Day: 13 February 2025

With just under a month to go, anticipation is building for PowHer Day in Monaco, an event set to take place on 8th March in celebration of International Women’s Day. Organised by the Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights in collaboration with its partners, this year’s event will focus on the representation of women in media, spanning genres such as cinema, advertising, video games, the arts and more.

International Women’s Day, a global event celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women, will be held in nations around the world on 8th March. To mark the occasion in the Principality, the Monaco Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights is set to host a day that is all about women and their role and influence in the arts and media.

PowHer Day will be held at Espace Léo Ferré from 10am to 8pm on 8th March, and will feature a range of engaging activities for attendees of all ages. Visitors can explore exhibitions, take part in a gaming area, enjoy a cosplay workshop, try an Escape Game and watch performances tailored for the whole family.

“This day aims to be both fun and educational,” says Céline Cottalorda, Monaco’s Interministerial Delegate for Women’s Rights. “We want to show how the image of women has evolved over time and how society is progressing towards greater equality. There is also the desire to convey important messages while having fun.”

Renowned actress and director Audrey Dana will be the patron of this year’s event and will kick off the day by taking part in a roundtable discussion on the representation of women in the arts and media. Joining her will be notable figures such as streamer and E-sport champion Kayane, former cosplayer turned fashion designer Harmony Larcher and artist Toby Wright, who is an ambassador for women’s rights.

The Committee is also supported by other local representatives and ambassadors, including Blitz manga creator Cédric Biscay, who designed the event’s poster.

“I wanted a striking visual that could attract a wide audience. Using pop culture codes to attract young people and convey the strong values upheld by the Committee was a natural choice,” says Biscay, who will contribute to other areas of the event, including a roundtable discussion and the gaming and cosplay sections.

Meanwhile, Hassan de Monaco has curated a comedy show that will close the event, and will featuring three emerging talents: Amandine Lourdel, Basile, and Myriam Barouk. Adding a creative touch to the experience, artist Anthony Alberti, also known as Mr One Teas, has designed a creative photo booth, ensuring visitors leave with a unique and memorable souvenir.

With an exciting lineup of activities and discussions, PowHer Day promises to be a meaningful and entertaining experience. Admission to the event is free, and the full programme can be found here.

For more information about the Monaco Committee for the Promotion and Protection of Women’s Rights, visit their website: www.dfm.mc.

Read related:

Save the date: 2025 Women of Monaco Lunch and Awards to celebrate empowerment and achievements

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Photo source: Comité Droits des Femmes Monaco

Foreigners wishing to live in France will soon have to meet stricter language requirements before being granted residency permits, raising concerns about whether the new rules are too demanding.

In 2024, 336,710 foreigners received their first residence permit in France, signing a republican integration contract that required them to commit to learning French—without needing to pass an exam. However, this is set to change with Law No. 2024-42, adopted in January 2024, which is expected to take effect in January 2026. Under the new regulations, foreign nationals applying for a resident card will need to prove a higher level of proficiency in French. The government argues that these changes are necessary for proper integration.

Stricter language requirements

The new rules introduce varying levels of language proficiency depending on the type of permit being sought. Those applying for a residence card valid for two to four years must demonstrate an A2 level of proficiency under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This level includes understanding simple sentences and engaging in basic conversations on everyday topics. The threshold increases to B1 for a 10-year carte de séjour, a standard that requires comprehension of clear, standard speech and the ability to write about familiar subjects. Applicants for French nationality will need to meet an even higher requirement, with the level rising from B1 to B2, which involves understanding complex texts and engaging in more detailed discussions.

Concerns over the difficulty of the tests

A recent investigation by France 2’s L’Œil du 20h, aired on 11th February, has raised concerns that the new language tests may be too difficult for many foreigners. L’Œil du 20h conducted an experiment in which 10 native French speakers, including a literature student with a Master’s degree, took the B1-level exam under real conditions. Over 90 minutes, they answered questions based on audio recordings. Shockingly, five of the 10 participants failed the written portion, while two did not score high enough to qualify for their own nationality.

Félix Guyon, General Delegate of the THOT school for refugees and asylum seekers, has warned that the level required is far too high for most foreigners seeking naturalisation or a long-stay permit in France. Many organisations assisting immigrants argue that even well-integrated non-native speakers will face significant challenges in passing.

Fears over accessibility and fairness

One major issue is the reduction in available language training. An anonymous official from the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) revealed to the programme that in-person courses are now only offered to a small minority, with most applicants expected to learn via an online platform. Those who fail to meet the required level within three years could face deportation.

Nearly 20,000 immigrants may struggle to renew their residence permits, while around 40,000 could be denied a resident card altogether due to the language requirement. Experts predict that between 15,000 and 20,000 multi-year residence permits could be refused annually for those who signed an integration contract but failed to meet the new standards.

With these stricter language requirements set to take effect in 2026, advocacy groups and legal experts are calling for a review of the policy to ensure that it does not disproportionately exclude long-term residents who contribute to French society but struggle with the language component.

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: RDNE Stock Project on Pexels

The Bal de la Rose, one of Monaco’s most high-profile social events and an occasion founded by Princess Grace in the 1950s, is returning in March with a Sunset Ball theme under Christian Louboutin, who will be picking up the mantle of the gala’s artistic director for the fourth consecutive time.

After a stunning Disco theme in 2024, a vibrant Bollywood affair in 2023 and a 1920s extravaganza in 2022 – all under the esteemed fashion icon – Monaco’s next Bal de la Rose is set to take on a more abstract motif in 2025. Louboutin has chosen a Sunset theme for the upcoming edition in spring, which will be held at the Salle des Étoiles in Sporting Monte-Carlo on Saturday 29th March.

Not many details have been revealed about the prestigious gala, but a source at Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM), the event’s organiser, has confirmed to Monaco Life that the journalist and presenter Stéphane Bern, a close friend of the Princely Family, will once again constitute a key part of the proceedings as the evening’s host.

The Sunset theme gives the VIP guests more fashion freedom than previous editions of the ball, but the dress code, as always, will be strictly black-tie, with suits required for men and evening dresses for women.

The Bal de la Rose was established in 1954 by Princess Grace of Monaco, and it continues to serve as a major fundraising event for the Princess Grace Foundation, which supports numerous humanitarian and philanthropic initiatives in the Principality and around the world. Since 1964, proceeds from the evening, including those raised through the raffle and auction of artworks and other items, have been directed towards charitable projects.

The gala is a significant fixture in Monaco’s social calendar, drawing members of international high society for an evening of revelry each year. The event is traditionally presided over by Princess Caroline of Hanover, who continues her mother’s legacy.

Further details about the event will be announced in due course, with enquiries about tickets being directed to baldelarose@sbm.mc by the organising team at SBM.

Check out the Monaco Life coverage of the 2024 Bal de la Rose below:

Disco fever hits Monaco: Inside the spectacular Bal de la Rose 2024

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: Éric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco