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Month: May 2025

Nature, hope and hidden heroes: winners of the 2025 Environmental Photography Award revealed

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2025

From the hidden labours of marine worms to the hopeful flutter of a baby sea turtle, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation’s 2025 Environmental Photography Award has once again celebrated the power of storytelling through a lens.

The Grand Prize of the 2025 Environmental Photography Award has been awarded to Spanish photographer and marine biologist Angel Fitor for his captivating image Unseen Unsung Heroes, which captures the humble but essential actions of marine worms filtering sand off the Spanish coast. The image, a winner in the ‘Ocean Worlds’ category, earned Fitor the top honour and a €5,000 grant from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.

“For me, photography is a language that speaks on behalf of nature,” said Fitor. “This image reveals the quiet but critical influence these small creatures have on the Mediterranean ecosystem — an ecosystem upon which we ourselves depend.” The marine biologist-turned-photographer, whose work has also been recognised by World Press Photo and Wildlife Photographer of the Year, dedicated the award to the invisible workers of the sea that inspired it.

Angel Fitor’s winning photograph Training Day

A sweep of awards for Angel Fitor

Fitor’s presence was felt across the competition. In addition to the Grand Prize, he won the Change Makers: Reasons for Hope category with Training Day, a tender shot of a baby loggerhead sea turtle in recovery. Two other images, Night Stalker and Beauty Languages, were shortlisted in the Ocean Worlds category, cementing his status as one of the most celebrated contributors to this year’s edition.

“I feel like a proud ambassador for this award,” Fitor said, reflecting on the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to the Mediterranean Sea — a commitment, he noted, that has inspired his work since childhood.

Amy Jones’ winning photograph Breeding Machine

Seven winners and a global jury

In total, seven photographers received prizes this year. Notable winners include Jellyfish and Iceberg by Galice Hoarau in the Polar Wonders category, Clash of Kings by Iacopo Nerozzi in Into the Forest, and Breeding Machine by Amy Jones in Humanity versus Nature. The Public Award, voted on by audiences, went to After the Flames, Hope by Fernando Faciole, while the Student’s Choice Award was given to Forest Guard by Bambang Wirawan.

This year’s international jury was presided over by National Geographic photographer and filmmaker Ami Vitale. “Photography is one of the most powerful tools we have to reconnect people with nature,” she said. “These images aren’t just beautiful — they demand action.”

Runner up Lakshitha Karunarathna

Promenade du Larvotto to host 2025 exhibition

The winning and shortlisted photographs — 36 in total — will be exhibited along Monaco’s Promenade du Larvotto from the 3rd June to the 31st July, before going on international tour. As in previous years, the Foundation will also publish a photography book through Skira Paris, featuring all selected images with explanatory texts.

Now in its fifth year, the Environmental Photography Award forms a key pillar of the Foundation’s Green Shift Initiative. According to Olivier Wenden, Vice-Chairman and CEO of the Foundation, the award “gives voice to the living world and speaks directly to the heart of the public… weaving new imaginary worlds that call for greater collective action.”

Looking ahead to 2026

Photographers inspired to share their vision for next year’s edition won’t have long to wait. Entries for the 2026 Environmental Photography Award will open from the 2nd September to the 2nd November 2025 via the award’s official website.

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Main photograph: Unseen Unsung Heroes by Angel Fitor. All images courtesy the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation

Mobile waste unit rolls out across Monaco to tackle hazardous household items

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2025

Monaco’s new mobile waste collection service is bringing environmentally friendly disposal options straight to residents’ doorsteps, one Saturday at a time.

Launched on the 7th and 8th March during the MonaCollecte event on Quai Antoine Ier, the new mini mobile waste station is a joint initiative between the Société Monégasque d’Assainissement (SMA) and the Prince’s Government. Designed to collect hazardous household waste more easily and safely, the service now travels to a different district of the Principality once a month.

Operating from 9am to 1pm, the station offers residents the chance to dispose of special waste without the need to visit a permanent facility. Staffed by SMA professionals, the unit ensures that all waste is handled in a secure and environmentally sound manner. On hand to assist with sorting questions, the team also distributes recycling guides, pre-collection bags, and dog waste bags to promote better waste management at home.

