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Month: January 2024

How to celebrate Sainte Dévote 2024: a detailed schedule of events

by: Niki Borisova
17/01/2024

Monaco is set to honour one of its oldest and most revered traditions, the celebration of its Patron Saint, Sainte Dévote. The event is deeply rooted in Monegasque culture, encompassing various aspects including religion, folklore, history, and arts.

This year’s celebrations, on 26th and 27th January, are particularly noteworthy as Monaco will be welcoming representatives of its twin towns – the newly-joined Lucciana, Dolceacqua (Italy), and Ostende (Belgium) – marking 60 years of twinning.

The festivities will commence on Friday 26th January at 10:30am with a traditional mass conducted in the Monegasque language at the Sainte-Dévote Church. This spiritual ceremony will also include the Blessing of the Sea, a significant ritual in the Principality.

The religious procession marking Sainte Devote in Monaco. Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Later in the evening, at 6:30pm, the procession of Sainte-Dévote’s relics will begin, marking a key moment in the celebration. This procession, starting from the Grand Prix chicane, will lead to the arrival of the boat at Vallon des Gaumates at around 6:40pm. The ceremonial blessing of the relics will take place here, followed by a procession to Place Sainte-Dévote. At 7:00pm, a special service, the Benediction, will be held at the Sainte-Dévote Church, presided over by Archbishop Dominique-Marie David of Monaco and Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo of Ajaccio. The day’s events will reach a climax at 7:45pm with the lighting of the boat by the Princely Family at Quai Albert Ier, symbolising the legend of Sainte-Dévote. The evening will conclude with spectacular pyro melodic fireworks display at 8:15pm.

The following day, Saturday 27th January, will begin with a pontifical mass at 10am at the Monaco Cathedral, led by Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo. In the evening, at 6pm, a unique candle-lit concert will be held at the Monaco Cathedral, featuring performances by the ‘Tenebrae choir’ and the children’s choir of Rainier III Academy.

The 2024 Sainte-Dévote celebrations in Monaco are set to offer a reflective yet vibrant experience, highlighting both the Principality’s historical roots and its contemporary cultural connections.

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Main photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government of Monaco Communication Department

 

 

Breakthroughs in treatment of childhood cancer to be presented by CSM doctor at major oncology event

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/01/2024
Christopher Montemagno

Every year, more than 2,500 children and young adults are given a cancer diagnosis in France. Annually, 300 sadly lose their lives in their fight against the deadly disease.  

The most common cancers suffered by the young are brain, bone and blood, and the approach to treatment for them is different to that employed for adults. One of the key reasons for this is that the disease is unlikely to have developed due to lifestyle factors, as is more common in adults, and instead has seemingly sprung out of nowhere.  

NEW DEVELOPMENTS

On the final day of the 2024 Monaco Biennial Cancer Congress, which will be held from 23rd to 26th January at the Grimaldi Forum, Doctor Christopher Montemagno from the Centre Scientifique de Monaco, who specialises in uncovering innovative new treatments for paediatric cancer victims, will be leading a special conference on the breakthroughs in his field.

See more: CSM set to revolutionise treatment of childhood cancer

“The management of brain tumours in children today relies on the use of a trimodal approach involving excision surgery, chemotherapy and external radiotherapy,” says Doctor Montemagno. “Unfortunately, despite this protocol, 30% of patients have recurrences, with fatal relapses. It is therefore absolutely fundamental to propose new therapeutic approaches.”  

THERANOSTIC APPROACH 

His method is called the ‘Theranostic Approach’ and targets specific tumour cells using high sensitivity imaging to precisely define the affected areas, thus allowing for an increasingly precise radiotherapeutic option.  

“Our team, with the assistance of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre and the Grenoble University Hospital Centre, was able to describe the role of the integrin αvβ3 protein in the development of this type of cancer and its involvement in relapses in young patients,” he explains. “Basically, we created a nuclear medicine vehicle that identifies the integrin. Once the identification is made, we replace the identifier with another nuclear medicine vehicle that destroys the tumour cells in the space they occupy, without affecting healthy cells.” 

The concept is to treat tumours without affecting healthy cells, ideally causing less damage overall than can be incurred through the application of more traditionally used methods. 

The Monaco Biennial Cancer Congress is set to unite more than 1,500 healthcare providers and specialists beneath one roof to discuss not only paediatric cancer, but also other forms of the disease, as well as pioneering preventative and treatment options. 

Read related:

Monaco Biennial Cancer Congress to spotlight advances in oncology, the use of AI and therapeutic treatments

  

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Photo via Centre Scientifique de Monaco

Explained: Why is only 8% of the population involved in France’s 2024 census?

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/01/2024
france census

A census is conducted in some form every year in France, but not all residents are asked to take part. Here’s the reason why, as well as what to expect if you receive a letter requesting your participation. 

France’s annual census is carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) and helps provide detailed insight into the population, from data on demographics to housing conditions, occupations and even transportation.  

One key outcome of the census is that the information compiled helps guide policy making and can impact how much state funding and support is given to municipalities. The number of people living in a place also determines how many elected officials there will be on local city and town councils. 

WHO IS POLLED? 

Just 8% of addresses in municipalities with 10,000 or more residents are polled each year. In smaller towns and villages, a census of the population is only required once every five years.  

