The story and meaning behind Monaco’s latest stamp collection

19/01/2024

Monaco’s Office des Émissions de Timbres-Poste has released three new and limited edition stamps for 2024 and each bears a theme close to the heart of Prince Albert II.

The Monegasque tradition of issuing stamps dates back to the summer of 1885, when a set featuring the effigy of the Prince Charles III went on sale. Since then, philately – the name for the study of postage stamps, postal history and the collection and appreciation of stamps – has become something of a national hobby.

Prince Rainier III was a renowned philatelist and he founded the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco, which can still be visited, in 1950.

In the early days, the museum exhibited the collections belonging to his predecessors, Prince Albert I and Prince Louis II, but today, Prince Rainier’s extensive personal collection is displayed too.

See more: Rare €50 coin marking Prince Rainier III centenary goes on sale in Monaco

The first two of the new stamps released for 2024 are a tribute to the Aeronauts of Monaco, who have recently been in headlines for their attempts to create a more environmentally friendly way to practice their hobby.

The association has developed an “ecological balloon” that members say saves up to 70% in energy over normal hot air balloons by using double insulated walls. It has been dubbed the Monaco Next Generation Project.

The drawings for these two stamps were done by artist Thierry Mordant and can be used for letters up to €1.96.

See more: Formula 1: Monaco Stamp Office commemorates 80th Monaco Grand Prix

The third stamp bears a Monegasque crest and pays homage to the founding of the Federation of Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco, the Prince Albert II-led association that connects towns and cities all over France and Italy who have at some point in time been linked to the Grimaldi family. The first sites were recognised in 2015 and there are in the vicinity of 150 members today.

This stamp is a €2 model whose layout was designed by Créaphil.

*The third stamp is a nod to Prince Albert’s Grimaldi Historic Sites of Monaco network.*

Each of the new stamps is available on limited runs of 40,000. The hot air balloon stamps are sold as a pair.

To visit the online shop, which also sells a range of stamps from previous collections, click here.

For information about the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies de Monaco, click here.

Read related:

Museums in Monaco: seven addresses to inspire and intrigue

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Images via Office des Émissions de Timbres-Poste

Next month at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo: the light, the dark and a sold-out visit from Rolando Villazón

by: Stephanie Horsman

19/01/2024

After a packed January schedule, which will see the Opéra de Monte-Carlo take on Handel’s Giulio Cesare in Egitto and then Brahm’s haunting blend of Baroque funeral cantata and Romantic oratorio in Ein Deutsches Requiem, the first part of February will be rather quiet, but that will all change towards the end of the month…

It won’t be until 23rd February that the Opéra de Monte-Carlo will appear again on stage in the Principality, but the return will be dramatic.

See more: Opéra de Monte-Carlo’s Cecilia Bartoli to star as Cleopatra in ‘Giulio Cesare in Egitto’

Elements of the dark and the light will revive the season over four performances between 23rd and 29th February as the Opéra recreates two one-act operas: Cavalleria Rusticana and Gianni Schicchi.

1889’s Cavalleria Rusticana by Pietro Mascagni is based on a short story of the same name. Set in Sicily, it is a tale of jealousy, revenge, lust, betrayal and murder, but without the melodrama that can often mar these kinds of dramatic pieces.

See more: Opéra de Monte-Carlo to revive Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem

Gianni Schicchi, known widely as Giacomo Puccini’s only comedy, takes its inspiration from a scene in Dante’s Divine Comedy. The opera, which opened first in 1918, could almost be set today: it is the story of a scheming yet ingenious peasant who is called upon by the greedy relatives of a rich old man to change his will to their benefit. In a sleight of hand no one saw coming, he rewrites the will and leaves the fortune to himself, thus enabling him to pay for his daughter’s wedding.

The full details about these performances can be found here.

Rolando Villazón makes his return

On 24th February, famed Mexican tenor, stage director, author, and radio and TV personality Rolando Villazón, who directed The Barber of Seville in Monaco during the spring of 2023, will make his return to the Principality.

