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Month: July 2024

Discover the best arts, crafts and foods of the region at Monaco Méditerranée

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/07/2024
Monaco Méditerranée

From east to west, and from Southern Europe to the shores of North Africa, the upcoming Monaco Méditerranée event at the Grimaldi Forum at the end of July will celebrate the cultures, fashion, food and traditions of nations around the Mediterranean. 

Producers and artisans from countries throughout the Mediterranean basin, including France, Italy, Lebanon, Greece and Morocco, as well as Algeria and Tunisia for the first time, are set to congregate at the exhibition centre in Monaco’s Larvotto neighbourhood for three days of exchange and networking later this month.  

Around 50 exhibitors have been confirmed for the 2024 edition, and they will be selling and showcasing a wide range of goods and produce from their native lands, such as food items, drinks, fashion, art, tableware and gifts.  

The purpose of the event is to “directly connect the public with the many artisans, artists, creators, producers and manufacturers” while offering an immersion into the diversity of Mediterranean culture through gastronomy, crafts, art and fashion.  

There will be a strong focus on art this year, according to Bouran Hallani of Global Events Organizer, the company behind the event, and visitors can expect to discover an array of works both inside the Forum and outside on the esplanade. 

“We wanted to test another location for the organisation of the show and to do it at the Grimaldi Forum during the summer exhibition dedicated to Turner makes sense,” says Hallani. “We are counting on the passage of tourists to introduce other artists from around the Mediterranean.” 

The wonders of the Monaco Méditerranée show can be explored on 26th and 27th July from 11am to 8pm and from 11am to 6pm on 28th July. Admission is free. 

Read related:

Turner’s triumph: Grimaldi Forum unveils ‘Turner’s Sublime Legacy’ summer exhibition

 

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: Monaco Mediterranée 

International stars to headline Billionaire at the Salle des Étoiles this summer

by: Niki Borisova
16/07/2024

Flavio Briatore’s high-end clubbing Billionaire concept is returning to the Monte-Carlo Sporting venue this summer for 25 incredible nights of live music, top notch entertainment and gourmet dining experiences. 

It has been announced that the Italian businessman’s Billionaire franchise is partnering with Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) for a second consecutive summer of glamour and partying under the stars at Monte-Carlo Sporting’s Salle des Étoiles.

“Following the success of last summer’s Billionaire, we’re delighted to propose the renowned evenings to our Monegasque and international clientele once again this year,” said Stéphane Valeri, Chairman and CEO of SBM, at the press event unveiling Billionaire’s summer residency at the famous Monaco venue.

This year’s programme has been designed by Billionaire’s Artistic Director Raffaele Riccio. Beginning 22nd July and running until 21st August, the line-up of 25 shows will feature more than 30 talented artists, including top dancers, singers and former Cirque du Soleil acrobats.

Among the special acts set to perform are: the Acero brothers from Colombia, known for their hand-to-hand act; Canadian illusionist Darcy Oake, who gained fame on Britain’s Got Talent; and Ukrainian acrobatic duo Alex and Liza, who will be making their debut in the Principality. Guests to certain nights will also be transported to Buenos Aires through an Argentine tango show in collaboration with the London Tango Academy.  

Alessandro Ristori & The Portofinos will be back for two shows this summer on 23rd July and 14th August, while singer-songwriters Luciano Bassi, Geniris Mena and Noah Domínguez are also confirmed to be making an appearance at Billionaire, an international party concept that blends live entertainment with luxury hospitality.  

To this end, Billionaire’s culinary team, led by celebrity chef Batuhan Piatti, will be presenting two distinct set menus: the Italian menu aims to recreate traditional flavours, while the New-Asian menu will be a fusion of flavours from the continent.

“We are confident that this summer we will be able to offer an even more elevated experience and 25 memorable evenings to Monaco’s visitors and residents,” Briatore told Monaco Life the event. “What we always aim to do is improve our establishment, improve the show, improve the restaurant… My goal is that people have fun, enjoy good food and party. [We want to] make them happy so that they return to Billionaire every season.” 

For reservations and more information, click here. 

Read related:

Twiga Monte-Carlo unveils exciting summer line-up with cabaret shows and DJ sets

 

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 credits: Monaco Life 

Second home tax on empty or unused properties to rise in 1,500 communes across France

by: Elsa Carpenter
16/07/2024

Local authorities in some 1,500 communes across France have chosen to increase the taxe sur les logements vacants levied at owners of empty or unused second homes, with over 500 choosing to impose the maximum 60% tariff.  

