With everything from fireworks to art festivals, carnivals and live music sessions on the agenda, the Mairie de Monaco has lined up a summer that will be packed with fun and activities for the whole family. Here are some of the highlights.
On 7th June, the town hall will be partnering with the LEGO® School to host Abracada’bricks at the Espace Léo Ferré on Avenue Albert II.
The same day, the Parc Princesse Antoinette will be holding the first of several Soirées Enfantines from 6pm. The evening events are aimed at children aged three and up, and will feature live shows and music.
Next up comes the Street Art Challenge Junior, which will coincide with the UPAINT Monaco urban art festival, on 8th and 9th June.
Splash Party will be held at the Stade Nautique Rainier III in Port Hercule on 26th June between 2pm and 6pm, ahead of the traditional U Sciaratu carnival on the Rock on 5th July. This year, the chosen theme for the festival is pirates and princesses.
With the Fête de la Musique coming up on 21st June, the Mairie de Monaco has announced its sponsorship of several events at this family favourite day-to-night celebration. Among them are La Boum des Enfants from 6.30pm on the Allée St Jean Paul II and The Groove Family performance from 7.30pm in the Place d’Armes sector.
The following night, Toulouse-based hip-hop duo Bigflo & Oli will be coming to Port Hercule for a special invite-only party that will mark the 100th anniversary of AS Monaco Omnisports.
Over the course of the summer, the Square Gastaud will be hosting a number of live music events honouring the music of nations such as France (10th July) and Ireland (24th July). Meanwhile, the Place Anne-Marie Campora in Larvotto will be holding a Cuba-themed night on 21st August.
From 1st to 25th August, a range of summer fête-style activities will be laid on in Port Hercule, including a go-karting track, basketball courts, a carousel, Ninja courses, a mini-football field and trampolines. Various stands for AS Monaco and the Sites Historiques Grimaldi de Monaco network will be open from 4.30pm until 10pm.
A fireworks show is being lined up for 27th July, followed by a drone show on 9th August. There will also be two themed nights held on 3rd and 17th August that will feature bouncy castles and other family-friendly activities. All of these occasions will be based around Port Hercule.
The Marché de la Condamine will also be hosting an array of special nights over the coming months, such as the Gypsy Night on 5th June, an American evening on 4th July and the traditional Bal de la Marché on 14th September.
The Médiathèque has arranged a full roster of events for children throughout the summer, from games nights to film screenings and workshops. Click here to find out more.
And finally, new this year are the Mairie-sponsored scuba diving lessons at the Stade Nautique Rainier III. Held in conjunction with the Monaco Underwater Exploration Club, these initiations to the sport will be taking place on 10th July, 19th August and 4th September. Reservations can be made on-site.
For more details on the Mairie de Monaco’s summer programme of events, click here.
In the days following Mother’s Day, Princess Charlene made a special visit to the maternity ward at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace to meet the Principality’s newest arrivals and congratulate their parents.
Princess Charlene’s annual visit to the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace’s maternity ward is becoming something of a tradition.
It was here that the Princess gave birth to her own children, the nine-year-old twins Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, on 10th December 2014, and she has become a regular visitor in the years since, often timing a visit with Mother’s Day.
Looking effortlessly at ease during her most recent visit at the end of May, the Princess was in her element as she spoke tenderly with the new parents and was introduced to Monaco’s newest members of the population.
Dressed in a soft, powder pink suit for the occasion, Princess Charlene also made sure to save some time for the nursing staff and doctors on duty that day.
Princess Charlene was pictured chatting to the nursing staff and doctors on duty during her visit. Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco
A series of heartwarming photographs were later released by the Palais Princier de Monaco with the caption: “On 31st May, Princess Charlene, Vice-President of the Monaco Red Cross, went to the maternity ward of the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace to meet the newborns and congratulate the young parents.”
In other baby-related news, the Mairie de Monaco’s Marjorie Crovetto, Deputy Mayor in charge of Environment and Sustainable Development, and Jacques Pastor, Deputy Mayor, paid a visit to the Pali forest in the Alpes-Maritimes town of Cuébris on 27th May.
More than 13,000 trees have been planted in Cuébris by the Mairie de Monaco since 2008. Photo credit: Mairie de Monaco
For the last 15 years, the Mairie de Monaco has been collaborating with the National Forestry Office to plant one tree for every baby born in the Principality.
