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Day: 9 October 2024

Dr. Darragh Gannon to discuss the Irish Revolution’s global significance at the Princess Grace Irish Library

by: Niki Borisova
09/10/2024

Dr. Darragh Gannon’s upcoming lecture at the Princess Grace Irish Library will explore the global significance of the Irish Revolution through the writings and literary collection of Count Gerald O’Kelly.

The Princess Grace Irish Library will host a lecture at 7pm on 16th October that will be led by Dr. Darragh Gannon, the current Academic-in-Residence and Associate Director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University, Washington DC.

The event, entitled ‘The Republic of Letters, 1919-1923: Count Gerald O’Kelly and the Irish Revolutionary World’, will see Dr. Gannon delve into Count Gerald O’Kelly de Gallagh’s literary collection, originally acquired by Princess Grace and now housed at the library that bears her name, as he explores the international significance of the Irish Revolution and links Irish nationalist writings of the era to the post-war Paris Peace Conference and broader global nationalist movements, such as those in Egypt and Italy.

Dr. Gannon was recently awarded the Autumn 2024 bursary from The Ireland Funds Monaco, and he is in the midst of a three-week stay in the Principality, a time that will allow the academic to conduct research at the Princess Grace Irish Library.

See more: Princess Grace Irish Library to celebrate 40 years of service in the name of culture and heritage

This event is part of a series marking the library’s 40th anniversary and is supported by The Ireland Funds Monaco. Tickets are available 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 by Monaco Life

Formula E expands charitable reach with €25,000 grants in every Season 11 race market

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/10/2024

Formula E has announced the opening of applications for its Season 11 Better Futures Fund, an initiative designed to leave a lasting impact on the cities that host its electric racing events.

Building on the programme’s successful launch during Season 10, the fund will increase its total from €100,000 to €275,000, with every race market benefitting from a €25,000 charitable donation.

The Better Futures Fund forms a core part of Formula E’s broader social impact strategy, Formula Equity, which aims to address social inequalities and enhance community resilience. The fund will support environmental protection, social equality, and community engagement in race cities, with a focus on underserved communities. In Season 10, the fund positively impacted over 13,500 people in cities including Berlin, Shanghai, and London.

For the upcoming season, the fund will collaborate with local charities, offering both financial support and volunteer engagement, while also raising awareness of critical causes. The expansion of this initiative aims to foster long-term change, aligning with Formula E’s sustainability and diversity commitments.

Applications are now open for charitable organisations in race cities, with Monaco’s deadline set at  Monday 4th November.

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:

Interview: CEO Rodi Basso on what to expect from E1 World Championship in Monaco

 

Photo by Monaco Life

10 days of Oktoberfest celebrations at the Café de Paris

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/10/2024

The official event in Munich may be over for another year, but celebrations of this iconic Bavarian festival are only just getting started in Monaco.

The Marché de la Condamine will be hosting its own Oktoberfest between 10th and 12th October before the Café de Paris in Casino Square takes over for 10 full nights of unmissable beer and Bavaria-themed fun from 18th to 27th October.

In 1810, the city of Munich celebrated the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria, later crowned King Ludwig I, and Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen with a grand two-week festival. The event was such a hit with the locals that the city decided to make it an annual tradition, giving birth to what we now know as Oktoberfest—the world-famous celebration of Bavarian culture, beer and good times.

Monaco has embraced its own versions of this special event over the years, and the Café de Paris celebrations are much-loved by residents and tourists alike. Even the Princely family has been known to join in with the party.

This year, from 18th to 27th October, the ground-floor terrace of the legendary Café de Paris will be transformed into a Bavarian-style hall, featuring long communal tables for maximum sociability and a dance floor for guests to enjoy the music of the Hansi Schitter Band. Authentic German culinary specialities and beer will be served to complete the festivities.

The fun begins at 7.30pm each night. For more information or to book tickets, click here.

Read related:

Three nights of Oktoberfest at the Marché de la Condamine

 

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: Monte-Carlo SBM

SBM launching elite Monte-Carlo Cigar Club with Dominique London

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/10/2024

Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and Dominique London are to co-launch an exciting new members-only venture, the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club, at the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo next spring. Here are all the details that have been revealed about the ultra-exclusive project so far. 

A new private club is coming to the Principality next spring: the Monte-Carlo Cigar Club.

The project is a joint venture between Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) and Belgian businesswoman Dominique Gyselinck, the brains behind 26 successful cigar and fine spirits boutiques around Europe, including Plumes & Cigares and Casa del Habano, under her Dominique London umbrella.

Now, the serial entrepreneur is extending her reach into Monaco with the launch of this members-only venture that will be located on the first floor of the Casino de Monte-Carlo. The high-end club will feature 200m² of indoor and outdoor space, a smoking room, a walk-in humidor, a bar and a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The interior design work is being done by Parisian firm Moinard-Bétaille, which is working in conjunction with Italian firm DeArt to craft the bespoke humidor.

