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Month: September 2023

Greek artisan honoured at Monaco Méditerranée salon

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/09/2023

The famed Greek Tailor Tzonevrakis Aristidis has been awarded as a ‘Great Greek artisan’ by the Hellenic Community of Monaco during this year’s Monaco Méditerranée salon in Fontvielle.

In his workshop in Argos, Tzonevrakis Aristidis is reviving Greek history by faithfully recreating traditional clothes. Thanks to his ability to master modern embroidery machines along with using hands on tailoring techniques on each garment, Aristidis regularly collaborates with museums including the Benaki Museum and the Basil Papantoniou Foundation in Nafplio.

He also works with Greek ready-to-wear brands such as Zeus and Dione, as well as home decor brands like MyCrownCollection in Monaco, and the 2022 Cruise collection for Christian Dior.

On Tuesday, he will be the key note speaker in Paris to present the documentary The Greek Bar Jacket: The making of a Dior Cruise collection, under the auspices of the French Ambassador to Greece and support from Christian Dior France and Daughters Of Penelope Paris.

Photo source: Hellenic Community of Monaco

“We are honoured to have Tzonevrakis Aristidis and his team with us at Monaco Mediteranee salon and we took this opportunity to award him as a Great Greek artisan by the Hellenique Community of Monaco,” said Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis.

The Monaco Méditerranée salon is being held at the Chapiteau Fontvielle from 15th to 17th September.

Do you have an event you would like us to promote? Email us at editor@monacolife.net. 

 

 

 

Convoy of classic Bentleys heading to the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Prestige show

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/09/2023
cap ferrat bentley

Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is the place to be for antique car lovers this coming weekend as the pretty harbour town will be hosting its annual Prestige car show, an event dedicated to vintage vehicles. The stars this year are pre-war Bentleys.  

Since 2013, the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Prestige car show has attracted some of the world’s most beautiful antique vehicles for one weekend of exhibitions and events each September. 

This year, Prestige, which is being held on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, will be bringing together two big events: Patrimoine, the exhibition part taking place over two days, and the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Concours d’Élégance, which is planned for the Sunday. 

STARS OF THE SHOW 

Each edition highlights a brand or country of origin, with past years seeing Porsche as the focus of 2021 and Les Belles Italiennes the theme for 2022.  

Now it is time for pre-war Bentleys to take centre stage. Eight vintage cars have made their way across the English Channel, forming a “unique convoy that set off from Gloucester and is set to arrive at the Place des Centenaries in time for the opening of the 2023 edition of the Saint Jean Cap Ferrat Prestige on Saturday 16th September”. 

POP-UP MUSEUM 

The growing popularity of the event is due in part to the location, the glamourous port of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, as well as the calibre of cars that are attracted to the show. With dozens of extraordinary vehicles on display, Prestige has earned the well-deserved moniker of “pop-up museum”. 

It culminates with the Concours d’Elegance, a competition for the “best of the best”. For the upcoming edition, the jury is made up of members from the Federation Française des Véhicules d’Epoque (FFVE), the Federation Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA), the Automobile Club de France as well as former F1 racing driver and CEO of Boutsen Classic Cars, Thierry Boutsen. 

 

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Photo courtesy of Top Marques Monaco

New lung cancer vaccine created in France could be a game changer

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/09/2023

A French biotechnology company has produced a vaccine that is effective in decreasing deaths in people with some lung cancers by 41%.

Ose Immunotherapeutics’ Tedopi vaccine is the most advanced therapeutic cancer vaccine in clinical development. The company said in a statement Monday that it had demonstrated a 41% reduction of the risk of death for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a Phase III trial.

A Phase III clinical trial is the last step before a drug can be marketed, meaning the vaccine could become available soon to the public.

The vaccine was administered to 139 patients in nine European countries and the United States who had advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC or adenocarcinoma), the most common type of lung cancer, and all had shown resistance to other treatments. The other 80 patients who took part in the study received chemotherapy.

Results showed that the vaccine significantly improved overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) compared to chemotherapy, with Phase III data published in Annals of Oncology.

“Tedopi is the first cancer vaccine to demonstrate positive results on survival in a randomised Phase III trial in advanced and metastatic NSCLC cancer patients in third line. A significant reduction of the risk of death by 41% was achieved with a better safety profile and a maintained quality of life,” said Professor Benjamin Besse from the Gustave Roussy Institute, the study’s lead author, in a statement.

POSITIVE RESULTS

The overall survival rate at one year with Tedopi was 44.4% versus 27.5% with chemotherapy. The cancer vaccine offered an overall survival of 11.1 months compared to 7.5 months for standard of care. Additionally, post progression survival was found to be significantly greater in length for Tedopi: 7.7 months compared to 4.6 months for chemotherapy.

