The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation’s 12th annual charity fundraiser in Monaco has raised an incredible €600,000 for the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and World Wildlife Fund. Prince Albert and Dr. Adil Najam, the president of World Wildlife Fund International, both attended the event and were on hand to accept the generous donation in the form of a cheque signed by the Greek Cypriot entrepreneur.
The Stelios Philanthropic Foundation held its 12th annual event in the Principality on 25th October. The exclusive charity-focused gathering brought together local philanthropists and supporters of the foundation, including Yin Fei Hu of Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie, Gérald Mathieu of Barclays, Alberto Vitale of VITALE 1913, representatives from Charriol Swiss and Linton Estate 1835, and renowned London-based wildlife photographer Nima Sarikhani.
Monaco’s sovereign, Prince Albert, was also among the event’s VIPs, alongside Dr. Adil Najam, the president of World Wildlife Fund International. The two delivered speeches during the course of the event and were photographed accepting a cheque for €600,000.
The funds will be shared between the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the World Wildlife Fund, both of which are spearheading projects to protect threatened seagrass meadows in Greece and across the Mediterranean.
Although these meadows cover only a small fraction of the seabed, they play a vital role in environmental preservation by capturing up to a third of the carbon sequestered annually on the seafloor. They also act as natural barriers against coastal erosion and are home to 20% of the Mediterranean’s species.
Renowned art collector Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian’s latest book offers an intimate look inside the homes of leading contemporary artists, revealing the personal spaces that inspire their creative work. In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life‘s Niki Borisova, she shares her motivations for creating Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake and her broader vision for capturing the intersection between art and living spaces.
Tiqui Atencio Demirdjian, a Venezuelan art collector and author, published her latest book, Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake, on 1st October 2024.
The publication, which took four years to complete and was released by Rizzoli New York, marks the third installment in her ongoing exploration of the art world, following For Art’s Sake: Inside the Homes of Art Dealers (2020) and Could Have, Would Have, Should Have: Inside the World of the Art Collector (2016). This most recent edition is an exploration of the private residences of some of the world’s most influential contemporary artists.
A collector’s journey
Atencio’s connection to the art world began in her childhood, where she was inspired by her uncle and aunt, both avid art enthusiasts.
“Every Sunday, visiting galleries in Venezuela was a big event for us,” she recalls. “This was long before I could afford a single piece of art.”
Despite these early limitations, her passion for art grew steadily, and at the age of 18, she acquired her first artwork—a pivotal moment in her journey as a collector.
“At that time, being part of the art collector community was quite challenging,” Atencio explains. “I was fortunate to have my uncle as a guiding hand who introduced me to that world.”
“Understanding an artist on a deeper level means understanding their soul”
The concept of exploring artists’ homes felt like a natural extension of Atencio’s previous works.
“In my second book, art dealers opened up their homes to me. They are an exceptionally private group—perhaps even more so than art collectors,” she explains. “But having been a part of the art world for so long, there was a level of trust there.”
Building on this trust, Atencio saw an opportunity to continue her series by shifting the focus to the very heart of the art world.
“What better idea than to explore the homes of the artists themselves—the true protagonists of the art world,” she notes.
In Inside the Homes of Artists, Atencio collaborates with photographer Jean-François Jaussaud to present interiors from cities including New York, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and Johannesburg. The book features exclusive insights into the lives and spaces of 20 leading contemporary artists, such as Julie Mehretu, Maurizio Cattelan, Tracey Emin and Miquel Barceló. Atencio’s text is complemented by interviews that reveal how these spaces inspire the artists’ work and serve as extensions of their creative minds.
Tiqui Atencio with a copy of her latest book, Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake. Photo by Monaco Life
“Understanding an artist on a deeper level means understanding their soul, and a home reveals so much about a person,” Atencio tells Monaco Life.
In the realm of contemporary art, Atencio believes it’s crucial to go beyond the surface and connect with the artist’s intentions and messages.
“In the past, when you looked at a painting, it was often an allegory, something you could interpret visually,” she says. “Today, many artists present conceptual works—ideas that aren’t always immediately clear to the eye and often require context or explanation.”
For Atencio, there’s no better way to gain this understanding than by stepping into an artist’s home, where their personal environment provides insight into their creative vision.
One artist, in particular, left a lasting impression on Atencio: Not Vital, a Swiss sculptor and conceptual artist known for his large-scale works and unique approach to art and architecture.
“I loved interviewing Not Vital,” she recalls. “We were doing the interview over Zoom, but I forgot to take off my earplugs while recording, so all I ended up with was an hour of just my voice asking questions.”
Despite this mishap, Atencio viewed it as an opportunity to immerse herself even deeper into Vital’s world.
“I had to rely on my memory to reconstruct the conversation, which really brought me back into his home and his life. It helped me truly understand him,” she says.
What intrigued Atencio even more was Vital’s unique relationship with his living spaces. Not only does he collect art, but he also collects homes.
