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Month: May 2024

Art, science and culture to unite at Monaco’s Green Shift Festival

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/05/2024
green shift festival

The Green Shift Festival is an event designed to inspire positivity, community and collective engagement. It will be returning to the Promenade de Larvotto in early June for its second edition. 

Unlike with many environmental and eco-aware initiatives, so often burdened with worrying messages and talk of concern and of risks, the Green Shift Festival is all about highlighting the good work being done around the world to make positive changes.  

Over three nights between 5th and 7th June on the Place Anne-Marie Campora, the event’s organisers will present a varied and engaging programme that aims to inspire and promote balance between humanity and the natural environment. 

See more: Mairie de Monaco to hold eco mural painting marathon for World Environment Day

The schedule will pair workshops and conferences, both cultural and ecological, with an array of artistic and musical performances. The Kate Powers Foundation is joining the list of Green Shift Festival supporters in 2024, and representatives will run a number of morning yoga, meditation and dance sessions alongside the main event.  

Later in the day, Happy Hours from 6pm each evening will give participants the chance to network and learn more about the local efforts being made in Monaco, by the state and by residents, while enjoying dishes from Sexy Tacos.  

See more: From dinosaurs to today: A Fàbrica to host biodiversity event for children

The Green Shift Festival is a Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-backed event, and has received support from Monaco’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, the Mairie de Monaco, Shibuya International, the Carmignac Foundation, Actes Sud, Imagine 2050, Time for the Ocean, the Monegasque Academy of the Sea, WE DEMAIN and SOGEDA.  

“In fostering the emergence of new ecological narratives, we can transform the way we perceive our world and interact with it,” says Olivier Wenden, Vice-President and CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. “This is precisely the objective of the various actions implemented by the Foundation since its creation, through support for field projects or during major international meetings: to contribute to the promotion of a more harmonious balance, more fair and more responsible between man and his environment.” 

Entry to this inclusive event is entirely free of charge. To explore the schedule in full, click here.

Read related:

World Environment Day: head to Larvotto Beach 5th June

 

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Photo credit: Green Shift Festival 2023

Exclusive all-Ferrari L’AstaRossa auction to coincide with Top Marques

by: Stephanie Horsman
29/05/2024
l'astarossa

Against the backdrop of Top Marques, once described as “the world’s most exclusive auto show”, Monaco Car Auctions will be hosting an incredible 100% Ferrari L’AstaRossa sale featuring 14 iconic models. 

On 8th June at the Grimaldi Forum, a date coinciding with the upcoming edition of Top Marques, which will be held between 5th and 9th June, Monaco Car Auctions will present a spectacular array of Ferrari cars and memorabilia designed by the Maranello marque.  

No fewer than 14 Ferraris, dating back as far as the 1950s and including several of the ever-popular Testarossa models, will be going under the gavel at the big L’AstaRossa event. 

See more: F1: Charles Leclerc brings home the win at the Monaco Grand Prix

Highlights include a beautiful 1985 Monospecchio, a pristine 1995 F512M, a rare light metallic blue 1965 275 GTS convertible, a spectacular red 250 GT California Inspiration from 1959 and a classic 1968 365 GT 2+2 in a stunning navy blue.   

The sale will also include Ferrari-themed ‘automobilia’, such as an autographed kart once used by Monaco’s own Ferrari F1 star, Charles Leclerc, a scooter owned by seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher and documents signed by Enzo Ferrari himself.  

A VIP preview of the listings will be held between 8pm and 11.30pm on 5th June. Public viewings will be possible over the next three days, before the auction begins at 3pm on 8th June.  

For more information, click here. 

Read related:

Top Marques Monaco 2024 to unveil the future of fast cars

 

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Photo courtesy of Monaco Car Auctions  

Monaco authorises remote working rights for Italian employees

by: Cassandra Tanti
29/05/2024

A long-awaited remote working agreement between Monaco and Italy is finally coming into force from 1st June. 

