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Month: February 2024

Inside the utopian design classes at Monaco’s École Saint Charles

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/02/2024

For the last five months, students at the École Saint Charles have been collectively designing and building pieces of ergonomic furniture in a bid to foster creativity and cooperation between pupils.  

Since September, CM1 pupils and their teachers at the École Saint Charles on Avenue Saint Laurent have been immersed in a hands-on design project dubbed Écoletopie. 

The brainchild of Studio Smarin in Nice and put in place in Monaco thanks to a collaboration between the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, the Department of National Education, Youth and Sports, and the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, Écoletopie is the natural extension of a 2022 exhibit at the Centre Pompidou in Metz that was entitled The Art of Learning, A School of Creators. 

It calls on schoolchildren to create a ‘total environment’ following four main objectives: the mobilisation of attention, collective intelligence, the exercise of sensitivity and body awareness. The Studio Smarin website describes the project as having a “utopian vision” and as a space that allows children to play and invent. 

Écoletopie in Monaco 

The pupils in Monaco were asked to collectively agree on design projects to undertake then to draw up plans and construct furniture pieces from a range of exclusively natural materials, such as oak panels, cork blocks and wooden dowels.  

CM1 pupils and teachers at the École Saint Charles spent five months working on the Écoletopie project. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department 

The project covered every stage of the process, from conception to clean-up, and sought to encourage the students to embrace roles of leadership and the art of working cohesively as a team.

The final results produced were diverse – some practical, some decorative – but each demonstrated the application of heart, soul and imagination in creating a thought-provoking piece.  

Alongside encouraging teamwork and creativity, other goals of the Écoletopie project included: enhancing body and mood awareness, developing self-confidence and concentration skills, and teaching students how it feels to have completed “a job well done”.  

 

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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department 

Explained: The rules about snow tyres and chains in France 

by: Elsa Carpenter
27/02/2024

Snowfall is expected throughout this week and into the next, providing perfect conditions for the thousands of families heading into the mountains for a spot of skiing during the school holidays. But before you head off, it is important to check that your vehicle is correctly equipped for the road. 

Until 31st March, it is obligatory for all vehicles with four or more wheels in mountainous areas in France to be fitted with winter tyres on all wheels or to carry the correct-sized snow chains or socks for at least two tyres.  

Details on the correct form of winter tyres has been published on the French Public Service website and can be viewed, in French, here. 

According to the website, the term ‘winter tyres’ covers all tyres that are marked with M+S, M.S, M&S or the alpine symbol known as 3PMSF (3 Peak Mountain Snow Flake) alongside an MS variation. All season or four weather tyres are not considered acceptable if they don’t have one of the previously mentioned symbols.  

From 1st November 2024, only tyres with the 3PMSF option will be accepted as winter tyres.  

See more: When and where you’ll need snow tyres this winter

The communes affected by the rules in the Alpes-Maritimes are: Amirat, Andon, Ascros, Auvare, Bairols, Belvédère, Beuil, Bezaudun-les-Alpes, Bonson, Breil-sur-Roya, Briançonnet, Caille, Caussols, Chateauneuf-d’Entraunes, Clans, Coaraze, Coursegoules, Daluis, Duranus, Entraunes, Escragnolles, Fontan, Gars, Gilette, Gorbio, Gourdon, Gréolières, Guillaumes, Ilonse, Isola, La Bollène-Vésubie, La Brigue, La Croix-sur-Roudoule, La Penne, La Tour, Lantosque, Le Mas, Les Mujouls, Levens, Lieuche, Lucéram, Malaussène, Marie, Massoin, Moulinet, Peille, Péone, Pierlas, Pierrefeu, Puget-Rostang, Puget-Théniers, Revest-les-Roches, Rigaud, Rimplas, Roquebillière, Roubion, Roure, Saint-Antonin, Saint-Auban, Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage, Sainte-Agnès, Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée, Saint-Léger, Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, Saint-Martin-Vésubie, Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée, Saint-Vallier-de-Thiey, Saorge, Sauze, Seranon, Sospel, Tende, Thiery, Toudon, Touët-sur-Var, Tourette-du-Chateau, Tournefort, Utelle, Valdeblore, Valderoure, Venanson, Villars-sur-Var and Villeneuve-d’Entraunes. 