Since 2008, more than 13,000 trees have been planted.
To see more photographs from Princess Charlene’s hospital visit, click on the images below:
A superyacht, but with a community; a cruiser, but only in that it takes its passengers to luxury destinations around the world; a ship, but unlike any other in existence… The 320-metre Ulyssia presented by Ulyssia Residences AG in Monaco at the end of May is a one-of-a-kind concept and could be set to revolutionise how the world views – as well as experiences, for a fortunate few – life on the high seas.
At the end of May, Monaco Life was invited to the Mediterranean unveiling of a residential superyacht, Ulyssia, a vessel that will provide its residents “a life without boundaries”.
Designed by superyacht designer extraordinaire Espen Øeino and due to be built by Meyer Werft, with input from a host of interior designers and engineering greats, this 320-metre vessel is to be a groundbreaking blend of luxury and purpose, offering its residents the opportunity to explore the world aboard a craft part-owned by all onboard.
The construction stage of Ulyssia is due to begin in autumn 2024, with a completion date projected for the end of 2028. Photo credit: Ulyssia Residences AG
The premise is a shared freehold, with owners of the 132 or so onboard residences owning a portion of the vessel relative to the space of their ocean-borne abode.
There will be penthouses, there will be family duplexes and there will be guest suites for when friends and family step aboard to join long-time residents in the experience.
Ulyssia will sail the seas in perpetuity, exploring glamourous destinations and remote, far-flung lands to offer those travelling on her a unique voyage of discovery that could last weeks, months or even years.
“This is a unique experience – travelling the world from your home,” explained Chairman and Founder of Ulyssia Residences AG Frank Binder. “The world comes to you, right at your doorstep. This journey offers more than just sightseeing. We aim to truly understand each destination. We want to connect with the local people and cultures, and to make a positive impact wherever we go.”
Passengers will be able to step ashore and discover new places or enjoy the near endless list of luxury amenities provided by the vessel.
From restaurants to sports and wellness suites, a yacht club and a dive club to a fully fitted garage for the private vehicles owned and transported onboard by passengers, a theatre to a two-storey library, a business hub to a centre for children… The project’s Senior Vice-President of Lifestyle and Development, Renato Chizzola, summed up the services by saying, “Anything you imagine, we will offer. It’s a new typology of living.”
Speaking to Monaco Life at the press event, Espen Øeino, a man considered a master of superyacht design, said, “This is by far the largest project we have been involved with.”
Alain Gruber, CEO of Ulyssia Residences AG, presented the three central aspects of the concept as being community, crew and culture.
“First, we are creating an amazing community of residents. These individuals are well-travelled, highly educated and open-minded, seeking a deeper level of exploration,” he said. “Second, we are investing heavily in our crew. We aim to attract the best crew in the world by providing excellent accommodation, welfare and training on board. This ensures low turnover and high loyalty, so residents can enjoy familiar faces, like their favourite bartender or housekeeper. Finally, the third component is our exceptional programming of experiences around the world. For instance, when we visit Japan, we don’t just stay for a day – we stay for a month. This combination of a vibrant community, a dedicated crew and immersive experiences truly sets our concept apart.”
The yacht is about more than just luxury, with considerable thought going into sustainability practices and philanthropic endeavours.
The vessel and its backer aims to set new standards with innovative hybrid propulsion systems, advanced hull design and smart energy recovery systems. Ulyssia will also partner with charitable organisations to support marine conservation projects and provide medical services to remote communities.
Construction on the yacht is scheduled to begin in autumn 2024, with delivery expected by October 2028.
Artist Marcos Marin’s journey is a testament to his versatility and dedication. Starting as a virtuoso pianist in his native Brazil, he later transitioned into a professional painter and sculptor in Monaco and Italy.
His early exposure to art, with a drawing studio at home and a father who loved to paint, sparked his interest in painting at a young age. Despite his success in music, graduating in classical piano at 14 and becoming a professional pianist, he never abandoned his passion for painting. At the age of 15, he held his first solo painting exhibition, marking the beginning of his artistic evolution.
