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Day: 8 December 2023

In pictures: Prince Albert and Princess Charlene turn on Monaco’s Christmas lights

by: Elsa Carpenter
08/12/2023

There were warm smiles all round as a beaming Prince Albert and glowing Princess Charlene officially launched the Christmas season in the Principality on Thursday 7th December.  

The Princely couple were first pictured down at the Village de Noël on Port Hercule, which had opened for the holidays earlier that day. Together they pressed the big red button that lit up the massive Christmas tree in the centre of the Christmas Village, before greeting the crowds and dancers that had turned out to witness the festive occasion. 

Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

^ Among those who joined Prince Albert and Princess Charlene down on the Quai Albert Ier were Princess Stéphanie, Mayor Georges Marsan, Minister of State Pierre Dartout and President of the Conseil National Brigitte Boccone-Pagès.  

Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

^ Behind Mayor Georges Marsan, a live band prepared to play a selection of festive tunes to the many revellers.  

Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

^ Prince Albert, Princess Charlene and Princess Stéphanie spent some time greeting those who had ventured down to the port for the much-awaited opening of the Christmas Village.

Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

^ Later, the Princely couple, pictured here alongside Stéphane Valeri, the President-Delegate of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), headed up to the Place du Casino to switch on the lights of the star-topped Christmas tree in the heart of Monte-Carlo.

Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer

^ Christmas is now in full swing in the Place du Casino.

 

Read more: 

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene officially start Christmas festivities in Monaco

 

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Main photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco

Marché de la Condamine holding festive drawing competition for children

by: Niki Borisova
08/12/2023
drawing competition monaco

Children under eight should pop their finest drawings into Father Christmas’ letterbox outside the Marché de la Condamine for a chance to win a prize! 

Monaco’s Condamine Market is embracing the festive season with a special Christmas drawing contest for the young artists of the Principality. Aimed at nurturing creativity among children up to the ages of eight, it is an opportunity for little ones to unleash their imagination and potentially win a prize for their creations. 

The competition is segmented into three age categories – under fours, four to six-year-olds, and six to eight-year-olds – and the children participating should be currently enrolled at a school or crèche in Monaco.  

The three winners will be announced at a party on 18th December at 5pm, which will take place under the arches of the market.  

But this grand reveal is not just about congratulating the winners, it is also a communal celebration that will honour the artistic endeavours of all the young participants. 

A candy bar will be set up and, in the spirit of inclusivity, every child who takes part in the contest and turns up on the big day will be rewarded for their efforts with some sweet treats.  

Parents are reminded to write their child’s name, school and a contact number on the back of the drawing. All submissions must be posted through the dedicated letterbox installed just outside the market. 

 

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Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

Video: Inspiring and inclusive ‘C’est Beau !’ dance show to premiere at the Grimaldi Forum

by: Stephanie Horsman
08/12/2023

At a pioneering performance on 14th December, the Monaco Dance Forum will showcase an original piece entitled ‘C’est Beau !’ that features the talents of dancers both with and without disabilities. Here’s the story behind the landmark “inclusivity” creation from choreographers Cécile Martinez and Sophie Bulbulyan. 

Back in July, during the highly successful F(ê)aites de la Danse event in Monaco, a wonderful idea was put in motion. The concept was to create a unique piece featuring dancers with and without disabilities. The result, which will appear on stage for the first time on 14th December, is a truly compelling and spell-binding production. 

“We wanted to explore the notion of beauty by seeking to understand what makes it a carrier for personal, collective or even universal emotion,” says a spokesperson for the Ballets de Monte-Carlo of the production, which has received support from the Monegasque Association for the Aid and Protection of Disabled Children (AMAPEI), the Monegasque Association for Motor Disabilities (AMHM), Monaco Disease Power and Happy Hand. 

ORIGINAL WORK 

Choreographers from dance troupes 6eme Sens and DK-BEL, both companies that work with disabled dancers, selected seven people from the aforementioned Monegasque organisations to take part in creating a 70-minute original dance piece. The dancers were chosen for their talent, and the work has been a labour of love for all involved.  

See more: Monaco sets goals for an “inclusive society” with wide-reaching National Policy for Disability Inclusion

The philosophy of the piece centres around the how five senses are innate to humans, but it is the “sixth sense” that is most important in that it is “not what life offers us, but the meaning we give to it, however imperceptible it may be, like the simple desire to live”.  

The show, which will be performed twice on 14th December, once at a 2pm special presentation for students and then again at 7.30pm as part of the Monaco Dance Forum, at the Salle Camille Blanc of the Grimaldi Forum. For tickets, click here.  

 

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Photo by Monaco Life