Taiss Gold Charity Foundation hosts star-studded gala with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

British singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor headlined Monaco’s glamorous Gala des Etoiles on the weekend, raising funds for children’s welfare with the Taiss Gold Charity Foundation.

On Saturday 28th September, coinciding with the last day of the Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco Life’s Niki Borisova was among the guests at the Gala des Etoiles, organised by the Taiss membership club for the Taiss Gold Charity Foundation at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

Organised by the Taiss membership club in support of the Taiss Gold Charity Foundation, the event took place at the iconic Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Ellis-Bextor, famed for her hit Murder on the Dancefloor, captivated the audience while highlighting the foundation’s mission to promote children’s health and development.

“It’s always an honour to perform at events like this, especially with such a glamorous crowd here in Monaco. Being part of a cause that focuses on giving children the support they need for a better future makes tonight truly special,” said Bextor to the cheering audience.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor headlined the gala and performed her hit song, ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’. Photo by Monaco Life.

The Taiss Gold Charity Foundation provides young people with essential healthcare, education, and support. Its discreet yet impactful work empowers children with the resources needed to build better futures. The gala, which brought together key figures from across Monaco, raised funds for these vital programs that help improve lives.

The next Taiss gala event will be held in Abu Dhabi during the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on the  8th December 2024 at the St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort.

For more information about the Taiss Gold Chartiy Foundation, click here.

Check out Monaco Life’s reel below about the dazzling Gala des Etoiles:

 

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Photo by Monaco Life.

All aboard the Eurostar Snow train to the Alps

eurostar snow

This winter, the Eurostar trainline will launch a new service from London to the French Alps, offering skiers a convenient and traffic-free way to reach some of the world’s best skiing destinations. Tickets start at just £99.

From 21st December 2024 to 1st March 2025, Eurostar will be running its new route from London St Pancras International to the heart of the French Alps.

The outbound Saturday journey will involve a connection at Lille, with stops at various stations including Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers-Salins-Brides-Les-Bains, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. On the return leg, passengers can board a Sunday morning train from the Alps and retrace their steps.

Tickets for this service have been available since 9th July, and prices start at £99 (currently €117.25) for a one-way trip in standard class. The journey from London to the final stop in Bourg-Saint-Maurice takes just under eight hours, while the return trip is approximately nine hours. The last return service will run on 2nd March 2025.

Passengers are advised to arrive early at London St Pancras International for their outbound trip and to be prepared for security checks in Lille.

Each passenger is allowed two pieces of luggage along with their ski equipment. Once onboard, they will have access to free Wi-Fi, plug sockets for charging devices and a café serving food and drinks. Eurostar Plus passengers can also enjoy meals served at their seat during the journey. The train between Lille and the French Alps will offer similar amenities, including Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat.

Travel from the Bourg-Saint-Maurice station to the various ski resorts in the nearby area, such as Val Thorens, Val d’Isère, Courchevel, La Tania, Tignes, Méribel and Les Menuires, is not included in the ticket price and will need to be booked separately.

For more information, click here.

 

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Photo source: Joan Oger, Unsplash

Rokethon 2024: Monaco to host solidarity march against pet abandonment

In a bid to raise awareness about the rising issue of pet abandonment, the Rokethon Association is organising its inaugural solidarity march in Monaco on 5th October. The event aims to promote responsible pet ownership and advocate for adoption over purchasing pets.

Each year, an alarming 300,000 dogs and cats are abandoned or handed over to shelters, with one pet abandoned every two minutes in France alone. The Rokethon event seeks to address this growing crisis and highlight the shortcomings of the National Plan for Animal Welfare, which organisers say fails to adequately support the 270 independent shelters and associations struggling to cope.

A day for animal lovers

Rokethon invites dog lovers of all ages to participate in a solidarity race or walk with their leashed pets from 10am to 12pm. The event is open to all fitness levels and encourages participants to walk or run alongside their four-legged companions. The initiative aims to mobilise the public in support of shelters and organisations working tirelessly to care for abandoned and mistreated animals, including not only dogs and cats but also exotic pets, horses, and farm animals.

