Movement and legacy: Barbara Chase-Riboud’s tribute to Josephine Baker in Monaco

10/03/2025

Hauser & Wirth Monaco has unveiled The Josephines, an exhibition by renowned sculptor and poet Barbara Chase-Riboud that honours one of the 20th century’s most iconic performers, Josephine Baker. The striking body of work, which pays tribute to Baker’s exceptional legacy through monumental sculpture, archival material and works on paper, will be on display until 14th June.

Monaco Life was invited to attend a curator-guided walkthrough at the prestigious gallery for the inaugural presentation of The Josephines on 6th March.

The exhibition is a celebration of Josephine Baker, an extraordinary performer whose career on stage spanned five decades, and it is designed as a tribute to her legacy, with its unveiling marking 50 years since her final performance and also the 100th anniversary of her Paris debut.

Barbara Chase-Riboud, the world-renowned creative behind the exhibition, is known for her large-scale bronze and textile sculptures. Here, she presents a plethora of captivating works that reflect Baker’s movement and energy.

Central to the exhibition are two monumental sculptures from 2022: Josephine Black/Black and Josephine Red/Red. The imposing sculptures are from the artist’s La Musica series. Rising two meters tall, they capture Baker’s essence through bold contrasts of hard metal and flowing silk, evoking the performer’s legendary movement and dynamism.

The exhibition features archival material too, including photographs of Baker’s performances in Monaco, presented with support from Archives Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Additionally, works on paper from Chase-Riboud’s La Musica (1990–2025) are displayed, continuing her exploration of form, movement and abstraction.

A special selection of all-white works on paper is also on display. These intricate pieces, crafted using a technique perfected over five decades, involve silk threads piercing Arches paper, forming compositions reminiscent of handwriting and hieroglyphics. The works reflect Chase-Riboud’s signature fusion of visual art and poetry, inviting viewers into a realm of rhythm, energy and light.

“A leap into space”

Chase-Riboud’s connection to Baker is one of fate and admiration. The artist first arrived in Paris in the 1960s and established her atelier near Le Bal Nègre, where Baker’s European career took flight. The two met only once, in 1975, backstage at the Bobino Theatre in Paris before Baker’s final performance. That brief yet powerful encounter, along with Chase-Riboud’s attendance at Baker’s posthumous induction into the French National Pantheon in 2021, has informed the creation of The Josephines.

Reflecting on her personal connection to Baker, Chase-Riboud shared, “It felt like a sign that our paths were meant to cross… The reason why I wanted to do Josephine was because it’s a leap into space.”

She connects Baker with futurism, an art movement that prioritised dynamism. Instead of depicting a static monument, it was Chase-Riboud’s desire to capture Baker’s energy and movement through sculptural forms in this Hauser & Wirth-housed showcase.

*Central to the exhibition are two monumental sculptures from Barbara Chase-Riboud’s La Musica collection: Josephine Black/Black and Josephine Red/Red. Photo supplied*

Chase-Riboud is herself celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to art and literature.

She has exhibited globally and holds the distinction of being the youngest artist to have her work acquired by MoMA at just 15 years old. Her recent Paris retrospective, Everytime a Knot is Undone, A God is Released, featured site-specific sculptures across eight prestigious museums, including the Louvre and the Centre Pompidou. She is, in fact, the first living artist to exhibit beneath the Louvre’s glass pyramid.

Born in 1939, she has spent decades bridging sculpture, poetry and literature, with her works held in major museum collections. She has also received literary recognition, including the Carl Sandburg Poetry Prize and an award for Best Novel by an American Woman in 1979.

Her memoir, I Always Knew, is now available in both French and English. Copies of the tome are available at Hauser & Wirth Monaco.

Check out Monaco Life’s reel of The Josephines below:

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Photos courtesy of Hauser & Wirth Monaco

Université Côte d’Azur’s poor graduation results lead to disappointing L’Étudiant assessment

by: Stephanie Horsman

10/03/2025

The Université Côte d’Azur has received a rather unfavourable ranking in the latest evaluation of French universities by the website, L’Étudiant. Out of the 69 universities examined, the local institution sits discouragingly low to the bottom in a disappointing 53rd place.