During the ’90s in Paris, Marcos Marin’s artistic trajectory took a significant turn. He transitioned from a successful career as a pianist to a burgeoning painter. This shift was not a complete departure, as his musical and visual arts always intertwined. His works began to sell well, and he found himself drawn more to the world of painting.
It was in Miami that Marcos Marin’s artistic journey took an unexpected turn. Faced with a lack of mural space for his participation in the ‘Arte Americas’ fair, he was forced to create a standalone art piece. This necessity led to the birth of ‘Monalisa’, his first monumental sculpture, which measured a staggering four metres in height. The organisers were so impressed that they installed it at the entrance of the Art Fair.
Honouring Ayrton Senna
Most recently, Marcos Marin was deeply involved in honouring the memory of the late Brazilian F1 race car driver, Ayrton Senna. On the 30th anniversary of Senna’s passing, he participated in three different ceremonies in Monaco. His colossal sculpture of Senna returned to the gardens of the Meridien Beach Plaza, and the Senna family received a special edition of silkscreens signed by him. He also unveiled an edition of eight sculptures of the most famous Ferrari drivers, including two of Ayrton Senna. Four other monumental works were on display in the terraces of the Princess Grace Academy throughout grand prix weekend.
Monaco Life’s Celina Lafuente de Lavotha met Marcos to tell us more about how his artistic career evolved into creating monumental sculptures owned by many collectors and exhibited worldwide.
Ayrton Senna monumental statue by Marcos Marin at Le Meridien Beach Hotel
Did you formally train as an artist?
I studied music and piano at the conservatory but have yet to take a fine arts course. I had the privilege of spending time with renowned artists, and I visited many museums and galleries with my father. I learned how to mix oil paints in our home studio freely and experimentally. I have always been inquisitive and asked many questions, plus my manual skills were already well exercised as a virtuoso pianist. I am ambidextrous, as I can write with both hands and often use both hands simultaneously when painting. I like to work quickly and finish a canvas immediately, and I am eager to move on to the next idea.
I worked in an artistic screen printing studio, where I learned this surprising technique. Being a self-taught artist allowed me to explore possibilities and curiosities more unrestrained, unguided, and without formal expectations. Over the years, I have attended and visited ateliers worldwide and seen techniques and ways of creating and treating very different materials. The idea, concept, composition, chromatic, and tonal study are fundamental, sometimes corresponding to predictable techniques’ coldness. You learn through observation and active experimentation.
Who were the artists who inspired you? Who were your mentors throughout your career?
I’ve always been passionate about Art Deco and Art Nouveau elements, which were very present in the various houses and apartments where I lived as a child and were the source of my inspiration.
When I was very young, I remember magazines and newspaper articles about Salvador Dali, and I was very impressed by Surrealism. Roger Dean, the illustrator of the album covers of the group ASIA, who was also a surrealist, inspired me with his fascinating and dreamlike floating islands. I painted with hyperrealist techniques. I have always liked portraits, but Surrealism has conditioned me to a parallel universe.
Charles Leclerc sculpture 2024 by Marcos Marin
When I arrived in Paris in 1990, I met the great master Vasarely and got familiar with his artworks and other artists from the part movement at Denise René’s Gallery. Op’Art kind of startled me, entered my mind, and I fully integrated the idea of optical. Then, I started trying to incorporate optical techniques and suggestions into portraits. Then, I started winning many awards and joined the Figuration critique group in Paris. People liked and wanted to own my portraits, and I moved to Miami in 2000, where I was already intensely reliant on optical portraits. Then, meeting the great masters Cruz Diez, Jesus Soto, and others from this movement profoundly influenced my formation as the artist I am today.
Finally, I want to mention Pierre Cardin, who became my patron and mentor. From Cardin, I learned to appreciate the balance and aesthetic sense of fashion, the evaluations, and great discussions about “Beautiful” over “Myth,” concepts that would come to temper my works with elegance and balance, minimalism and strength.
Could you list some well-known personalities and movie celebrities you have immortalised in your sculptures?
I had the privilege of meeting and creating portraits of many icons of cinema, music, royal houses, presidents, and high-profile personalities. I can mention some exceptional ones, such as Michael Douglas, Princess Stephanie, George Michael, Pope Francis, Phil Collins, John Travolta, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Roger Moore, and Alain Delon. I didn’t know others like Grace Kelly, Gregory Peck, Sophia Loren, Frank Sinatra, Madonna, Elthon Jhon, and Charles Aznavour. I could list more than 100 names; I just did an exhibition of 28 monumental sculptures entitled “State of Grace,” celebrating great icons of the golden age of cinema and close friends of Grace.