Family-friendly activities at the Rokethon Village

Alongside the race, the Rokethon village will offer a range of educational and engaging activities for the whole family. Visitors can interact with veterinarians, animal trainers, and artists showcasing work inspired by animals, with proceeds from art sales going towards animal welfare. An agility course, hosted by the Terres Neuves 06 Association, will provide entertainment for both children and their pets, while a special ‘Brigitte Bardot’ themed parade will feature models walking adoptable dogs in tribute to the renowned animal rights activist.

Throughout the day, a raffle will offer participants the chance to win prizes, with all proceeds supporting Monaco’s SPA and the Paws with Love organisation in Greece, both of which shelter numerous abandoned animals.

Supporting the cause

Registrations for the solidarity walk will take place on the day at Fontvieille Chapiteau, with participants contributing an entry fee based on their means. In return, walkers will receive a small gift for their dog and access to the Rokethon village. Funds raised will be directed towards helping rehabilitate abandoned animals, purchasing land for new shelters, and establishing a dispensary in Monaco for pet owners who cannot afford medical care.

Rokethon also plans to create a pet-friendly space in Monaco where animals can be temporarily housed while their owners run errands or attend appointments.

The event is a celebration of collective action and a call for greater responsibility in pet ownership. The organisers hope it will inspire the public to adopt pets and offer a brighter future to animals in need.

Come and show your support, or perhaps even adopt a new “four-legged sweetheart” on 5th October.

See also: 

Interview: Chris DeRose, from TV star to animal rights crusader

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This article was originally published don 16th September 2024

 

Surreal Legacies: A century of Surrealism explored at Hauser & Wirth Monaco

As we mark the centenary of the Surrealist movement, Hauser & Wirth Monaco is now presenting Surreal Legacies, an exhibition celebrating the enduring influence of Surrealism in modern and contemporary art. 

The show, which runs from 26th September to 21st December 2024, explores the impact of the movement through a diverse selection of works by both pioneering figures and contemporary artists.

Launched in October 1924 with the first manifestos penned by Yvan Goll and André Breton, Surrealism revolutionised the way we perceive the modern self and the visual language of contemporary life. Surreal Legacies brings this transformative legacy to life, highlighting works from iconic artists like Louise Bourgeois, Luchita Hurtado, and Phyllida Barlow, alongside contemporary creators such as Camille Henrot, Hélène Delprat, Allison Katz, and Anj Smith.

Installation view, ‘Surreal Legacies’ at Hauser & Wirth Monaco until 21 December 2024. © the artists / estates. Courtesy the artists / estates and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Philippe Fitte

Central to the exhibition is an exploration of women’s contributions to the movement. Though Surrealism initially emerged as a male-dominated group, the importance of women within and around the movement has gained increasing recognition. Surreal Legacies showcases how these artists, across generations, have continued to shape and evolve the movement’s core ideas of identity, sexuality, and the subconscious.

Hélène Delprat’s subversive and darkly humorous works evoke André Masson’s ‘dissident’ Surrealism, while Louise Bourgeois’s biomorphic sculptures and phantasmagorical imagery reflect the lingering influence of Surrealist techniques on her oeuvre. Luchita Hurtado’s exploration of identity and the natural world also recalls the roots of her engagement with Surrealist circles in Mexico in the 1940s.

Contemporary artists such as Camille Henrot extend these themes, with works like Bittersweet Mimicry (2023) delving into ideas of duality and transformation, central tenets of Surrealist thought. Meanwhile, Anj Smith’s meticulously detailed paintings blend the genres of landscape, portraiture, and still-life, using Surrealist-inspired abject imagery to engage with current environmental concerns.

Surreal Legacies not only highlights the movement’s historical relevance but also illustrates how Surrealist strategies and styles continue to resonate today. By linking Surrealism to feminism and later developments in contemporary art, the exhibition showcases the movement’s lasting vitality and its ability to inspire new generations of artists.

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Main photo: Installation view, ‘Surreal Legacies’ at Hauser & Wirth Monaco until 21 December 2024. © the artists / estates. Courtesy the artists / estates and Hauser & Wirth. Photo: Philippe Fitte

TV Monaco partners with AS Monaco Basket for exclusive EuroLeague coverage

TV Monaco has partnered with AS Monaco Basket to broadcast all EuroLeague games this season, expanding its reach as a global media hub for the Principality.