The taxe sur les logements vacants (TLV) is different from the standard taxe d’habitation. Until August 2023, only empty, unused or unfurnished second homes in communes with 50,000 residents or more that were classed as having a housing shortage, referred to in French as a zone tendue, were liable for the levy, but then the rules changed. Since last summer, the population limit has been lifted, allowing authorities in any town or city in a zone tendue can opt to charge the TLV.  

Across France, almost 3,700 communes are now able to collect the TLV. Earlier this month, it was confirmed that close to 1,500 of these would be enacting their right, up from just over 300 in 2023. 

The rates vary from place to place, as well as on the potential rental value of the property in question, a calculation that is reevaluated each year and is adjusted according to inflation. This taxable base is then subject to the rate determined by the local town hall.  

In total, 539 communes will be increasing the TLV and charging the maximum 60% surcharge. At the other end of the scale, 359 will be applying a surcharge of 20% or less.  

See more: Tax obligations in Monaco: What every resident needs to know

Nearly 300 communes in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region will be imposing the TLV on empty second homes, including Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Grasse, Mougins, Valbonne, Cogolin, Fayence, Callian, La Garde-Freinet, Gassin, Grimaud, Ramatuelle and Saint Tropez. 

For the complete list of communes affected by the TLV in 2024, click here. For details and rates in your local area, contact your town hall directly. If one or more of your properties is subject to the TLV, you will be notified of the rate when you receive your taxe d’habitation bill later this year.  

Read related:

France: Plans for automatic long-stay visas for British second home owners scrapped

 

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 source: Unsplash

 

A guide to this summer’s biggest live music festivals

by: Stephanie Horsman
16/07/2024

With Jazz à Juan in full swing and much more live music to look forward to over the coming weeks, let Monaco Life be your guide to the biggest festivals on the French Riviera this summer. 

Juan-les-Pins’ famous Jazz à Juan kicked off on 2nd July and will continue until 8th August. The festival regularly attracts huge bands and singers from around the world, such as Kool & The Gang, who will be performing on 16th July, and Marcus Miller, who is set to delight the crowds on 17th July. To check out the full programme, click here. 

Alongside the main shows in the Pinède Gould arena are the Jammin’ Summer Sessions in Antibes and Juan-les-Pins. This free concert series event features 20 jazz concerts, marching bands in the streets, exhibitions and guided jazz tours.  

See more: Lenny Kravitz to star at Monte-Carlo Summer Festival

Classical music, with a dash of jazz, is the focus in Saint Paul de Vence, which will be hosting its own music festival between 20th and 28th July in the Place de la Courtine. All concerts begin at 9pm. Click here for the line-up.   

From 28th to 30th July, Nice’s Théâtre de Verdure will be the stage for the Neon Festival, which boasts a roster of 18 internationally known DJs who will be spinning electro discs from Latin house to bass house and Saxo. Each evening has its own theme, so dress the part for added fun.  

Nice’s outdoor venues in the city centre will play host to a range of music festivals this summer, from Neon Festival to Nice Jazz. Photo via Neon Festival, Facebook

The Festival Musique de Menton, from 27th July to 12th August, will host nightly performances by some of the world’s best classical artists. This ‘can’t miss’ 75-year-old event takes place in several locations, details of which can be found here. 

There is also Beaulieu-la-Nuit, formerly known as Les Nuits Guitares. The beautiful Jardin de l’Olivaie in idyllic Beaulieu-sur-Mer will be hosting this spell-binding series of concerts between 2nd and 4th August. Each evening, from 7pm until midnight, festivalgoers will gather to listen to the skillful tunes of guitarists from all genres. This family-friendly event offers food trucks, a bar, pétanque and water sports.  

For more electro, head to Cannes for the annual Plages Electroniques event. Scheduled for 4th to 6th August at the Palais des Festival, this madcap event will celebrate with 15 hours of music each day, a 40,000m2 dancefloor, eight stages and after-parties that go on until 5am. Over 90 artists are participating this year!

One of the biggest of all music festivals on the Côte d’Azur will be kicking off on 20th August: Nice Jazz. This historically important ode to jazz in all its forms will last each night until 24th August in the Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna. Click here to explore the line-up. There will be food, drink and a special kids zone for smaller visitors, as well as a nightly after-party at the Radisson Blu, where the artists will congregate for intimate and improvisational jam sessions.  

