10 ° C
Profile

Month: February 2024

Maternity leave rights extended to independent workers in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/02/2024

In a landmark decision, the Conseil National has voted in a new law enshrining maternity rights for Monaco’s independent workforce.  

The government-inspired bill was presented to the Council just three months ago.

On 22nd February, it became law following a unanimous decision by Council members, without amendment, to offer the same benefits enjoyed by public and private sector employees to independent workers affiliated with Monaco’s Caisse d’Assurance Maladie, Accident et Maternité des Travailleurs Indépendants (CAMTI).  

A full breakdown of the rights accorded to pregnant women and new mothers in Monaco can be found here.

A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT

A collaborative effort between the CAMTI Control Committee, representatives of the Government and the Monaco Social Funds, the new scheme was created not only to benefit independent workers, but to improve the system in general.  

According to Government Advisor-Minister of Social Affairs and Health Christophe Robino, the reforms “will make it possible to further strengthen the social protection system of the Principality”. 

“This system will constitute, at the same time, an additional tool of socio-economic attractiveness in a key sector for the economy and competitiveness of the country,” he said.   

The CAMTI scheme is the latest measure in a series of forward-thinking policies being instituted by the government, such as the establishment of family allowances under CAMTI, the legal sharing of leave among colleagues, and the extension of maternity and paternity leave to all workers, regardless of the sector they work in. 

In the coming weeks and months, a further text on parental leave rights for private law employers is due to be discussed by the Conseil National.  

 

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source: Camylla Battani, Unsplash

Monaco Oceanographic Institute and AWI join forces to save polar wildlife

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/02/2024

In a landmark collaboration aimed at preserving the fragile ecosystems of polar regions, the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and the Alfred Wegener Institute have forged a strategic alliance. The partnership, inaugurated in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco, signifies a profound commitment to scientific cooperation and public engagement in the realm of polar, marine, and coastal conservation.

Against the backdrop of the prestigious Polar Symposium hosted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Oceanographic Institute and Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) penned a historic Memorandum of Understanding on 22nd February.

The AWI conducts research in the polar regions, and provides ships such as the research icebreaker Polarstern, as well as stations to the international scientific community.

This agreement pledges a concerted joint effort over the next five years to advance research, protection, and public awareness initiatives crucial for safeguarding polar biodiversity.

It will include collaborative research projects, the organisation of scientific events, and the exchange of information useful for research.

Shaping the future of polar conservation

The partnership strengthens the actions already being jointly undertaken by the Oceanographic Institute and AWI in supporting the creation of Marine Protected Areas.

An engagement journey organised by the Oceanographic Institute to the Antarctic Peninsula welcomed several scientists on board, facilitating the collection of data on the Danger Islands archipelago, a rarely visited part of the peninsula. This data: biological, ecological, topographical, and pollution-related, will be valuable to AWI and will contribute to discussions surrounding the creation of a Specially Protected Area of Antarctica (SPAA) on the Danger Islands, home to one of the largest penguin colonies in the world.

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo: Prince Albert II of Monaco with, from left to right, Robert Calcagno (Director General of the Oceanographic Institute), Timm A. Bergold (Honorary Consul of Germany in the Principality of Monaco), Prof. Dr Antje Boetius (Director of the Alfred Wegener AWI Institute), Henry Burgess (President of the International Arctic Science Committee IASC) and Cyril Gomez (Deputy Director General of the Oceanographic Institute). Source: Monaco Oceanographic Institute

SEE ALSO:

Monaco Ocean Week 2024: A quest for viable and achievable solutions

 

 

New features at Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2024

by: Niki Borisova
22/02/2024

Discover what’s new at the 2024 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, including ‘click & collect’ dining and a new broadcasting partnership.

The Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament is set to return from 6th to 14th April at the courts of the Monte-Carlo Country Club.

The 2023 tournament saw impressive figures, with over 140,000 attendees, 38.4 million television viewers, and 167.1 million social media views. This year aims to build on that success with several new features designed to enhance the spectator experience. These include the introduction of a ‘click & collect’ service for fast food, modifications to the seaside stands of the Court Rainier III to accommodate additional boxes, a new covered dining area, and a fresh broadcasting partnership with France Télévisions. This partnership will see one match per day aired on the france.tv platform and the final broadcast on France 4, complementing the comprehensive coverage provided by Eurosport France.

