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Day: 19 June 2023

Photos: Princess Charlene joins kids on Corsican beach for ‘Water Safety Days’

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/06/2023

Princess Charlene of Monaco and her Foundation have hosted the third edition of ‘Water Safety Days’ for kids in Calvi, Corsica.

The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation had organised the water safety programme on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th June in partnership with the City of Calvi.

Held exclusively for children from the city on Calvi beach, the programme featured introductory workshops in rescue, first aid and water safety.

The workshops, designed to be fun for kids, were led by Ambassador of the Foundation and quadruple freediving world record holder Pierre Frolla and his team from the Monegasque Sea Academy, as well as and Kevin Crovetto, Monegasque gymnast and Ambassador of the Foundation.

Calvi is located on the Northwest coast of Corsica. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

On Friday morning, 71 children from CM2 classes at the Calvi Loviconi school took part in workshops in the presence of Princess Charlene of Monaco.

On Saturday, children between the ages of eight and 12 took part in a morning of aquatic activities on the beach.

The Port Xavier Colonna also hosted several associations and entertainment, including the discovery of marine fauna with STARESO (Underwater and Oceanographic Research Station), the sorting and recycling of plastics with the Corsican association Mare Vivu, the recovery of waste by the remote-controlled “Jellyfishbot” device, the testing of of water bikes, an introduction to scuba diving with Calvi Plongée, and an exhibition of the actions of the Princess Charlene Foundation at the Tour du Sel.

The Water Safety Days is now in its third edition and provides kids with fun aquatic workshops. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

“The Water Safety Days in Calvi offer children, as well as the general public, a comprehensive program to raise awareness of drowning prevention and the preservation of the marine environment. These events bear witness to the commitment of the Foundation and the City of Calvi to aquatic education and the protection of the marine environment,” said the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation in a statement.

Water Safety Days was supported by the SNSM (National Society for Sea Rescue) and Haute-Corse firefighters, as well as the various associations who took part.

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Feature photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

 

 

Kate Powers Foundation backs Climate Protectors retreat

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/06/2023

A dozen young leaders of the future from the International School of Monaco and the International School of Nice have met with renowned climate change experts during a weekend-long retreat in Monaco.

Held from 16th to 18th June, the three-day event brought together internationally renowned experts in climate solutions to help participants create a toolkit of the most effective measures for meaningful and impactful leadership around climate action.

This unique weekend was created and led by ‘Climate Protectors’ in collaboration with Mind and Planet and in partnership with the International School of Monaco, Conscientiae, and the Kate Powers Foundation

Climate Protectors is an initiative of ‘I Am Your Protector’ (IAYP), a community of people who speak out and stand up for one another across dimensions of religion, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation. IAYP aims to share knowledge, stories, and tools that inspire people to become each other’s protectors.

Climate Protectors retreat in Monaco helped the leaders of tomorrow formulate strategies for change. Photo source: Kate Powers Foundation

Speakers in Monaco included Jim Dratwa, head of the department of Ethics at the European Commission and senior advisor to the President of the European Commission, World Bank Climate Change governance specialist Claire Davanne, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Srdja Popovic, dubbed as among the “50 people who will change the world” for his unique work in toppling brutal dictatorship with nonviolent action and a leading force behind today’s most prominent climate action entities.

After the launch in Monaco, the ‘Climate Protectors’ program will go to Geneva, Paris, London, New York and Los Angeles.

 

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Feature photo source: Kate Powers Foundation

 

 

Co-workers can now share paid leave in Monaco thanks to progressive bill

by: Elsa Carpenter
19/06/2023
leave monaco employment

Social progress has been made in Monaco, with the passing of a new bill that allows co-workers to share unused leave and time off with colleagues in need. 

On 15th June, Monaco’s National Council voted in favour of a revolutionary bill that allows co-workers to share their unused holiday time with colleagues facing difficult family-related situations and requiring further time off work than would usually be permitted.  

A similar bill was passed in France in 2014, when the French government established a legal structure permitting employees to donate or gift their unused holidays to co-workers in complex family situations, such as needing to care round the clock for a sick loved one.  

The legislation was inspired by the story of a father to a 10-year-old boy, Mathys, who battled liver cancer for four years before his sad death in 2009. Christophe, the father, was an employee at Badoit and had been given 170 days of leave by colleagues, with the support of the company, to spend with his son.  

How does it work? 

Employees can now anonymously donate their congé or leave, should they wish to and upon the agreement of their boss, to the benefit of a co-worker experiencing three specific situations:  

  • Being the parent or guardian of a child suffering from an illness, disability or serious injury that requires their sustained presence; 
  • Having to assume responsibility for a relative suffering from an serious loss of autonomy or disability; and  
  • The death of a child under the age of 25, the death of a spouse or legal partner, or the death of a child under the age of 25 of the pre-mentioned life partner.  

The bill allows an employee to retain payment throughout their absence as well as their employment status. Until the passing of the bill last week, only rare agreements within the private sector had allowed for anything close to this, although employees would more often than not see their contract suspended and receive no pay during the accepted absence. 

Monaco’s new legislature covers both private and public sector workers.  

“A welcome advancement” 

Speaking about the new bill, council member Béatrice Fresko-Rolfo said, “This gift is not for the sole benefit of the parent. It is the child who is the real winner because they will be able to, through this, have a person who loves them support them during difficult times.” 