According to a press statement Wednesday, an amendment to the General Social Security Convention between the Principality of Monaco and the Italian Republic has been ratified by the authorities of both countries and will become effective on 1st June 2024.

“The Prince’s Government is delighted with the outcome of this file, which required several years of negotiations with Italy, until the signing in Monaco on 10th May 2021 of amendment no. 1 by Pierre Dartout, Minister of State, and Andrea Orlando, then Italian Minister of Labor and Social Policies,” said the government. 

Italy to be aligned with France in remote working rights

The agreement provides a definition of teleworking and establishes that teleworkers living in Italy can be governed by Monegasque social legislation throughout their employment as teleworkers for a company based in the Principality of Monaco.

“This expansion of access to teleworking to a new segment of employees is a major step forward both for the Principality and for Italy and will allow, in the coming decades, to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the consequences of the success of the economic development of Monaco, in particular the smallness of our territory, while promoting access to employment for Italian employees,” said the government.

The teleworking agreement must be formalised through an employment contract or an amendment to the employment contract, requiring the teleworking employee to be present at least one-third of their working time in the company to “maintain the necessary connection with the teams”, similar to the requirement for teleworkers residing in France.

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Photo by Monaco Life

 

SBM reveals ambitious hotel renovations after 6% revenue surge

by: Niki Borisova
29/05/2024

On the back of a very successful 2023/2024 fiscal year and a 6% increase in revenue, Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) President Delegate Stéphane Valeri has revealed plans to renovate two of Monaco’s biggest hotels. 

Stéphane Valeri hosted a press conference on Wednesday 29th May at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort, during which he delivered the financial report of Monaco’s largest company. 

It shows that SBM’s operational profit rose by €1.4 million, to €73.6 million, while net profit stood at €103.9 million, reflecting the company’s solid financial model. 

This takes into account the company’s recent strategic moves, including the acquisition of the Palace des Neiges in Courchevel in October 2023, and the reopening of Café de Paris last November.

See more: SBM marks new era in business, officially purchases luxury ‘Palace des Neiges’ in Courchevel

“We will see the lasting results from our new development in four to five years, but I can already see that we have a better result now than last year,” Stéphane Valeri said during the press conference.

Consolidated revenue for 2023/2024 stood at €704 million, up €37 million from the previous year. This includes substantial gains from the gaming and rental sectors, with operating profits increasing by €3.8 million and €8.5 million respectively. 

These gains offset a €5.8 million decline in the hospitality sector’s operating profit, impacted by non-recurring costs related to the pre-opening expenses of Café de Paris and Amazónico.

Exciting new renovations planned

Stéphane Valeri took the opportunity to announce that major renovations are planned for two of SBM’s most iconic institutions – the Hermitage Hotel and the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort this autumn. 

“The rooms in these establishments are slowly becoming outdated, so to please our clients, we will renovate them during the low season. The renovations will occur in stages so that the hotels can remain operational during the refurbishment,” revealed Valeri. 

The result is expected to be similar to Hôtel de Paris’s facelift, which underwent a four-year renovation costing €280 million and opened to the public in 2019. More information about the renovations will be released in the upcoming months.

“SBM’s performance was at the level of Charles Leclerc’s”

Hospitality is a major sector in the Principality, especially during its most significant events, such as the Monaco Grand Prix, which ended with a historic home win by Charles Leclerc on the weekend, the first Monegasque to win the Grand Prix in 93 years.

“I cannot disclose the numbers from the Grand Prix yet, but I can say that SBM’s performance during the race week was at that level of Charles Leclerc’s,” said Valeri with a smile. 

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Photo by Monaco Life

 

 

Riviera authorities to test flash flood warning system 

by: Elsa Carpenter
29/05/2024

The Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes is set to test its flash flood alert system in communes local to the Siagne river later this week. Here’s what to expect. 