Tedopi is a therapeutic cancer vaccine, not a preventive measure. Therapeutic cancer vaccines aim to train the immune system to specifically recognise and destroy tumour cells.

The Covid pandemic accelerated research into the field of immunotherapy, acceellerating the production of vaccines, specifically mRNA vaccines.

“This Phase Three positive monotherapy data and moreover the recently announced positive Phase One and Two results using other personalised cancer vaccines in combination to treat resected melanoma or pancreatic cancer patients, highlight the promise of this new therapeutic class of vaccines,” said Nicolas Poirier, Chief Executive Officer of OSE Immunotherapeutics.

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Photo credit: CDC, Unsplash

 

 

Delve deeper into Duel Reality with photographic exhibition

by: Giulia Bono
14/09/2023

The Kamil art gallery is presenting a photographic exhibition of the Duel Reality circus show which is set to feature at the Grimaldi Forum this weekend.

The Kamil art gallery on Avenue Princesse Grace is known for showcasing unique and international art. Its partnership with Duel Reality is a continuation of this, with the gallery opening its doors to a new exhibition on Wednesday 14th September.

The exhibition portrays some of the most crucial moments from the Duel Reality circus show through the lens of Arata Urawa and Einar Kling Odencrants.

“I picked out the photographs that included the most emotions as well as the most prominent moments of the production,” 8 Stars Monaco Director Nicolas Jelmoni tells Monaco Life.

Duel Reality is a revised version of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Julliette. The common goal between the director of the gallery and the co-founder of the show was to visualise a modern form of artistic expression.

“As I was preparing to direct the show, I already knew exactly which performers I wanted for which characters, because I know some of these artists really well, I know what they are capable of and how well they can fit in with certain characters,” explains Shana Carrol, Artistic Director and Co-Founder of Duel Reality.

In order to achieve these captivating images, the photographers revealed that they needed to be connected to the art.

Photographer Arata Urawa, who is also a former circus perform, says that technique is crucial to obtaining images that are professional and speak to the audience, however, experience can change the whole meaning and interpretation of a picture.

“I used to be a performer, so when I was taking pictures of the show, I could feel their next move, I could predict what was going to happen. That is very important because the quality of your shot could change in a matter of seconds,” Urawa tells Monaco Life.

The Duel Reality circus show is being held at the Grimaldi Forum on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September, while the Duel Reality photographic exhibition is being hosted at Kamil Gallery until 20th September.

See more in our Instagram video below…

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Photo by Monaco Life

 

Tennis: Monaco set for “50/50” Davis Cup clash against Ecuador

by: Luke Entwistle
14/09/2023
The Monaco Davis Cup team at the draw ahead of their tie against Ecuador

Monaco’s Davis Cup team are set for a stern test against an experienced Ecuador side at the Monte-Carlo Country Club this weekend. 

After consolidating their place in Group 2 following a victory over the Dominican Republic earlier this year, Monaco are once again looking forward.

It has been a positive season for the Principality’s tennis players: Valentin Vacherot and Romain Arneodo have never been ranked higher, the latter reaching the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters in April, whilst Hugo Nys, an Australian Open finalist at the beginning of the year, recently reached the quarter-finals of the US Open too.

“Will we be slightly feared? Maybe a bit,” said Nys at the draw on Thursday 14th September.

However, Monaco aren’t getting ahead of themselves, and they shouldn’t. Ecuador are an experienced side with a culture of competing in the Davis Cup.

“It is a very big tradition is Ecuador, a very big competition for us. Our federation, all our players, we are like a big family,” said Captain Raúl Viver.

A “50/50” encounter, according to Couillard

Despite not winning in the Davis Cup since 2020, Ecuador arrive high on confidence and with a lengthy preparation period under their belts. The success of Monaco’s players this season means that they will be feeling positive, but perhaps with a little less preparation in the bank.

“It has been a season of two halves. Since April I have played a lot, not a lot of preparation. I have played a lot this summer, so I am arriving with a lot of confidence,” said Vacherot.

There is no wonder, therefore, why Guillaume Couillard has billed the tie as a “50/50” encounter.

“When we step on the court, it’s 50/50. Ecuador are a team with great players, with great experience, perhaps more than us,” said Monaco’s captain.

Monte-Carlo Masters finalist returns to Monegasque clay

In such a tight encounter, familiarity with the surroundings, as well as home-court advantage, could play a part. Arneodo in particular has felt the benefit of playing on Monaco clay, having reached the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this season.

