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Month: January 2024

France: Rules relaxed for 27-year mortgage scheme

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/01/2024

Following pressure from financial institutions, banks and mortgage lenders, France’s High Council for Financial Stability (HCSF) has announced a significant change to the rules for prospective homeowners hoping to secure a 27-year mortgage. 

It was announced in mid-December that the government would be downgrading the requirements needed to obtain a 27-year mortgage, which are relatively rare in France. 

Until the changes were unveiled, those with a 27-year mortgage had to pledge to spend 25% of the total loan on home improvements and repairs. This has now been revised down to 10% of the overall amount borrowed.  

The type of improvements covered include modernisation works, the installation of energy-saving and efficiency features, and essential repairs.  

The announcement was joined by a statement that bridging loans will continued to be excluded from the total monthly income-debt ratio of 27-year mortgage applicants, which is currently set at a recommended 35% by the HCSF, as long as they “do not represent more than 80% of the value of the sale”.  

Click here for more information.  

 

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Photo source: Bill Mead, Unsplash

‘The Travelling Collection’ is back for new season

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/01/2024

A collection of captivating stage costumes and accessories from the Opéra de Monte-Carlo is once again making its way around Monaco as part of a unique travelling museum experience for the entire community.

Since 2002, the New National Museum of Monaco has preserved 4,000 stage costumes and 400 set models from the Opéra de Monte-Carlo and offered by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.

As part of this heritage collection, the museum puts together a “study” travelling collection, consisting of around 60 pieces that can be seen, touched and even worn in some cases.

A collection to be enjoyed by the whole Monaco community

Launched in 2018 as part of a project by artist Celia Pym, ‘La collection voyageuse’ offers a series of travelling workshops in educational, associative and medical establishments in the Principality and its surrounding areas.

Accompanying these fabrics, embroideries, headdresses and accessories is the museum’s mediation team, who run creative and hands-on workshops involving a range of art forms that raise awareness of conservation issues and restoration of works among different audiences.

The new season kicked off with a week at the École des Révoires, before being deployed at the École de la Condamine.

‘The Travelling Collection’ is an activity that continues throughout the year.

 

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Photo credit: Stéphane Dana, Government Communication Department

 

 

Polar adventures await at the Musée Océano this winter

by: Niki Borisova
01/01/2024

From a photographic journey through the Arctic and Antarctic to an exhibition commemorating Prince Rainier III’s connections to the world’s oceans, there is plenty to learn and explore at the Musée Océanographique over the holidays and into the new year.  

The acclaimed ‘Polar Mission’ exhibition, which had attracted over a million visitors by 31st October 2023, is a full family-friendly immersion into the stunning beauty and fragility of the Arctic and Antarctic with five thematic spaces. This includes the vast interactive projection room that flits from one cold, snowy scene to another, offering a fascinating glimpse into the diversity of life at each end of the Earth.  

This polar theme continues with the ‘Poles, Fragile Worlds’ exhibition by renowned photographer Greg Lecoeur, which runs until 12th March 2024. The photographic journey explores the icy expanses of the Arctic and Antarctic, sensitizing visitors to the vulnerability of these ecosystems. 

Adding to the museum’s rich offerings is the new permanent exhibition called ‘The Prince and the Mediterranean’. It was curated in conjunction with the Prince Rainier III centenary celebrations and honours his deep connection to the world’s oceans and the Mediterranean Sea. 

See more: Photos: ‘The Prince and the Mediterranean’ exhibition unveiled at the Musée Océanographique

For an extra special experience, visitors can watch the daily feeding of the creatures in the museum’s biggest aquarium at 4pm on weekdays. Head to the shark tank on Level –1 to see it for yourself!  

There are also two Escape Games to be discovered at the museum over the holidays: one for children aged seven and up, and another for over 16s. Reservations can be made here. 

Other popular attractions include the ‘Immersive 360°’ virtual reality experience and the sensory coastline workshop, where families and groups can discover the richness of life living along the Mediterranean seashore.

For more information, click here.

 

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Photo credit: Musé Océanographique de Monaco

‘Talents of the Fort’: call for people to join 2024 organising committee

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/01/2024
Fort Antoine

Following its inaugural year in 2023, the Open Stage of the Théâtre du Fort Antoine is back this summer, and the government is looking for people to help out with the organisation of this unique youth-focused event. 

Monaco’s Department of Cultural Affairs created the ‘Talents du Fort’ event last year to promote artistic talents and passions among those aged 18 to 30. Participants on stage can represent whatever artistic field they desire, from dance and theatre to music and painting, but those with a talent for event organisation are needed too.

Now, a call has gone out for people to get involved in the creation of the 2024 edition of the ‘Talents of the Fort’.

From registration management to communication, technical support and logistics, the young volunteers will be given a chance to assist with all aspects of the preparation and running of the event and will be able to share their own ideas with its project managers.

The opportunity is open to people aged between 18 and 30 with an interest in culture and event organisation, and who live in Monaco or attended school here. Those with a strong link to the Principality will also be considered. Ideally, applicants should be available for around two hours per week between 15th January and July 2024.

For more information or to register your interest, send an email to fortantoine@gouv.mc before 19th January 2024.

 

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Emissions fell by 4.6% in France in 2023

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/01/2024

During the first nine months of 2023, carbon emissions from France fell year-on-year, according to a recently released report from the Interprofessional Technical Centre for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CITEPA). What contributed to the 4.6% change? 

The CITEPA report, which had been commissioned by the French Ministry of the Environmental, was published on 26th December.  

The preliminary data included in the report indicates an overall 4.6% decrease in carbon emissions during the first three quarters of 2023, compared to the same time period in 2022, while those behind the report accredited three sectors with helping make the positive change.  

The energy sector saw the biggest drop: 9.4% over 2022 figures. Industry came in a close second, showing a 9.3% decrease, while eco measures in the building and construction trade saw its emissions fall by 7.5% cut.  

The news prompted French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to exclaim on social media, “-4.6%! In 2023, our CO2 emissions will continue to fall at an unprecedented rate. We are on the right track for France to achieve its carbon neutrality objectives by 2050. With #FranceNationVerte, this vision is at the heart of our ecological planning.”  

For more information on the findings of the report, click here.

 

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Photo source: Jimmy Desplanques, Unsplash

Anti-bullying hotline and website for children and teens coming soon to Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
01/01/2024

Following nearly 40 reports of harassment and violence during the last school year, the Principality is reportedly stepping up its fight against school bullying with the imminent launch of a new support hotline and website for victims. 

Aimed at providing immediate support to students suffering at the hands of bullies, as well as offering a safe place for victims and witnesses to come forwards with reports of bullying incidents, the dual helpline and website project marks the next stage in an ongoing strategy to crackdown on bullying in the Principality’s schools.  

See more: National Council calls for “concrete actions” to end bullying in Monaco schools

In comments published by the Monaco Matin, Minister of the Interior Patrice Cellario said, “The idea is that we have a single telephone number that is connected to the Department of Education… Outside of the working hours of the department – at night and on weekends – the number will be sent to a partnered association so that the support can be continuous.” 

The hotline will reportedly be supplemented by a website that will provide helpful resources and advice to victims of bullying.  

A date for the launch of the hotline and website is yet to be confirmed, but Cellario indicated in his comments that it could coincide with the return to school in a few weeks’ time “or in any case later this month”.  

 

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Photo source: Adrian Swancar, Unsplash