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Day: 27 November 2024

Two unmissable Baroque concerts planned for early December

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/11/2024

Monaco’s Cultural Affairs Department is inviting music lovers to immerse themselves in the rich beauty of Baroque music through a complimentary duo of concerts at two of the Principality’s emblematic religious sites in early December. Here are all the details.

On Tuesday 3rd December, the Ensemble La Sportelle will present Mater Ecclesia, a programme featuring a captivating dialogue between the German music of Johann Sebastian Bach and the Spanish compositions of Alonso Lobo, Tomás Luis de Victoria and Francisco Guerrero. The concert will take place at 8pm at the Église du Sacré-Cœur.

The Ensemble La Sportelle, closely associated with Rocamadour-Musique Sacrée, is named after La Sportelle, a historic medal symbolising the pilgrimage to Rocamadour, a celebrated French pilgrimage site that is home to the sanctuary of the Black Madonna.

Under the artistic direction of Emmeran Rollin and the musical direction of Alix Dumon-Debaecker, this Monaco performance will see the ensemble blend choral pieces with organ interludes to create an emotionally and spiritually resonant experience.

Two days later, on Thursday 5th December, the Ensemble Concerto Soave will perform Venite, Exultemus, showcasing motets for bass and violins by French composers André Campra and Nicolas Bernier, at 8pm at the Chapelle de la Miséricorde.

These works, which demonstrate an exquisite synthesis of French elegance and Italian melodic richness, will be performed by baritone Romain Bockler alongside an ensemble of violinists, theorbo, viola da gamba, organ and harpsichord players. Jean-Marc Aymes will direct.

Founded by María Cristina Kiehr and Aymes, the Ensemble Concerto Soave is renowned for its poetic exploration of the Italian Seicento repertoire, bridging the past and present with expressive mastery.

Both events are free and open to the public, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on these remarkable concerts, visit the Cultural Affairs Department’s website here.

Read related:

Monaco unveils culture.mc, a new one-stop website for events and exhibitions

 

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: Rose Miller, Unsplash

Football: Monaco bolster UEFA Youth League qualifcation hopes with Benfica win

by: Luke Entwistle
27/11/2024
Monaco's academy celebrate Lucas Michal's winner against Benfica at the club's Performance Centre in La Turbie

AS Monaco, desperate for a win to bolster their hopes of qualification for the next phase of the UEFA Youth League, earned against Benfica (1-0) in a game conditioned by an early red card.

With two games remaining, Monaco perhaps need two wins to qualify for the next round of the Youth League. Monaco academy manager Djimi Traoré described the games as “two finals” and, given the importance, the tension was palpable.

Scuro in attendance for Monaco win

Benfica’s Gustavo Varela earned what Traoré described as an “unfortunate” red card in just the 18th minute. That was the match-defining moment with the Portuguese side defending deep thereafter. “It would have been a better match 11-v11,” Traoré told Monaco Life.

In front of the onlooking CEO Thiago Scuro and technical director Carlos Aviña, Monaco predictably dominated possession, without ever truly laying siege on the Benfica goal.

Photo credit: Luke Entwistle / Monaco Life

Mayssam Benama controlled the midfield but in general, there was a lack of incision. Ilane Touré and Bradel Kiwa both missed good headed chances, however, Les Monégasques would take a lead into half-time thanks to Lucas Michal, whose deflected effort beat Arnas Voitinovicius.

“The boys adapted to [playing against 10 men] very quickly,” said Traoré, whose Monaco side adapted to the context, stayed solid, looked to get the second goal, but more importantly, ensured that they didn’t allow Benfica back into the game.

Benfica worked a couple of half-chances as the full-time whistle neared and the light dimmed in La Turbie, but Monaco held on for the three points, earning their first win in the competition since their opener against Barcelona.

Traoré admits to Monaco’s average run in Youth League

“I can’t take anything away from the boys given that, for now, our run in the Youth League has been average, relative to our ambitions with and without the ball. The win will give us a bit more energy and will get us going again. Our objective is to get to the next round,” said Traoré.

