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Day: 15 August 2024

The Angel of Monaco spreads her wings in Port Hercule 

by: Niki Borisova
15/08/2024

Visitors to Port Hercule in recent days may have noticed a beautiful stainless-steel angel glinting in the sunlight at Le Pattaya near the Yacht Club de Monaco. Here is her story.  

A symbol of grace and elegance encapsulated in a stunning stainless-steel form, British artist Christopher Shellis was inspired to create the Angel of Monaco, a design four years in the making, after visiting the Principality and becoming enamoured by its culture, legacy, prestige and values.  

Now, after touring multiple sites across the Principality, from the Rock to the famous Casino Square, Shellis’ marine-grade stainless-steel creation has been welcomed with open arms by the owner of Le Pattaya on the Quai des États-Unis, who purchased a medium format version from the sculptor and now proudly displays the piece on the establishment’s port-facing terrace. 

A medium-sized format of the Angel of Monaco has been on display at Le Pattaya since 8th August. Photo courtesy of Christopher Shellis

Shellis, an artist and designer for more than 25 years, is still looking for the perfect – and permanent – site for his full-size model, but tells Monaco Life that there are several “prominent” locations in contention, from a location near the Cour d’Honneur du Palais Princier to the Jardins des Boulingrins and indeed in Port Hercule.  

Wherever the Angel finds her ultimate home, it is the artist’s hope that she inspires those who see her. During a recent visit to the Principality, Shellis was able to watch on as passersby paused to stretch their arms out in front of her outspread wings, interacting with the sculpture in a personal and empowering way.  

He shares with Monaco Life that his Angel of Monaco concept has been warmly welcomed by the Grimaldi family, and he recently presented Princess Charlene and Princess Gabriella with miniature pendant forms of the sculpture as a token of his appreciation for the Principality, a place he describes as the “ultimate destination of glamour and ultimate prize of any success”.  

Though the main dream is to find a grand locale for the Angel, a place befitting her magnanimity, Shellis has also created a full line of sculptures and jewellery pieces in a range of sizes, from the tokens gifted to Monaco’s leading ladies to small, medium and full-scale models. The pendants, which are available in Sterling silver, nine-carat gold and 18-carat gold, can be ordered via Shellis’ Angel of Monaco website. The sculptures are produced on commission and have a lead time of around six weeks. For more information, click here.  

 

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All images courtesy of Christopher Shellis

 

Learn to scuba dive at the Stade Nautique Rainier III 

by: Elsa Carpenter
15/08/2024
scuba diving

Keen swimmers aged eight and up are being offered the chance to learn the basics of scuba diving at a number of free sessions held at the Stade Nautique Rainier III in Port Hercule.  

Following a successful first class in July, another two training sessions will be hosted by the Mairie de Monaco at the public pool this summer. 

The next session will take place on Monday 19th August, before the third and final class scheduled for Wednesday 4th September.  

The authentic scuba diving experiences are entirely free and last for up to 10 minutes, with a team of professionals from the Club d’Exploration Sous-Marine de Monaco on hand to help participants get to grips with the equipment and rules of the sport.  

The sessions will both run from 9.30am until 5pm. Prior reservations aren’t required, you simply need to turn up to give it a go!  

For more information, click here. 

Read related:

A guide to Monaco’s four secret swimming spots

 

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: Mairie de Monaco

 

 

 

Mairie de Monaco pledges support for Les Voiles Blanches

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/08/2024

Ahead of the launch of the annual Les Voiles Blanches campaign, spearheaded by Georges-Olivier Kalifa AKA the White Pirate, the Mairie de Monaco has announced that it will once again be joining the charity project by collecting toys and games for sick children cared for by the Lenval Foundation.  

Between 24th August and 9th September, the White Pirate and his sailboat, Skaf, will be sailing into ports along the Riviera to pick up the caches of toys, games and gifts that have been generously donated by the public over the summer.  

These treasured items will be given to the Lenval Foundation at the end of the mission, after which staff members will distribute the presents among the young patients under the care of the foundation.  

Monaco stage

The White Pirate will be heading to Monaco’s port in Fontvieille on 7th September before heading on to Port Hercule the following day. Les Voiles Blanches will be wrapping up on 9th September with a final leg between Monaco and Nice. The yacht is due to depart Monaco at 11am that day.  

To support the mission, the Mairie de Monaco has arranged for two treasure chests to be set up: one in the town hall itself and another in the Marché de la Condamine.  

