Moore family “devastated” at the desecration of Sir Roger’s grave in Monaco

Christian Moore, son of Sir Roger Moore, has told Monaco Life that his family were “saddened and devastated” to learn that the Monaco gravesite of the late James Bond actor had been violated. 

A fan reportedly alerted the sensational celebrity mag TMZ to the fact that the resting place of the late 007 star, in the Cemetery of Monaco, had been vandalised. 

On Wednesday, Christian Moore confirmed to Monaco Life exclusively that the family shield had been ripped off his father’s gravestone, while other “trinkets that were laid around him” had also been taken. The shield, in the process, had broken in two and was left at the scene. “We think they were trying to rob the family shield,” he revealed.

“For us as a family, it is horrible,” Christian, Roger Moore’s youngest child with third wife Luisa Mattioli, told Monaco Life. “We are devastated and we are saddened that anyone would disturb the resting place of someone such as Roger.”

Christian revealed that the plaque was being repaired and would be reattached to the gravestone. He stated that the Cemetery of Monaco was being “extremely helpful” and that Monegasque police were analysing video surveillance to identify and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Sir Roger Moore’s gravestone, with the Moore Family Crest, before it was vandalised. Photo credit: memorands.com

The legacy and final resting place

Sir Roger Moore, born on 14th October 1927 in London, was a renowned British actor best known for his role as James Bond in seven films from 1973 to 1985. His suave demeanour and charming portrayal made him a beloved figure in the franchise. 

Beyond acting, Moore was a dedicated humanitarian, serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for many years. He passed away on 23rd May 2017 in Switzerland at the age of 89, after a brief battle with cancer. 

Sir Roger Moore was buried in Monaco where he had lived for many years on 10th June 2017, in recognition of his close ties to the Principality and his fondness for the region. 

His son Christian Moore remains a resident of the Principality.

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Main photo by Niki Borisova for Monaco Life, all rights reserved

Students from 40 global universities to compete at Monaco Energy Boat Challenge

monaco energy boat challenge

The 2024 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge in early July will unite 50 teams of passionate maritime engineering students from 40 universities around the world for a series of competitive events designed to inspire innovation and promote futuristic solutions to today’s energy challenges. 

Between 1st and 6th July at the Yacht Club de Monaco, the entrants of the 2024 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge will present their forward-thinking ideas and concepts that could change the nature of the yachting and wider maritime industries. 

By leveraging new technologies, materials and alternative propulsion systems, the event, which has been held in Monaco since 2014, aims to raise environmental awareness and enhance sustainability practices without compromising on performance. 

Over the years, the Challenge has expanded its reach from early solar power experiments to the current model, which features four forms of competition: the Energy Class, the Open Sea Class, Sea Lab and the Solar Class.  

Each category has its own set of criteria to be followed regarding the vessels’ construction and design, and the teams are all given a chance to test their creations in open-water competitions over the course of the event.  

Alongside the water-based action, the event will also include a number of conferences and a special seminar on hydrogen technologies. 

See more: Monaco Energy Boat Challenge introduces new sustainable technology award for 2024

A new element of this year’s edition is the Sustainable Maritime Technology Award that has been set up by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation. The universities competing at the 2024 edition, as well as those registered for 2025, have been invited to submit their energy-efficient or carbon-reducing projects in a bid to win a grant of €25,000 to further develop the concept. The winning team will be announced on the final day of the event.  

For more details on the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and its various events, click here.

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo credit: Yacht Club de Monaco / Monaco Energy Boat Challenge 2023

César’s ‘Fanny Fanny’ among the big-ticket items to feature at Monaco Auction Week

Anticipation is already rising ahead of Artcurial’s grand Monaco Auction Week at the Hôtel Hermitage in early July, and some of the most exciting offerings at this year’s event are to be found in the Monaco Sculptures listings. Here is a teaser of what to expect.  

Along with an exclusive selection of collectible watches, stunning jewellery, luxury handbags and unique pieces of sporting memorabilia, some of the major highlights of Artcurial’s 2024 Monaco Auction Week are the lots that feature in sculptural section of the catalogue. 

Standouts include César Baldaccini’s ‘Fanny Fanny’ from 1990 (pictured). The welded bronze statue of a bird on roller skates, which stands at close to 2.5 metres tall, comes to the event from the Patrick Trigan Collection. It is estimated to be worth between €400,000 and €600,000. 

See more: ’30 Years of Idols & Champions’: Artcurial to auction Stars’n’Bars memorabilia

The Trigan Collection also will be selling another César: ‘Le Sein’. This 1966 piece was modelled after the breast of Crazy Horse dancer Victoria von Krupp. The colossal five-metre rendition, crafted from stainless steel, once resided in the Poissy factory of famed perfumer Hélène Rochas. This incredible creation is likely to go for between €180,000 and €280,000.  

