Drug, cigarette and alcohol use down amongst French teenagers

10/03/2023

A survey of French teenagers has shown a marked drop in in all levels of drug use, with the biggest decline seen in smoking trends.

The ESCAPAD survey on regular use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis from the French Observatory of Drugs and Addictive Tendencies (OFDT) has shown a marked drop in the popularity of these three vices amongst French teenagers.

Smoking has seen the most dramatic decline, with 15.6% of those polled smoking tobacco daily compared to 25.1% in 2017. Cannabis use has been nearly cut in half, and the number of schoolchildren who have never touched alcohol has risen to one in five.

This is offset by the steep rise in the use of electronic cigarettes, where usage has tripled in the past five years. For girls, the use of e-cigarettes has risen six times in that time frame.

The poll also found that health has worsened in this age group, with mental health issues and disorders like anorexia, obesity and anxiety-depressive syndromes on the uptick. These symptoms seem to manifest more readily in children who are heavy consumers of drugs or alcohol, according to the survey.

A sample of 23,701 young people were polled for the study, with the average age being 17.4 years.

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Photo source: Simon Maage for Unsplash

“Kaiser Karl”: Karl Lagerfeld series from Disney+ to film in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter

10/03/2023

Filming will soon begin for a TV series dedicated to the story of the late great Karl Lagerfeld, which has found its lead in Daniel Brühl. The six episodes will be shot between Monaco, Paris and Italy.

The mini-series is being created in collaboration with Gaumont and, according to Disney+, will detail the rise of Karl Lagerfeld through the world of 1970s Parisian high fashion. “In 1972, a 38-year-old Karl Lagerfeld aspired to become the most famous French fashion designer, at a time when Yves Saint Laurent reigned supreme. After meeting and falling in love with Jacques de Bascher, a young dandy, he found himself in competition with Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the head of the most prestigious fashion brand around. Full of clan rivalries and ego battles, partying and decadence, tragic love affairs and magnificent friendships, this is the story of Kaiser Karl, and his frantic quest for recognition.”

The script by Isaure Pisani-Ferry is said to take inspiration from Raphaëlle Bacqué, the author of Kaiser Karl: The Life of Karl Lagerfeld, a 2019 biography.

Karl Lagerfeld’s legacy in Monaco

The exact set locations in Monaco haven’t yet been revealed, but the German-born designer’s connections to the Principality grew in his later years. He spent 10 years living at the stunning La Vigie property at the eastern end of Monaco, was a close friend of the Princely Grimaldi family and particularly Princess Caroline, redesigned the Odyssey lounge and restaurant at the Hotel Metropole, and famously staged the Rose Ball in 2013. In the photo above, he is pictured with Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene as well as Hermann Bühlbecker at the Cinema Against AIDS Gala in 2016.

According to Vogue, “The studio has promised viewers that the show will be on a grand scale, befitting its larger-than-life subject matter: there will be more than 2,200 extras, over 40 sets — encompassing meticulously recreated apartments, fashion show venues and couture houses — and 3,000 costumes dreamed up by French stalwart Pascaline Chavanne.”

Lagerfeld is an icon of the fashion world, but he is not the only great name remembered in this series. Andy Warhol will be played by Paul Spera, Marlene Dietrich by Sunnyi Melles, Paloma Picasso by Jeanne Damas, and Loulou de la Falaise by Claire Laffut.

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Photo from archives

French Riviera stage of Paris-Nice cancelled due to powerful winds

by: Elsa Carpenter

10/03/2023

Stage Six of the Paris-Nice cycling race, which would have passed through the Var and the Alpes-Maritimes, has been cancelled due to Storm Larisa.

Powerful winds are currently battering the Côte d’Azur, from the beaches to the hinterland, and after a decision this morning to cancel the first leg of today’s racing comes news that all of Stage Six has been scrapped.

Just before 1pm, Paris-Nice organisers released the following communiqué:

“After reviewing several options for modifying the route and waiting for an improvement in weather conditions in the afternoon, the organisers of Paris-Nice have decided to cancel the sixth stage to preserve the safety of the riders of the 81st edition, in agreement with local authorities. The exceptionally violent winds, which notably caused several tree falls in the region, make the cancellation of the stage inevitable. As a result, sporting action will resume tomorrow from Nice for the seventh stage towards Col de la Couillole.”

Monaco resident Tadej Pogacar in the yellow jersey

Slovenian cyclist Tadej Pogacar maintains the yellow jersey as the race edges towards its final destination.

