Monaco is preparing for a grand celebration on Thursday at the Place du Palais, with the community called upon to come together in support of Prince Albert II on his birthday.
Monaco is set to host the community gathering in honour of Prince Albert on his 66th birthday on Thursday 14th March at 11am on the Place du Palais. The event is a chance for residents, citizens, and friends of the Principality to come together in a show of support for their Sovereign.
Organised by National Councillor Franck Lobono and promoted through his social media, the gathering aims to be a patriotic event that is beyond political lines. Lobono describes it as a gesture of unity, inviting “residents, Monegasques, or simply locals who would like to demonstrate their wholehearted support for the Prince.”
The initiative also reflects the community’s appreciation for Prince Albert’s dedication to Monaco and his presence at local events.
For the first time, guest Greek choreographer Elias Lazaridis has teamed up with Pavillon Bosio art students and Princess Grace Academy dancers to create and perform a new ballet, which was unveiled during the March Imprevus.
The Pavillon Bosio has collaborated with Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo (BMC) for over a decade now, with young scenographers designing the set for a ballet created by one of the company’s dancers. This year, as the BMC was on tour, Pavillon Bosio teamed up with the Princess Grace Academy instead, which commissioned Greek choreographer Elias Lazaridis to create a piece for 20 of their young dancers. The piece, entitled ‘Fly’, was unveiled during the Imprevus, from 7th to 10th March.
In explaining the creation of ‘Fly’, Elias Lazaridis told Monaco Life, “I always admired looking at things from a different perspective, especially from a distance or even better from above, and understanding the world and myself in it from a more holistic point of view; being more aware and connected with my surroundings but also adaptable and resilient.
“Fly is a choreographic work that results from a process of physical and mental malleability. The dancers are shifting their attention from individual to collective, building a well-refined net of over-layered connections, creating a sense of collectivity and playfulness. Through guided imagery and various choreographic ideas, we encouraged the dancers to be more adaptable and transformative, requiring significant creativity and resourcefulness.”
A scene from Fly, Imprevus. Source: Pavillon Bosio
The Imprevus audience were indeed exposed to an incredible creation, in which the dancer’s fluid movements merged with colourful, malleable sci-fi choreography, inviting viewers to fly with them to a faraway place.
Students creating together
The Imprevus were created by Jean-Christophe Maillot, Director of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, as a unique behind-the-scenes experience where the public is in close contact with the dancers and choreographers. It is an opportunity to discover the creative process.
For the choreography of ‘Fly’, students of Pavillon Bosio took charge of all aspects of the ballet choreography: staging, sound and lighting, costumes, and video projection. The young choreographers and dancers counted on the assistance of guest choreographer Elias Lazaridis, Luca Masala, Maïder Fortuné, and Mathieu Lorry-Dupuy, teachers at the Pavillon Bosio, Dominique Drillot, set designer, and the exceptional participation of 20 young talented Academy students. To help prepare for the project, the students participated in preliminary meetings with choreographers, dancers, critics, and set designers.
“This newly created piece will debut at the Salle Garnier in June 2024 for the Academy Gala, a special annual event, a unique stage experience, where the young dancers showcase their talent and achievements,” said Luca Masala.
Students performing Fly on a set designed by the Pavillon Bosio students, photo source: Pavillon Bosio
About Choreographer Elias Lazaridis
Elias Lazaridis was born in Kavala, Greece, in 1981, and began training in classical ballet when he was eight. A talented athlete, Elias participated in international competitions, winning 400m hurdle events. He studied architecture in Athens, but his passion for dance was more potent, so he continued training at the State School of Dance in Athens.
The dancer worked part-time for the Greek National Opera and adLibdances / Kat Válastur. In 2014, Elias danced in Shell Shock, an opera by Nicholas Lens, Nick Cave, and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, to commemorate the Great War. Later, he collaborated as a dancer on the operas Les Indes Galantes (2016) and Satyagraha (2017), both under the direction of Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. With Cherkaoui, he worked at GöteborgsOperans Danskompani as a choreographic assistant (Noetic, 2014) and performer (Icon, 2016).
In an exclusive interview, Monaco Life discovers how Roland Brautigam, the CEO of Romas Marine, is making waves in the maritime industry by focusing on green energy advancements and by supporting critical healthcare projects at sea through an NGO called Mercy Ships.