Music lovers local to Nice will be in for another treat during the first week of September thanks to Crossover Festival, which will be held between 4th and 8th of the month. This series is exactly what it says on the tin and offers a diverse programme of genres like rock, hip-hop, electro and rap, giving everyone a taste of what they love and then some. Concerts run from 6.30pm until 11.30pm, with plenty of after-parties in the works too. To check out the schedule, click here.  

Read related:

Monte-Carlo Summer Festival unveils its spectacular line-up

 

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: Office de Tourisme Antibes Juan-les-Pins

 

After “grey list” setback, Monaco intensifies anti-money laundering campaign

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/07/2024

Monaco is strategising its removal from the FATF “grey list” and heightened scrutiny by the global watchdog, executing its new action plan to “refine” risk mapping for foreign tax fraud money laundering.

On Wednesday 10th July, the two committees of the National Strategy Coordination and Monitoring Committee for combating money laundering, terrorism financing, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and corruption convened under the chairmanship of Minister of State Didier Guillaume.

The meeting aimed to assess the situation following the inclusion of the Principality of Monaco on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “grey list”, which puts the Principality under enhanced monitoring by the global anti-money laundering watchdog.

Monaco’s Minister of Finance and Economy Pierre-André Chiappori, who led a delegation at the FATF plenary session in Singapore, said, “The grey list is not good news, but the FATF has nonetheless acknowledged the significant progress made by the Principality. Therefore, all involved parties must continue their efforts to ensure Monaco’s removal from this list at the FATF plenary session in June 2026.”

Chiappori also addressed false claims in the media that Monaco has been flagged for involvement in foreign tax fraud money laundering cases. “This is absolutely false,” said the finance minister, who was appointed in March this year. “What is required of us is to refine our risk mapping for foreign tax fraud money laundering by adopting a more precise methodology.” 

The agreed action plan between FATF and Monaco was reviewed, with Chiappori noting, “This action plan is relatively short in both content and duration, which is an encouraging sign. It involves continuing the recruitment plan for the Monaco Financial Security Authority (AMSF), enhancing international cooperation requests, and ensuring the effectiveness and number of sanctions.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of State called for “the establishment of a permanent dialogue between the Government and representatives from all sectors impacted by this monitoring procedure to address any difficulties arising from the Principality’s inclusion on the grey list.”

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. 

See also:

Monaco added to money laundering ‘grey list’

Photo credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department

 

EU imposes a countervailing tariff on electric car batteries from China

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/07/2024
electric car batteries

The European Union has announced that anti-subsidy duties are being placed on electric car batteries from China after an investigation found that the overseas imports are undercutting similar products manufactured on the continent.  

The EU is hoping that the move will help level the playing field for European manufacturers in the wake of an inquiry identifying an unfair financial advantage among Chinese importers due to their cheaper batteries and larger market share. 

The duties are not across-the-board, with different figures being assigned to different companies. For example, there will be a 17.4% tax on batteries produced by BYD, a 19.9% duty on Geely and a whopping 37.6% tariff on batteries from SAIC. Other manufacturers who submitted data to the EU study will face a tax of 20% on average, while those who didn’t cooperate with the study can expect an imposed duty of 37.6%.  

Tesla’s Elon Musk has asked Brussels to charge a tariff rate based on evidence the company submitted. The carmaker’s Model 3 will be affected by the changes, as will a number of other non-Chinese branded cars made in China, such as Volvo’s EX40 and the electric Mini.  

The provisional tariffs came into force on 5th July and will continue for a maximum of four months while the EU votes on a final decision. If the new rules are passed, the tariffs will remain in effect for a duration of five years.  

Talks have begun between EU Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis and Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao in a bid to come to a solution that is both compatible with World Trade Organisation rules and adequately addresses the EU’s concerns over the cheaper Chinese imports. 

The decision to implement these tariffs is said to have escalated tensions with Beijing, and has split opinions among European carmakers, with Germany, Sweden and Hungary being against the move, but Italy and France favouring the changes.  

Chinese authorities have subtly stated that they may retaliate and have reportedly launched probes into the pork market, with the possibility of other industries being targeted soon. The EU, for its part, has not limited its scope to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), but is also looking into similar proposals for the green tech sector.  

The EU is not the only entity putting a bull’s-eye on Chinese goods. The United States has already raised customs taxes on Chinese e-cars to 100%, and Canada is considering the same.  

Read related:

Prince Albert II takes Tesla’s new Cybertruck on first European test drive

 

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 source: Ernest Ojeh, Unsplash