One of the world’s biggest stars, Morgan Freeman, will be in Monaco to accept the Crystal Nymph award at the upcoming Monte-Carlo Television Festival in June.
The opening of the Festival will be marked by the world premiere screening of The Gray House. The first episode will be broadcast following the Opening Ceremony at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco on Friday 14th June 14 in the presence of executive producers Morgan Freeman (The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, Invictus…), Leslie Greif (Hatfields & McCoys) and Lori McCreary (Madam Secretary), as well as actors Mary-Louise Parker (Weeds, The West Wing), Daisy Head (Harlots), Amethyst Davis (Kindred) and Ben Vereen (Roots).
Based on the novel of the same name by Mariam Petrosyan, The Gray House focuses on the true story of the unsung women who turned the tide of the American Civil War in favour of the North. A Virginia Socialite, her mother, a formerly enslaved Sister-in-Arms, and the city’s most notorious courtesan operate deep inside the corridors of Confederate power. They transform their Underground Railroad into an effective and even more dangerous Underground Spy Network, risking life and liberty to help win the war and preserve American Democracy.
Kevin Costner is also an executive producer.
Following the Opening Ceremony, Prince Albert II of Monaco will present actor and producer Morgan Freeman with the prestigious Crystal Nymph, in recognition of the outstanding television career of a world-renowned actor.
GOLDEN NYMPH CEREMONY AND OFFICIAL SELECTION
The Closing Ceremony will be held at the Grimaldi Forum on Tuesday 18th June 18, and will be presented by Laury Thilleman, former Miss France and now TV presenter, in the company of French singer and actor Vincent Niclo. A host of talented actors and leading industry professionals, as well as members of the fiction and current affairs-documentary juries, will be in attendance.
The 2024 Official Selection of the Golden Nymph Competition, which rewards the best in international television production, was also announced. This selection includes 18 programs from 12 countries in the Fiction and News and Documentaries categories, including four world premieres, seven international premieres, one European premiere and four French premieres.
AS Monaco Basket have clinched a crucial victory against Fenerbahçe in Game 4 of their playoff series with the Turkish titans, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in Monaco later this week.
The Roca Team have brought their chances of making it into the EuroLeague Final Four level again following an intense Game 4 against Fenerbahçe in the Ulker Sports Arena of Istanbul on Friday 3rd May.
AS Monaco Basket emerged victorious, with a final score of 62-65. The win was vital as a defeat would have knocked the Rouges et Blancs out of the competition.
“We made the stops we needed to, and we were able to make the important shots,” said Elie Okobo, who contributed 13 points. “We succeeded in our mission: to return to Monaco for a decisive Game 5.”
Mike James and Jordan Loyd also delivered impressive results, helping counter the absence of John Brown III, who is still out of action due to a shoulder injury.
“To limit them to 62 points is incredible. Tonight was life and death,” said AS Monaco’s coach, Sasa Obradovic, post-game.
With the series now tied, the two teams will head back to Monaco later this week for the all-important Game 5.
A win apiece in the Salle Gaston Médecin in late April and now a hard-won victory for both teams in Istanbul mean that this final game in Monaco will be the ultimate decider on who makes it through to the Final Four.
The game is scheduled for Wednesday 8th May at 7pm.
With a rollcall of some of the greatest cars to ever compete on the famous Monaco Grand Prix circuit, this weekend’s 14th Historic Grand Prix of Monaco will blend the excitement of high-level racing with the glamour of years gone by.
The 2024 Historic Grand Prix of Monaco, which has been held every two years by the Automobile Club of Monaco since 1997, will be taking place between Friday 10th and Sunday 12th May.
From a 1924 Bugatti 35, the early version of the car that won the first two Monaco Grand Prix events in 1929 and 1930, to a Mercedes single-seater of the mid 1930s and a Maserati 250F, the event will feature a line-up of incredible motors from the golden ages of motorsports in the Principality.
This event stands as a testament to Monaco’s enduring love affair with the racing world, and has come to be recognised as a unique competition that transports spectators back in time to the glory years of names such as Juan-Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, John Surtees, Jody Scheckter, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna.
There are only a handful of tickets remaining for the 2024 edition, and prices start from €120 for a two-day pass.
Access to the practice sessions on Friday 10th May is open to the public free-of-charge, while tickets for the Saturday qualifying races start at €50, and rise to €100 for the main events on Sunday if bought individually. A range of VIP and trackside experiences are also still up for grabs.
