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Month: January 2025

Will Pelagos retain its status as a Mediterranean marine haven?

by: Cassandra Tanti
26/01/2025

The Sanctuary Pelagos, a unique international marine protected area dedicated to safeguarding Mediterranean marine mammals, is undergoing its periodic review for the renewal of its status as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (ASPIM). The review process, which began on 14th January 2025 in Monaco, will culminate in a decision at the COP24 of the Barcelona Convention in December 2025.

Experts, supported by national focal points from the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of the Barcelona Convention, convened at the headquarters of the Pelagos Agreement to assess progress made since the last evaluation in 2019. Their findings will be presented during the 17th meeting of ASP/DB focal points in May 2025, providing a comprehensive overview of the sanctuary’s achievements and areas requiring attention.

Established in 2001 and jointly managed by Monaco, France, and Italy, the Sanctuary Pelagos spans the Mediterranean’s unique marine ecosystem. It is the sole international transboundary area dedicated to marine mammal protection. The sanctuary hosts eight cetacean species, including dolphins and whales, and offers a habitat for the monk seal. Its extraordinary biodiversity is supported by conservation efforts aimed at mitigating human impact on marine species and habitats.

Recognized as an ASPIM under the United Nations Environment Programme’s Barcelona Convention, the sanctuary has also been designated as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) alongside Spain’s Cetacean Corridor. Such designations highlight its ecological significance and underscore the importance of continued international cooperation to ensure the effective preservation of marine biodiversity.

The renewal of the ASPIM status, conducted every six years, reflects a commitment to enhancing marine conservation efforts across Mediterranean waters. With a decision pending in December, all eyes will be on Egypt, where COP24 will determine the sanctuary’s future status and its ongoing role in protecting marine mammals.

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: Salmen Bejaoui, Unsplash

 

AGORA at NMNM: exploring the future of museums through art and innovation

by: Niki Borisova
26/01/2025

AGORA, La place du musée – LAB #3 has transformed NMNM’s Villa Sauber into a dynamic space where art, innovation, and dialogue collide.

On 24th January, Monaco Life attended the opening of the latest exhibition at the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM), AGORA, La place du musée – LAB #3, which will run until 4th May at Villa Sauber. The exhibition, curated by Benjamin Laugier,  explores the evolving role of museums as spaces for dialogue, education, and innovation, coinciding with the NMNM’s preparations for a major structural transformation.

This third iteration of the LAB programme brings together works acquired by the museum since 2017, heritage collections, and creations from recent artist residencies. 

Photo credit: Niki Borisova, Monaco Life

Residency creations 

Among the standout elements of the exhibition is the work of Portuguese artist Rita Ferreira, who presented her series of nine water paintings, Mal-me-quer. Inspired by natural motives and parasitic plants, the project reflects on layers and intersections to create complex compositions. 

“I was thrilled when collectors acquired the series, as it was a challenging project to bring to life,” Ferreira told with Monaco Life. “The entire process was deeply personal, drawing entirely from my own archive. 

The title, Mal-me-quer—a nod to the flower game “loves me, loves me not”—connects the natural motifs to themes of emotion and introspection.

Photo credit: Niki Borisova, Monaco Life

The exhibition also features the work of Léna Durr, an NMNM artist-in-residence between 2022 and 2023. Durr examined Monaco’s African art collection, donated by Georges Jessula, to create a fictional interior filled with masks, statuettes, and jewellery, set against an archival frieze. Her work questions the provenance of such objects and the dialogue between personal passion and collective memory.

Meanwhile, Éléonore False, the museum’s artist-in-residence for 2023-2024, focused on Gisèle Tissier-Grandpierre’s collection of 1920s dolls. False enlarged photographs of the dolls to create collages and sculptures, accompanied by a musical score composed by her partner Nicolas Mollard.

Photo credit: Niki Borisova, Monaco Life

Creative engagement 

The exhibition is not limited to static displays. The accompanying Écoletopie project, developed by the design studio Smarin, offers visitors an alternative to traditional educational spaces. This ‘mediation salon’ encourages awareness, collaboration, and sustainability through workshops and discussions focused on posture, materials, and the environmental impact of design.