The service is free and intended solely for private individuals. It aims to simplify sustainable habits while reducing the risk posed by long-term storage of dangerous materials in residential areas. However, for reasons of safety and limited space, the mobile unit is unable to accept certain categories of waste. These include gas bottles, fire extinguishers, infectious healthcare waste such as DASRI, plant or garden trimmings, construction rubble, and bulky waste items. General household rubbish, recyclable packaging, and glass are also not accepted, as these are already managed through existing public collection services or separate appointment-based pickup.

Further details, including accepted materials and the calendar of upcoming collection dates and locations, can be found at: https://www.sma.mc/fr/mini-decheterie

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Image source: Government Communication Department

Monaco’s trade mission to the UAE yields high-level business ties

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2025

Monaco’s latest trade mission to the United Arab Emirates has marked a significant step forward in strengthening business links with the Gulf region. Organised by the Monaco Economic Board (MEB), the visit brought 32 representatives from 25 Monaco-based entities to Abu Dhabi from 22nd to 26th April for a focused programme of economic exchanges, strategic visits, and networking sessions.

The mission began with a business forum hosted by the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where Monegasque participants were welcomed by board members Masaood Rahma Al Masaood and Noor Al Tamimi. The event offered insights into both economies, featuring presentations from the MEB and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office on investment opportunities, free zones, and regional business incentives.

Delegates then visited key innovation centres in the emirate, including the Abu Dhabi Global Market, a leading financial hub, and Hub71, a tech start-up platform attracting global interest. MonacoTech Director Sandrine Sauval took part in these visits alongside several start-ups from the Principality, using the opportunity to benchmark and exchange ideas.

The next morning, the delegation was received at the Department of Economic Development for a session co-organised with CCI France UAE. Topics included sector-specific briefings, legal frameworks for foreign investors, and practical insights from entrepreneurs operating in the region. The highlight was a business lunch at the Shangri-La, where more than 50 meetings took place between Monegasque and Emirati companies across a range of industries including finance, logistics, consulting, and hospitality.

The visit continued with an exploration of the UAE’s innovation strategy through visits to the Technology Innovation Institute and the Advanced Technology Research Council. These offered a closer look at the country’s proactive approach to research and development, further underlining its position as a regional leader in emerging technologies.

The mission concluded with a cultural visit to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and a positive outlook on future collaborations.

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

Photo source: MEB

 

Monte-Carlo opera unveils powerful new season under Cecilia Bartoli

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2025

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo has revealed a compelling 2025/2026 season bursting with myth, passion, and musical innovation, under the visionary direction of Cecilia Bartoli. From grand Verdi masterpieces to an emotional tribute to Josephine Baker, this season promises an exhilarating journey through classic and contemporary opera.

The new season at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, set against the elegant backdrop of the Salle Garnier and Grimaldi Forum, is a bold blend of mythic storytelling and musical intensity. Highlights include the long-awaited return of Verdi’s Aida, Wagner’s Die Walküre, and Debussy’s Pelléas et Mélisande, staged for the first time in Monaco in five decades. Bartoli herself will take to the stage as Orpheus in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, further underlining her dual role as artistic director and international star.

Audiences can also anticipate an emotional centenary homage to Josephine Baker with Bonsoir Monte-Carlo, created specially for Monaco’s National Day and featuring a revue-style staging of her unforgettable songs. Bartoli and Plácido Domingo will share the spotlight once more in a recital on 14th February, while opera legends Roberto Alagna and Elīna Garanča are also slated for headline concerts.

For family audiences and musical theatre lovers, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats will pounce onto the Salle Garnier stage this December, marking the Opéra’s continued embrace of musical theatre following the success of The Phantom of the Opera.

The season’s guiding themes—myth, dreams, and feminine power—are deeply rooted in the programming. Wagner’s haunted seafarer in Der fliegende Holländer opens the season with a storm of drama, while La Walkyrie delves into divine conflict and sacrifice. Meanwhile, Così fan tutte returns via the Wiener Staatsoper, rounding out the Mozart-da Ponte trilogy that began in Monaco in 2023.

