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Day: 7 March 2024

Princess Grace Irish Library announces spring writer-in-residence

by: Niki Borisova
07/03/2024

In a blend of cultural history and literary celebration, the Princess Grace Irish Library, under the patronage of the Fondation Princesse Grace, has welcomed Flor MacCarthy as its Writer-in-Residence for the spring of 2024.

Flor MacCarthy, a journalist and author specialising in Irish history and culture, is the new Writer-in-Residence, in perfect timing as St Patrick’s Day approaches. She will explore the palace archives and the library’s extensive collection to gather material for her next book.

Supported by The Ireland Funds Monaco, the residency program underscores the deep historical and personal connection between Monaco and Ireland.

During her residency, Flor MacCarthy will share insights on the correspondence between Monaco’s Princely family and Irish presidents, highlighting the nations’ friendship. Her lecture, based on her book ‘The Presidents’ Letters’, will feature stories about notable figures including Presidents de Valera and McAleese, John F. Kennedy, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Ireland in 2011.

The Princess Grace Irish Library will host a talk by Flor MacCarthy on Tuesday 19th March at 2:30pm. Before the event, there’s a special luncheon in collaboration with the American Club of the Riviera. To book a ticket, priced at €10, click here.

The Writer-in-Residence program at the Princess Grace Irish Library, celebrating the Monaco-Ireland connection, invites fans of literature, history, and Irish culture to spring events. Collaborations with the Blackwater Valley Opera Festival and The Ireland Funds Monaco highlight the library’s dedication to cultural and educational growth, continuing Princess Grace’s legacy in the arts.

 

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Photo credits: Princess Grace Irish Library

Marché de la Condamine to go green for St Patrick’s Day

by: Elsa Carpenter
07/03/2024
st patrick's day

The Mairie de Monaco is throwing a big St Patrick’s Day party at the Marché de la Condamine later this month that will honour the traditional food, music and dancing of the Emerald Isle.  

On the back of the news that Prince Albert II of Monaco is set to appear in veteran filmmaker Frank Mannion’s star-studded new documentary ‘Quintessentially Irish’, in which the Monegasque sovereign will explore his family connections to Ireland through his late mother, Princess Grace, the Mairie de Monaco has announced its plans for a St Patrick’s Day celebration on 17th March.  

See more: Prince Albert II of Monaco to make star appearance in ‘Quintessentially Irish’ documentary

Traditional dishes from Ireland, Irish folk music and troupes of Irish dancers will punctuate the event, which will be held at the Marché de la Condamine from 12pm.  

The event is open to the public and is entirely free to attend. For more information, contact the Mairie de Monaco on +377 93 15 06 04.  

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Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco

 

Exciting plans get underway for this year’s They Are The Champions charity event

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/03/2024

The 2024 edition of They Are The Champions, a charity event that aims to create special memories for sick and disadvantaged children, is still many months away, but its organisers are already making some very exciting plans. Here’s what we know so far. 

A date has been announced for the fourth edition of the charity occasion, which all began in 2021 when Philippe Demanet and Thierry Revel decided to raise money and awareness for the local Les Enfants de Frankie association through their participation in the E-Rallye Monte-Carlo.   

Later that year, they decided to hold a very special day of activities with a motorsports theme, which has grown into a popular annual event. 

See more: 20 kids given the thrill of a lifetime at ‘They Are The Champions’ charity event

This year’s event is being planned for 30th October and Monaco Life is joining a roster of high-profile names and social media stars in supporting the event. From YouTube car enthusiast Seb Delanney and rally pilot Raul ‘Le Professeur’ Marchisio to Lila Speech, one of the few female influencers in the automotive world, and Franck Galiègue from Movie Cars Central, a collector who has amassed over 40 cars from the movies, participation is set to be the best and biggest yet. 

Galiègue is to add a bit of cinema to They Are The Champions 2024 by offering to bring along a stunning replica of the Batmobile from Tim Burton’s Batman. Meanwhile, Cédric Boutsen of Boutsen Classic Cars, rally driver François Delecou and Neoyot’s Antony Brisac have also expressed an interest in taking part in the event.  

This year, Be Safe Monaco will be an important feature of the occasion alongside Les Enfants de Frankie. 

See more: Les Enfants de Frankie celebrates 25 years of hope and dreams

Anyone else interested in supporting They Are The Champions can contact the team via black.sirius.uae@gmail.com or on Instagram at @black.sirius.uae.  

 

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Photo supplied

Pauline Ducruet’s racing collection, featuring Alexandre Grimaldi, goes on show in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
07/03/2024

Alter Designs, the eco-responsible and inclusive brand by designer Pauline Ducruet, daughter of Princess Stephanie, is presenting its latest collection ‘Alter Racing Club’, a tribute to its roots and the Monaco Grand Prix.