Prince Albert and Marcos Marin with the artist’s monumental sculpture of Princess Grace
How did your sculpture ‘Shy’ become the Monte-Carlo Fashion Week (MCFW) Award?
I like this question! I have a passion for fashion, so I met Federica Nardoni Spinetta, founder and president of MCFW, who proposed that I design a statuette for this glamorous competition. I remembered studies I had made of this naked woman based on photos I had taken of Adriane Reis, a wonderful Brazilian friend. The sculpture is shy and does not show its face, but it is impossible to hide its sensuality with openness and lightness. I presented the drawing to Federica and the MCFW committee, and the trophy was born. A woman was waiting to be dressed by fashion creators! SHY has become a much-appreciated icon and brilliantly represents the concept of the MCFW Awards Ceremony.
Please tell us about your collaboration with Diana Mars, in which she created a collection utilising your art.
Dianna Mara, or Didimara, was introduced to me in an art and fashion space in Lisbon, and a great synergy friendship emerged, as I love Dianna’s design and creations. We instantly conceived our collaboration, and I enjoyed creating optical movements in the fabrics. Finally, the first collection graced the catwalk at MCFW 2015 with great success! I was always shocked by the aesthetic results, the fluidity of Dianna’s design, and the understanding of the optical composition that ultimately enhanced the garments. We started to create other collections and were able to present ourselves worldwide. We are at a crucial point of launching a significant production and distribution.
Marcos Marin presenting American Actor Michael Douglas with his portrait sculpture
Where is your Atelier and showroom?
Today, my studio is in my house in Ventimiglia. I also keep a studio in Portugal, where I produce monumental works, and another in Milano, also for large sculptures. I lived and worked in the Principality for 12 years, and while I no longer reside there, I maintain my professional status as an artist in Monaco.
My artworks are present in various locations and points of sale, such as Mark Hachem Art Gallery in Paris, Beyruth, New York, Chateau de Cremat in Nice, Saatchi Gallery in London, and Ninoska Huerta Gallery in Coral Gables in the Miami region. I also hold many exhibitions in Museums and cultural centers and at international fairs worldwide.
How do you promote your work?
I use social media networks to promote my art. I maintain a great relationship with the international press, and every year, journalists feature me and my art in exciting articles and essential editorials. As an artist, I participate in large art fairs, auctions, and social events, which are excellent ways to publicise my work. Art should speak for itself, too, and large monumental exhibitions in public spaces are a direct and interactive way of communicating with the public.
Do you keep in touch with your art collectors around the world?
Yes, this is essential, and in my case, very natural, as collectors and art enthusiasts become friends. Many collectors are geographically distant, and some are very discreet; however, I closely follow the evolution and path of my works. I make portraits of people entering an emotional, affective, and personal field in their life stories.
Marcos Marin presenting American actor Robert Redford with his portrait sculpture
Do you envision creating a Marcos Marin Art Foundation?
I want to create a Foundation in Italy to promote artist residency programs, something Pierre Cardin encouraged me to do, to pay off for the opportunities I had in the many art residencies I participated in throughout my professional career. A foundation can help respect and perpetuate my art and history, keeping it alive, organised, and active in the local and international artistic scene, respecting my humanist and philanthropic intentions. It’s a long process, but after celebrating my 40-year career, I am ready to consider doing just that.
Do you have a message for young artists who want to pursue a professional career?
I want to quote a phrase by Pierre Cardin: “The most difficult thing in an artist’s career is his first sixty years!”
You cannot build a career quickly, nor is it a quick recognition of followers on social media, nor is it the commercial result of an aggressive sales strategy that makes the artist “Good.” An artwork must have its exclusive identity, a brand, and a recognizable and indisputable signature. You need to leave a path; the force of art must speak loudly! An artist does not retire; his art is an exercise in life. Look for your own identity, and pay attention to excellence in creation! Travel a lot, test yourself and work hard, produce endlessly, try all the possibilities, or just a simple idea!