The chests will allow members of the public who would like to participate in Les Voiles Blanches to drop off gifts in a secure environment. Due to hygiene controls, only new and unopened donations can be accepted.

For more information about Les Voiles Blanches and its support for the Lenval Foundation, click here.

Read related:

Setting sail for joy: White Pirate and Michel Pastor Group unite for Lenval Foundation

 

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: Mairie de Monaco

Monaco forges new diplomatic ties with Bolivia

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/08/2024

Representatives from the Principality of Monaco and the South American country of Bolivia came together at the United Nations headquarters in New York last month to sign a joint agreement formally establishing diplomatic relations between the two nations.  

On Friday 26th July, the Plurinational State of Bolivia became the 160th state to have forged official diplomatic ties with the Principality of Monaco following a meeting between Isabelle Picco, Monaco’s Permanent Representative at the United Nation, and Diego Pary Rodriguez, her Bolivian counterpart. 

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America that has a hugely diverse population of just over 12 million people. Spanish is the common tongue, but the country also recognises 36 other official languages. It boasts the largest proportion of indigenous people on the continent and adopted its official name as the Plurinational State of Bolivia in 2009 in an effort to better recognise the diversity of its population.  

At the signing of the agreement between the Principality and Bolivia, which was hosted by the United Nations headquarters in New York, Picco and Pary Rodriguez spoke about the commonalities between Monaco and Bolivia, notably touching on the “importance of culture and multilingualism in mutually understanding and respecting differences”.  

See more: Monaco celebrates 30 years of inclusion in the United Nations

The meeting took place against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations on the Pact for the Future, a non-binding agreement that UN member countries are expected to adopt at the Summit of the Future in New York next month. 

The pact is intended to help the world better prepare for current and future challenges. It will provide an opportunity for a wide range of stakeholders to make commitments and present initiatives that could help restore trust and revitalize global governance. 

Read related:

Monaco formalises diplomatic relations with The Bahamas

 

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 via gouv.mc

10 things to see and do in Ventimiglia

by: Stephanie Horsman
15/08/2024

Ventimiglia, a charming Italian coastal town found just over the border from France, is well-known locally for its bustling Friday market, but there are lots of other things to see and do in this historic place. Monaco Life’s Stephanie Horsman shares her favourite activities and recommendations.  

From prehistoric caves and botanical gardens to medieval architecture and an ultra-modern marina, Ventimiglia is rich with attractions that make it a perfect destination for a day trip from the Principality. 

No.1 

The shopping, whether that be in the marketplace or out on the streets of the town, is an obvious draw, with excellent bargains to be had on clothes, housewares, leather goods and many other interesting items. Make sure to time your visit for a Friday so you catch the market at its best.  

No.2 

Go back in time with a trip to the Museo Preistorico dei Balzi Rossi e Zona Archeologica. Centred around a series of caves at the foot of a rocky mountainside wall of dolomitic limestone, this site dates back to the Paleolithic Age. Experts believe that the caves have been used as a place of shelter, as well as a burial ground, for around 230,000 years. 

The adjacent museum houses exhibitions featuring the fascinating artefacts collected here over the years. It is open every day except Monday from 8.30 am to 7pm. When the weather permits, the caves can also be visited between 11am and noon, and again from 3pm to 4pm.  

No.3 

Another must-see place is the Giardini Botanici Hanbury, or the Hanbury Botanical Gardens, which are now operated by the University of Genoa, but were founded by Sir Thomas Hanbury after he purchased the property in 1867. 

 

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The estate’s spectacular gardens are an exceptional example of the integration of acclimatising plants, particularly extra-European exotic plants, along slopes and in a rugged Mediterranean landscape. The gardens are often included in lists about Italy’s finest gardens and have been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

No.4

Make sure to find the time to explore the medieval old town of Ventimiglia at length. The Città Vecchia overlooks the newer parts of the town and houses the 10th-century Church of San Michele Arcangelo, as well as a rabbit warren of winding streets that are lined with a jumble of lovely sun-drenched houses.

No.5 

For a blend of history and culture, check out the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which was first built in the 8th century, but has been in its present Gothic/Venetian Renaissance form since the early 1500s. The interior doesn’t disappoint, with high vaulted ceilings and arches made from cool, light-coloured stone. 

No.6 

A quirkier place to explore is the Cactusmania di Manera Bruno, a place that is exactly what it says on the tin. This family-run business sells a huge variety of succulents and provides their plants to innumerable international collectors, professional designers and landscapers, as well as the regular passing customer who wants a nice cactus for their desk. 