L’Étudiant, which published its latest assessment of French universities earlier this month, bases its rankings on the success rates of bachelor’s degree programmes. The annual evaluation serves as a useful tool for prospective students, providing insight into which universities offer the best chances of academic achievement and successes. The platform also allows users to filter results by region and institution size, helping them make informed decisions about their higher education journey.

The results of this most recent edition paint a concerning picture about graduation rates at the Université Côte d’Azur, which received a disheartening score of 7.1 out of 20.

The success rate for students finishing their degree within three years is a mere 26.7%, increasing only slightly to 39.8% when extended to four years. Additionally, the university received negative scores in the Added Value category, which measures how much an institution improves students’ chances of graduating. The university scored a troubling -3.1 for three-year completion and -2.9 for four-year completion, further highlighting its students’ struggles.

At the opposite end of the table, the Université de Haute-Alsace has claimed the top spot with an impressive score of 18.8 out of 20. It is followed closely by the Université Angers and Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, which also demonstrated strong student success rates.

The Université Côte d’Azur has been an experimental university since 1st January 2020, replacing both the Université Nice Sophia Antipolis, created in 1965, and the Communauté d’Universités et d’Etablissements Université Côte d’Azur, created in 2015. It includes 17 academic establishments around the historic university core of the Campus Valrose (pictured).

To explore the rankings in full, click here.

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Photo credit: Antonio Zugaldia

41st Primo Cup-UBS Trophy delivers thrilling results and high-stakes victories

by: Stephanie Horsman

10/03/2025

The 41st edition of the Primo Cup-UBS Trophy once again delivered top-tier sailing action in Monaco. With 400 sailors across 90 teams from 10 nations, the event, organised by Yacht Club de Monaco, lived up to its reputation as a must-attend early-season regatta.

Held from 6th to 9th March in the waters off the coast of the Principality, the 2025 Primo Cup-UBS Trophy was a top-notch event filled with excitement.

A tricky easterly wind made for intense racing in all categories and pushed competitors to their limits. The iconic regatta resulted in several surprises on the podiums.

In the ClubSwan 28 category, the Japanese boat Hatari triumphed in a fierce battle against the Swiss team Anya Race, with YCM’s Black Swan, helmed by Lorenzo Bortolotti, rounding out the podium.

“We are delighted to have made our debut here in Monaco. It’s an ideal setting to launch the season and see how we measure up to the best international teams,” said Bortolotti after the race.

In the J/70 class, Monaco’s Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio’s G-Spot dominated, securing victory and the prestigious Perpetual Trophy. Despite a valiant effort from Denis Infante’s Euro Voiles, his team only managed second, while Swiss contenders on Ailoa claimed third.

In the Corinthian category, Euro Voiles led ahead of Ailoa and Jalla Jalla.

Giada delivered a near-flawless performance in the Smeralda 888 class, securing two wins and a third-place finish to emerge victorious. Django, helmed by YCM’s Giovanni Lombardi, and Millennium Falcon, skippered by Marco Favale, completed the top three.

For the Longtze Premier sailors, the Swiss on Shensu proved unstoppable, continually widening their lead to claim victory. QI and Germany’s Xiaolong Racing fought hard but couldn’t close the gap.

The Follin brothers stole the show in the Cape 31 class, with Adrien’s Give Me Five securing victory over Robin’s Solano. The Irish crew on Adrenalin took third in a thrilling sibling rivalry.

Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series

Since its inception in 1985 by YCM President Prince Albert, the Primo Cup has grown into a cornerstone of the international sailing calendar. Supported by UBS and the Mairie de Monaco, with technical backing from North Sails, the regatta also marked the thrilling conclusion of the Monaco Sportsboat Winter Series 2024/2025.