Additionally, the tournament will continue its support for the GEMLUC association (Group of Monégasque Enterprises in the Fight Against Cancer), which funds research and cutting-edge technology.

The final list of participating players is slated to be revealed in Paris on 12th March during a press conference, with ticket sales already approaching 130,000.

Organised by the Monégasque Company for the Operation of the Tennis Tournament (S.M.E.T.T.), the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters marks the first Masters 1000 event of the clay court season, setting the stage for the summer tennis season on the French Riviera.

The draw will take place on 5th April at 6pm;

Read also: Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters: Will this year beat a monumental 2023? – Monaco Life

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo by Monaco Life

Trenitalia announces plans for two new train lines through the south of France

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/02/2024

Two new train links between Italy and the south of France are in the works: one from Milan to Nice via Monaco and a second through the mountains of the Mercantour to the city of Turin. Here are the details we know so far. 

The Covid pandemic brought an unfortunate end of the popular Thello train route from the south of France to Milan, but it has now been revealed that Trenitalia is keen to revive the service with the support of France’s SNCF network. 

By summer, the Milan to Marseille journey could be a daily occurrence. Although the specific stops along the route are yet to be confirmed, it is very likely that both Nice and Monaco will feature as well as Ventimiglia.  

A scenic link to Turin from Nice via Breil-sur-Roya is also in the works and could be operational by summer 2025. The concept is a service similar to the famous Ferroviaire del Bernina express line from St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Northern Italy, which offers passengers spell-binding views of the Alps thanks to panoramic carriages.  

CROSS-BORDER ALLIANCE 

The reopening of the Milan connection and the launch new mountain route is something Italy, Monaco and France are keen on. Cross-border tourism benefits all three, and a meeting was held in the Ligurian town of Imperia earlier this month to launch an alliance.  

“Alone, we cannot necessarily release significant resources [to run these lines],” long-time Mayor of Nice Christian Estrosi told the press. “Joining our forces will allow us to better finance projects, with very precise timetables.” 

 

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photo source of the Bernina Express: Andreas Stutz

Banksy and Invader among the big names at Artcurial’s upcoming urban art auction

by: Stephanie Horsman
22/02/2024

A week before the Urban Art Fair in Paris this April, Artcurial will host a vibrant urban art sale of its own in the City of Light. Here’s what to expect from the event. 

Urban art – street art to some – is defined as “artwork that is created in a public space, typically without official permission”.  

Growing out of the politically motivated 1960s graffiti movement, this rebellious visual art form has evolved with the times to become a genre all of its own – one that is highly prized among collectors and connoisseurs the world over. 

In late April, the Carreau du Temple in Paris will be hosting a major street art event, the 8th Urban Art Fair, but fans of the genre will also get an opportunity to snap up some very special pieces a week before at the upcoming Urban Project sale that is being organised by Artcurial Paris. 

Set to take place on 17th April and with acclaimed auctioneer Arnuad Oliveux at the helm, the Artcurial auction will feature works by some of the most celebrated street artists of our time, such as Banksy, Futura 2000, JonOne, Shepard Fairey, Vhils and André.  

FRENCH INVADER 

The French urban art scene will be well-represented at the sale, notably through works by Invader, who has been filling city walls and open spaces with colour since 1996. Up for grabs at the auction will be Rubik Killers, a collection of 441 Rubik’s Cubes on plexiglass, which is expected to fetch between €150,000 and €200,000.  

Invader’s Rubik Killers, 2009. Photo credit: Artcurial

Also on the block will be a mosaic by French street art legend Alias PA_810, which is estimated to sell for €60,000 to €80,000.  

OLD SCHOOL 

Old school graffiti will also feature in the sales, primarily from American artists. One such acrylic and spray paint work by Futura 2000 from 1987 is thought be worth between €50,000 to €70,000.  

There will also be a large canvas by JonOne from 1991 that was made during the Hôpital Éphémère period. Estimates for this piece range from €70,000 to €90,000.  