“It’s a new concept that has never been done outside the United Kingdom,” says Gyselinck, whose passion for cigars began back in 2001 when she stumbled upon a small shop in Brussels selling cigars and expensive pens. After learning more about the ins and outs of smoking cigars, she and her husband, Frédéric, opened Plumes & Cigares, which sells accessories and luxury items alongside fine cigars.

Though still very hush-hush, it has been reported that members for the new club are already being recruited. No indication of who they are or how much the annual fees will be has been disclosed. All we really know is that it will be “an ultra-exclusive club, the most exclusive in the world”. According to Gyselinck, members are likely to be “artists, sportsmen, crowned heads [and] businessmen”.

Once the club is up and running, new members will have to go through a rigorous application process and be sponsored by two current members.

Read related:

SBM details strong financial results alongside major renovation and expansion projects

 

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: Monte-Carlo SBM

Donald Trump says Gaza “could be better than Monaco” in bizarre comparison

by: Stephanie Horsman
09/10/2024

In comments made during a radio interview earlier this week, former US President Donald Trump, who is seeking a second term in office, said that Gaza had the potential to be “better than Monaco”, but that the region’s leaders “never took advantage” of its geographical location. 

Speaking to conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt on Monday, the US presidential candidate suggested that the war-torn Palestinian territory “could be better than Monaco” if given the opportunity.  

Trump, who is pursuing a second term as US President, went on to assert that the region’s leaders “never took advantage” of Gaza’s geographical location in the Eastern Mediterranean. 

“As a developer, it could be the most beautiful place: the weather, the water, the whole thing, the climate,” he said. “It could be better than Monaco. It has the best location in the Middle East, the best water, the best everything… I’ve said it for years.” 

See more: Monaco Red Cross launches appeal for aid to Lebanon amid Middle East crisis

The Republican candidate, who is known for his outlandish, headline-grabbing statements, also claimed that he had been to Gaza, despite no evidence that he was ever there, describing it as “a rough place”. 

Following the interview, the New York Times obtained a quote from a Trump campaign official who attempted to backtrack on the claim by saying, “Gaza is in Israel. President Trump has been to Israel.” 

Gaza is not part of Israel, though the country’s current government has made several calls for its annexation.

Trump’s radio remarks echo those of his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, who said back in February that Gaza’s “waterfront property could be very valuable”. 

To date, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the offensive between Israel and Hamas broke out in October 2023. At least three-quarters of its 2.3 million-strong population has been displaced. The UN and World Bank estimated the cost of rebuilding Gaza’s critical infrastructure at $18.5 billion in a statement last April.  

 

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: Dujuan Bell, Facebook

Government vows progress on housing and Fontvieille amid National Council budget standoff

by: Cassandra Tanti
09/10/2024

Monaco’s Minister of State Didier Guillaume has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to housing and the Fontvieille redevelopment project despite tensions with the National Council, urging unity as discussions over the 2024 Amending Budget continue.

In a public session held on 8th October, Didier Guillaume, Monaco’s newly appointed Minister of State, addressed the concerns raised by the National Council in its recent rejection of the 2024 Amending Budget. The housing of Monegasque citizens and the redevelopment of the Fontvieille shopping centre remain at the core of the disagreement between the government and the National Council, yet Guillaume assured that these critical projects would continue, stressing that success will come “together, not against each other”.

Guillaume’s response came after months of mounting tensions, with elected officials led by Thomas Brezzo voicing frustration over what they described as unfulfilled promises, particularly in relation to Monaco’s National Housing Plan. The rejection of the budget draft in June highlighted these divisions, with Brezzo calling for a “complete overhaul” of the housing strategy and stronger commitments from the government regarding Fontvieille’s redevelopment.

See: Why is the National Council rejecting the government’s 2024 budget? 

“The government is concerned about all those who make Monaco,” Guillaume said, adding that the administration is dedicated to the collective success of the Principality. He addressed the criticisms of the housing plan, pointing out that over 600 apartments have been delivered in the past six years and that the government continues to navigate complex legal and land-use challenges. Guillaume reaffirmed that projects like Villa La Luciole, with 25 new apartments set to be delivered in 2027-28, are concrete steps forward in solving Monaco’s housing issues.

Regarding the Fontvieille shopping centre, which elected officials had branded a “fiasco” due to escalating costs and delays, Guillaume acknowledged the need for cautious planning. He said that the government’s approach is both “precautionary and precise”, ensuring that all aspects of the project, including cost, timing, and community impact, are thoroughly assessed. The Minister assured that no one—neither residents nor merchants—would be left behind during the redevelopment process.

Despite the budget impasse, Guillaume remained optimistic, calling for constructive dialogue between the government and the National Council. “We will succeed together,” he reiterated. The second draft of the 2024 Amending Budget is set for discussion later this month, offering a new opportunity for both sides to reconcile their differences.

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:

Call for tenders launched for La Luciole real estate development project

Photo: Minister of State Didier Guilllaume and National Council President Thomas Brezzo. Credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department