This final stage of the series saw Stefano Roberti on Piccinina dominating the J/70 class, clinching the overall championship ahead of Euro Voiles and defending champion Giangiacomo Serena di Lapigio on G-Spot. In the Corinthian division, Euro Voiles bested Matteo Scandolera’s Irruenza and the Swiss team Rhubarbe.

Coming up at the Yacht Club de Monaco

Next on Monaco’s sailing calendar is the Virginie Hériot Trophy, running from 14th to 16th March. Originally launched as the Women Leading & Sailing regatta, this all-female J/70 event has grown in stature, attracting 20 international teams. Led by Pink Wave, a collective of over 50 YCM sailors, it celebrates female excellence in competitive sailing.

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Photo credit: Studio Borlenghi / YCM

AS Monaco Basketball secure top spot with crushing Betclic Elite win over Paris

by: Stephanie Horsman

10/03/2025

Just days after triumphing over Paris Basketball in the EuroLeague, AS Monaco Basketball reaffirmed their dominance with a commanding 94-63 victory against the capital’s team in a Betclic Elite match-up. In this top-of-the-table clash, the Monegasque side put on a defensive masterclass, stifling their Parisian opponents in a thrilling Gaston Médecin game at home.

For this 21st round of Betclic Elite action, the Roca Team faced Paris Basketball for the second time in just four days. Fresh from their EuroLeague victory in the French capital, Monaco now had the home-court advantage at the packed Salle Gaston Médecin court in Monaco on 9th March.

With the league’s top spot at stake, the match promised high intensity, and it did not disappoint.

Both teams started with focus, executing their game plans well. Early on, Elie Okobo and Alpha Diallo gave Monaco a slight edge, but Paris responded by picking up the pace. The Roca Team’s defence held firm, however, and Mike James soon found his rhythm, scoring with a confident jump shot.

With Monaco threatening to pull away, Paris tried hard to stay in touch, but their efforts were dampened by a strong performance from their opponents, particularly Monaco’s Terry Tarpey, who was a solid force. Regardless of Paris’ attempts to maintain their pace, a late push by Monaco saw them take a six-point advantage going into half-time.

Paris came out of the locker room with renewed vigour as TJ Shorts orchestrated their attack, but the Rocas responded as a unit, moving the ball well and finding Mam Jaiteh to restore their lead. The game became increasingly physical, particularly under the net, with Diallo and James stepping up.

The decisive moment came when Monaco shifted into another gear, pulling away as Paris struggled to cope. Okobo extended the lead to 20 points, and from there, the visitors never looked likely to mount a comeback.

This 94-63 win propels AS Monaco Basketball to the top of the Betclic Elite standings, solidifying their place as the team to beat.

“The team played great basketball today,” Vassilis Spanoulis, AS Monaco Head Coach, said after the game. “We worked together—both offensively and defensively—and it showed. This wasn’t an easy game, as Paris are a strong team, but we stayed focused. Now, we need to remain humble and continue this momentum. There are big challenges ahead, and we will get back to training to prepare for them.”

James led the way as high scorer with 22 points, five rebounds and six assists. Diallo contributed 10 points, while Mathew Strazel, Jaiteh and Okobo each chipped in with nine points apiece.

AS Monaco Basketball now turns their attention to EuroLeague action, where they face a tough away fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv on 13th March.

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Photo source: AS Monaco Basketball

Waltzing back in time: Grand Bal Viennois debuts in Nice

by: Kyriaki Topalidou

10/03/2025

The Grand Bal Viennois has delivered on its promise of enchantment, whisking guests away to a bygone era. As the doors of Hôtel Negresco opened on Saturday night, ladies in flowing gowns and gentlemen in tuxedos left the modern world behind, stepping into an evening of old-world elegance and romance.

As guests stepped into Nice’s iconic Hôtel Negresco on 8th March, they were greeted by hundreds of champagne glasses ready for the evening’s first toast. Servers moved through the crowd with silver trays of delicacies, setting the tone for a night of refinement. Keeping with Viennese tradition, each lady received a Damenspende—a token of appreciation—which, for this year’s ball, was a beautifully crafted hand-held fan.