No.7 

History buffs will adore the Museo Civico Archeologico Girolamo Rossi. Housed on the ground floor of the Annunziata Fortress, on the former site of the 16th century convent of the Observant Friars Minor, the current building was erected by the Savoy family between 1831 and 1836. 

The Museo Civico Archeologico Girolamo Rossi. Photo via Marventimiglia.it

Today, the museum contains more than 700 finds made by Girolamo Rossi, who discovered the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Albintimilium in the 19th century. The diverse collection of items includes everything from cups and jugs to lamps and ornamental paterae. 

No.8 

Follow a tour of the Museo Civico Archeologico Girolamo Rossi up with a stop at the Area Archeologica di Nervia, where the actual Albintimilium site lies! 

No.9  

For those with more modern tastes, the gleaming new Cala del Forte marina complex will certainly appeal. A satellite port for the Principality of Monaco, this amazing cross-border collaboration is run on the philosophy of “sustainable port management, ecological responsibility, hospitality, service and security.” With a regular shuttle service for yacht owners and their guests between Monaco’s Port Hercule and Cala del Forte, it’s also incredibly convenient to visit. Top-notch restaurants and boutique line the quays… You’d need days and days here to try them all! 

See more: Restaurants in Ventimiglia: a guide to the Italian city’s new dining and leisure scene

No.10 

Finally, no trip to Ventimiglia would be complete without a visit to the beach, and the lovely Spiaggia di Latte fits the bill beautifully. A little less well-known than the Spiaggia Le Calandre, this beach features a deceptively sandy-bottomed seabed with a mix of rocks and sand onshore. The shallow shoreline is great for kids, and the water is pristine. 

Read related:

Exclusive: Mayor Flavio Di Muro discusses Ventimiglia’s renaissance powered by Monaco’s investments

 

 

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: Dan Hadar, Unsplash

Monaco’s Olympic journey ends on a proud note

by: Niki Borisova
15/08/2024
monaco olympic athletes

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games have come to a close. Over the last few weeks, the athletes who represented the Principality on the world stage have proudly embodied the values of sport so often promoted by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene: determination, unity and passion.  

Following the Games’ Closing Ceremony on Sunday 11th August, the six Monegasque athletes have reflected on their individual and team experiences at the 2024 Paris Olympics.  

Since that incredible opening night on Friday 26th July, these young sportsmen and women have experienced sweet success, bitter defeat and endured challenges beyond what would normally be expected of them. 

29-year-old rower Quentin Antognelli, who carried the Monegasque flag at the Closing Ceremony alongside swimmer Lisa Pou, delivered a particularly strong performance at the Games by winning the D final in the single sculls. He finished 19th overall.  

Table tennis player Xiaoxin Yang, who is ranked 10th in the Olympic standings and 15th globally, faced a tough challenge in her opening match and was narrowly defeated by the Czech Republic’s Matelova (2-4). Despite this setback, Yang, who earned a silver medal at the 2023 European Games in Krakow, says she remains optimistic about her future in the sport. 

Read more: Prince Albert II shows up in Paris to support Monaco’s Olympians

Swimmer Lisa Pou, 25, gave her all in the 10km marathon swim in the Seine, finishing 18th in her race. While she may have hoped for a higher placement, Pou’s efforts and determination remain impressive, especially considering her recent 9th-place finish at the World Championships. 

Young swimmer Théo Druenne, 19, also delivered a great performance in the 800m freestyle, clocking in at 8:25:01 and showcasing his potential for future growth. 

Sprinter Marie-Charlotte Gastaud, meanwhile, brought joy to Monaco by setting a new personal best of 12:41 in the 100m, where she finished 6th in her heat. 

See more: Monaco’s Marie-Charlotte Gastaud smashes personal best at the Olympics

Judo competitor Marvin Gadeau (+100 kg) faced a formidable opponent in Cuban Andy Granda, the world’s 5th-ranked judoka and 2022 World Champion. Although he was ultimately eliminated, Gadeau’s performance demonstrated his potential on the international stage. 

Prince Albert II proudly stated, “Of course, we would have liked to see different results, not necessarily talking about medals. We thought we would be ranked a bit higher, but that’s sport.” 

He continued, “The Olympic Games are a competition that goes far beyond sport. It’s very special. You need to be able to adapt to different conditions… But I am very proud of our overall participation. Our athletes honoured the Principality.” 

Read related:

In pictures: Monaco at the Olympics

 

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: Stéphane Maggi / Comité Olympique Monégasque