AS Monaco Basketball and Special Olympics team up to run inclusive sports programme

28/11/2024

AS Monaco Basketball has announced a new partnership with Special Olympics Monaco. The season-long collaboration, which aims to champion inclusivity and raise awareness about athletes with intellectual disabilities, will include engaging monthly events in line with the EuroLeague’s One Team programme.

This season, AS Monaco Basketball’s Mam Jaiteh and Georgios Papagiannis will be actively involved in an inclusive sports programme, interacting with members of Special Olympics Monaco, the local branch of the world’s largest sports movement for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The association provides year-round sports training and athletic competitions for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, with a mission to build physical fitness and courage while creating a fun and engaging environment for everyone involved.

On 26th November, Monaco Life attended one of the programme’s events, which was held at the Salle Gaston Médecin, AS Monaco Basketball’s home court.

The event began with 10 participants from Special Olympics Monaco introducing themselves to star player Jaiteh before engaging in a series of activities designed to build confidence and provide a space for unfiltered self-expression.

Speaking about the partnership, Victor Alvarez, the Roca Team’s Head of Marketing, told Monaco Life, “We chose to work with Special Olympics because the programme focuses on integration and fights exclusion, which aligns with our values at AS Monaco Basketball. The goal is to make a real impact, and having accessible players like Jaiteh spend time with the participants allows them to connect on a deeper level. It gives the participants insight into the life of a professional athlete while offering Jaiteh a unique and meaningful experience.”

Jaiteh, a centre for AS Monaco Basketball, added, “When I first heard about this programme, it resonated with me. I wanted to contribute, not just as an athlete, but by being part of this initiative and sharing my knowledge and experiences. Today’s session focuses on communication, and I think it’s a beautiful exchange of perspectives. I need to experience this journey alongside them.”

Similar events are planned in the coming months, with Papagiannis expected to lead December’s session.

To learn more about Special Olympics Monaco, click here.

Read related:

Meeting européen de natation Princesse Charlène to bring together Europe’s top Special Olympics athletes in Monaco

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Photo by Monaco Life

Fort Antoine Open Stage launches call for 2025 organising committee

by: Niki Borisova

28/11/2024

Whether you have an interest in the arts, life behind the scenes, or event management, this engaging opportunity to join the Fort Antoine Open Stage’s organising committee should be a perfect fit for your passions. Here are all the details, from what the job entails to how to apply.

Monaco’s young creatives are invited to apply to join the organising committee for the 2025 Fort Antoine Open Stage event, a unique cultural initiative that empowers emerging talents and performers.

The Principality’s Directorate of Cultural Affairs is calling on young individuals with links to Monaco to help organise the third edition of the Fort Antoine Open Stage, which is set to take place in July 2025.

Since its inception, this initiative has provided young artists in Monaco with a platform to showcase their talents in the iconic setting of the Fort Antoine.

For the 2025 edition, the focus remains on youth engagement, with a four-member organising committee to be chosen from interested applicants. These committee members will collaborate with the Directorate of Cultural Affairs to manage all aspects of the event’s planning and execution.

The committee’s responsibilities will include communication, artistic curation, technical preparation, logistics and budget management. The selected participants will gain valuable, hands-on experience in event organisation while making a meaningful contribution to Monaco’s cultural calendar.

Applicants must be aged 18 to 30 and meet at least one of the following criteria: be of Monegasque nationality, reside in Monaco, study in the Principality, or have a recognised connection to Monaco. Interested individuals are asked to submit a CV and a statement of motivation via email to fortantoine@gouv.mc no later than 20th December 2024.

Members of the future team must also be available for regular meetings between January and July 2025.

Photo by Monaco Life

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

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.

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.

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…