As the Opéra de Monte-Carlo celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Musiciens du Prince–Monaco in 2026 with special European events, Bartoli’s programming makes one thing clear: Monaco remains one of the most daring and distinguished opera stages in Europe.

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Charles Leclerc to launch Ferrari fashion line at Nikki Beach Monte Carlo during Grand Prix weekend

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2025

Formula One driver Charles Leclerc is set to unveil a new capsule collection with Ferrari Style during a private event at Nikki Beach Monte Carlo, kicking off a high-profile partnership between the luxury fashion brand and the beach club over Monaco’s Grand Prix weekend.

The collaboration, which runs from 22nd to 26th May 2025, coincides with Nikki Beach Monte Carlo’s 10th anniversary. Ferrari Style will take over the rooftop venue — perched above the famous hairpin turn — with branded decor, uniforms, and design elements throughout the space. The event is part of a broader effort by Ferrari to extend its luxury brand beyond the racetrack.

Leclerc’s capsule collection, created in collaboration with Ferrari Style’s creative director Rocco Iannone, will debut at a private launch on 21st May. According to Ferrari, the collection merges the Monegasque driver’s personal style with the brand’s performance-driven aesthetic, offering “a new wardrobe at the intersection of luxury and sport.”

Entertainment throughout the weekend will include live performances by saxophonist Anastasia McQueen, DJ Aldave, and Grammy-nominated duo Camelphat. DJ Jack.e will close the event with one of his signature sunset sessions. Pernod Ricard will serve as the official beverage partner.

See also: 

Charles Leclerc teams up with Chivas Regal for a bold fusion of whisky, music and lifestyle

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Photo source: Scuderia Ferrari Media Centre

AMADE unites global partners in Monaco to advance child protection and community impact

by: Cassandra Tanti
06/05/2025

From the heart of Monte-Carlo, AMADE turned a conference room into a global stage on 30th April as it welcomed 72 changemakers to its 2025 Partners Conference. Held at the Novotel, the event gathered voices from across continents — from grassroots activists in Burundi to corporate leaders in Monaco — all rallying behind a shared mission: to build a safer, fairer world for children through the power of community-driven action.

The conference was opened by Princess Caroline of Hanover, President of AMADE, who reaffirmed the organisation’s unwavering commitment to championing children’s rights and dignity. Her presence set a meaningful tone for the day, honouring AMADE’s legacy while looking ahead to its future ambitions.

The panel at AMADE’s international conference held at the Novotel

The day’s theme, ‘Mobilising communities to amplify impact: a sustainable approach to serving children’, underscored how deep-rooted partnerships can strengthen the future of vulnerable youth. The morning was marked by powerful testimonials and project spotlights.

Spès Nihangaza of FVS Amis des Enfants in Burundi spoke of years of collaboration with AMADE, while Virginie Bernard of CFM Indosuez highlighted private sector support through education funding. A highlight was the emotional account of medical student Floride Ikizakubuntu, whose life trajectory was changed by AMADE-supported programmes.

Rebecca Davis of MindLeaps introduced a unique model using dance to foster cognitive growth among at-risk children, sharing measurable results from digital tracking tools. The morning closed with a moving performance of ‘Rassemble!’ by Rayane Tourki, who transformed his life after juvenile detention through the guidance of ACAY and the arts.

Afternoon panels delved into social entrepreneurship and local integration. Speakers included Emilie Kyedrebeogo, whose enterprise Palobdé Afrique empowers girls through sustainable hygiene solutions, and Flavio Saudade, who uses capoeira as a protective force in conflict zones. A final session on France’s ASE mentorship programme shed light on how structured guidance is reshaping the lives of youth in care.

AMADE shared promising figures from 2024, having reached over 350,000 children across 11 countries with €800,000 in funding. For 2025, the organisation aims to deepen support for local partners, strengthen impact evaluation, and scale its ‘Un État Civil pour Tous’ campaign, which seeks to legally register 750,000 undocumented children within three years.

Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.  

Main photo of Princess Caroline of Hanover courtesy AMADE