“On clay, here in Monaco, especially, something always happens. I have always performed well here,” he told Monaco Life. 

However, it isn’t just the surface that plays into Monaco’s hands, home support can play a part, and prior to the match, which begins on Friday, Couillard made a call to arms.

“When we play at home, in front of our people, for our country, we’re galvanised. The public will be important and I hope they’ll come in numbers,” he said.

Monaco v Ecuador Davis Cup draw in full:

FRIDAY:

Valentin Vacherot v Álvaro Guillen

Lucas Catarina v Emilio Gómez

SATURDAY:

Romain Arneodo & Hugo Nys v Gonzalo Escobar & Diego Hidalgo

Valentin Vacherot v Emilio Gomez

Lucas Catarina v Álvaro Guillen

 

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Photo by Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

International visits and delegations buoyed by Monaco’s booming local economy

by: Elsa Carpenter
14/09/2023
monaco economy

Monaco Life rounds up all the latest business and economy news from the Principality of Monaco, including an overwhelming positive Q2 economic bulletin. 

IMSEE releases positive Q2 economic bulletin 

According to the recently released Q2 economic bulletin from Monaco’s statistical agency, IMSEE, growth has been recorded in the vast majority of economic indicators within the Principality. 

Aggregate data compiled in the first half of 2023 puts the overall volume of foreign trade, which excludes trade with France, at €1.8 billion. This is a €261.4 million or 16.6% increase on the same period during 2022, and pushes the first six months of 2023 close to the pre-pandemic figures of 2019: €1.9 billion.  

Trade with the EU increased by 13%, but rose further outside of the bloc, with a 21.2% uptick in international trade. After Italy and Germany, the UK is now Monaco’s third “most important trading partner”.  

For the first time ever, revenue exceeded €10 billion in the first half of the year. This was largely due to a swelling of revenue from the Principality’s financial and insurance activities (+106.6%), as well as in its scientific, technical, administrative and support service activities (+43.5%). The construction (+18.8%) and real estate (+7.9%) sectors also saw notable increases.

The report noted a fall in volume of new property sales compared to the first half of 2022 – 19 so far this year against 33 between January and June last year – but the value of these sales has almost doubled. The sales in the first half of 2023 equate to roughly €600 million, compared to €342.1 last year, and are primarily linked to the Mareterra land reclamation project. A total of 206 resale transactions were recorded in the first six months of 2023.  

Tourism has continued its upward trajectory, building on an excellent start to the year. Occupancy rates reached 55.4%, up 6.4% on Q1 and Q2 in 2022. Individual arrivals “soared” by almost 50%, but their length of stay contracted. Non-EU guests represented just over 40% of visitors to Monaco’s hotels.  

Monaco Economic Board attends Karpacz Economic Forum 

Monaco Economic Board (MEB) CEO Guillaume Rose headed to Poland between 5th and 7th September for the Karpacz Economic Forum, a major Eastern European business meeting, at the behest of Monaco’s Ambassador to Germany, Austria and Poland, Lorenzo Ravano.  

In addition to being an opportunity to meet with interesting potential partners, such as the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade, with which the MEB signed an official Memorandum of Understanding, Monaco’s very presence at the event allowed Rose to showcase the Principality’s economic talents to an audience made up of key figures from the rapidly growing markets of Central and Eastern European countries.  

In particular, Rose appeared on the panel of several well-attended discussions, including: “Can we afford not to turn to renewable energies?” alongside the Operations Director of General Electric, and “How to make the tourism sector more competitive following the crises it has just been through?”, where the CEO spoke of Monaco’s “impressive reboot” in the post-pandemic years.

monaco economy
Monaco Economic Board CEO Guillaume Rose appeared on the panel of several important discussions at the forum. Photo credit: MEB

MonacoTech hosts “high-level” delegation from South Korea 

At the start of September, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) received a “high-level” delegation from South Korea at the MonacoTech premises in Fontvieille, following up on a trade mission to Seoul that took place back in 2019.  

The Korean representatives were composed of important figures from the Korean Chamber of Commerce and the nation’s “chaebols” of SK Telecom, Doosan and Lotte. They met with MEB CEO Guillaume Rose and the board’s deputy CEO, Justin Highman, who had arranged a presentation on the Principality’s “economic assets”.

Martin Peronnet, CEO of Monaco Telecom, was also present at the meeting, which included a tour of MonacoTech courtesy of its director, Sandrine Sauval-Chanteloube.  

South Korea’s “chaebols” pictured inside the MonacoTech premises. Photo credit: MEB

 

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Featured photo credit: MEB