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Month: December 2024

40 years of Princess Grace Irish Library honoured in commemorative book

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/12/2024

The Princess Grace Irish Library celebrated its 40th anniversary on 20th November with the launch of a special commemorative book that highlights Princess Grace’s deep connection to Ireland, the land of her forebears, and her enduring influence in the arts. Prince Albert II of Monaco and Princess Caroline, the late Princess’ eldest children, attended the event to pay tribute to the legacy of their actress mother. 

The Princess Grace Irish Library (PGIL) marked the major milestone by unveiling the book on the exact date of the establishment’s 1984 inauguration. Published by the Archives du Palais de Monaco, the book honours Princess Grace’s Irish heritage and her lifelong love of music and literature.

Illustrated with archival photographs, it chronicles key moments, from Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III’s first State visit to Ireland in 1961 through to the modern connections fostered by their son, Prince Albert, and his family.

Central to the book’s narrative is a unique musical collaboration that underscores Princess Grace’s passion for the arts. In a partnership led by Helen Lawlor of the Technological University Dublin and Jade Sapolin, the director of Monaco’s Académie Rainier III, students and musicians from Ireland and Monaco performed an array of pieces from Princess Grace’s song sheet collection. The recordings of these performances are featured in the book via QR codes, offering readers an immersive experience.

Renowned Irish dancer Michael Flatley also contributed to the celebrations by composing a special Princess Grace Set, further enriching the book’s musical offerings.

The commemorative book provides additional insights through a film produced by the Institut Audiovisuel de Monaco. Using archival footage, it captures the PGIL’s grand opening day and includes an interview with writer Anthony Burgess, who reflects on the library’s cultural significance.

A digital version of the book is available on the PGIL website, making its treasures accessible to a global audience. For Francophone readers, a French translation of the book’s historical section will be released in January.

Looking ahead, the PGIL’s 40th anniversary celebrations will continue into 2025 through a cultural programme themed ‘The Reach and Impact of the Irish Diaspora’. The programme will feature Irish writers, including Cónal Creedon, the recipient of The Ireland Funds Monaco Spring 2025 bursary. Among other events, Professor Malgorzata D’Aughton from University College Cork will deliver a lecture on an exceptional silver-gilt Irish chalice dating from the 1480s.

For more on the book and details about upcoming 2025 events, visit the PGIL website by clicking here.

Read related:

Commemorative stamp to celebrate the Princess Grace Irish Library’s 40th anniversary

 

 

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Pictured: The 40th anniversary commemorative book is presented to Princess of Hanover, the president of the Princess Grace Foundation, and Prince Albert II by Peter K. Murphy, Trustee of the Princess Grace Irish Library, and Paula Farquharson, its Director

Photo credit: Axel Bastello / Palais Princier de Monaco

 

Centre Scientifique de Monaco decodes red coral genome in conservation breakthrough

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/12/2024

The genome of the Mediterranean red coral, Corallium rubrum, a species long revered for its historical and ecological significance while being highly prized for its beauty, has been successfully sequenced by researchers at the Centre Scientifique de Monaco (CSM).

Precious to people as far back as the Neolithic Era, Mediterranean red coral, or Corallium rubrum, is an endangered species.

Now, however, thanks to developments made by the CSM, where its genome has been sequenced, there is hope for finding ways to preserve this marine treasure.

Known as the first coral species to lend its name to all others, “Precious Coral” has been used symbolically in jewellery-making and traditional medicine for millennia. Beyond its human value, C. rubrum plays a foundational role in the Mediterranean’s coralligenous ecosystem, a complex underwater habitat found in the Mediterranean that is rich in biodiversity and productivity. Overfishing and the impacts of climate change have dramatically reduced red coral populations, prompting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to classify it as an endangered species.

To support conservation efforts, a team from the CSM-Chanel Precious Coral Biology Research Unit collected a colony of red coral near Banyuls-sur-Mer. The team of scientists and researchers then sequenced its genome with support from Chanel and the Paul Hamel Foundation. The project involved collaboration with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory’s Genecore team in Germany and the Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division at the Red Sea Research Centre in Saudi Arabia.