See more: From Monaco to the mountains: a guide to the best ski resorts these school holidays

In the Var, the communes affected by the wintertime rules include: Aiguines, Baudinard, La Roque-Esclapon, Montmeyan, Ampus, Brenon, La Verdière, Régusse, Artignosc, Chateaudouble, Le Bourguet, Seillans, Aups, Chateauvieux, Les Salles-sur-Verdon, St Julien le Montagnier, Bargème, Comps sur Artuby, Moissac-Bellevue, Tourtour, Bargemon, La Bastide, Mons, Trigance, Bauduen, La Martre, Montferrat and Vérignon. 

A full list of communes across France that require specific winter equipment for vehicles can be found here. 

 

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Photo source: Daniel J. Schwarz, Unsplash

Rock and roll muse Pattie Boyd to auction treasures from her storied past

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/02/2024

Pattie Boyd, the woman who inspired love songs written by both George Harrison and Eric Clapton, has teamed up with Christie’s to auction an intriguing array of personal effects, from jewellery and clothing to love letters and treasured photographs.  

Pattie Boyd, a top British model of the 1960s, has the distinction of having stolen the hearts of two legendary greats from the world of music. Married first to Beatle George Harrison and then to guitar idol Eric Clapton, Boyd was both the muse for Harrison’s classic tune Something and Clapton’s hit songs Layla and Wonderful Tonight.  

In March, she is set to sell off a collection of 116 items hailing from her incredible past at an auction orchestrated by Christie’s.  

“I’m happy to let go of these things which I have treasured and loved for so many years,” says Boyd ahead of the sale. “These items represent special moments in my life, but now I think it’s time to move on and share what I have with others.” 

TREASURES FROM 1960S AND 1970S 

Among the treasures being auctioned are a selection of photographs with Boyd both in front of and behind the camera. Included are: a black and white image from 1968 of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon in Rishikesh, India that was taken by Boyd; a polaroid snap of Eric Clapton playing guitar in 1977; a picture taken by Boyd of she and Harrison in their garden at Kinfauns, England in 1968; and an image of a rather solemn-looking Boyd taken by The Beatle’s photographer Robert Whitaker at her Surrey home. The various photos are anticipated to fetch between £800 and £6,000 (€935 to €7,000) at auction.  

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and John Lennon taken by Boyd in Rishikesh, India 1968

Also in the collection are: love letters written to Boyd from Harrison and Clapton; the original artwork La jeune fille au bouquet by Emile Frandsen De Schomberg that was used for the cover of the Derek and The Dominos’ album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs, which is estimated to sell for between £40,000 to £60,000 (€47,000 to €70,000); and lyrics for songs and set lists written by her famous husbands. 

The original artwork by Emile Frandsen De Schomberg that was used for the cover of Derek and The Dominos’ album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs. Photo courtesy of Christie’s

Fans can also expect a stunning selection of jewellery and watches, such as an Art Déco diamond bracelet-watch with an estimated going price of £4,000 to £6,000 (€4,700 to €7,000), as well as vintage 1960s clothing from The Fool Collective, which is expected to sell in the £800 to £1,500 (€935 to €1,750) range.  

“Pattie Boyd’s extraordinary life and career chart some of the key moments of the cultural revolution that changed the world in the 1960s,” says Adrian Hume-Sayer, Director of Private & Iconic Collections and Head of Sale at Christie’s London. “This unique collection includes an array of cherished personal letters, photographs and mementoes, which provide a tangible link to that amazing time.” 

A collection of love letters written to Boyd from George Harrison and Eric Clapton will be included in the sale. Photo courtesy of Christie’s

The auction will be held online on the Christie’s website from 8th to 22nd March, with public viewings at Christie’s London possible between 15th and 21st March.  

To view the full catalogue of lots, click here.  

 

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Main photo of Boyd and Harrison in their garden in Surrey. Photo courtesy of Christie’s

Yachting: Nomination stage launched for The Honours 2024

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/02/2024

Taking place within the context of the Monaco Yacht Show, The Honours are a celebration of inspiring individuals at the frontline of change in the superyachting industry. Nominations have officially opened for the Class of 2024 and here is all the information you need on how to get involved. 

The superyacht industry’s image is evolving as it embraces a role as an innovator of sustainable maritime practices and as a source of incredible philanthropic ventures. To champion the efforts of those pushing the boundaries of the sector, the Monaco Yacht Show launched The Honours in 2023.

The awards take the focus off the magnificent boats and put it on the people who are living and working on board these glamourous vessels with the goal of sharing their stories and shining a light on the amazing things they are doing behind the scenes. 

From a deckhand working with indigenous peoples to help offset climate change issues to a scientist pursuing marine studies and research or a yacht owner who is doing their bit to make the luxury sector more eco-friendly, there are people throughout the industry who have been quietly doing good and deserve recognition.  

