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Day: 29 November 2023

Thursday’s epic EuroLeague clash: AS Monaco vs Olympiakos

by: Niki Borisova
29/11/2023

Get ready for a high-stakes EuroLeague showdown as AS Monaco and Olympiakos go head to head this Thursday in their quest for top 5 dominance.

In a matchup that promises to intensify the EuroLeague’s top-tier competition, AS Monaco, known as ‘La Roca Team’, is gearing up to host Greek giants Olympiakos at the Salle Gaston-Médecin court. With both teams boasting an identical record of 6 wins and 4 losses, Thursday night’s game isn’t just a battle for supremacy, but a chance to solidify a position in the top 5 standings.

AS Monaco Basketball Coach Sasa Obradovic, photo by Monaco Life

Monaco Life gathers key perspectives from AS Monaco ahead of the Olympiakos clash

Coach Sasa Obradovic of AS Monaco is aware of the challenges ahead. “This year is more competitive,” he told Monaco Life in a pre-game press conference on Wednesday, emphasising the importance of not repeating past mistakes. Reflecting on losses to Efes and Bologna, Obradovic knows that winning at home is imperative. “We are coming out of solid games…we know how important tomorrow’s game is,” he added, highlighting the team’s focus and preparation.

Donatas Motiejunas, a pivotal player for AS Monaco, is concentrating on the team’s growth and rhythm. “We try to do all things on a high level, not just one aspect,” he said to Monaco Life, acknowledging the significance of the home court advantage against Olympiakos. With an emphasis on the necessity of a win, Motiejunas is clear about the stakes: “This one will be crucial to win, especially on the home turf.”

Elie Kobo, photo by Monaco Life

Elie Okobo, another key player, shared his personal goals and the team’s mindset. “I want to bring all the energy I have for tomorrow, play solid and consistent and help my team win the game,” he said with determination to Monaco Life.

The big game takes place on Thursday 30th November at 7pm at Salle Gaston Medecine.

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Photo of Donatas Motiejunas by Monaco Life

 

Monaco Economic Board completes “inspiring” trade mission to Amsterdam and The Hague

by: Elsa Carpenter
29/11/2023

Representatives from 16 leading Monegasques businesses and B2B services travelled to the Netherlands last week for a “successful, inspiring and productive” trade mission that blended targeted meetings with networking opportunities and visits to some of the country’s largest enterprises.  

Between 21st and 24th November, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) headed to Amsterdam, one of the “most economically dynamic countries in Europe”, for a trade mission that came on the back of an invitation from Florian Carquillat, the Deputy Director of the CCI France-Netherlands, dating back to April of this year. 

In total, 16 members of the MEB, including MonacoTech Director Sandrine Sauval and representatives from the Monaco Chamber of Renewable Energy and Ecology and the Société Monégasque de l’Electricité et du Gaz, took Carquillat up on his offer to discuss in detail the case-by-case relations between Monegasque companies and the Netherlands with a variety of stakeholders and decisionmakers, including representatives from the Embassies of Monaco in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and the European Union.  

Alongside formalities, such as the signing of a cooperation agreement between the CCI France-Netherlands and the MEB, members were also taken on tours of the vast headquarters of Booking.com and Heineken. At the latter, the MEB visitors were able to participate in a number of “targeted meetings” with Dutch entrepreneurs who had been “selected in advance for their interest in Monegasque companies”. 

The MEB also travelled to The Hague, visiting the Titaan innovation hub that was founded by Monaco resident Hendrik Halbe and the Campus@Sea site. This part of the trip culminated in a tour of the TotalEnergies headquarters.  

In all, it was a thoroughly “successful, inspiring and productive visit”, said a spokesperson for the MEB following the conclusion of the trip. 

Next up for the MEB will be a similar visit to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, which is planned for January 2024. 

 

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Photo credit: MEB

 

Unlock your creative side with these Monaco-based classes and activities

by: Niki Borisova
29/11/2023

From music and painting lessons to cooking classes, there’s plenty on offer in and around the Principality to inspire you and get your creative juices flowing.  

Culture and the arts have long been a central part of the Monaco landscape. Packed into its 2km2 are numerous theatres, the famous Opéra Garnier, exhibition centres such as the Grimaldi Forum and the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, and countless museums.

But if you’re not quite at professional level just yet, there are also lots of facilities and schools to help you hone your skills or even explore a new hobby.  

Painting lessons for all levels 

For art enthusiasts, a variety of painting lessons are available in Monaco that are suitable for all skill levels. Two instructors, Irina and Ioanna, offer private lessons in-person via the Apprentus platform, and offer sessions focusing on techniques such as watercolour, oil and acrylic painting as well as drawing. Irina provides the convenience of coming to the student’s address, while Ioanna offers the flexibility of teaching either online or at her studio in Monaco. For more information, click here.

Explore a range of instruments 

Just over the border in Beausoleil, music fans can find a diverse range of music lessons at the Music Fit academy, which welcomes students of all ages and skill levels, with classes for both children and adults. These lessons are available in various once-per-week formats: 30-minute sessions , 60-minute classes and extensive 120-minute lessons.  

The school teaches a wide selection of instruments, from piano and electronic keyboard to the guitar and violin as well as special sessions on music theory. 

For more information, click here.  