At a press conference at the TV Monaco Studio on the 30th September, the media announced a new partnership with AS Monaco Basket. As part of the deal, TV Monaco will broadcast all 34 of AS Monaco Basket’s EuroLeague games during the upcoming season, beginning on 3rd October. Pierre Classen, head of sports broadcasts, confirmed that the channel will also feature three documentaries on the Roca Team before the first EuroLeague telecast, alongside exclusive interviews.

Natalie Biancolli, TV Monaco’s Director General, highlighted the fact that sport is a key focus for the channel. “This collaboration will bring significant content to the network,” she told Monaco Life. “We are very proud of this partnership as basketball has gained significant momentum in the Principality.”

TV Monaco: Monaco’s global broadcast hub

Launched on 1st September 2023, TV Monaco is a publicly-funded channel that aims to promote Monaco and the French Riviera internationally. It is part of the TV5Monde network, which reaches 420 million households in 198 countries.

TV Monaco is structured around four key themes: News, Environment, Lifestyle, and Sports. Each theme has its dedicated time slots throughout the week. L’Actu, focusing on current affairs, airs from Monday to Friday at 7:15pm, covering Monaco-related news in the first 20 minutes, followed by in-depth national or international topics with guest interviews. La Mouétéo, the environment-focused show, is broadcast daily, offering a light-hearted look at global weather forecasts.

For lifestyle content, Ça va l’faire! airs every weekday at 8am, featuring insights into life on the Riviera, from wellbeing to local innovations. On weekends, the sports show Ça Matche! airs at 6:15pm, showcasing various sports, including parasports, with a mix of serious coverage and light-hearted segments.

The channel is available in Monaco via Monaco Telecom, in France and Switzerland on Canal Plus, and across the French Riviera through TNT. It can also be accessed online at tvmonaco.com or via the streaming service Molotov.tv. Satellite distribution includes Astra IM 19.2 East and MonacoSat, and TV Monaco will soon be available on Canal Plus Africa.

TV Monaco’s distribution strategy extends to mobile and digital platforms, with 250 million mobile users and 40 million monthly views on TV5MONDEplus. The channel produces content across multiple formats, including TV, social media, and podcasts.

See also: 

Interview: Oleksiy Yefimov, General Manager of AS Monaco Basket

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: Palais Princier

Art, storytelling and musical picnics at the Médiathèque de Monaco this month

This October, the Médiathèque de Monaco will be offering a diverse programme of activities, from the literary to the artistic and the historical, to visitors of all ages. Here are some of the month’s highlights, including the cultural hub’s plans for Halloween.

The first event coming up at the Bibliothèque Louis Notari is a book signing occasion on Monday 7th October at 6pm. It will host a number of authors shortlisted for the Bourse de la Découverte, and the initiative is part of the Médiathèque’s ongoing collaboration with the Prince Pierre Foundation to promote emerging writers. The event is open to the public, with free admission.

On Tuesday 15th October at 6.30pm, Ambre Pietri will invite attendees to an evening of literary exploration, blending elements of storytelling, theatre and music. Pietri, a multi-talented performer, is a graduate of the National Conservatory of Dramatic Art in Paris.

Friday 18th October marks the opening of Céline Marin’s exhibition Il y a des fleurs partout pour qui veut bien les voir or ‘There are flowers everywhere for those who are willing to see them’ in English. Marin draws her inspiration from local archives and used the Médiathèque’s patrimonial collection to create a series of drawings that reflect the nostalgia of the Côte d’Azur as it was between 1860 and 1940. The exhibition will run until mid-December.

Marin will also lead an intergenerational workshop on Saturday 19th October, from 2pm to 4pm. Participants aged 10 and older can create images using materials from the Médiathèque’s patrimonial collection. The workshop is free, but reservations are required.

Later in the month, the Médiathèque will host a Halloween-themed afternoon on Tuesday 29th October, from 2pm to 4.30pm. The event will feature manga, manhwa, webtoons, anime and more. Reservations are required.

On the same evening at 6pm, Majid Boustany, the founder of the Bacon MB Art Foundation, and Cécilia Auber will present a conference on Francis Bacon and his printmaking techniques. The talk will be free and open to the public.

For those interested in a more relaxed atmosphere, the Médiathèque will continue hosting its picnic music sessions every Tuesday at 12.15pm in the José Notari Video and Audio Library.

Full details of the October schedule are available here.

 

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Photo source: Médiathèque de Monaco, Facebook