Sculptures signed by renowned artists such as Arman, Philippe Hiquily, Allen Jones, Berto Lardera and Salvador Dalí will also be presented alongside three works by Victor Vasarely, which hail from the Château de Vascœuil Collection.  

In addition, works from Americans David Smith and George Rickey will be going on the block, as will a beautiful Jean-Michel Othoniel piece, which has an estimated price of €100,000 to €200,000.   

The Monaco Sculptures portion of Monaco Auction Week will be held at the Hôtel Hermitage at 6pm on 10th July. Public viewings of the sculptures, as well as all other lots due to go under the gavel, will be possible at the hotel between 12pm and 7pm on 6th and 7th July.  

Read related:

Monaco Auction Week returning in July with exquisite accessories and rare collectors’ items

 

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Photo credit: Artcurial

Podcast: Robin Haziza, seven-time French Padel Champion

Robin Haziza, the seven-times French Padel Champion, talk’s to Monaco Life’s Cassandra Tanti about the phenomenal rise in popularity of padel and the exciting new BullPadel Show tournament that is kicking off this weekend in Juan les Pins.

Originally from Nice in the French Riviera, Robin Haziza is one of France’s most famous faces when it comes to padel. Now, he’s organised an exciting new tournament/show close to his home town, the BullPadel Show, for amateurs and celebrities, and for the delight of all padel fans.

Interview length: 7.4 minutes

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo of Robin Haziza provided

 

Monaco Government urges public sector workers to embrace greener modes of transport

As the biggest employer in the Principality, the Monegasque State is looking to set an example by reducing its carbon footprint by 55% by 2030, and by achieving complete carbon neutrality by 2050. 

An essential step in meeting these ambitious goals will be bringing down the emissions produced by the cars and other vehicles that many of the public sector workers use to travel to and from their place of work each day.  

According to the latest IMSEE data, there were more than 5,150 people employed by Monaco’s public sector in 2023, and more than half of these workers live outside of the Principality, predominantly in the neighbouring Alpes-Maritimes.  

See more: Explained: Behind the scenes of Monaco’s civil service

It was announced on Tuesday 25th June that the government has formed a working group that will be tasked with considering and evaluating the different ways in which the state can encourage its employees to make the switch to greener modes of transport, thus reducing pollution. 

Furthermore, the group, which is being supported by a number of specialised consulting firms, including EGIS, EKODEV and FATEC, as well as almost 3,500 state agents and personnel, has been asked to develop an action plan focusing on soft mobility by 2025. 

In addition to soft mobility recommendations for home-to-work commutes and travel for business, the plan will also consider how travel times can be reduced and how transportation costs can be lowered for workers.

The project falls dually under the Principality’s Plan Mobilité, which was launched in early 2024, and the National Energy Transition Pact. 

To read more about the working group and its goals, click here.  

Read related:

Monaco addresses its transport issues: More than 5,000 new Park and Ride carparking spaces in the works

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department

Espinasse31 Gallery to showcase ‘Harmony of Contrast’ during Monaco Art Week

Milan’s Espinasse31 Gallery has announced it will be bringing an ephemeral exhibition, ‘Harmony of Contrast’, to the Principality for Monaco Art Week. The showcase, which will be hosted by Le Méridien Beach Plaza, will unite the distinct artistic styles of three international creatives from the US, Italy and Russia.  

Classical, urban and abstract: it doesn’t get more diverse than that in the world of artistic styles and genres. Yet Espinasse31 Gallery’s presentation of Harmony of Contrast is a collection of pieces to be enjoyed as a whole, a demonstration of how differences can be complementary and even cohesive. 

Coinciding with the launch of Monaco Art Week in early July, the exhibition will run from 2nd July until 29th September at Le Méridien Beach Plaza in Larvotto, and feature the works of Italian sculptor Marcello Silvestre, American artist Adam Lucey and Russian artist Olga Lomaka.  

Marcello Silvestre of Naples combines architecture and art in his sculptural work. He has received several awards, including the Targa d’Oro at Premio Arte 2018, with his works having been displayed around the world, including at Art Miami and at the Palazzo Reale in Milan. This exhibition will feature two of his key series, ‘Man, Soul and Time’ and ‘Invisible Cities’.  

Boston’s Adam Lucey is known for using vibrant colours and geometric shapes in his urban street art, and his works often feature characters from ’90s films. The pieces in this exhibition were created during his residency at Espinasse31 in Milan in 2019. 

Russian artist Olga Lomaka is recognised for her distinctive abstract style. Her works form part of collections in institutions across the globe, such as the Erarta Museum in Saint Petersburg and the Contemporary Art Centre M17 in Kiev. Lomaka’s ‘Alien’ project will be featured in the exhibition. 

Though it is headquartered in Milan, Espinasse31 Gallery also has branches in Monaco, Madrid and Miami.

Read related:

Monaco Art Week and artmonte-carlo to spotlight the Principality’s dynamic arts scene this July

 

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

 

Photo credit: Espinasse31 Gallery