See more: MYS: The Honours yachting awards champion three inspiring individuals

The second edition of The Honours will be held during the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show, scheduled for 25th to 28th September in Port Hercule, but the nomination stage for the awards has already begun begun. 

The candidates need not be from any specific background or fall into any certain category, but they must have demonstrated “concrete achievements” in fields such as diversity, sustainability, innovation, research and philanthropy that are linked to superyachting during the last five years. 

The organisers of The Honours – the Monaco Yacht Show and the Superyacht Life Foundation – stress that nominees will be judged based on their accomplishments and not the number of times they have been put forwards for an award. As such, the emphasis of a nomination should be on the person’s “impact, originality, creativity and commitment to making a positive difference” in the sector.   

To submit a name, simply click here and fill out a short form describing why the person being suggested should be considered as well as adding any details, anecdotes or stories related to their achievements that you deem pertinent.  

After the selection process is complete, a gala award ceremony will be held to announce the winners later in the year.  

Submissions will be accepted until 1st April.  

 

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Photo of The Honours 2023 

Prince Albert calls for better recognition of indigenous populations at polar symposium

by: Elsa Carpenter
26/02/2024

Between 22nd and 23rd February, scientists and key decision-makers from across the globe gathered at the Musée Océanographique de Monaco to discuss the state of the polar regions as well as what can be done to protect these vitally important parts of our world.  

Following opening addresses from the president of International Arctic Science Committee, Henry Burgess, and the vice-president of Finance at the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, Jefferson Cardia Simões, on the first day of the event, Monaco’s own Prince Albert took to the stage. 

The Monegasque sovereign, a life-long devotee of ocean conservation and awareness, used his time behind the podium to stress the importance of involving indigenous voices in polar talks and of respecting their unique experiences in these regions. 

“We need to implement as widely as possible the only measures we know are effective, which consist of marking out targeted exclusion zones, adapted to the current threats and likely to have a real impact in terms of protection and regeneration,” said the Prince. “We need to do this together, by pooling our expertise, by using up-to-date knowledge, and by listening to the needs and competencies of the indigenous populations too, especially in the Arctic. More than ever before, they need to be fully involved in these discussions and decisions. This is what we will be focusing on over the next two days, which for all these reasons will, I believe, be particularly invaluable.” 

Left to right: Olivier Wenden, Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, Jefferson Cardia Simoes, Prince Albert II, Henry Burgess and Robert Calcagno. Photo credit: Philippe Fitte / FPA2

Highlights of the event included keynote speeches from Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, the chairman of Arctic Circle, and Doctor Frederik Paulsen, the founder of the Albédo Foundation for the Crysophere, as well as a fascinating panel discussion on long-term collaborations in the polar regions, which echoed the words of Monaco’s Prince Albert. This round of talks featured esteemed speakers such as Sara Olsvig, Larry Hinzman, Antje Boetius and Jane Francis. 

See more: ‘The Cold is Getting Hot’: International experts to unite in Monaco for polar-focused conference

The FPA2 also secured a strategic partnership with the European Polar Board during the event.  

According to a spokesperson for the FPA2, “This collaboration aims to amplify awareness of polar challenges and jointly orchestrate events, particularly within the framework of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Sciences.” 

To see more from the event, click on the images below:

 

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All photo credits: Philippe Fitte / FPA2p

RAMOGE photo contest returns for 2024 edition

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/02/2024

Submissions are now being taken for the third edition of the international photography competition, ‘RAMOGE – Man and the Sea’.

As part of its awareness-raising activities, the RAMOGE Agreement invites all lovers of the sea and photography to highlight in their photos the relationship between human activities and the Mediterranean in its multiple aspects.

Held under the auspices of the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), the competition will be held until 15th September 2024.

This year sees another internationally-renowned jury, composed of FIAP President Riccardo Busi, National Geographic’s Nature Photographer of the Year 2016 Greg Lecoeur, and Sergio Pitamitz, Environmental Photojournalist of the Year, NPPA, 2016.

The ‘RAMOGE – Man and the Sea’ competition is divided into four categories: ‘Man and the Sea’, dedicated to photos taken in the Mediterranean; ‘RAMOGE zone’, dedicated to photos taken between Marseille and La Spezia; ‘Man and the Sea, the view of new generations’, reserved for young photographers aged under 25; and ‘Free Theme’, which is free and open to all.

To participate, simply register and submit your photos on the RAMOGE website: https://ramoge.org/concours-photos/

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Photo of 2021 3rd place winner of the the ‘Man and the Sea’ category: “Pirate Slurp” by Giannicola Marello.