To achieve that objective, Monaco will need to take at least a point away to Arsenal at the start of December. “I have a group that is focused on the common objective, which is to represent AS Monaco on as high a level as possible,” said Traoré ahead of that encounter, which will decide their fate in this year’s tightly-contested competition.

 

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: Luke Entwistle

Monaco cemetery set for important upgrades 

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2024

The Monaco government, in collaboration with the Mairie, has announced plans to enhance accessibility to the Monaco cemetery. Scheduled to begin in mid-December, the 18-month project includes the construction of a covered parking area with 30 spaces, aimed at facilitating access for all visitors.

Preliminary groundwork began on 25th November, with the Direction des Travaux Publics overseeing preparations. According to a statement Monday by the government, the project will prioritise preserving a serene and respectful atmosphere for families while maintaining access to burial sites throughout the construction period. Works will pause during funeral services, and acoustic barriers will be installed to mitigate noise in sensitive areas.

Secure entry points for construction vehicles will be established at the current parking entrance and the upper entrance on Avenue Pasteur, where additional safety measures will be implemented. Enhanced mobility features include the installation of two lift platforms to better accommodate visitors with reduced mobility.

Directional signage will guide visitors to alternative parking options, including the lower cemetery entrance near Boulevard Charles III/Cap d’Ail and nearby public car parks, such as Salines and Wurtemberg, equipped with lifts.

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

 

Line 5 tramway development progresses, bringing major changes to Nice’s east side

by: Cassandra Tanti
27/11/2024

The expansion of Nice’s tram network is steadily advancing, with progress underway on Line 5. This new route will connect the eastern neighbourhoods, including Saint-André-de-la-Roche and the Ariane district, to the wider metropolitan area.

The project is part of a broader vision outlined in the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis’ urban transport master plan, which aims to enhance mobility and sustainability by 2040.

A vision for transformation

The new tram Line 5 will stretch 7.6 kilometers, from the future Palais des Arts et de la Culture in Nice (currently Palais des Expositions – Nice Acropolis) to Drap, passing through Saint-André-de-la-Roche and La Trinité. 

As part of the Lignes d’Azur network, the project aims to address environmental, climatic, and economic challenges. By promoting public transport and reducing reliance on cars, the tramway will allow for the requalification of public spaces, the expansion of green areas, and create a quieter, less polluted living environment.

The initiative follows the successful implementation of Line 1 in 2007 and the more recent Lines 2 and 3, completed in 2019. Together, these routes have formed the backbone of the metropolis’ tramway system, and Lines 4 and 5 will further enhance connectivity across the region.

Public consultations, first initiated in 2009 and updated in 2020, have been integral to refining the project. The latest consultation closed on 18th November, gathering input from Ariane residents on the design and impact of the tram line.

Completion of the project is targeted between 2028 and 2030.

See more images of the planned tramway Line 5 in the gallery below…

Images source: Métropole de Nice

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. 

Innovation in the service of disability: Monaco to host inaugural Handipact Day

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/11/2024

The Monaco Government is fulfilling its promise to address the challenges faced by people with reduced mobility living and working in the Principality by launching Handipact Day, an event aimed at championing innovation as a driving force for inclusivity.

On Tuesday 3rd December, Monaco’s Department of Social Affairs and Health, with the support of the government, will host the Principality’s first-ever Handipact Day.

The pioneering event coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Under the theme ‘Innovation in the Service of Disability’, it promises to be a day of discovery, collaboration and inspiration.

According to the United Nations (UN), more than 1.3 billion people worldwide live with “significant” disabilities—an astonishing one in six of the global population. Yet progress in improving the daily lives of this demographic has been slow, an issue the Monaco Government hopes to address on a local level through initiatives like Handipact Day.