The collection features pieces inspired by the suits of racing drivers, including polo shirts adorned with the patches of imaginary sports clubs, and a dress with chrome highlights, all in ode to the Monaco Grand Prix.

Creator Pauline Ducruet has recruited her cousin Alexandre Grimaldi for the Alter Racing Club collection campaign, being featured on social media.

 

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A post shared by Alter Designs (@alterdesigns_)

Pauline Ducruet is the second child of Princess Stephanie of Monaco and Daniel Ducruet. She created the fashion brand Alter in 2018 to “embrace and inspire the freedom of self”.

Her cousin, Alexandre Grimaldi, is Prince Albert’s oldest son, born out of wedlock. He recently featured on the front page of Tatler magazine, and said in the interview, “I relate to elegance. I love Louis Vuitton, Dior, Givenchy. The big French houses. There’s a cultural connection which I admire.”

Alexandre also revealed that he is very close to his father’s family in Monaco.

The Métropole Shopping Center is hosting the Alter Racing Club pop-up until 31st March.

SEE ALSO:

Pauline Ducruet’s collection hits Paris catwalk

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Main photo taken from Alter Designs Instagram page

 

Menton’s brand-new promenade is “progressing according to schedule”

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/03/2024
menton promenade

Following the closures of Menton’s private beaches at the end of last August, works soon got underway on the city’s new-look seafront promenade. According to Mayor Yves Juhel, the renovations are “progressing according to schedule” and could be finished as soon as next month. 

While it was widely agreed that the beachfront required modernising, the owners of and teams working at the city’s private beaches were in uproar last summer, when it was announced that the establishments would be forced to close much earlier than usual.  

See more: Why are Menton’s beaches closing down at the end of August?

The pre-existing decked and paved sections of the promenade have now been replaced with materials reminiscent of those on the Esplanade des Sablettes and soon it will be the turn of the green spaces to get some attention, with tree planting due to start in the coming weeks.  

According to the local mayor, Yves Juhel, who recently visited the site to inspect the progress of the works, the €6.7 million project should be complete by April, enabling beach establishments to reclaim their spaces and commence preparations for the planned public reopening in June.  

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Photo source: Ville de Menton  

Three important female figures from Monaco honoured at 2024 Women of Commitment Awards

by: Stephanie Horsman
07/03/2024

Each year, Monaco’s National Council comes together to choose the laureates of the Women of Commitment awards, which recognise the work and efforts of local women for “their commitment and their exemplary careers in the service of general interest and for the benefit of associative and humanitarian causes”.  

This year’s edition, which was held on 4th March at the National Council’s headquarters, saw Annie Olivi, Patricia Husson and Anne Eastwood celebrated for their achievements and contributions to daily life in the Principality. 

THREE SPECIAL WOMEN 

Annie Olivi, who received her prize from the National Council’s president, Brigitte Boccone-Pagès, was fêted for her three decades of involvement as President of the Monegasque Association of the Physically Handicapped, an association whose mission is to improve the lives of the disabled and their loved ones. 

See more: Interview: Brigitte Boccone-Pagés, President of the Monaco National Council

The next award went to Patricia Husson, the chair of Mission Enfance, who has spent the past 15 years helping children from disadvantaged areas around the world get the emotional and educational support they need. Since its inception in 1991, the organisation has offered humanitarian aid to more than 1,700,000 children. Her award was presented by Princess Stéphanie of Monaco’s daughter, Camille Gottlieb, who is also the founder of the anti-drunk driving charity BE Safe Monaco. 

The Women of Commitments awards ceremony, which took place at the National Council headquarters on 4th March, was a well-attended affair. Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger and Romain Fondacaro-Ginepro 

Then it was the turn of Princess Stéphanie to congratulate Anne Eastwood on her exceptional career in public service.  

The respected ambassador started her career at the National Council as Chargé de Mission for Legal Affairs before transitioning to a Chief of Staff role. Later, she moved to a position as the Director General of the Department of Social Affairs and Health and then headed up the High Commission for the Protection of Rights, Liberties and Mediation. She is now stretching her wings in the diplomatic corps as Ambassador of Monaco to Italy, Slovenia, San Marino and Malta.  

See more: Monaco’s Anne Eastwood expands ambassadorial reach to Malta and San Marino

At the close of the ceremony, Boccone-Pagès offered some inspiring words of advice to the next generation of young women in Monaco and further afied, saying, “Get involved in whatever field you choose. In your work, in politics, for your country, in your family life, for a cause, for a passion… I invite you to embrace your potential, nurture your passions and follow your convictions. Never underestimate the power of your commitment, because it is through our actions, one step at a time, that we shape our collective destiny.” 

Read related: 

Monaco to mark International Women’s Rights Day with innovative ‘PowHer’ event

 

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger and Romain Fondacaro-Ginepro