The museum’s Apprentis Collectionneurs programme also takes centre stage, showcasing contemporary works selected by high school students during an art fair visit. This year, students from the Lycée Albert Ier will travel to ARCOmadrid in March, with their final choices joining the NMNM’s growing collection.

Photo credit: Niki Borisova, Monaco Life

A comprehensive programme of workshops, screenings, and performances will run throughout the exhibition. Key elements include the screening of Un Film Dramatique by Éric Baudelaire and a lecture performance by artist Léa Collet on 24th April. The museum’s hemicycle, designed by Olivier Vadrot, will serve as the central space for these events, described as a “space for discussion, exchange, and debate,” as stated by NMNM Director, Björn Dahlström.

For the full programme of workshops and screenings, click here: https://www.nmnm.mc/en/the-museum/education-and-mediation/.

Entry to AGORA, La place du musée – LAB #3 costs €6, with free admission for those under 26, job-seekers, and disabled visitors. The museum also offers free access every Sunday. 

See more in Monaco Life’s video reel below…

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.

Photos by Monaco Life.

Football: Monaco return to winning ways in tense Rennes encounter

by: Luke Entwistle
25/01/2025
Akliouche nets an acrobatic volley for Monaco, against Rennes, at the Stade Louis II

AS Monaco outplayed Rennes for long periods at the Stade Louis II on Saturday night, however, there was suspense right until the death as they held on for a tight 3-2 win.

Mika Biereth and Takumi Minamino both began the game brightly with the former teeing up the latter on two occasions. Unfortunately for the home side, however, the Japan international couldn’t find the finishing touch. That was not such a problem for Maghnes Akliouche.

“The best goal of my young career” – Akliouche

The France youth international netted what he described as “the best goal of [his] young career” with his acrobatic bicycle kick beating Samba. “It was an incredible goal – for sure, it can be the goal of the season in Ligue 1,” added Hütter.

Monaco really ought to have doubled the lead just seconds later but Aleksandr Golovin was denied by the crossbar and a flurry of half chances amounted to nothing. They were punished before the break as Rennes, with their first major chance, levelled the scores, Mohamadou Nagida tapping home from a tight angle after Radoslaw Majecki’s weak parried save.

“It was difficult to to accept the 1-1 at half-time,” admitted Hütter, but it didn’t stay that way for long. Les Monégasques were quick out of the blocks: Biereth almost gave Monaco back the lead but was denied by Samba but then beat him seconds later with a tamer effort. “I prefer simpler goals,” said the former Arsenal man, who is living up to his fox-in-the-box tag, having netted his first for his new club.

Zakaria leaves Stade Louis II in protective boot

Golovin then made the break. It was Denis Zakaria who won the ball back, Akliouche who drove towards the defence and Golovin who applied the finishing touch, tapping into the empty net. However, Zakaria was injured in the incident. The Swiss international left the Stade Louis II with a protective boot on his right ankle “as a precaution” before undergoing an MRI in the coming days. Hütter, however, expressed optimism regarding his captain, even if he is now a major doubt to face Inter Milan on Wednesday.

Without Zakaria, Monaco looked more fragile and after a warning from Amine Gouiri, whocurled just wide. Having got a sighter, he didn’t miss just minutes later, beating Majecki to halve the deficit and set up a nervy finish.

However, it was Monaco who had the better chances with Lucas Michal and Biereth forcing Samba into action once again. And there was a scare at the death as Mohamed Meité rose highest in the box, forcing Majecki into a big save.

Monaco head to the San Siro to face Inter

Monaco, however, held on, securing their first win in Ligue 1 since 7th December and provisionally reclaiming a place on the podium. “We can be satisfied with a second consecutive win,” began Hütter, after Tuesday’s win against Aston Villa in the Champions League, their first of 2025.

He added, “In our situation, with where we are, it was important to fight back. Fighting back in Ligue 1 (after four games without a win) was very necessary. We are guilty that the result is 3-2 and not 4 or 5-1. But it was well deserved for us in the end.”

After a difficult start to 2025, this week has had the feeling of a turning point and Monaco can now head to the San Siro with confidence and with the outside possibility of a top eight finish in the Champions League.