For the full programme and to reserve tickets, click here.
You’ve no doubt seen a Jenk Candy sculpture in Monaco, Saint Tropez, or even Dubai, and chances are, you may have even tried to make one yourself in her Monaco workshop.
Born in France in 1965, Laurence Jenkell, better known as Jenk, is a painter, plastic artist, and sculptor living and working in Vallauris in the Alpes-Maritimes. In 2022, she opened a workshop gallery in Monaco, which had recently relocated to the vibrant Quartier of La Condamine.
Autodidactic Jenk started to create on her own in the middle of the 90s, and through her artistic exploration, she experimented with various techniques such as inclusion (adding different substances), dripping, firing, and casting. In her unrelenting inventive search, she became proficient in the demanding process of molding plexiglass through wrapping, enabling her to produce her now signature Candy sculpture. By reshaping, wrapping, and twisting Plexiglass, she produces assorted art pieces such as the spiral of DNA, BuildArt, and even Robots, which have been exhibited around the globe.
Laurence Jenkell with Prince Albert, source: Prince’s Palace (left). Oculus Exhibition December 2018, New York, WTC Ground Zero Memorial, photo by Jenk (right)
Monaco Life Feature Journalist Celina Lafuente de Lavotha met with Jenk, who recently moved her Workshop Gallery to La Condamine, to learn about what inspires this successful artist, the diverse materials she uses, the myriad of experimental techniques she uses to create her world-famous sculptures, and the workshops she organises to bring her art closer to the people.
Monaco Life: You are a self-taught artist. What inspired you to embrace a professional art career? Who are your main artistic influences?
As a child, I was naturally drawn to expressing my emotions through drawing and painting, even though I initially didn’t choose an art career. I attended evening classes at the Association of Fine Arts in Cannes only later in life, which allowed me to explore and expand my artistic expression. My inspirations in art are diverse. I am deeply influenced by modern and contemporary artists like Pablo Picasso, remarkable women artists like Nikki de Saint Phalle and Louise Bourgeois, and the figurative works of Camille Claudel.
Is it important to network with other artists? If so, how do you go about it?
It’s crucial to forge connections with fellow contemporary artists. Networking is vital for sharing distribution networks, supporting each other, and participating in group exhibitions, which enriches our collective artistic journey.
Jenk during an exhibition at Zetbase
When and how did you come up with the idea of creating the Candy artwork that has made you famous worldwide?
My interest in the theme of candy stems from my childhood, when sweets were off-limits, turning them into a genuine obsession for me. In my 30s, as I began my career, I naturally gravitated towards this theme. My initial experiments in creating Candy artworks called ‘Bonbon’ started with plexiglass, a medium without which the iconic Bonbon would never have existed.
Is molding plexiglass a complicated process? Which other materials do you use in your sculptures?
Mastering using plexiglass to sculpt my signature Bonbon or Candy pieces was a challenging process fraught with complexities. I mold the plexiglass after being heated in an oven, which demands precision and careful attention to the material’s response to heat to avoid overheating and bubbling.
In addition to plexiglass, I have used marble, bronze, aluminium, Murano glass, and wood to create various sculptures. Despite exploring these multiple materials, plexiglass remains my favoured medium due to its unique qualities and the challenges it presents.
Jenk working in her studio using the firing technique over plexiglass, 2022, credit: Bestimage
Your artistic universe includes Candies, DNA, BuildArt, and Robots. What is the message behind your different art pieces?
Having refined my skills in manipulating plexiglass, I expanded these techniques to earlier series like DNA, BuildArt, and Robots, and more recent ones such as Ice Candy and Mona Candy.
In my DNA series, combining two twisted shapes created the double helix of DNA, symbolising the molecule of immortality. This collection delves into exploring our origins to gain a deeper understanding.
The Shiny Polished Aluminium Wrapping series continues my exploration of the twisting gesture, applying it to contemporary issues that resonate with me. I express my perspective on today’s society by transforming familiar objects and animals, such as coffee makers or elephants.
The BuildArt and Robot collections extend from my passion for twisting shapes. Highly influenced by architecture, BuildArt draws inspiration from notable buildings, crafting an increasingly architectural and psychedelic panorama – an invitation to explore the dramatic world of architecture. The Robot series reflects on the complexity of the cosmos, contemplating humanity’s role in the evolution of the world and emerging technologies.
Where do you find inspiration for your art?