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS 

Works from artists like Shepard Fairey, Vhils, KAWS, Barry McGee, ROA, EVOL and Todd James will be going under the gavel too, but the biggest sales are expected from Banksy.  

His 2017 Grappling Hook, a wood, shellac, acrylic, aluminum, polyurethane, synthetic hemp rope and steel work could fetch in the vicinity of €100,000 to €150,000.  

Banksy’s Grappling Hook, 2017. Photo credit: Artcurial

For more information about the event, click here.

 

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Images courtesy of Artcurial Paris

New Restaurant: Lunch in the sun at Mr. Nakamoto in Cannes

by: Elsa Carpenter
22/02/2024

The sun was shining brightly in Cannes as Monaco Life headed down to the Mondian Cannes, a five-star hotel that opened on the Croisette last spring, to sample the fresh fusion delights of Mr. Nakamoto.

The walk-up to the doors of this premium lifestyle establishment, along a wooden boardwalk and via a verdant garden that stretches back from the bustling Croisette, passes through the outdoor section of the Mondrian’s in-house restaurant, Mr. Nakamoto – our destination on an exceptionally warm day in late February.  

The Mondrian Cannes is the only hotel on the Croisette to offer direct access to the seafront and the main shopping zone of the Rue d’Antibes. Photo credit: Cubeddu

Mr. Nakamoto, which is headed up by Chef Jean-Baptiste Guillaume, offers an invigorating blend of Mediterranean and Asian flavours.  

The Carte du Midi features a mix of salads, a Poke bowl, a smoked salmon platter with Kalamansi jelly and sakura shoots, and a burger with Kimchi-mayo as well as the highly recommended and beautifully presented sushi range. The Omakase – “I leave it up to you,” in Japanese – plates would be a great choice for a sharing lunch, with a 16-piece platter costing €37 and a larger 32-piece selection priced at €69. 

The lunch options are undoubtedly lighter than the evening menu, where the sushi suggestions – we tried the signature rolls with mango, tuna and asparagus, and the French sourced sea bass nigiri – sit comfortably alongside more classically French steak dishes, five-spiced coquelet, Tonkatsu pork with sour cabbage and a favourite among patrons: the lacquered black cod.

Sushi in an array of forms is well-represented on the lunch and dinner menus of Mr. Nakamoto. Photo credit: Cedou

The fusion marriage of flavours and ingredients is continued into the dessert and even cocktail menus of the chef, who tells Monaco Life that the vision he has for Mr. Nakamoto takes inspiration from his many voyages and experiences across the Asian continent.  

We chose a Matcha Fizz and a Kirin Ichiban to go with our meal, but could easily have been swayed by the Cho Milk Punch featuring Mezcal, yuzu, kiwi and butterfly pea flower or the Plum Manhattan with Nikki From The Barrel, Umeshu, Sakura vermouth and cherry.   

Between sea and shopping 

The Mondrian Cannes, which became the group’s first hotel to open on French soil back in March 2023, is found on the site of the former Grand Hôtel de Cannes, which had been the long-standing luxury hotel in the city.  

The garden is a true haven in a busy, bustling city such as Cannes. Photo credit: Cedou

It counts 75 guestrooms on its plans, each at least 35 square metres in size, and is the only hotel on the Croisette to offer direct access to both the seafront and the main shopping area of Cannes on the Rue d’Antibes.  

Chef Guillaume heads up Mr. Nakamoto while Chef Jérôme Faget is in charge of the hotel’s private beach, Hyde Beach, which is located on the sandy side of the iconic Riviera boulevard. Chef Pierrick Cizeron, who has previously enjoyed a senior position at the Majestic and Gray d’Albion in Cannes, recently joined the team as the Executive Chef of the entire establishment. 

Mr. Nakamoto is open seven days a week from 12pm to 2.30pm for lunch and from 6pm until 10.30pm for the dinner service. Click here for reservations or more information about the restaurant and the hotel.

See more of our experience in the Instagram reel below…

 

Join the Monaco Life community – sign up for the Monaco Life newsletter, and follow us on Threads, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

 

Photos courtesy of Emma Lab