He will be performing extracts from works by Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Donizetti, Verdi, Offenbach, Tosti and more, accompanied by the recently founded Swiss Symphonic Orchestra, as conducted by Lena-Lisa Wüstendörfer.

Tickets have already sold out, but you can click here for more information about the concert.

Don’t forget…

Giulio Cesare in Egitto will be performed on 24th, 26th, 28th and 30th January. A gala night will coincide with the opening performance. For reservations and more information, click here.

Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem will be revived on the Monaco stage on 29th January. To reserve your seat or for more information about the concert, click here.

Read related:

Interview: Cecilia Bartoli on taking the Opéra de Monte-Carlo to new heights

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Photo credit: Opéra de Monte-Carlo

‘Made in Japan in Monaco’ to showcase traditional and modern arts from the Land of the Rising Sun

by: Niki Borisova

19/01/2024

Step into a world where ancient Japanese traditions meet contemporary innovation at the ‘Made in Japan in Monaco’ event, which will be hosted by the Fairmont Monte Carlo in early February.

Scheduled for 3rd and 4th February in the hotel’s La Salle de la Mer, this cultural exposition, which has already been held three times in the Principality with much success, aims to deepen the ties between Japan and Monaco through a unique showcase of traditional and modern Japanese arts and crafts.

Among the notable exhibitors confirmed to appear at the event are a collection from the cities of Bizen and Setouchi, who will present the famous style of Bizen pottery as well as Japanese swords and armours. The Saga Prefecture will be showcasing its renowned Imari porcelain while the culinary arts of Japan will also be well represented by companies such as Amabuki Shuzo and Mitsutake Shuzojo for spirits and saké and Rinsendo with the Inaniwa udon.

The craft sector is equally impressive, with Sansuido’s Kamakura-lacquered products and Joewell Urushi Scissors demonstrating the Iwate lacquering technique on professional scissors both on the list. Mykelys and Mimikohome will add a touch of kawaii and home decor inspired by the world of kimonos.

A special feature of this year’s edition is the ‘Happy Kimono Project’ by Kimono Beauty Japan, a group that is attending for the second year. Kimono Beauty Japan specialises in the traditional Japanese garment and will offer a variety of kimono-themed events and performances at the Fairmont.

The event’s organisers, Monaco Emu, will be hosting a special invite-only tour of the show on 2nd February.

Tickets for the public days cost €10 per person and can be bought on the door. Click here for more information.

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Photo source: Unsplash

Football: Youssouf Fofana joins AS Monaco Kids Tour excursion to Menton

by: Niki Borisova

19/01/2024

The most recent event in the busy 2023/24 AS Monaco Kids Tour schedule took place in Menton, just a short drive from the Principality, on Wednesday 17th January and AS Monaco’s prime midfielder and French international Youssouf Fofana went along too, much to the delight of the young fans who had turned out.

“It was great to see all the youngsters who turned up despite the weather,” he said following the event. “I’m very happy to spend some time with them, they’re behind the club and it’s important to develop their commitment from an early age. Being here today is a way of giving something back. I wish I’d had this experience when I was their age.”

The children and their parents who made the effort to join in with the activities despite the rain were rewarded with an autograph signing session and a chance to get up close and personal with the Paris-born 25-year-old.

The children also got to meet Bouba, the official AS Monaco mascot, try their hand – or foot – at an accuracy contest, take part in a quiz on the Rouges et Blancs, test out a virtual reality experience set in the Stade Louis II and play the latest FC24 games on PlayStation5.

One lucky fan went home with a signed Fofana jersey while other prizes handed out included an invitation to the upcoming AS Monaco match against Le Havre at the Stade Louis II on 4th February.

“A way of giving back”

This season’s AS Monaco Kids Tour has been a resounding success, spanning three countries and covering over 930 kilometres thus far. It has engaged with over 1,700 children and seen participation from professional and Academy players alike, adding a touch of star power to the events.

Next stop for the Kids Tour is Vence on Wednesday 24th January.

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Photo credit: AS Monaco Foot

Day: 19 January 2024

The story and meaning behind Monaco’s latest stamp collection