My inspiration began with an introspective look at my childhood passion for candies, but it extends beyond those early experiences. Inspiration surrounds me, from architecture and science to landscapes, literature, and influential artists.
How did you develop the workshop idea for creating the wrapping Bonbon?
My aim has always been to make art accessible to a broader audience. The concept of the ‘Wrapping Bonbon’ workshop emerged from frequent inquiries about how I transformed candy into an art form and developed the twist technique. By launching the ‘Make your Own Bonbon’ workshops in my gallery at the end of 2022, I aimed to engage both children and adults. The workshops were a hit, helping participants appreciate the complexity of creating these sculptures, thereby justifying their value even more.
How do you promote your work?
I maintain a robust presence across all social media platforms, which is crucial in today’s digital age. Besides, I work closely with an internal communications team and a press officer to ensure the promotion of my work domestically and internationally.
Mr. Robot Plexiglass 68x148cm Piece unique 2012 by Jenk (left), ADN melting Nucleotides, Saint Tropez, (right)
You have exhibited your art pieces on the five continents. When and where is your next exhibition?
My art has been showcased globally for over two decades, with the Wrapping Bonbon reaching international audiences. My works are exhibited across various locations in the Middle East, France, Greece, and Belgium and are part of numerous museums, galleries, and private and public collections.
Over the weekend, Monaco’s Princess Charlene joined in with the street party celebrations laid on by the Champagne and Oyster Cycling Club (COCC) to mark the 10th edition of the group’s annual charity bike ride from Saint Tropez to Monaco.
After an early morning start in Saint Tropez on Sunday 5th May, more than 90 riders climbed into the saddle for the 140-kilometre ride back to the Principality of Monaco, where they were met by Princess Charlene as well as hundreds of supporters.
Though the final amount of money raised by the event is yet to be revealed, the 2023 ride generated more than €70,000 for the Princess’ eponymous foundation, which teaches water safety and drowning prevention techniques to children around the world.
A portion of the funds raised during the 2024 edition will also go to the UK-based motor neuron disease charity My Name’5 Doddie.
Princess Charlene joined the Champagne and Oyster Cycling Club riders, their families and their friends in celebrating the 10th edition of the charity bike ride after an after party event at Slammers in Monaco. Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department
Princess Charlene welcomed the riders across the finish line in Monaco in the afternoon, congratulating them on their efforts and the landmark anniversary of an event that was started by a group of seven local friends back in 2011.
The day concluded with a very well-attended street party-style celebration at Slammers on Rue Suffren Reymond in the Condamine neighbourhood.
Princess Charlene appeared on stage alongside a number of prominent COCC members, including F1 legend Eddie Jordan, and a fabulous red and white cake that commemorated the COCC’s important fundraising achievements over the years.
Click on the images below to see more from the event:
With the Princess Grace Rose Garden in full bloom, Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline headed down to the public park last Friday to celebrate its 40th anniversary.
2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the Princess Grace Rose Garden in Fontvieille, a bloom-filled public space that was founded in the late Princess’ memory two years after her death.
A special celebration was held to mark the occasion on Friday 3rd May, and Prince Albert II and Princess Caroline, the eldest children of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, took part in the commemorations alongside other notable guests from the Principality and 35 children from the Centre de Loisirs Prince Albert II.
The garden was filled with laughter and delight as the children took part in a treasure hunt and gardening workshops, while Prince Albert and Princess Caroline toured the selection of flowers presented as part of the Concours International de Roses Nouvelles de Monaco.
35 children from the Centre de Loisirs Prince Albert II were invited to join in with the celebrations. Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco
A photography exhibition documenting the history of the garden and its many stages of construction was also erected for the event. It will remain on display for the rest of the year.
Roses were the favourite flower of Princess Grace as they are a symbol of femininity, representing love, beauty and balance.
She is quoted as having once said, “What is so special about a rose that it seems far more than a flower? Perhaps it is the mystery it has gathered through the ages, perhaps it is the joy that it continues to give.”
The garden, which was inspired by the layout of a typical English rose garden with touches of the Mediterranean, is home to more than 315 varieties of rose. The 6,000 specimens are divided into seven themes, with pathways that crisscross the park and encourage the visitor to stop and smell their unique perfumes.
A bronze statue of Princess Grace that was made by Kees Verkade in 1983 overlooks the enchanting garden.
Prince Rainier III founded the Princess Garden Rose Garden in honour of his late wife and her favourite flower in 1984. Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco
For more information about the garden, click here.
