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Day: 2 September 2024

Didier Guillaume sworn in as new Minister of State, Prince hands over roadmap for Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/09/2024

In a ceremony held at the Palace Monday morning, Didier Guillaume was officially sworn in as the new Minister of State of Monaco by Prince Albert II. 

Appointed by Sovereign Ordinance on 4th July, Didier Guillaume’s role officially began on 2nd September, marking the start of a new chapter in the Principality’s governance.

The ceremony was presided over by Prince Albert II and was attended by key members of Monaco’s ruling and governing bodies, including Princess Charlene, the Princely children, the Secretary of State, as well as members of the Government and the Princely Cabinet.

The Princely Family with members of government during Monday’s swearing in ceremony of the new minister of state

Following the swearing-in, Prince Albert II handed Guillaume a detailed roadmap, outlining the priorities of his administration. Among these priorities are the continuation of Monaco’s energy transition efforts, including a focus on “renaturation” projects to enhance the city’s environmental sustainability.

The roadmap also focusses on the need to rethink urban planning and mobility within the Principality, ensuring that the city can adapt to future needs.

Prince Albert II and Didier Guillaume during the swearing in ceremony on 2nd September 2024

Public security policies will be reviewed and adapted to meet upcoming challenges, reflecting Monaco’s commitment to maintaining its safety and stability.

On the international stage, Guillaume is tasked with reinforcing Monaco’s position on key global issues, ensuring that the Principality continues to play a significant role in international discussions.

Additionally, the new Minister of State will focus on adjusting economic and budgetary policies to address future public finance challenges, a critical aspect of maintaining Monaco’s financial health and prosperity.

Didier Guillaume succeeds Pierre Dartout, who served as minister of state for just under three years.

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 announces new Minister of State: Didier Guillaume to succeed Pierre Dartout

All photos sourced from the Government Communication Department

 

Monaco’s 2024 Salon International du Livre promises an “eclectic and effervescent programme”

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/09/2024

The Salon International du Livre de Monaco is returning to the Grimaldi Forum next month with a vibrant schedule of events that will feature Gilles Kepel, a renowned French political scientist, as its Guest of Honour. 

Now in its 13th year, the Monaco International Book Fair will be back at the Grimaldi Forum between 7th and 8th September with an edition that promises to be bigger and better than ever.  

Each year, the event attracts more than 140 local and internationally renowned authors, who convene to speak about their métier and share the joys of the written word with other book lovers and literary enthusiasts. 

Organised by the Rencontres Littéraires’ Fabian Boisson, the 2024 edition promises an “eclectic and effervescent programme” featuring a series of conferences, talks and exchanges centred around “literary cafés”, described by the organiser as places that invite interactive debates between guest speakers and the public. 

The event is being held under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II, who is dedicated to fostering the growth of the literary arts in the Principality while simultaneously promoting reading to an ever-expanding audience. 

The Salon’s 2024 patron is Jean-Louis Debré, the former French Minister of the Interior, President of the National Assembly and President of the Constitutional Council. He is an author himself, and has sold over 40,000 copies of his latest tome, Je tape la manche. 

The book fair will welcome the writer and professor Gilles Kepel, a renowned French political scientist who specialises in the Middle East and Islam in the West, as its Guest of Honour. Some 20 representatives of the Rencontre des Auteurs Francophones network have also confirmed their attendance. 

The Salon International du Livre de Monaco will run both days from 10am until 6pm. Entry is free. 

For more information, click here. 

Read related:

Countdown begins for first-ever Monaco Comic Con

 

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: Kate Bezzubets, Unsplash 

MonacoUSA association to commemorate WWII liberation with historic reenactment

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/09/2024
monacousa

The MonacoUSA association, in partnership with the Comité de Commémoration d’Epoque, is set to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Principality’s liberation by Allied troops, many of whom were American, with a historical reenactment in the Place du Palais. 