Pogacar, a Monaco resident, remains in the lead of the iconic race, which travels close to the entire length of France. However, he saw his lead cut during the fifth stage, won by Olav Kooij.

On familiar roads, Pogacar will be looking to retain his slender lead and succeed compatriot Primoz Roglic in winning the prestigious race while fans will be hoping that conditions improve for racing on Saturday 11th March.

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Photo by Petar Milosevic

Photos: Prince Albert and his family join Mr OneTeas as he reveals portrait of feminist icon Alice Milliat

by: Stephanie Horsman

10/03/2023

A vibrant portrait of activist Alice Milliat created by Mr OneTeas and schoolchildren from the Principality, including Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, has been unveiled in a ceremony attended by the Princely family.

100 children from CE1 classes around Monaco pulled out their drawing pens, paints and stencils to help create something truly unique after French painter and graffiti artist Mr OneTeas enlisted them to use their imaginations in designing pieces along the themes of inclusiveness, solidarity, equality and fair play. The result became the colourful backdrop for a painting by the artist that honours sportswoman and activist Alice Milliat.

Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, along with their parents, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, also contributed to the project.

A TRAILBLAZING SPORTSWOMAN

Milliat (1884-1957) was a trailblazer in the women’s sporting world of her era; a time when there were no professional outlets for women. She founded the Women’s World Games, managed an all-female football team, and was pivotal in getting the Olympic Committee to give women at least partial representation at the Games.

Though she never saw the level of equality seen today at the Olympics – that didn’t come about until over a decade after her death – she was instrumental in getting sporting women in the door.

“Sport is a powerful lever to change mentalities and fight against discrimination. It is essential to act with young people to promote a culture of equality and mutual respect,” said Isabelle Berro-Amadeï, Chairperson of the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, at the unveiling.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S RIGHTs TRIBUTE

The painting of Milliat was a wonderful tribute to a pioneering woman on International Women’s Rights Day. This is the fifth consecutive year the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights has entrusted Mr OneTeas to promote the day through his works.

Other events that marked the day were a luncheon chaired by Princess Charlene along with Minister of State Pierre Dartout under the theme of Women in Sport. Several distinguished sportswomen living in the Principality attended, namely Paula Radcliffe, Laura Gramaglia, Charlotte Afriat and Lisa Caussin Battaglia.

Dartout said, “In the Principality, the defense of women’s rights has been at the heart of the priorities of the Prince’s government for many years.” He also went on to pay tribute to women “who, across the world, are fighting for their rights and to make their voices heard, sometimes at the cost of their lives”.

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Photos courtesy of the Palais Princier de Monaco

Tennis: Monte-Carlo Masters next up for USA-barred Novak Djokovic

by: Luke Entwistle

10/03/2023

Novak Djokovic won’t feature again before the Monte-Carlo Masters in April, after the world number one withdrew from the Indian Wells Masters due to his vaccination status.

The 22-time Grand Slam winner had difficulties prior to last year’s Monte-Carlo Masters. He was ultimately denied the chance of competing in the first Grand Slam of the calendar year in Australia, and arrived at the prestigious clay-court event at the Monte-Carlo Country Club short of competitive action.

Djokovic out of Indian Wells and Miami Open

This time around, Djokovic was allowed to compete in the Australian Open, a tournament that he ultimately won, but he won’t be allowed to compete in the United States later this month.

Djokovic remains unvaccinated against Covid-19 and the US requires all visitors to be vaccinated; at least up until 10th April. The Indian Wells event, one of the most prestigious tournaments outside of the traditional Grand Slams, has therefore started without the Serbian international.

With Djokovic failing to be granted special permission to compete in Indian Wells, the Monaco resident has also pulled out of the Miami Open, which is due to take place between 20th and 27th March.

Djokovic to make his return on Monaco clay

Following his exit from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships earlier in March, Djokovic said that, should he be refused access to the US, he would take time off and prepare for the Monte-Carlo Masters, which take place between 8th and 16th April.

“If there’s no America, I guess I’ll play clay. Monte-Carlo is probably the next tournament. If that’s the case, I’ll take some time off and prepare,” said Djokovic.

The tournament represents a home event for the Serbian tennis player, who lives year-round in the Principality. Djokovic has won the competition twice, but hasn’t lifted the trophy since 2015. Last year, he was knocked out by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round. Djokovic will be hoping to go much deeper into the tournament this time around, with the full list of players set to be released on 13th March.

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Photo by Carine06

Day: 10 March 2023

Drug, cigarette and alcohol use down amongst French teenagers