Roland Brautigam has been a Monaco resident for 14 years, but has been involved in the maritime industry since 1992. His company, Romas Marine, which started its journey in Monaco in 2010, is at its heart a ship trading and brokerage business, but it’s also deeply committed to sustainability and community support through philanthropic endeavours.
“We’re a small company and whilst for many years our focus was on oil and gas, we’re doing our part by focusing also on renewable energy. The future is green,” he says.
One of the company’s notable projects in the sustainability sphere is encouraging the use of recycled marine plastic in the production of clothes for the marine industry.
“It’s about cleaning the oceans and reducing the use of oil in the production of textiles,” he tells Monaco Life.
Romas Marine is a family owned business that is run by Roland Brautigam (right) and his son, Jimmy Brautigam. Photo supplied
Romas Marine also prioritises health and wellness, aligning its efforts with Sustainable Development Goals, and while environmental sustainability is clearly important to the family-run company, initiatives that benefit individual and community well-being have captured Brautigam’s imagination.
A key example of Romas Marine’s dedication to this cause is the company’s alliance with Mercy Ships, an organisation that operates the largest non-governmental hospital ships in the world and provides free surgery treatments in Africa.
“Upon the onset of COVID-19, we sought guidance from Mercy Ships as we were in discussions with the Dutch government to supply them with a COVID-19 hospital ship. This initiative marked the beginning of our collaboration,” Brautigam explains.
“Mercy Ships runs the two biggest private hospital ships in the world. As a non-profit organisation, they provide over 6,000 life-changing surgeries each year, helping thousands of people,” he adds.
Many of the operations performed aboard these ships are lifesaving or life-changing. In addition, training is often provided onboard to local doctors, many of whom come from a rural background.
Through this blend of environmental efforts and healthcare support, Romas Marine is striving to forge a healthier, more equitable future.
Supporting Mercy Ships
On 15th June at the Fairmont Hotel in Monaco, Romas Marine will hold the Mercy Ships Gala event that aims to raise awareness and funds for the Mercy Ships project.
“Together with Alldutch Yachting and Delta Carriers, we are a small part of this, but we want to make a big impact by raising money and awareness for Mercy Ships here in Monaco,” says Brautigam. “We want to make this gala a success, to not only raise funds but also to bring more attention to the amazing work Mercy Ships does.”
The gala will feature live and silent auctions, entertainment, a three-course dinner, a fashion show and an after party. For more information, contact mercyships@romasmarine.com.
Looking ahead, Romas Marine and Brautigam have more ambitious plans. They’ve recently opened an office in Dubai with the goal of expanding their network further and will continue to support Mercy Ships. Brautigam has also joined the committee of Yachts for Mercy, a new initiative seeking to build awareness and raise the profile of Mercy Ships among the wider yachting industry.
The drink driver who caused the death of a married father of two has been sentenced to five years in prison for aggravated manslaughter, among other charges. Here are all the details.
Six people lost their lives in driving-related accidents on Monaco’s roads in 2023. One of them was Hervé Algarra, a husband and father of two who was killed on his way home from work at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort on 7th January when a drunk driver strayed on to the wrong side of the road in the tunnel leading to Port Hercule from Larvotto while driving at least 35km per hour above the speed limit. The driver collided head on with Algarra’s scooter. The victim died at the scene after going into cardiac arrest.
The trial
More than a year after the tragic incident, the trial of the Ukranian national who had been behind the wheel of the car that struck Algarra, identified only as Dmytro, took place in Monaco earlier this week.
The defendant, who is in his 40s, had been charged on five counts: refusing to submit to a drugs test, refusing to submit to an alcohol screening test, driving without insurance, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and aggravated manslaughter.
According to the Monaco Matin, the defendant told the courtroom, “I made a mistake, but I didn’t feel drunk, I felt capable of driving.”
At the time of the crash, Dmytro’s mother and his daughter had been travelling with him in the Mercedes G Class. The family group had been celebrating Orthodox Christmas earlier that day.
According to footage and documents presented in court, the defendant is understood to have continued driving a further 174 metres along the road before he stopped. He then got out of his car and examined the damage to the 4X4 before finally approaching Algarra with his phone in hand. At the end of the line was a friend, a lawyer, who had rented the vehicle to the defendant under suspicious circumstances that were later uncovered by investigators and have been connected to the charge of driving without correct insurance.
According to Monaco Matin, those in the courtroom, including Algarra’s widow, one of his sons and members of his extended family, were told that the defendant had committed a staggering 60 road and traffic offences in the three years prior to the accident, in France, Switzerland and Ukraine.