National Council President Brigitte Boccone-Pagès described the bill as a “welcome social advancement” while Minister of Health and Social Affairs Christophe Robino said that it was evidence of “social progress” as well as a “political success”.  

 

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Photo source: Piron Guillaume for Unsplash

Basketball: Triumphant Roca Team welcomed at Prince’s Palace

by: Luke Entwistle
19/06/2023
The Roca Team welcomed at the Prince's Palace by the Princely Family

Following their triumph against Bologne-Levallois on Thursday, the Champions of France, AS Monaco Basketball, were given a hero’s welcome upon their return to the Principality.

For the first time in the club’s history, Monaco’s basketball team have become champions of France thanks to a 3-0 victory over Boulogne-Levallois, meaning that Sasa Obradovic’s men finished the post-season unbeaten.

The Roca Team returned to Monaco on Friday 16th June and were greeted by fans outside the Stade Louis II the same afternoon, where the trophy was lifted by Captain Yakuba Ouattara in front of Prince Albert II.

The following day, the Roca Team, the coaching staff, and the club’s president, Aleksiy Fedoricsev, were welcomed at the Prince’s Palace. Prince Jacques handed a commemorative medal to each of the players whilst the Roca Team offered the Princely family a signed shirt to commemorate the historic achievement.

 

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Photo credits: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

 

SEE ALSO:

Basketball: Monaco are the Champions of France

 

 

Prince Albert opens star-filled Monte-Carlo Television Festival

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/06/2023
monte-carlo television festival

The Monte-Carlo Television Festival is in full swing after a weekend of events featuring Prince Albert II and a retinue of stars, including Julia de Nunez and Harlan Coben.

The 62nd Monte-Carlo Television Festival, a staple in the Monaco events calendar, kicked off on 16th June with a red-carpet opener by Honorary President Prince Albert at the Grimaldi Forum.  

In his speech, he reminded those gathered of his father’s foresight in creating the event.  

“This year is particularly special for me, for my family and for the people of Monaco as 2023 marks the centenary celebration of the birth of my father, Prince Rainier III,” he said. “My father was among the first to recognise the incredible capacity and power of television to entertain, inform and educate people throughout the world. By creating the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in 1961, he pledged to honour the outstanding women and men who build cultural bridges between countries throughout the world.” 

BIG NAME JURISTS 

The opening night was a star-studded event where jury members judging the competitors for this year’s Golden Nymph Awards were introduced. The list included American actor John Goodman, whose film and television career has spanned over 35 years and who has featured in such hit shows as Roseanne, as well as films like The Big Lebowski and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou. He will be judging the Fiction category as President. 

Joining him as President of the News and Documentary jury is Tom Jennings, the Emmy and Peabody award-winning documentarian. 

Also on the opening night, as a tribute to “exceptional rising talent”, the International Golden Nymph for Most Promising Talent was presented to Julia de Nunez, the French actress who recently played Brigitte Bardot in the series Bardot. 

SPECIAL HONOURS FOR HARLAN COBEN

Additionally, best-selling author Harlan Coben was presented with the festival’s inaugural Honorary Diploma for his “outstanding contribution to global literature, arts and entertainment”.  

To round out the evening, guests were treated to the world premiere screening of the first episode in an eight-part drama series by Coben called Shelter, which focuses on a teacher who tries to start over in a new town after the death of his father, but finds himself embroiled in the mysterious disappearance of a student.  

Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival, said, “Our festival continues to raise the bar each year. It is a real honour to have such a wealth of global talent, both in and out of competition, joining us to celebrate the incredible diversity of television across all genres. We look forward to delivering an exciting and very special event this coming week in Monaco.” 

monte-carlo television festival
Prince Albert II is pictured on the red carpet with Marie and Louis Ducreut, actress Julia de Nunez and Camille Gottlieb. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Government Communications Department

Over the weekend, attendees were also granted access to several screenings, talks and fan meetings. 

The gala dinner and Golden Nymph awards ceremony will take place on 20th June in the Salle des Princes of the Grimaldi Forum, with content creator Lena Situations and actor Ricky Whittle presenting. 

 

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Government Communications Department

 

Eiffel Tower sculpture going under the gavel at Monaco Auction Week

by: Stephanie Horsman
19/06/2023
eiffel monaco auction week

La Plaque Eiffel, a sculpture created out of cast-off pieces from the Eiffel Tower by French artist César Baldaccini, is to be auctioned by Artcurial at Monaco Auction Week next month.

Art and history all in one. That is the beauty of the 1989 César Baldaccini piece, La Plaque Eiffel, which was constructed using old stairs and beams from the Iron Lady herself.

This fantastic creation is going under the gavel on 18th July as part of Artcurial’s wider sales during Monaco Auction Week’s Monaco Sculptures event. It joins some 40 other works that will be showcased in the parks and gardens of the Principality before going up for sale.

The 3.5-metre-high bronzed totem was constructed the year of the Eiffel Tower’s 100th anniversary, making it a truly special piece of the past. Amid the density of beams and roughness of the rivets, the visual rhythm of the artist’s massive metal block has an industrial appeal, while its various gaps and whimsical structure summon the world-renowned original subject.

The estimated selling price for La Plaque Eiffel is between €350,000 and €550,000; a tidy sum, though a bargain for such a piece of history.

 

Do you have an event in Monaco or the French Riviera that you would like us to include in our What’s On section and events calendar? Please email editor@monacolife.net.  

 

Photo courtesy of Artcurial