character of the video game Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, to name a few.

MAGIC press conference, photo credit: Fabbio Galatioto

In addition to bringing together the interests of those into manga, comics, animation, tech, video games and pop culture, the ‘cosplay’ contest will see hundreds of participants dress up and act as their favourite characters for judges made up of the Magic International Cosplay Masters from Brazil, Germany, Vietnam, the United States, Mexico, Chile, Turkey, and Italy.

Additionally, there will be a special manga contest, organised by Shueisha in collaboration with Shibuya International, in which over 60 candidates present their projects and the top five finalists will have the chance to pitch their ideas to a jury of experts from Japan. The winner will see their work publishedon Shonen Jump+, alongside legendary works such as Dragon Ball, One Piece and Naruto.

Fans can also delight in meeting their favourite artists, who will be available for autographs.

This fun event will take place 25th and 26th February and is completely free. Only 3,000 places are available each day, to prevent overcrowding, so sign-ups are required.

For visitors who are audially impaired, Saturday’s lectures will be translated into sign language, so no one needs to miss a minute.

 To register for the event and for the contests, click here. https://www.magic-ip.com/en/

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Photo above credit: Newday Photo Agency

Rock and opera to headline this year’s Fête du Citron in Menton

by: Elsa Carpenter
09/02/2023
fête du citron

One of the more eclectic festivals of the Côte d’Azur, the Fête du Citron in Menton really is something to be seen to be appreciated. It kicks off this weekend. 

Thousands of the region’s prized citrus fruits are brought into Menton by the lorry-load ahead of the annual Fête du Citron, which begins on Saturday 11th and runs until Sunday 26th February this year. They’re destined for an immense display of gigantic structures erected around the town as well as a parade of floats that tours Menton’s boulevards and avenues during the festival.  

The theme this year is ‘Rock and Opera’ so expect icons from the musical world, such as Elvis Presley, to feature in the display in the Biovès Gardens. Various parades and concerts in line with the theme are scheduled over the course of the two weeks, including the Trio of Legends night honouring all-time French favourites Johnny Vegas, Eddy Deville and Gabriel Mailly on Tuesday 14th. There will also be a Pink Floyd event dedicated to the 50th anniversary of their most memorable album, The Dark Side of the Moon, on Saturday 18th.  

For families, the Carnaval des Enfants on Wednesday 15th and Wednesday 22nd at 3pm will delight children of all ages with its fabulous array of colour and sound.

Side events at the Fête du Citron include the arts and crafts market in the Palais de l’Europe, which promotes locally sourced and produced goods from the surrounding towns and villages. Menton is still Europe’s biggest producer of citrus fruit so expect plenty of tangy flavours at the many tasting stations. The orchid festival, held in the same building, is also a highlight, and offers another layer of appreciation to the event for botanic fanatics. Both are free to enter.   

For more information about the programme and where to buy tickets, please click here.  

 

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Photo source: Fête du Citron