“He told me that when he can’t sleep, he simply moves from one house to another until he finds rest. I found that so fascinating,” Atencio shares. “It was definitely one of the most amusing stories I encountered.”
Exploring contrasts
The book also brings attention to notable contrasts, such as the minimalist, sunlit atelier of Claire Tabouret and the eclectic collection displayed in the Johannesburg home of William Kentridge. Through carefully curated photographs, Jaussaud captures the dynamic between art and environment, offering an immersive visual experience that mirrors Atencio’s narrative.
One standout design for Atencio was the home of David Rodriguez Caballero, a contemporary sculptor based in Madrid and New York.
“He has a deep appreciation for mid-century furniture, and his space was stark yet minimalist,” Atencio notes. “Every single piece of furniture had a story behind it and was meticulously chosen and researched. That left a strong impression on me.”
Shaping art communities
Since founding the Tate’s Latin American Acquisition Committee in 2003, Atencio has remained deeply engaged in the global art community. She currently serves as a trustee of the Tate Americas Foundation and holds the position of president of the International Director’s Council at the Guggenheim Museum. These roles have significantly shaped her understanding of art.
“As President of the Director’s Council, I have a privileged vantage point,” she explains. “I speak with curators and see what museums are acquiring, but I don’t let these inside insights dictate my choices. I rely on my own criteria, based on my personal taste. If a piece doesn’t resonate with me, I won’t buy it.”
For Atencio, the criteria are simple: “First, I have to like the artist, and second, I have to like the work enough to want to live with it.”
Atencio is also actively involved with the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM).
Reflecting on Monaco’s evolving art scene, she observes, “The art scene in Monaco is becoming much more open. There are more events happening, and more people are joining the museum and showing interest in attending exhibitions and events.”
One notable example is Miquel Barceló, an artist featured in Inside the Homes of Artists, whom Atencio interviewed for the book. His work was on display at Villa Paloma in 2024.
A rich inner world
“Artists have such a sensitive and rich inner world, and that’s why I took on this project and this series,” she shares. “They lead such fascinating lives.”
Reflecting on the journey, she adds, “These four years went by so quickly. I really focused on the process rather than the deadline.”
Having lived in Monaco for over a decade, Atencio finds the Principality to be an ideal home.
“Monaco offered everything we wanted—security, light, the sea and friendship. We feel so privileged to live here,” she says. “I really flourish here.”
As for the future, Atencio hints at another book to come.
“First, I need to rest, then I’ll start rolling out the next project,” she reveals, teasing that it will be a continuation of exploring creativity.
Inside the Homes of Artists: For Art’s Sake is now available for purchase online, with plans for Monaco distribution currently underway. For more information, click here.
The 2024 Sportel Awards Ceremony in Monaco celebrated the achievements of athletes and honoured remarkable contributions to the sporting world, featuring a lineup of award winners across various categories.
Monaco Life was there for the 2024 Sportel Awards Ceremony, held on 28th October at the Grimaldi Forum. The event showcased the achievements of athletes across various sports disciplines and served as a platform to honour contributions to the sporting world.
The ceremony began with a parade of champions on a purple carpet, reminiscent of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games athletics track. Hosted by former decathlete and rugby player Marc Maury, the event brought together a mix of established athletes and emerging talents.
“This ceremony honours images and stories that illustrate the finest values of sport,” said Laurent Puons, Managing Director of Sportel. “Our champions are examples of courage, perseverance, and excellence that the Sportel Awards is proud to celebrate.”
The focus of the evening was the ‘Golden Podiums’, which recognised the year’s best sports sequences. The awards were presented by a jury led by Laura Flessel-Colovic, a French fencer and former Minister of Sports, and by Louis Ducruet, a member of the Monaco princely family and President of the Barbagiuans de Monaco, a sports club known for its football team.
Photo by Niki Borisova, Monaco Life
The jury included prominent figures such as photographer and dancer Mathieu Forget; wheelchair tennis champion Pauline Déroulède; investigative journalist Stéphane Le Goff; Céline Jobert, founder and president of Lafourmi; handball world champion Jackson Richardson, representing FNOSC; and Florent Piétrus, a multi-medalist in basketball and a Peace Champion for Peace and Sport.
Another key moment during the ceremony was Nicolas Fleury, a high-level bike trial athlete, captivating the audience with an acrobatic performance on his bicycle.
2024 winners
The 2024 ‘Golden Podiums’ celebrated various individuals and publications for their contributions to sports. As Marine Picoulet, Head Manager of Sportel Awards, said, “Tonight, we celebrated champions from all backgrounds, whose journeys are a tribute to the spirit of sport.”
In the print section, Dominique Rocheteau received the Autobiography Prize for his book ‘Foot Sentimental’, which reflects his experiences as a prominent figure in French football and a Euro 1984 winner. The Sports Book Prize recognised ‘The Last Heroes: 100 Moments of Olympics Legend’, published by Assouline.
Moving on to the screen, the Best Slow Motion award was given to ‘MotoGP in Slow Motion’, produced by Dorna Sports, with the prize sponsored by the Comité National Olympique et Sportif Français. The Best Biopic award went to ‘Marie-Jo’, directed by Marc Sauvourel and broadcast on Canal+ in France.