Decoding the genetic blueprint of red coral is a crucial step toward understanding its unique biological traits, including the formation of its vibrant skeleton and its genetic diversity. This information provides insights into the species’ ecological and evolutionary history, aiding the development of effective conservation strategies to safeguard this marine organism against further environmental threats.

This effort complements other pioneering initiatives led by the CSM, including a groundbreaking project that successfully facilitated the birth of 250 juvenile red corals in Monaco’s waters.

These achievements mark significant progress in preserving C. rubrum, as it faces ongoing challenges from global warming and over-exploitation.

Read related:

A wave of hope as 250 baby red corals are born in Monaco’s waters

 

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: CSM

Basketball: Roca Team struggle against a stronger Real Madrid

by: Elsa Carpenter
20/12/2024

AS Monaco Basketball suffered a disappointing defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in the final game of the 2024/25 EuroLeague’s first leg. The away game, which ended 94-72, saw the Monaco side come unstuck against the more coordinated and cohesive Spanish team, who topped the league rankings in the 2023/24 season.

Despite a strong start, the Roca Team struggled to keep pace with Madrid’s depth and intensity, leaving Coach Vassilis Spanoulis with plenty to reflect on ahead of their return to domestic competition on Saturday 21st December.

“It’s clear that Real Madrid was better than us tonight and deserved the win,” admitted Spanoulis after the game. “We started too relaxed, and at this level, that’s unacceptable. With that mindset, it’s impossible to expect a positive outcome.”

The game at the WiZink Center in Madrid was always going to be a significant challenge for Monaco. The team came into the matchup missing key players, including Elie Okobo, sidelined due to illness, and Alpha Diallo, who is still recovering from injury. Nick Calathes was also unavailable, though he is expected to return next week.

Despite these absences, Monaco started with energy, with Terry Tarpey showcasing his defensive prowess and Mike James leading the offense.

The two teams were neck-and-neck early on, but Madrid’s physicality and depth soon took over, with Campazzo and Hezonja spearheading a charge that saw the home side pull ahead 29-22 by the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter proved to be Monaco’s undoing. Their offensive efforts stalled, and Madrid’s 10-0 run widened the gap significantly. Monaco entered halftime trailing 53-35.

“Offensively, we couldn’t find the right solutions, and it hurt us,” said Spanoulis. “Without Elie [Okobo], the game was too centered around Mike James, and that made us predictable.”

The second half saw little improvement, and Real Madrid extended their lead to 30 points by the end of the third quarter. Although Monaco outscored Madrid in the final period (25-17), the damage was already done.

James, who finished as Monaco’s top scorer with 19 points, acknowledged the team’s difficulties but remained optimistic: “It was a tough game for us. We’re missing key pieces, and we need to do better collectively. This doesn’t change our goals for the season.”

“This defeat doesn’t change who we are or what we’re building,” echoed Spanoulis. “We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”

Monaco will next face CSP Limoges on Saturday 21st December, before resuming their EuroLeague campaign at home against Anadolu Efes Istanbul on Boxing Day.

Read related:

Major victory against Bayern Munich puts AS Monaco Basketball atop EuroLeague standings

 

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: AS Monaco Basketball

Monaco ramps up road safety campaign ahead of festive season

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/12/2024

“When I party, if I drink, I don’t drive” is the poignant message behind Monaco’s latest awareness campaign, launched by the government to curb drink driving and road accidents during the holidays. The campaign comes in the wake of two serious car accidents that injured five people last weekend.

In a press conference held on Monday 16th December, the government and Monaco’s police force announced their intensified efforts to combat drink driving and speeding over the festive season. The renewed focus on road safety follows two major incidents last weekend that highlighted the dangers on the Principality’s roads.

See also: “Enough is enough”: Monaco Government unveils tough measures after serious car crashes

By 18th December, the government had enlisted the support of Monaco’s taxi operators to bolster safe transport options during the holiday period. Lionel Beffre, Minister of the Interior, met with representatives of the Association of Independent Taxi Operators of Monaco (AETIM) to discuss ways to increase the availability of taxis at night. The goal is to offer festive revellers convenient, safe alternatives to driving, especially during peak celebration times.