He had reportedly moved to the region, settling in Eze-sur-Mer, at the outbreak of the Ukraine-Russia war in early 2022.
Sentencing
Monaco Matin reports that Dmytro has been sentenced to five years in prison, handed a €2,000 fine for the insurance-related crimes and been banned from driving in Monaco for five years. The sentencing was more lenient than the punishments sought by the prosecution. His defense team will have 15 days to make an appeal. A civil interests trial date regarding a possible payout for damages has been set for 19th April.
The Golden Z Gala of early March was a night dedicated to advancing women’s rights and empowerment here in Monaco and around the world.
The glamourous event took place at Le Méridien Beach Plaza on Friday 8th March, in line with International Women’s Rights Day, and gathered together supporters and advocates for women’s rights to conclude a full day of events championing this cause in the Principality.
Held under the patronage of Céline Cottalorda, the interministerial delegate for women’s rights in Monaco, the gala orchestrated by the Golden Z Club Monaco sought to raise funds for Zonta Monaco’s initiatives, which focus on combating violence against women, ending child marriage and enhancing education for girls and women.
Open to all, the evening featured a range of activities, from networking opportunities to music and entertainment provided by DJ Ugo Puccinelli. Guests were also invited to contribute to a unique art project that involved messages of support being written on a canvas. It will be showcased at other Zonta events worldwide as a symbol of solidarity.
A highlight of the gala was the fashion show debut by Maison Malèna, a new fashion brand founded by Malèna Mota, who is also the president of the Golden Z Club Monaco. While introducing her designs, which include a summer dress collection, Mota emphasised the brand’s values of eco-responsibility and promoting female diversity.
The Maison Malèna collection by Malèna Mota, the president of Golden Z Club Monaco. Photo supplied by Golden Z Club
The evening came to a close with a presentation spotlighting personal safety. This was led by Be Safe Monaco, the anti-drink driving organisation headed up by Camille Gottlieb. Breathalysers and transportation services were offered to guests leaving the event.
The Golden Z Gala’s collaboration with various sponsors and partners underscored the collective effort to support women’s empowerment.
Check out our reel of the PowHer event that took place in Monaco earlier in the day:
The Gault & Millau Guide rates restaurants out of 20 for their food, style and service, awarding up to five toques or chefs’ hats to those of the finest calibre. The very highest achievement – entry into the Gault & Millau Academy – is reserved for a select few and only one restaurant in the entire Riviera has claimed that accolade in 2024.
That restaurant is, of course, Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris in Monaco’s glittering Carré d’Or.
The guide compares the experience of dining here to that of dinner at the Château de Versailles, saying, “The great French genre… When it’s successful, it’s incomparable.”
High praise indeed.
The talents of Chef Emmanuel Pilon were praised by the Gault & Millau Guide. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
Gault & Millau’s review of Le Louis XV takes time to note the evident talents of Chef Emmanuel Pilon, who has headed up the kitchen for two years now, as well as “choreographer” Claire Sonnet, the restaurant’s manager. Chief Sommelier Maxime Pastor is heralded too as is Pastry Chef extraordinaire Sandro Micheli.
Just two other restaurants on this stretch of the Mediterranean coast have earned five toques in the ratings, which were released at the start of the week for the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Monaco area. They are the colourful AM par Alexandre Mazzia in Marseille and the classic La Vague d’Or in Saint Tropez. Both achieved an impressive 19/20 points.
A handful of acclaimed restaurants around the Principality won a respectful four toques, such as the La Chèvre d’Or in Eze, the former ‘Best Restaurant in the World’ of Mirazur in Menton, Le Cap at the Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat and Le Restaurant de Rois at La Réserve de Beaulieu, but there are no other Monegasque restaurants to be found at this elevated end of the listings.
Among those achieving three toques – equivalent to a score of 15 to 16.5/20 – are the Monaco restaurants Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, Pavyllon Monte-Carlo, Yoshi, Le Grill and Blue Bay Marcel Ravin.
Le Grill’s Dominique Lory has been awarded the Techniques d’Excellence prize. Photo credit: Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer
Special prizes went to Dominique Lory of Le Grill at the Hôtel de Paris, who was given the Techniques d’Excellence prize, while Justin Schmitt of the Château Eza in Eze-sur-Mer has been awarded the Grand de Demain prize for the region. Another top prize, the Gault & Millau d’Or, has gone to Virginie Basselot of the Hôtel Negresco.