On Thursday 30th May, authorities in the Alpes-Maritimes will be trialling the Fr-Alert flash flood warning system.  

Unlike during previous testing exercises, the alert will this time be sent out in silent mode to avoid any panic over the loud and sudden noise.  

The alert will be sent directly to the mobile phones of residents in towns and cities along the Siagne, including Grasse, La Roquette-sur-Siagne, Auribeau-sur-Siagne, Pégomas, Mouans-Sartoux, Mandelieu-La Napoule and the parts of Cannes deemed at risk of flooding.  

No action is required on the part of the population, unless recipients choose to provide a first-hand review via a link provided in the message.  

A similar exercise will be carried out on Thursday 6th June for residents in Le Tignet, Peymeinade, Saint-Cézaire-sur-Siagne, Spéracèdes, Cabris, Saint-Vallier and Escragnolles. For this second exercise, the alert will be sent out at full volume.  

For more information, click here.  

 

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Photo source: Barna Bartis, Unsplash

Sailing: Upcoming yacht shows and regattas in the south of France and Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
29/05/2024

With Les Voiles d’Antibes in full swing, here are all the important sailing dates that should be in your diary for the 2024 summer season. 

From yacht shows to regattas and races across the Mediterranean Sea, there’s a lot coming up on the sailing calendar over the next few months in the south of France and Monaco.

First up is Les Voiles d’Antibes, which began on 29th May and will run until 2nd June.

Since 1996, Les Voiles d’Antibes has been recognised as the season starter for traditional yachting events on the Mediterranean circuit. The event programme features an array of regattas and races off the coast of Antibes and Juan-les-Pins, and is a perennial favourite with the locals, thanks in part to its diverse range of side events, which include a variety of exhibitions, concerts and conferences on topics pertaining to the sea and the environment. For more information, click here.

Much of the action at Les Voiles d’Antibes can be enjoyed from the ramparts of the maritime city. Photo credit: Marie-Noelle Archambault

At the end of June, a very special regatta called Les Voiles de l’Espoir, which only happens once every two years, will be held on the Riviera.  

Its mission is to involve children in remission from cancer and leukaemia in the sport, with professional crew on hand to take the youngsters out on the waves.  

The 2024 edition will be taking place between 15th and 22nd June, with a stop-off in Monaco planned for 19th June. To read more about the event, click here.

Come high summer, the Palermo-Monte Carlo regatta will be departing the Gulf of Mondello for the Principality via Porto Cervo on 20th August, with a winner’s ceremony lined up in Monaco for 25th August. Registrations are still open so to find out how to take part, as well as for further information, click here.

The start of the 2023 edition of the Palermo-Monte-Carlo regatta
Yachts assemble at the start of the 2023 edition of the Palermo-Monte-Carlo regatta. Photo credit: YCM

Later in the calendar, the 46th Cannes Royal Regattas will be held from 23rd to 28th September. The Royal Regatta has become one of the world’s top annual classic sailing events, renowned for its professional participants and diverse range of categories. Sailors worldwide, from novices to skilled sportsmen, dream of attending or participating.

Further along the coast, the annual Les Voiles de Saint Tropez will be taking place from 28th September to 6th October. First organised in 1999 by the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez brings together classic boats, some over a century old, and ultra-modern yachts. Around 250 vessels are expected at this year’s event.

Yacht shows 

Two major yacht shows will be held in the Riviera this autumn.  

The first is the Cannes Yacht Show, from 10th to 15th September, which features up to 700 yachts. For more information, click here.

Of course, the Monaco Yacht Show cannot go without a mention. This annual event in Port Hercule is scheduled for 25th to 28th September. MYS has established itself as one of the biggest industry showcases of innovation and luxury craft in the world, and attracts significant international attention. For more information, click here.

Read related:

MYS 2023: A super-successful superyacht show

 

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Main photo credit: Yacht Club de Monaco