Marie-Theres Michel, the organiser of the ball, delivered an emotional speech, inviting guests to fully embrace the evening: “You now become the actors of this magical moment. Let yourself be carried away by the music, the dance, and the magic of the Viennese balls.”

Following this warm welcome, guests were escorted to the opulent Salon Royal, where an exquisitely curated menu awaited, crafted with precision by Michelin-starred chef Virginie Basselot. Throughout the evening, crystal glasses shimmered as attentive servers ensured they were never empty, while the soft strains of a harp echoed through the room, heightening the sense of stepping back in time. Between courses, opera performances added a dramatic flourish, further immersing guests in the grandeur of a Viennese ball.

The highlight of the evening

The evening’s most breathtaking moment unfolded as the debutantes made their graceful entrance into the Salon Royal, their elegant white gowns shimmering under the chandeliers. Poised and radiant, they embodied the timeless tradition of the Viennese ball. Before taking their first steps onto the dance floor, they gathered alongside the ball’s representatives, who took the opportunity to welcome guests and set the stage for the enchanting waltz to come.

Madame Kaudel-Jensen, the Austrian Ambassador in Paris, expressed her gratitude and highlighted the ties between Austria and France, saying, “The first Grand Bal Viennois in Nice is a unique moment to proudly display the colours of Austria and the South region. This ball symbolises the friendship between our two countries and reflects the richness of our common heritage. I am convinced that this ball will contribute to strengthening the strong ties that unite us and lead to concrete cooperation projects.”

The debutantes then stepped onto the dance floor for their first waltz, a long-standing tradition of Viennese balls that captivated the audience. Their graceful movements and impeccable coordination reflected the elegance and refinement at the heart of the event.

As the evening progressed, guests were invited to join in, filling the dance floor and adding to the timeless charm of the night. Then, at midnight, the tradition of the Quadrille brought everyone together once more. Led by the dance school director, attendees followed the lively steps of this classic line dance, rounding off the evening with a touch of spirited tradition.

Following this successful first edition, the next Grand Bal Viennois is scheduled for 7th March 2026.

See more in our video reel below…

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All photos by Kyriaki Topalidou

Princess Charlene champions first aid training at International Women’s Rights Day event

by: Elsa Carpenter

10/03/2025

Princess Charlene of Monaco teamed up with the Monaco Red Cross over the weekend to host an empowering first aid awareness workshop as part of the Principality’s 2025 International Women’s Rights Day events. The Princess, a long-time proponent of the importance of first aid training, joined in with the sessions, which sought to teach basic yet potentially life-saving skills.

On International Women’s Rights Day, held on Saturday 8th March, venues across Monaco staged special events dedicated to the promotion of the many varied roles of women in the world today. There were talks on women in the arts and media, the next generation of female leadership in work-based settings, and cultural events honouring the talents of women and girls.

The event organised by the Monaco Red Cross, in collaboration with the Entreparents and Femmes Leaders Mondiales Monaco associations, took a different approach, seeking to empower women not through words but actions – life-saving actions.

With Princess Charene as the figurehead of the event, the Monaco Red Cross and its teams hosted a first aid awareness workshop at the Espace Léo Ferré that taught participants a range of essential techniques for babies, children and adults, with a particular focus on cardiac resuscitation and choking prevention.

A statement released by the Palais Princier de Monaco notes, “Princess Charlene has always been committed to making first aid training accessible to all, convinced that these essential skills should be shared as widely as possible—particularly with women, who are often the primary educators within families.”

It continues, “Her Serene Highness’s dedication to prevention and safety is reflected in the actions of her Foundation, especially through its drowning prevention programmes, where learning life-saving techniques plays a crucial role. This commitment also aligns with her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Red Cross, further strengthening her efforts to protect lives.”

Click on the images below to see more from the event:

Watch Monaco Life’s reel of the PowHer event below:

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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: Michaël Alesi / Palais Princier de Monaco

Day: 10 March 2025