 

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: AS Monaco

Fake legal summonses circulating in Monaco – here’s what to do

by: Cassandra Tanti
25/01/2025

Authorities in Monaco are warning residents about a phishing scam involving fake emails sent in the name of Eric Arella, Head of the Public Security Department. These emails falsely claim to involve recipients in legal cases, including accusations of a serious criminal nature, and request a response. The goal is to trick people into giving away sensitive information.

The emails, often poorly written, appear to be sent randomly and come from different email addresses, allowing them to slip past some spam filters. Recipients are urged not to reply or open any attached files. Instead, they should forward the email to cyber@gouv.mc and then delete it permanently.

Monaco’s judicial authorities have confirmed they never send legal summonses by email. Any official correspondence will only come from an address ending in @gouv.mc. People are advised to double-check the sender’s real email address, as scammers often make slight changes to create fake addresses that look genuine.

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: Stephen Phillips, Unsplash 

 

Help for Ukraine opens ‘Children of War’ photography exhibition in Monaco

by: Elsa Carpenter
25/01/2025

The Monaco-based Help for Ukraine collective has opened an ephemeral exhibition called Children of War on Quai Antoine Ier. The images, which portray the nation’s youth dressed in their smartest attire yet surrounded by crumbling buildings and war-torn classrooms, portray the devastating impact the ongoing conflict with Russia is having on the nation’s youth.

With the support of the Mairie de Monaco and the AIAP UNESCO Committee, the Children of War exhibition is currently being hosted at the International Association of Plastic Arts (AIAP) on Quai Antoine Ier. It was inaugurated in the presence of Nathalie Vaccarezza, a municipal councillor in Monaco, as well as Zhanna Bubka, Kateryna Feday and Svitlana Legka from the Svitlii Foundation, a charity that provides humanitarian aid to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and injured civilians.

The exhibition seeks to shed light on the plight of children and young people in Ukraine, who have lost so much amid the devastation caused by the conflict with Russia. Dressed in ballgowns and smart suits against a backdrop of ruined buildings, the photographs highlight how once joyful milestones in their young lives have been irrecoverably tarnished by the war.

The exhibition will only be on show for a short time; it is open to the public free of charge until 30th January. The AIAP is open daily from 2pm until 7pm.

To see more of the exhibition, click on the images below:

 

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: Mairie de Monaco

Heavy snowfall and unstable snowpack prompt orange avalanche alert for Southern Alps

by: Stephanie Horsman
24/01/2025

Authorities have issued an orange avalanche alert for five mountain ranges in the Southern Alps, warning of a high risk of avalanches due to the unstable snowpack amid a sudden change in conditions. The alert, in effect from 23rd January, applies to the departments of Hautes-Alpes and Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, with the avalanche risk level set at four out of five on the European avalanche danger scale.

In recent days, heavy snow has fallen on the Southern Alps. While this may be a boon for skiers and snowboarders heading to the region’s resorts for winter sports activities, the sudden change in conditions represents a significant risk to public safety.

The recent snowstorms have left the snowpack highly unstable, increasing the likelihood of avalanches. The affected massifs include Champsaur, Pelvoux, Embrunnais Parpaillon, Ubaye and Haut-Verdon. Météo France has warned that avalanches could occur spontaneously on slopes in these areas, with additional risks posed by skiers, snowboarders, or hikers venturing into non-pisted zones.

The Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Prefecture has strongly advised against ski touring and off-piste skiing, citing a Level 4 risk on the European avalanche danger scale. These activities not only endanger participants, but also place rescuers at significant risk should accidents occur, say the authorities.

In a statement shared on social media, the Prefecture underscored the seriousness of the situation, noting, “The Haut-Verdon and Ubaye massifs are under orange avalanche alert. We urge the public to avoid skiing or off-piste hiking for their safety and that of emergency responders.”

The high avalanche risk serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to safety guidelines in mountainous regions during winter. Skiers and hikers are strongly advised to monitor updates from local authorities and Météo France, and to prioritise safety above all else while enjoying the ski season.

Read related:

France: New winter tyre rules come into force for the 2024/25 season

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