To be counted in the census of a specific locale, that municipality must be the location of a person’s main residence. If a person is contacted as part of the census at their second home, it is not necessary for the form to be filled out and the census taker will take note of the person’s living situation for future reference. 

If a person is selected to take part in the census, a letter from the local mayor will be dispatched to their address in the days before a visit from the census taker is due.  

Participation is obligatory, although those selected can choose to complete the form at their convenience online rather than in-person with the census taker. Completed paper documents can either be collected by the census taker or sent to the local mairie or INSEE.  

WHEN WILL IT TAKE PLACE? 

The annually taken census will commence on 18th January and run until 24th February. For smaller communes concerned with the latest five-year census, data-taking will take place between 18th January and 17th February.  

The forms are available in several languages in addition to French, such as English, Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, Romanian, German, Turkish and Spanish. 

Click here for further information about this year’s census.  

 

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Photo source: Thibaut Marquis, Unsplash

How the YCM’s SEA Index is setting the gold standard for sustainability assessment in yachting

by: Stephanie Horsman
17/01/2024

The SEA Index, the fruit of a sustainability-focused partnership between the Yacht Club de Monaco and the Credit Suisse bank, and backed by a host of industry leaders, is on its way to becoming the yachting world’s benchmark in assessing carbon emissions, say its creators, who have now introduced more than 50 yacht owners to the scheme. 

More yacht owners and guests are looking to make cleaner, greener choices than ever before, and one way that the Yacht Club de Monaco is helping and supporting its members in starting to make these changes is by offering up its innovative SEA Index assessment.  

HOW IT WORKS 

Launched in 2020, the SEA Index has given yacht owners a point of reference regarding the amount of CO2 emissions they churn out.  

The appraisals are done by calculating the amount of carbon emitted per gross tonne per hour into the atmosphere and the Index uses the UN International Marine Organisation’s methodology with adaptations to suit yachts and vessels above 25 metres.

“All vessels that have initiated the SEA Index CO2 certification application process benefit from a summary report outlining the improvement options to be implemented to reduce their impact: engines, generators and energy balance,” says a spokesperson for the scheme. “This is extremely useful information, particularly before the start of refit periods.” 

More than 50 Yacht Club de Monaco members and owners of vessels over 25 metres have signed up to be assessed so far and the figures are growing. Outside the club, the Index is also being sought after by other players in the industry who are looking for ways to improve their sustainability quotients.  

CASE STUDY: A YACHT OF DISTINCTION 

One Monaco-based vessel that recently completed its assessment, the M/Y Kasper 7, has been awarded with a three-star certification out of a possible five under the scheme. The 67-metre superyacht was built in 2023 by Italian ship builders Benetti using some of the latest sustainability standards. 

“It’s a great tool because it shows how the owners, crew and shipyards care about the sea and the environment,” says Captain Dario Savino. “We’re very proud to have been awarded three stars because it tells us we’re heading in the right direction.” 

For more information on the SEA Index, click here. 

 

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Photo source: Rachel Schauerman, Unplash

Blitz manga highlighting digital violence now on public display

by: Cassandra Tanti
17/01/2024

A Monaco-made manga raising awareness about digital violence against women is now on display at the Principality’s train station.

On Tuesday 16th January, Minister of State Pierre Dartout, accompanied by other government ministers, was given a presentation and talk on the manga by its creator Cédric Biscay, producer of the Blitz manga series. They were joined by the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights and representatives of various Monegasque institutions and associations.

The Committee worked with Biscay in producing a manga on digital violence for The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25th November.

The manga is exhibited in its entirety at the Monaco Train Station to reach a wider audience until 8th March, International Women’s Day.

For more information, click here.

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

Creativity and sustainability to collide at Junk Kouture World Final in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
16/01/2024

The Junk Kouture World Final, an event featuring young fashion talents aged 12 to 19 from New York, London, Paris, Milan and Abu Dhabi, among others, is to be held at the Grimaldi Forum on 22nd February.

The young designers from 20 nations worldwide have been tasked with ingeniously creating 100% recycled collections and catwalk items that will be presented at the event. From discarded pool floats to electrical wiring and camping tents, their sources of inspiration are vast – and inspiring.

“Junk Kouture is not just a competition; it’s a movement that advocates for the power of youth creativity and voices in shaping a more sustainable future,” says Troy Armour, the founder and CEO of Junk Kouture.

Alongside the showcases, entrants will be in with the chance of winning ‘Junk Kouture World Designer of the Year’. Additional awards will be presented across various categories thanks to the support of industry giants like Deloitte, Microsoft, DHL and Etihad Airways.

“For 20 years, I have travelled to Monaco annually for the Grand Prix and the TV Festival,” continues Armour. “I am delighted that Junk Kouture joins a list of these incredible events, and further that the Principality over those 20 years has grown to be a world leader in sustainable living, showing how it can be done. Welcoming the Junk Kouture finalists here will be inspirational for all of them… Put yourself in their shoes, 16 years old and taking to a global stage in Monaco… It is the kind of thing dreams are made of.” 

To find more details or to purchase tickets, which cost €25 each, click here. 

 

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Photo credit: Ed Wright Images