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Day: 23 April 2024

European Vaccination Week highlights urgency of measles and HPV Immunisation

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/04/2024

In the wake of a global resurgence of preventable diseases, European Vaccination Week at the end of April serves as a reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in public health. It comes as Monaco finds itself grappling with a surge in measles cases, mirroring trends in neighbouring countries like France.

Measles, notorious for its high contagiousness, can spread rapidly, with an infected individual capable of transmitting the virus to up to 20 contacts. Moreover, the disease can escalate into severe forms, requiring hospitalisation for one in every five cases. Presently, no specific treatment exists, underscoring the importance of vaccination.

The measles vaccine is a potent shield against the virus, preventing not only severe illness but also interrupting transmission in over 97% of cases. It also provides lifelong immunity. While vaccination against measles remains non-compulsory in Monaco, the government strongly recommends its adoption among residents and their families.

In Monaco, the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine is fully covered by Health Insurance for children under 17-years-old, upon prescription by a healthcare provider. Vaccination services are readily accessible through primary care physicians, who can also offer guidance on vaccination schedules and catch-up regimens.

European Vaccination Week

As part of European Vaccination Week, held in the last week of April, the Prince’s Government is raising awareness on the immunisation of young individuals against human papillomavirus (HPV), a pathogen implicated in various cancers. HPV, a leading cause of cervical cancer in women and throat cancer in men, often operates silently, which is why vaccination is an important proactive measure.

Dosages for males and females aged 11 to 14 are two vaccinations over the space of six months. For those aged 15 to 26, three vaccinations are administered at two-month intervals. 

Further information about vaccination and schedules can be found here.

Photo source: CDC on Unsplash

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UK trade opportunities spotlighted in next MEB conference

by: Niki Borisova
23/04/2024

Jo Hawley, Deputy Trade Commissioner for Europe, will lead the Monaco Economic Board’s next conference about trade relations. The focus of this conference, in English, will be the UK’s trading landscape post-Brexit.

On 22nd April at the Castleroc Restaurant, located on the Place du Palais, the Monaco Economic Board (MEB) has organised a conference concentrating on the UK’s trade opportunities. The guest speaker is Jo Hawley, who has over 20 years of experience in trade and investment roles in governmental institutions. She is currently leading the commercial section at the British Embassy in Paris.

As the planned trade mission to London is just around the corner, this conference is optimally timed since it aims to facilitate the understanding of the UK’s business landscape in the post-Brexit world. The planned trade mission to London is set from 10th to 12th June, with registrations still available. More details about the trade mission will be revealed at the conference. 

This event provides an ideal platform for business individuals interested in venturing their operations into the UK market or those seeking to learn more about trade dynamics. The session will also include some networking opportunities with a cocktail reception at the end. 

The conference will be in English and is scheduled from 11:45am to 2pm. For more information, click here: Conference: the economic assets of the United Kingdom – Monaco Economic Board (meb.mc). 

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Photo source: Heidi Fin, Unsplash

 

South African team win 12th Saint Devote Rugby Tournament

by: Niki Borisova
23/04/2024

South Africa’s U12 rugby stars have won the Saint Devote Rugby Tournament, much to the delight of Princess Charlene, while Monaco did well in securing third place. 

The event, named after the Patron Saint of Monaco, is organised by the Monaco Rugby Federation and the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Initiated in 2009, it has now become a global phenomenon and an important event on the rugby 7s yearly calendar, showcasing emerging talents from across the globe. 

On 19th and 20th April, the U12 rugby 7s teams from 21 countries gathered at the Stade Louis II, including defending champions the Blue Bulls from South Africa.

Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were cheering the teams on from the grandstand, as was Monaco’s Minister of State Pierre Dartout. 

For the first time, the tournament took place over two days, starting with a ‘Rugby for All’ course offered to children and individuals with disabilities on the Friday.

On Saturday, Monaco won the semi-final against Switzerland, coming in third place, while South Africa successfully defended their winning title. France took out second place. 

Princess Charlene with the kids at the Saint Devote Rugby Tournament 2024. Photo credit: Eric Mathon, Prince’s Palace

“Through this type of tournament, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has goals that particularly resonate with me: education through sports, the meeting of different cultures, and the promotion of rugby values such as respect, courage, and solidarity,” said rugby legend Antoine Zeghdar, sponsor of this year’s tournament.

A day of water safety with Princess Charlene

Visiting teams were treated to a day in the pool with Princess Charlene for water safety classes and games, much to the delight of the kids. 

RELATED: 

In pictures: Princess Charlene makes a splash at Water Safety Day in Monaco

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Photo credit: Eric Mathon – Palais Princier

Monaco revives free ashtray campaign to reduce cigarette butt pollution

by: Elsa Carpenter
23/04/2024

In an effort to limit discarded cigarette butts from finding their way into Monaco’s gutters and the sea, the Mairie de Monaco has relaunched a scheme that offers smokers free portable ashtrays from various points in the Principality. 

