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Month: May 2025

Prince Albert II Foundation joins Sir David Attenborough for premiere of ocean conservation film

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/05/2025

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation took part in the world premiere of Ocean with David Attenborough in London, ahead of the film’s global release on 8th May. As an official partner of the documentary, the Foundation reaffirmed its longstanding commitment to ocean protection and environmental advocacy on the global stage.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, the film is a sweeping cinematic tribute to the ocean—its wonders, its fragility, and its critical role in sustaining life on Earth. “If we save the sea, we save our world,” the legendary naturalist says in the film, offering a stark but hopeful message.

Produced by Silverback Films and Open Planet Studios in association with major partners including National Geographic and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the documentary blends breathtaking imagery with science-backed urgency. It explores the ocean as a life-support system for the planet and calls for bold, collective action to reverse the damage caused by overfishing, pollution, and climate change.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation CEO Olivier Wenden getting ready to greet King Charles

An ode to the ocean as the planet’s “beating blue heart”, the film comes at a crucial moment, as global leaders prepare to gather for the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice next month.

It will also feature prominently during Monaco’s Blue Economy and Finance Forum, taking place on the 7th and 8th June, where the film will be screened as part of a special evening event for accredited participants.

The Monaco screening, set against the backdrop of a high-level international forum focused on financing the future of our oceans, will further amplify the documentary’s urgent message — offering delegates a powerful reminder of what’s at stake, and why action cannot wait.

See more: 

Programme revealed for Monaco’s historic Blue Economy and Finance Forum

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. 

Photos credit: Kate Green/Getty Images

Prince Albert II retraces Grimaldi roots in Irsina with historic tribute and warm welcome

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/05/2025

Prince Albert II of Monaco returned to his family’s ancestral ties on Wednesday 14th May with a deeply symbolic visit to Irsina, a picturesque hilltop town in southern Italy once ruled by the Grimaldis. The visit, rich in heritage and pageantry, marked a highlight in the ongoing celebration of Monaco’s dynastic past across Europe.

To rousing applause, the Prince unveiled a sign officially welcoming Irsina into the network of Sites historiques Grimaldi de Monaco, reaffirming a centuries-old bond between the Principality and this historic town, once known as Montepeloso. On the charming Piazza San Francesco, Prince Albert inaugurated a commemorative plaque marking his visit and delivered a heartfelt address, reflecting on the enduring legacy of his ancestors.

The Prince then visited two architectural gems at the heart of Irsina’s spiritual and historical identity: the Church of San Francesco and the Cathedral of Santa Eufemia. A particularly moving moment came as he viewed a newly restored Grimaldi funerary monument — a rare relic of the family’s presence in the region and a powerful symbol of shared heritage.

The Prince toured a newly restored Grimaldi funerary monument during his visit to Irsina

Irsina’s connection to Monaco stretches back to the 16th century, when Girolamo Grimaldi, a relative of Prince Honoré I, held the town as a feudal lord. Centuries later, the Prince’s visit brought that history vividly to life, bridging the past and present in an atmosphere of warm community spirit and pride.

Prince Albert’s Italian journey continues on Thursday 15th May with a visit to the ancient city of Pompeii, where he will tour the famed archaeological site and the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary — a place cherished by Princess Grace for her devotion to the rosary.

See more in the gallery below… 

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Photos credit: Axel Bastello / Palais princier

 

Edna Stern to perform ‘From Bach to Chopin’ recital at Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/05/2025

Internationally renowned pianist Edna Stern will take centre stage at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo on the 19th of June for a special recital entitled From Bach to Chopin, as part of the Mosaic Seasons concert series.

Held in the elegant Salon Le Théâtre, the performance will offer audiences an intimate journey through classical repertoire spanning three centuries. Stern, celebrated for her nuanced interpretations and expressive playing, will perform works by Mozart, Bach-Busoni and Chopin, in a programme designed to highlight the full emotional and technical range of the piano.

The evening will begin with Mozart’s Sonata in A Major, K. 330, a work known for its lyrical elegance. It will be followed by the powerful Chaconne in D Minor, BWV 1004, as transcribed by Ferruccio Busoni from Johann Sebastian Bach’s violin partita. The recital will conclude with Chopin’s complete 24 Preludes, Op. 28, widely regarded as one of the pinnacles of romantic piano music.

Presented under the banner of Mosaic Seasons, an initiative dedicated to high-level artistic encounters in exceptional settings, the concert is expected to be one of the highlights of the cultural calendar in Monte-Carlo. Seating is limited and tickets, priced between €30 and €75, are already on sale via the official festival website.

Edna Stern has performed on leading stages across Europe and North America, earning acclaim for both her solo performances and recordings. This Monte-Carlo appearance offers a rare opportunity to hear her live in an intimate salon setting.

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.