Athlete Nicolas Fleury performing during the awards ceremony. Photo by Niki Borisova, Monaco Life
In the documentary genre, The Best Docu-Series, sponsored by Les Barbagiuans de Monaco, was awarded to ‘Handball, une histoire de familles’, created by Clément Brin of Nolita TV. The Peace and Sport Documentary Prize was also awarded to ‘Espoirs’, produced by Sacha Chelli, Nicolas Jambou, and Jean Verdon of Manana Films. Additionally, the Best Thematic Documentary award went to ‘A corps perdus – Aiming For Glory’, created by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai from France TV studio, with the support of France Télévisions.
The Best Advertising award was presented to ‘Arise Athletes of the Fatherland! Olympics 2024’, produced by Eric Rinaldi, Jean-Pierre Gavini, Pierre Dieulafait, and Loren Denis of France Télévisions, supported by AS Monaco Basket-Roca Team. In the Best Report category, the award was presented to ‘What is the impossible? Derek: Blind giant wave surfer’, produced by Gustavo Machado of TV Globo from Brazil.
The last two prizes were presented by Louis Ducruet. Ducruet awarded the Jury Special Prize to ‘Andrea’, directed by Maxime Moulin of Clustr Film and the Lifetime Sport Achievement Award to Nikola Karabatic, a celebrated handball figure and three-time Olympic champion.
The Prince’s Government announced on Monday that it had released another tranche of emergency aid for the people of Lebanon.
The decision follows an initial package provided through the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) earlier in the year. Lebanon, a long-time partner of Monaco, is experiencing severe humanitarian challenges, with increasing health and educational needs, particularly following escalating regional conflicts.
Monaco’s contribution of €100,000 will support vital on-the-ground efforts coordinated by the Lebanese Association of the Knights of Malta (ALCM) and the Amel International Association (AMEL), two organisations with established capacities in delivering health, education, and essential services. The resources will help maintain and expand access to healthcare, protection, and nutrition for Lebanon’s vulnerable populations, including over 350,000 children impacted by the ongoing crisis.
Lebanon’s deteriorating conditions have led to widespread displacement and school closures. The Monegasque Cooperation’s long-standing relationship with ALCM and AMEL enables streamlined assistance through Lebanon’s extensive network of health centres and mobile units, offering essential services to affected communities.
The commitment by Monaco’s government comes in addition to the Monegasque Red Cross’s ongoing public fundraising campaign, initiated by Prince Albert II, which aims to provide additional relief to Lebanon through the generosity of Monaco’s residents and supporters.
Les Enfants de Frankie is commemorating 20 years of Red Nose Day fundraising and celebrations in Monaco with a special Christmas ornament sale starting in early November. Here are all the details.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Journée Monégasque des Nez Rouges—Red Nose Day in English—in Monaco, an initiative brought to the Principality by Les Enfants de Frankie’s British founder, Francien Giraudi.
For two decades, the event has helped Les Enfants de Frankie raise important funds to support ill and vulnerable children in Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes region, initially through the sale of token red noses for comedy effect and later reusable bags and other useful items.
For the 2024 edition, the event is embracing a festive theme with sales of the iconic red noses in the form of Christmas ornaments. The ornaments, priced at €5, can be purchased at various locations across Monaco, including the Carrefour Fontvieille supermarket and neighbourhood post offices.
The ornaments will also be on sale at several specific locations and events on certain days, such as the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace on 21st November, the Fontvieille Shopping Gallery on 27th November and 14th December, the Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo on 11th December, and the Monaco Christmas Market in Port Hercule on 18th December.
The sales will begin in early November and continue through December. The proceeds from these sales will be distributed to charities ensuring the comfort of unwell and disadvantaged children during the holiday season.
To learn more about Les Enfants de Frankie’s Red Nose Day initiative, click here.
Monaco’s Princess Grace Irish Library is set to celebrate its 40th anniversary next month with a series of cultural events, including a theatre event organised by the Monaco-Ireland Arts Society and a musical luncheon.
As the Princess Grace Irish Library prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary on 20th November, the cultural hub has organised several engaging events commemorating its heritage and the enduring connections between the Emerald Isle and the Principality.
On 7th November, the Monaco-Ireland Arts Society, which is celebrating its own 30th anniversary this year, will present a theatre performance at the library from 7pm. This collaboration will feature poetic readings inspired by Irish literature. For more information, click here.
As the library approaches its anniversary, it is preparing to release a commemorative volume celebrating its 40 years of service. This 128-page book, which chronicles the institution’s history since its inauguration by Prince Rainier III in honour of Princess Grace, will be released in a limited edition, with a digital version available for free on the official anniversary date.
Then, a lunchtime celebration supported by the Stelios Philanthropic Foundation and featuring Irish music performed by Dr. Fintan Vallely has been scheduled for 12.30pm on 20th November. For more information, click here.