Smokers in the Principality may be familiar with Monaco’s Operation Zéro Mégot, a summertime campaign to offer out free portable ashtrays.  

This year, the Mairie de Monaco, along with the Direction du Tourisme et des Congrès and the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (SMA), has decided to get the campaign up and running earlier than usual. 

The ashtrays are already available from a number of pick-up points in the Principality, such as information kiosks, the SMEG and SMA offices on Rue Guillaume Apollinaire, the Monaco Médiathèque and the Stade Nautique Rainier III. 

The aim of the scheme is to reduce the amount of cigarette butts that, once discarded by unscrupulous smokers, end up in Monaco’s gutters and wastewater systems, which drain in the Mediterranean Sea, causing unnecessary damage to the natural environment.  

Read related:

New floating rubbish traps launched in Port Hercule

 

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Photo source: Mairie de Monaco

Bonhams to auction iconic panther sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti

by: Cassandra Tanti
23/04/2024
Trois panthères marchant

An exceptional bronze sculpture by Rembrandt Bugatti will go under the hammer for the first time by Bonhams. Trois panthères marchant, circa 1905, is estimated to fetch between €3.5 and €5.5 million. 

Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr will offer the bronze by Rembrandt Bugatti in the Impressionist and Modern Art sale on Wednesday 5th June. 

The work, Trois panthères marchant, is a unique piece that was cast in bronze by Adrien-Aurélien Hébrard and shows three walking panthers together. Although the work has been exhibited in all of the artist’s major exhibitions, it has never been seen on the market before. 

“This unique piece is the most iconic sculpture by the artist, who had a brief but highly productive career,” says Bénédicte van Campen, Bonhams’ Senior International Specialist. “Imposing in size and with a beautiful patina, this is the only cast which presents the three panthers together. Understandably, this masterpiece is the cover of the catalogue raisonné of the artist’s work by Véronique Fromanger.”

Rembrandt’s unique approach to sculpture

Born in 1884, the Italian sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti chose to focus on sculpting animals. Using exotic models found in the zoos of Paris and Antwerp, his work featured animals such as ant-eaters, tapirs, Marabou storks, yaks, secretary birds, elephants, lions and kangaroos, introducing them into the history of European art as sculpted subjects for the first time. 

After a period of intense observation, Bugatti would create models for nearly all his sculptures directly in front of the animal itself. The artist’s extraordinary intuition for the right moment made it possible for him to capture each animal’s most expressive gesture, thus creating incomparably lifelike portraits. 

Panthers were “his companions in life and work”. After having met with the zookeepers of Jardin des Plantes in Paris, Bugatti felt closer to these animals which he thought were less aggressive and behaved more naturally than humans. He took the time to observe them every day and worked in situ in front of them. 

As Véronique Fromanger writes in her catalogue raisonné, Rembrandt Bugatti sculpteur, répertoire monographique: “Bugatti captures a single moment in time by analysing and synthesising, experiencing a permanent face à face with his model, during which he observes the animal with all of his intellectual and sensual capabilities, absorbing senses, sounds and smells. This enables him to fix the model in his mind, imprinting it on his visual, sensory and haptic memory, before modelling in multi-dimensional form.”

Bugatti did not use preparatory sketches or photographs, and avoided reworking the sculptures at the studio or during casting.

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Photo source: Bonhams

France to champion domestic solar industry and embrace agrivoltaics

by: Stephanie Horsman
23/04/2024

France’s photovoltaic industry is on the verge of a major boom following the announcement of a new master plan to boost domestic solar energy production. 

In early April, France’s Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, Bruno Le Maire, and the Minister Delegate in charge of Industry and Energy, Roland Lescure (pictured above), unveiled their plans to increase solar panel installations and capitalise on the possibilities of agrivoltaics in shoring up both food and energy security. 

Solar power, they say, is one of the leading ways in which France will be able to produce carbon-free energy and achieve green industrial sovereignty.  

As of the end of 2023, mainland France generated just over 19 gigawatts of energy using solar technology, while increased public funding for the sector has allowed the nation to expand its photovoltaic capacities by an additional 1.3 gigawatts since the start of 2024.

The goal of the new plan is to go a step further and up the ante by channeling millions of euros of investment into this clean and green energy source. 

By the end of the year, France should be producing an extra six gigawatts of solar-sourced power thanks to numerous new installations across the country.  

The State is also embracing the concept of agrivoltaics: the dual use of land for solar energy production and agriculture. 

Described by the ministers are both “responsible and virtuous”, this part of the plan will seek to better understand and manage sites where solar panels can be installed, such as on farmland and in forested areas.

“In a world where electricity has become the major economic issue, we need photovoltaics,” said Le Maire from a new solar development site in Manosque in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department.  

Echoing the convictions of his colleague, Lescure added, “We are announcing a solar pact between the State and industrial players to support a French photovoltaic industry. The state will be exemplary in public procurement. I call on all buyers to order French and commit to the pact!” 

To explore the new plans in full, click here. 

  

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Photo source: Roland Lescure, X