23 ° C
Profile

Month: May 2024

Hôtel de Paris to host teddy bear auction in aid of Monaco Disease Power

by: Niki Borisova
13/05/2024
teddy bear auction

In a bid to raise important funds for the Monaco Disease Power association, a very special auction of teddy bears is due to be held at the Hôtel de Paris this week. Here’s everything you need to know about the event. 

Teddy bears hold a cherished place in our hearts and are a symbol of happiness, comfort and warmth that resonates long after childhood.

At the Hôtel de Paris on Tuesday 14th May, famed auctioneer Simon de Pury will be leading a special auction event in which a collection of teddies that have been sponsored by various Monaco-based businesses will be sold off in support of the Monaco Disease Power cause.

The inaugural edition of the teddy bear auction was held in early 2023, and it captured the imaginations and hearts of the public. The initiative was born thanks to Karelle Traverso, whose inspiration for creating such an event came from her late sister, who faced countless challenges during her life due to a complex disability.

That year, more than €23,000 was raised for Monaco Disease Power, an association presided over by Muriel Natali-Laure that is dedicated to supporting families and individuals affected by disabilities.

The upcoming sequel to this charming event promises even more magic. The Patio of the Hôtel de Paris is currently being transformed into a teddy bear treasure trove, with each cuddly toy on the auction list being sponsored by a prominent Monaco brand.

Once again, de Pury will head up the event, which will be complemented by performances from magicians, musicians and singers, making it a wonderfully family-focused occasion.

The auction will begin at 5pm.

Read related: 

Feel-good teddy bear auction this Friday

 

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

 

Photo credit: Marco Traverso et Histoire d’Ours, Facebook 

In pictures: The 2024 Historic Grand Prix of Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter
13/05/2024

Over the weekend, the Principality was abuzz with the sights and sounds of 100 years of racing as the 14th edition of the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco came to town. 

The event, which pits legendary race cars from the golden age of motorsports against each other, was held over three days between 10th and 12th May.

The qualifying stages and races alike were full of excitement, with tense overtaking manoeuvers, dramatic entanglements and incidents involving the barriers giving spectators a real taste of what F1 racing was like “back in the day”.

Homage to Ayrton Senna

One particularly poignant part of the programme was the tribute paid to Ayrton Senna, who lost his life on the Imola Circuit in Northern Italy 30 years ago, and Monaco’s Prince Albert II joined a host of past and current drivers in honouring this icon of the sport.

On Saturday 11th May, six of the single-seaters driven by Senna completed four laps of the famous Monaco street circuit as part of a ‘Senna 30 Years Celebration Parade’ organised by the Automobile Club of Monaco in collaboration with the Instituto Ayrton Senna, Lotus Heritage and the McLaren Academy. 

^ Bruno Senna, the nephew of Ayrton Senna (second from left), and former F1 driver Thierry Boutsen (second from right) were among the racing personalities to join Prince Albert II of Monaco in commemorating the driving icon on 11th May. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco 

^ A photograph from 1989, the year that Ayrton Senna won the 77th Monaco Grand Prix. It was his second of six wins in the Principality, a feat that remains the record for victories in Monaco. A young Prince Albert II stands behind the legendary driver. Photo credit: Gaetan Luci / Archives of the Palais Princier de Monaco 

^ The single-seaters fly past the new harbour area of the Mareterra development. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco 

^ The Historic Grand Prix of Monaco track traces the same course that has been raced upon for almost 100 years. Photo credit: Automobile Club de Monaco / Maxime Le Juste / Jean-Marc Follete

^ Prince Albert shares a joke with Scuderia Ferrari reserve driver and F2 competitor Oliver Bearman in the control room of the race. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco 

^ A catalogue of great cars representing the history of Monaco Grand Prix racing was present at the event, which is held every two years. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco

^ Actor and racing car driver Patrick Dempsey was among the celebrity figures to attend the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco over the weekend. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco 

^ Following the classic racing of the Historic Grand Prix weekend, the Principality is now preparing to welcome the Formula 1 grid to its streets, boulevards and avenues between 24th and 26th May. Photo credit: Michael Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco

See more in our Instagram reel below…

Read related:

Prince Albert II tours ‘Ferrari F1 in Monaco: History and Victories’ exhibit

 

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

 

Main photo credit: Automobile Club de Monaco / Maxime Le Juste / Jean-Marc Follete

€5,000 raised for Monaco charities at Chokolashow attended by Prince Albert and his children

by: Niki Borisova
13/05/2024

Last week, Prince Albert II and his nine-year-old twins, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, headed down to the Riva Tunnel in Port Hercule to visit the inaugural edition of the Chokolashow and admire up-close the creatively crafted chocolate sculptures on the display. 

The first-ever edition of a new chocolate-themed event, Chokolashow, was held in the Principality of Monaco on 9th May. 

The guests of honour were undoubtedly the Prince and his children, who were photographed visiting the exhibits and trying their hand at chocolate carving. Indeed, the trio left behind them a set of sweet inscriptions on a solid block of the finest Italian cioccolato.  

Prince Albert II of Monaco, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella were invited to carve their names into a solid block of chocolate. Photo courtesy of Chokolashow

The Chokolashow is the brainchild of Maria Bologna of the Monaco International Hub. A life-long chocolate lover, Bologna invited eight students from the Principality’s Pavillon Bosio and the Accademia di Belle Arti di Sanremo, the Fine Arts Academy of Sanremo, to carve a unique chocolate sculpture under the theme of the Historic Grand Prix of Monaco.  

The winner of this inaugural event was Valentina Trassy, a third-year student at the Pavillon Bosio.  