Taking place at the Novotel Hotel from 10am to 4pm, the event will showcase cutting-edge technologies and solutions designed to transform the lives of people with disabilities and reduced mobility. Many of these innovations will be unveiled in Monaco for the first time.

A standout feature of Handipact Day will be an expert roundtable discussion, bringing together influential disability ambassadors and pioneers in assistive technology. The goal is to ignite positive conversations about the role of innovation in breaking down barriers and fostering inclusivity.

The event is designed to inspire action, uniting businesses, associations and advocates under one umbrella to generate and implement practical solutions that can enhance and improve the quality of life for those living with disabilities in Monaco and beyond.

Admission is free, and the venue is fully accessible to persons with reduced mobility. For more information about this landmark event, click here.

Read related:

ClicBus: Monaco launches on demand bus service for areas not served by regular routes

 

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: Rollz International, Unsplash

Unity and inclusion at the heart of the Peace and Sport Forum’s 2024 agenda

by: Niki Borisova
27/11/2024

The upcoming Peace and Sport International Forum in Monaco will explore how sport can drive unity, inclusion and peacebuilding efforts at both a local and international level by empowering individuals and promoting community values.

The 2024 Peace and Sport International Forum is set to take place at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, in the presence of numerous sporting personalities from around the world, on 2nd and 3rd December.

The event will focus on the role of sport in promoting peace during a year marked by global conflict and Olympic celebrations. Themed ‘Speak Your Peace’, the forum aims to address how sport can foster unity, empower marginalised groups and build stronger communities.

It will begin with a welcoming cocktail and President’s Dinner, hosted by the founder and president of Peace and Sport, as well as former French Olympian, Joël Bouzou, at the hotel on the evening of 2nd December.

The following day will feature a series of sessions and panels led by prominent figures in the fields of sport and international diplomacy, with discussions focusing on the use of sport as a tool to promote education, inclusion and equality.

Experts and athletes, including Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar, an Olympic gold medallist in high jump and Champion for Peace, Didier Drogba, the Vice President of Peace and Sport and a former professional footballer, and Masomah Ali Zada, a Refugee Olympic Team cyclist and Champion for Peace, will share their insights on sport’s potential to address societal challenges.

Other sporting names set to contribute include Canadian runner Charmaine Crooks, France’s taekwondo Olympic medallist Marlène Nidecker and England’s marathon runner Paula Radcliffe. The Tour de France’s director, Christian Prudhomme, will lead a session on the specific role of cycling.

One of the initiatives to be showcased during the forum is the newly announced four-year partnership between the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the governing body for world cycling, and Peace and Sport. This collaboration aims to promote inclusion and peace through cycling. A pilot project in Rwanda, the host of the 2025 UCI Road World Championships, will train coaches and provide cycling sessions to refugees, fostering unity and offering an accessible mode of transportation.

“This partnership reflects our shared belief in sport’s unique ability to bridge divides,” said Bouzou of the new initiative.

UCI President David Lappartient has described the project as “a significant step forward in ensuring global access to cycling and its values of unity, respect, inclusion, and diversity.”

The schedule also features sessions on investment in sport-for-peace programmes and the role of athletes in mentoring and leadership. Field projects from Togo, where football is being used to teach teamwork and conflict resolution to young people in disadvantaged areas, and India, where cricket programmes are helping young girls build confidence and challenge traditional gender roles, will be highlighted to demonstrate practical applications of these ideas.

Another highlight on the agenda is the Peace Walk, which will start at the Prince’s Palace at 6pm on 3rd December.

The event will conclude with the Peace and Sport Awards Ceremony at the Oceanographic Museum. The awards will recognise individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to peace-building efforts through sport.

Since its inception, the Peace and Sport International Forum has brought together over 5,000 delegates from 115 countries, establishing itself as a key platform for discussions on the role of sport in peacebuilding. This year’s event continues to build on that legacy, exploring how sport can help address global divisions and foster understanding across communities.

For the full programme, click 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 source: Peace and Sport Awards 2023