La Condamine Market renovation moves forward as Mairie continues talks with traders

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
15/05/2025

The Mairie is continuing its commitment of transparent communication with traders at La Condamine Market with another consultation meeting, ahead of the January 2026 start date for the market’s renovation.

During the latest session, mayor Georges Marsan unveiled the layout plan for Place du Marché during the critical relocation phase, when traders will temporarily move to Place d’Armes. This temporary setup will serve customers thought-out the 13-month construction period.

In a significant development, visual designs for the future ‘Wooki’ kiosks that will feature in the renovated marketplace were also presented. These modern structures represent one element of the market’s thoughtful redesign, which aims to blend tradition with contemporary functionality.

The third focus of the meeting was the introduction of the application process for trader positions in the renovated market. With reopening scheduled for early 2027, the Mairie is already establishing clear procedures to ensure smooth transition back to the renovated premises. 

The Mairie highlights its commitment to “maintaining constant dialogue to best support market professionals through this transition,” underlining the importance of inclusive planning. This approach reflects the market’s vital role in Monaco’s community life and the importance of preserving its unique character while implementing necessary improvements.

The €10 to €12 million renovation project, announced earlier this year, came after extensive consultation with over 1,000 residents and visitors. The overhaul will address long-standing practical issues while enhancing the market’s role as a social hub. Improvements will include nearly doubled seating capacity, improved climate control, and better facilities for both traders and customers.

The renovated La Condamine Market is expected to welcome customers in early 2027, following the completion of works that begin in January 2026.

See also: 

La Condamine Market renovation plans revealed: What to expect and when

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: Mairie de Monaco

 

Opera Gallery celebrates Chagall and Léger in landmark Monaco Masters exhibition

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/05/2025

As part of Monaco Art Week 2025 and under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Opera Gallery will present Monaco Masters Show: Chagall & Léger, colour and form, a major exhibition honouring two of the 20th century’s most influential artists.

The show, which also marks the 40th anniversary of Marc Chagall’s death and the 70th of Fernand Léger’s, explores the intertwined paths of these artistic pioneers. From their early encounters in Montparnasse’s avant-garde circles to their wartime exile in the United States, and later their parallel retreats to the South of France, the exhibition follows the trajectory of two visionaries whose careers began and culminated in France.

At the heart of the show is a dialogue between Chagall’s poetic, dreamlike visions and Léger’s bold geometric forms, set in the broader context of 20th and 21st century art. Alongside key works by Chagall and Léger, the exhibition will feature around 30 masterpieces by artists including Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alexander Calder, Keith Haring, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Yayoi Kusama, Fernando Botero, George Condo and Pierre Soulages, among others.

Through this curated selection, Monaco Masters Show aims to celebrate the legacy of colour and form across generations and styles, revealing how Chagall and Léger’s influence continues to resonate in contemporary art.

Opera Gallery Monaco, a longstanding supporter of humanitarian causes, will donate a percentage of the exhibition’s sales to Mission Enfance, an organisation dedicated to supporting children in crisis around the world. The gallery has collaborated with the charity for over a decade, reinforcing its commitment to social impact through culture.

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. 

INDEMER celebrates 40 years of ocean advocacy with high-level summit in Monaco

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/05/2025

Four decades after its founding, Monaco’s Institut du Droit Économique de la Mer (INDEMER) marked its milestone anniversary with an ambitious international colloquium on the future of the seas. Held on 8th and 9th May at the Hôtel Méridien Beach Plaza, the event brought together leading voices in maritime law, economics, and science to explore the rapidly shifting landscape of ocean use.

Under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, the two-day summit focused on Contemporary Issues in the Uses of the Sea, offering fresh insights into how the legal and economic frameworks surrounding our oceans must evolve in the face of mounting global challenges.

The Prince opened the colloquium by reflecting on INDEMER’s origins and enduring mission: “Founded by my father, Prince Rainier III, in the wake of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, INDEMER has become a vital force in ensuring that our relationship with the ocean is guided by knowledge, responsibility, and vision.”

Acting Minister of State and Foreign Minister Isabelle Berro-Amadeï echoed these sentiments in her address, hailing the event as a tribute to Prince Rainier III’s legacy of ocean stewardship. “This anniversary is not only a celebration of the past, but a reminder of how much remains to be done,” she said.

As the uses of the sea continue to multiply—from offshore wind farms to deep-sea mining—experts at the summit called for a bold rethink of ocean governance. With the blue economy expanding and environmental pressures mounting, discussions centred on the urgent need to modernise legal frameworks to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.

What emerged was a clear message: the future of our oceans lies at the intersection of science, law and economic policy. The colloquium provided a unique forum for shaping this future, uniting a broad spectrum of international actors in Monaco to map out new paths for cooperation and regulation on the high seas.

Read more: 

Programme revealed for Monaco’s historic Blue Economy and Finance Forum

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 credit: Manuel Vitali, Government Communication Department