An auction of the sculptures was held during the evening of 9th May. Managed by Wannenes auction house, the sale generated €5,000. All of the proceeds will be donated to eight local Monaco charities selected by Prince Albert.  

Chokolashow visitors were also invited to attend a series of chocolate-themed workshops and sample sweet treats courtesy of the event’s partners during the course of the event. 

“I’m truly delighted with the public’s approval and the work of the young artists, who interpreted the images of the cars competing in the Monaco Historic Grand Prix so well,” said Bologna at the close of the event. “We’re already planning for the next edition, and are considering the possibility of expanding the event internationally to showcase Monaco’s excellence in combining generosity, art and chocolate.” 

Read related:

F1 history to inspire Chokolashow sculptures

 

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

 

Photos courtesy of Chokolashow 

Celebrate International Yoga Day with the Kate Powers Foundation

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/05/2024
international yoga day

The Kate Powers Foundation and Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer are partnering up to host a special public event in the Casino de Monte-Carlo’s gardens in honour of International Yoga Day in June.  

The Kate Powers Foundation was created in 2022 in memory of Kate Powers, the late Monaco restaurateur and activist who dedicated her life to fostering community spirit and environmental awareness through a variety of engaging events and wellness projects.  

Kate was an avid yoga enthusiast, and this year, to mark International Yoga Day on 21st June, the eponymous foundation will be joining forces with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) to hold an afternoon and evening event on the terraces of the Casino.

The event will begin at 2.30pm with a session led by renowned Vinyasa yoga instructor Nico Luce, which will be followed by a half-hour children’s yoga class featuring personal trainer and former ballerina Sarah Clark. 

From 5pm to 6.30pm, Luce will return for an open yoga class that is suitable for all yogis, regardless of ability and age.  

Next up, Romain Vigna will be inviting the public to join him from 7.30pm to 9pm for an ecstatic dance workshop.  

The evening will wrap up with an hour of relaxation from 9pm to 10pm, where participants can bliss out and unwind as the sun goes down on the longest day of the year.  

“This line-up is designed to offer something special for everyone, from seasoned yogis to beginners and children,” says a representative for the Kate Powers Foundation. “Participants will have the unique opportunity to practice yoga in one of Monaco’s most beautiful settings, connect with nature and experience the joy of community and shared positive energy.” 

For more information, click here. 

 

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

 

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Monaco Communications Department

Formula E: Maserati MSG Racing’s Jehan Daruvala in the Top 10 in Berlin

by: Stephanie Horsman
13/05/2024
daruvala maserati

Jehan Daruvala, Maserati MSG Racing’s rookie driver, achieved a career best at the Berlin ePrix over the weekend, with a promising seventh place finish. His teammate, Max Günther, was unfortunately forced to retire early from both races.  

The race at Berlin over the weekend was a double-header event that brought double disappointment for the Monaco-based team’s German driver, Max Günther, who recorded a DNF on 11th and 12th May despite good qualifying positions. 

Jehan Daruvala, however, improved his results by a full 10 places between Saturday’s competition and race day on Sunday to achieve a career best: P7. 

See more: The 2024 Monaco ePrix in photos

“I’m very happy to achieve my best result of the season so far,” said the 25-year-old Indian driver after the race on 12th May. “Overall, we’ve shown a lot of progress this weekend and I feel like I’m taking good steps forward. In the end, we were rewarded for our hard work with seventh, which we can be happy about. I’m looking forward to continuing the season in Shanghai with this momentum and hopefully, we can score even more points in China.” 

Cyril Blais, Maserati MSG Racing Deputy Team Principal, described the Berlin stages as “another race of two halves”.  

“Obviously, a very disappointing weekend for Max, starting inside the Top 5 after a very strong Qualifying in both races, but ultimately we didn’t manage to convert that into points. It’s frustrating, because we know that the pace is there, but we’ll regroup, and we’ll try again in Shanghai,” he said. “For Jehan, we’re very satisfied. He drove a strong, consistent race from 13th and moved up the field when he had to and made a good move in the last corner on the final lap to take seventh. He scored some good points, his pace is getting better, and so is his consistency. I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in the final six races of this season.”

Despite consecutive DNFs, Günther remains in sixth position in the Drivers’ standings, while Daruvala sits in 19th.  

Overall, Maserati MSG Racing has claimed 73 points this season, earning the team sixth position in the Constructors’ rankings.  

The FIA Formula E World Championship action will resume on 25th and 26th May at the inaugural Shanghai ePrix, the series’ first race in China since Season 5. 

Read related:

Formula E highlights: Mitch Evans wins as Jaguar dominate Monaco ePrix

 

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

 

Photo credit: Maserati MSG Racing

Tickets now on sale for the Académie Princesse Grace Gala

by: Stephanie Horsman
12/05/2024

The Académie Princesse Grace Gala is an opportunity for the public to watch the rising dance stars of tomorrow perform in one of Monaco’s most prestigious establishments: the Salle Garnier. Tickets for the June-time event are now available.  

It is Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s late season highlight and has been a feature of the Monaco dance calendar since 2009.  

Each June, the Académie Princesse Grace Gala showcases the talents of the dance school’s students and are the culmination of years of effort and training. For many of the dancers who take to the stage, the event is a chance to say farewell to the Principality before graduating and moving on to professional careers in the international world of dance.  

An array of dance styles is to be expected at the 2024 edition, from classic to contemporary, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. 

There will be two separate performances this year, both at the Salle Garnier of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. The first will be held on 21st June at 7.30pm and the second will take place on 23rd June at 3pm.  

Tickets are on sale in the Atrium of the Casino de Monte-Carlo, which can be visited between from 10am to 5.30pm on Tuesdays through to Saturdays.  

Click here for more information.  

 

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

 

Photo credit: Alice Blangero