On Tuesday 3rd September, eight decades on from the Liberation of Monaco by Allied forces in 1944, the Principality will come together to celebrate this landmark moment in Monegasque history. 

Alongside the state commemorations, which will be led by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the MonacoUSA association will also be hosting its own events in the Place du Palais.  

Between 10am and 9pm, the association will invite members of the public to experience the sights and sounds of this important date thanks to its faithful reproduction of a field hospital and a parade of period military vehicles.  

There will also be a tombola, a Best Look prize for the finest vintage attire and a networking event at the nearby Castel Roc restaurant, which will begin at 6pm.  

Entry to all of the events is free and open to the public. For more information on the commemorations and other MonacoUSA events, click here. 

Read related:

Prince Albert II to lead commemorations of Monaco’s 1944 Liberation

 

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: MonacoUSA, Facebook

OceanoScientific team concludes key phase in Mediterranean marine biodiversity study

by: Niki Borisova
02/09/2024
OceanoScientific

The OceanoScientific team has wrapped up a critical phase of its Mediterranean expedition, having successfully collected important environmental DNA from 15 sites along the southern French coast. The data gleaned from this stage of the mission will help advance the study of marine biodiversity in the region.  

The OceanoScientific eDNA Mediterranean Expedition 2024 has concluded a significant phase of its environmental monitoring mission in the south of France.  

During the months of July and August, the team travelled extensively across 15 designated Marine Biodiversity Sentinel Sites (MBSS) in the Alpes-Maritimes, Var and Bouches-du-Rhône departments to collect a number of environmental DNA (eDNA) samples. 

This expedition, led by Professor David Mouillot from the Marbec Joint Research Unit at the University of Montpellier, aims to build upon a comprehensive survey initiated in 2023. That effort resulted in the first scientific inventory of marine biodiversity, mainly fish and crustacean species, along the French Mediterranean coast. The data collected this year will enhance last year’s survey findings. 

See more: Prince Albert II attends launch of OceanoScientific’s second Mediterranean expedition

Justine Camus of OceanoScientific coordinated the recent expedition, which is part of the broader BioDivMed Mission led by Pierre Boissery of the Rhône Mediterranean Corsica Water Agency. Operating aboard the Lagoon 570 catamaran ‘Love the Ocean’, the team conducted its work autonomously, only docking for the expedition’s start and end. 

OceanoScientific
An OceanoScientific team members looks on at the Love the Ocean catamaran. Photo credit: OceanoScientific

The field team used the DONIA application, developed by Andromède Océanologie, to locate suitable anchoring spots to avoid damaging Posidonia seagrass beds, a critical habitat for marine life in the region. Sampling was typically conducted at daybreak, taking advantage of calmer seas for more accurate and uncontaminated eDNA collection. 

Collecting marine eDNA is challenging, requiring strict adherence to protocols established by Spygen, a partner in the expedition. The main challenge is avoiding contamination of the small suction strainer used to filter seawater. 

The team, usually consisting of three members, used a pump installed on a Vanguard-Suzuki RIB to ensure that eDNA samples were consistently collected at the same depth. Each sampling session involved filtering 30 litres of seawater, which was then treated with a proprietary preservative developed by Spygen to maintain the integrity of the DNA strands until analysis at the University of Montpellier. 

A final campaign to collect additional eDNA samples is scheduled for September 2024. 

Read related:

Prince Albert II attends launch of OceanoScientific’s second Mediterranean expedition

 

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: OceanoScientific

La Rentrée: where to buy school supplies in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova
02/09/2024
la rentrée monaco alphabet

With the new school year in the Principality starting in just one week’s time, Monaco Life has put together a practical guide to help you find all the supplies your child or children need ahead of their return to the classroom. 

Students in Monaco are preparing to return to school on 9th September, a week after their contemporaries in the rest of the Riviera, but as well as making the most of these last few days of the summer holidays, pupils and their parents or caregivers will also need to get all the necessary school supplies in order.  