The culinary side of Monaco 

Monaco is well-renowned for its culinary excellence, and cooking classes are a delightful way to indulge in this reputation. Cours Cuisine Monaco is capitalising on this concept with an array of more than 40 different classes led by a team of expert chefs right here in the Principality.  

The school boasts a high-tech kitchen where you can learn the art of pasta making, discover the depths of Asian spicing or travel to Mexico on a vibrant and flavourful journey. For more information, visit the website here. 

Read related:

Activities you never knew you could do in Monaco: Sports edition 

 

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Photo source: Unsplash 

Dates for the diary: Santa to tour Monaco’s most iconic locations this Christmas

by: Niki Borisova
29/11/2023
santa monaco

Monaco will be hosting a very special visitor next month… Father Christmas is coming to town to tour the landmarks of the Principality, spread festive cheer and bring the spirit of the holidays to life. Here’s when and where you can meet him!

From 17th to 25th December, Société des Bains de Mer will be graciously hosting Santa as he embarks on a whistlestop tour of the Monaco on his sleigh. 

Everyone is invited to come along and meet him, and enjoy the elegant Christmas decorations strung up throughout the central Monte-Carlo neighbourhood. 

He will be weaving his way through some of the Principality’s most iconic locations, beginning in the Place du Casino before heading along the Avenue de Monte-Carlo and making stops at the Hôtel de Paris, Hôtel Hermitage and Café de Paris between 1pm and 5pm on 17th, 20th, 23rd, 24th and 25th December. 

This experience, open to all and entirely free to access, is an ideal opportunity for families and friends to gather and celebrate the spirit of Christmas together over the holidays.  

For those eager to follow Santa’s magical journey in Monaco, updates and details are available on the Instagram account @MonteCarloSBM.  

 

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Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

 

Prince Albert visits endangered species centres as he winds up first official visit to Malaysia

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/11/2023

Prince Albert II of Monaco has concluded his first ever state visit to Malaysia with a trip to tiger and elephant conservation centres with King Abdullah Shah and his son Hassanal Shah.

It’s been a whirlwind four-day inaugural State Visit to Malaysia that began on Sunday 26th November and included the inauguration of a new Honorary Consulate of Monaco and speaking at the Monaco Economic Forum Kuala Lumpur 2023.

On Tuesday, Monaco’s Head of State joined King Abdullah Shah and his son Hassanal Shah in visiting the Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre and the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre, two leading institutions in the protection of animal species threatened by poachers and deforestation.

There are currently only 150 tigers left in the wild in Malaysia.

See also: Prince Albert II in Malaysia on a diplomatic and environmental mission

During his trip, Prince Albert told Malaysian national news agency Bernama that both countries have many possible areas that could mutually benefit both countries in the future, in line with the opening of the new Monaco Honorary Consulate Office, including tourism and education, as well as sustainability development.

Prince Albert and King Abdullah Shah. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier

“I had a beautiful visit today at the tiger rehabilitation centre and the elephant centre. It was wonderful to see it and also see how my foundation can help in protecting these animal species not only in Malaysia but in Asia as well,“ the Prince told the local media.

On 25th November, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the country aims to foster collaboration with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

The Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier

Prince Albert was given an official send-off on Wednesday, walking past a guard of honour at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

From 1st to 4th December, the Prince will attend the COP28 conference in Dubai.

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Main photo credit: Michael Alese / Palais Princier

 

Extreme E becomes newest partner of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance 

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/11/2023

With a hydrogen-powered version of the electric off-road motorsports racing series Extreme E in the works for 2025, the event’s organisers have solidified their support for the alternative fuel source by announcing a new partnership with the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance.  

Among the exciting developments to come out of this week’s Monaco Hydrogen Forum, which was held at the Hôtel Hermitage on 27th and 28th November, was the news that the trailblazing Extreme E racing series has become a member of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance.  

The inaugural season of Extreme E only took place in 2021, but by 2022, the organisers had revealed their intentions to expand the groundbreaking series, which sees teams of mixed genders driving electric cars in the remotest corners of the world to draw attention to climate change, with the creation of an Extreme H version.  

Set to debut in 2025, the future Extreme H series will see hydrogen-fuelled cars take centre stage and become the first-ever off-road race to feature vehicles powered exclusively by hydrogen fuel technology.  

The decisionmakers behind the FIA Championship series have now taken a step further in promoting the use of the hydrogen as a clean fuel source by becoming official members of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, which runs the Monaco Hydrogen Forum.  

“We are delighted to become an official member of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance,” said Ali Russell, Managing Director of Extreme E. “The potential for utilising green hydrogen is huge and, like the Alliance, we are dedicated to promoting sustainable, zero-emission mobility while significantly reducing the impact on the planet… As the energy transition continues at pace towards a low carbon future, it is crucial to collaborate with industry leaders and pioneers to deliver sustainable solutions that can have an enormous impact, especially as we move towards Extreme H and the first-ever hydrogen racing world championship.” 

John Rossant, the chairman of the Monaco Hydrogen Alliance, said of the new partnership, “Extreme E has been instrumental in pushing battery electric technology to exciting new limits, and will soon expand to hydrogen with the launch of the Extreme H series in partnership with the FIA.” 

Click here for more information.  

Read related:

Hydrogen-fuelled drones among exciting innovations presented at Monaco Hydrogen Forum   

 

Join the Monaco Life community – the largest English media in the Principality.  

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Photo via Extreme E