Furthering its collaborative approach, the government has engaged with managers of Monaco’s night establishments to relay the campaign message to patrons: “When I party, if I drink, I don’t drive.” The establishments have pledged to support the initiative by amplifying the awareness campaign, encouraging their clients to choose safe modes of transport after a night out.

These immediate measures will be reinforced by increased police presence during the holidays and strengthened legislation in January. Among the proposed changes are expanded police rights to conduct random breathalyser tests and heftier penalties for offenders, which are currently as low as €37.50.

See also: 

“Enough is enough”: Monaco Government unveils tough measures after serious car crashes

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.

Image taken from the government’s road safety awareness campaign.

Princess Stéphanie makes festive visit to CHPG’s Rainier III Centre

by: Niki Borisova
19/12/2024

Princess Stéphanie, the younger sister of Prince Albert II of Monaco, brought holiday cheer to the elderly patients at the Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace’s (CHPG) Rainier III Centre earlier this week before meeting up with the Hospital Assistance section and volunteers from the Monaco Red Cross, joining them on their rounds to hand out gifts to patients. 

On Wednesday 17th December, Princess Stéphanie visited the hospital’s dedicated geriatric care unit, the Rainier III Centre, as part of a Christmastime initiative led by the Monaco Red Cross. During her time at the facility, which provides care and support to elderly residents of the Principality, the Princess handed out gifts to in-patients and attended a special concert performed by students from the Académie Rainier III.

Accompanied by Professor Bruno Taillan, Head of Internal Medicine, Hematology, and Oncology at the CHPG, Princess Stéphanie then visited the Hospital Assistance section to distribute boxes of chocolates to other in-patients receiving treatment at the hospital.

Before concluding her visit, the Princess took time to meet with Monaco Red Cross volunteers, expressing her gratitude for their dedication and hard work.

 

Read related:

Research, care and hope: how Monaco is addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis

 

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: Frédéric Nebinger / Palais Princier de Monaco

Graeme Peterson and Océane Schroeder win big at YCM’s UBS Trophy

by: Cassandra Tanti
19/12/2024

The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) has marked the end of the year with its Winter Cocktail, where the prestigious UBS Trophy was awarded. Under the presidency of Prince Albert II, the event celebrated sporting achievements and the Club’s growing role in sustainability and innovation.

Graeme Peterson was named YCM Sailor of the Year 2024, earning the UBS Trophy for his outstanding performance as World ClubSwan50 Vice-Champion. Peterson called the award “an honour and source of pride” for his team and family. Among younger sailors, Océane Schroeder claimed recognition for her victory in the girls’ category at the International Spring Cup in La Rochelle. The promising sailor expressed her ambition to excel in mixed categories moving forward.

A year of exceptional performances

The ceremony on 18th December reflected on 2024’s standout moments, including YCM members reaching the America’s Cup finals for the first time. Ineos Britannia, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, won the Louis Vuitton Cup, while Emirates Team New Zealand, with Matteo de Nora at the helm, defended their title for a third consecutive year. Offshore racing also saw success, with Tomaso Polli claiming the Offshore World Champion title.

Adventurer Boris Herrmann, currently competing in the Vendée Globe aboard Malizia-Seaexplorer, sent a video update from the Southern Ocean, where he battles intense conditions. The clip ended with a spirited Daghe Munegu! (Go Monaco!), drawing applause from the audience.

Innovation and sustainability initiatives

YCM’s commitment to sustainability was a key theme of the evening. The Club highlighted projects like the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, which focuses on AI in marine technology, and the SEA Index, a tool measuring the carbon footprint of yachts. Already adopted in 15 harbours across the Mediterranean and Seychelles, the index now includes metrics for fuel cells and noise pollution.

Looking ahead to 2025

As YCM’s flagship vessel Tuiga approaches its 30th anniversary, the Club announced plans to compete in the Admiral’s Cup, returning after a 22-year hiatus. Vice-President Pierre Casiraghi and Peter Harrison will lead the charge, with Prince Albert II calling the venture “an inspiring challenge.”

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 from left to right: Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio, Prince Charles de Bourbon-Siciles, Océane Schroeder, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Graeme Peterson; Alejandro Velez (Country Head for UBS Monaco, Spain and Italy), Benoît de Froidmont, Vladimir Prosikhin, and Kostia Belkin. Courtesy YCM