To make the task easier, Monaco Life has compiled a list of where to buy this equipment, from backpacks to pens and pencils, with options ranging from large retailers to specialised stationery stores. 

One of the top choices—and likely a favourite among children—is Alphabet – La Grande Papeterie Monégasque, which is located at 25 Rue de Millo in the Condamine neighbourhood. Recognisable by its distinctive pink storefront, Alphabet offers a wide range of school supplies, including eco-friendly options such as recycled paper and refillable pens. The store is committed to environmental responsibility, offering products that are either eco-labelled or made in France. Additionally, it stocks themed supplies like Harry Potter and Pokémon items, along with an array of books and toys. Alphabet is open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 6.30pm. For more information, click here. 

Alphabet in the Condamine district has lots of eco-friendly options for students. Photo credit: Alphabet, Facebook

Fnac Monaco, found on the ground floor of the Métropole Shopping Centre, is another excellent option. Although primarily known for its electronics, Fnac also has a diverse range of schoolbooks, including specialised learning materials, diaries and planners. It’s worth noting, however, that Fnac does not carry stationery items like pens and highlighters. The store is open Monday through Saturday, from 10am to 7.30pm. For more information, click here. 

Fnac can be found on the ground floor of the Métropole Shopping Centre. Photo by Monaco Life

For those seeking a more comprehensive selection, Carrefour Monaco in the Fontvieille Shopping Centre offers a variety of school supplies. As a one-stop shop, Carrefour provides everything from backpacks to stationery, making it a convenient choice for families preparing for the school year. Carrefour is open Monday through Saturday, from 8.30am to 9pm. 

Scripta Manent is a specialised stationery store located at 29 Rue de Portier that is known for its high-quality school supplies. The store features a premium selection of writing instruments, paper products and organisational tools, making it perfect for those looking for more refined options. Scripta is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6.30pm, and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.  

For those who prefer shopping online, websites such as Amazon.fr, Fnac’s online store or Monoprix’s online store offer a wide range of school supplies with delivery options to Monaco. This can be a convenient solution for those who wish to avoid in-store shopping. 

Read related:

Important dates on the 2024/25 school calendar in Monaco and the French Riviera

 

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: Alphabet, Facebook

Kazuki Yamada to conduct the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo’s tribute to Gustav Mahler

by: Stephanie Horsman
02/09/2024

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo has three concerts lined up for the month of September, including a performance by the pianist Jussen brothers, a tribute to Gustav Mahler and a visit by 17-year-old German virtuoso Colin Pütz. 

The 2024/25 season at the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo (OPMC) will kick off this month with three fantastic and unique events. 

It all begins with Arthur and Lucas Jussen on Sunday 15th September. The Dutch brothers have been performing together on the piano since their early childhoods and are among the most celebrated young names in the classical music world. Known for their symbiotic and energetic style, as well as their perfectly synced execution, they will be on stage at the Salle Garnier for a 3pm show, playing pieces by Ravel, Stravinsky, Schubert and Mozart. 

Next up is a concert featuring the music of Gustav Mahler. World-renowned conductor Kazuki Yamada will be holding the baton for a performance of Symphonie No. 3 in D Minor that will be sung by mezzo-soprano Gerhild Romberger and accompanied by the CBSO Chorus Women’s Choir and the Children’s Choir of the Académie Rainier III. The concert will be held at the Grimaldi Forum at 3pm on Sunday 22nd September. 

To round out the month, the Salle Garnier will welcome 17-year-old piano virtuoso Colin Pütz on Sunday 29th September at 3pm. The German teen has been playing the piano since the age of five and was a student at the prestigious Pre-College in Cologne, a school that supports highly gifted musicians aged between 10 and 15. He will present a selection of compositions from Beethoven, Chopin and César Franck. 

Tickets for all of the concerts start at €18. For more information and to book seats, click here. 

Read related:

Dutch pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen to open OPMC 2024/25 season

 

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: OPMC