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Month: August 2025

Summer Concerts at the Prince’s Palace: A 2025 season in images

by: Cassandra Tanti
16/08/2025

The summer evenings in Monaco have once again been filled with music as the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo (OPMC) brought its celebrated Concerts d’Été to the historic Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace. From 10th July to 7th August, five open-air performances transformed the palace square into one of the most atmospheric concert halls in the world, with each note resonating against the centuries-old walls under the Monaco night sky.

This year’s season — held on 10, 20, and 31 July, as well as 3 and 7 August — was captured in striking images by palace photographers Michaël Alesi and Frédéric Nebinger and shared on the Prince’s Palace social media, offering a visual encore for those who attended and a glimpse for those who missed it. The performances drew locals, visitors, and dignitaries alike, continuing a tradition that is as much a part of Monaco’s cultural identity as its opera house or ballet company.

Summer Concert at the Prince’s Palace, 20 July 2025 — Conducted by Kazuki Yamada, featuring pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Fréderic Nebinger / Palais Princier

The Concerts d’Été date back to 1959, when Prince Rainier III revived a centuries-old custom of the Grimaldi dynasty — hosting music in the palace courtyard for the enjoyment of the people. In doing so, he opened the gates of the Prince’s private residence to the public, creating a unique meeting point between sovereign and citizens. The venue itself, with its trapezoid-shaped courtyard, offers remarkable acoustics, eliminating echoes and lending a warm, rich sound to orchestral performances.

Over the decades, these concerts have become a highlight of the Principality’s summer cultural calendar, bringing world-class symphonic music to an unparalleled setting. This year’s edition was no exception, with the OPMC once again confirming its standing as one of Europe’s great orchestras — a reputation forged through decades of performances both at home and on international stages.

Summer Concert at the Prince’s Palace, 7 August 2025 — Conducted by Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, featuring violinist Sergey Khachatryan. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Prince’s Palace.

As the Palace notes, the success of the 2025 season owes much to the orchestra, the audience, and the many people behind the scenes who ensure the seamless running of these prestigious events. The OPMC will return to the Cour d’Honneur in 2026, promising another series of evenings where music, history, and the magic of Monaco meet under the stars.

Relive the highlights of the 2025 Concerts d’Été at the Prince’s Palace in images below.

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Main photo: Summer Concert, 7 August 2025 — Conducted by Emmanuel Tjeknavorian, featuring violinist Sergey Khachatryan. Photo credit: Michaël Alesi / Fréderic Nebinger / Prince’s Palace.

 

AS Monaco Village continues summer programme until 24th August

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
15/08/2025

The AS Monaco Village at Port Hercule continues its daily line-up of family activities and football-themed events through to Saturday 24th August, while collecting new school supplies for Les Enfants de Frankie until the 22nd.

The free summer attraction operates from 4pm to 10:30pm on Quai Albert 1er.

Activities and events

Daily activities include a mini football pitch hosting tournaments for all ages, human table football, giant target games, quizzes, competitions, and a pop-up shop featuring the new 2025-26 shirts.

Human table football, photo by AS Monaco

Regular events feature meet-and-greets with club representatives, Academy training sessions, juggling competitions, and weekly e-sports tournaments on FC 25 every Sunday.

Meanwhile. the village is collecting new school supplies until Friday 22nd August for the ‘Les Enfants de Frankie’ association, helping families in financial difficulty prepare for the new school term. Items needed include notebooks, pens, glue, and rulers.

The village also recently hosted a competitive 3v3 tournament for adults on Thursday 7th August. The tournament, followed recent events including a 4v4 competition for 12-15 year olds and a signing session with defender Eric Dier.

The competition maintained suspense until the final whistle, with the top two teams finishing tied on points. Les Sardines ultimately took the title ahead of FC Eyrieux Embroye on goal difference in a close finish.

Winners received AS Monaco’s new 2025-26 home shirts, while the runners-up were awarded Mizuno footballs.

Port Hercule also features additional summer activities organised by La Mairie, including fairground rides, karting for children and adults, basketball courts, duck fishing, trampolines, small boats, temporary tattoo stands, and children’s creative workshops linked to the Grimaldi Forum’s ‘Colours!’ exhibition

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Main photo credit: AS Monaco

Monaco to host 18th Mondial du Théâtre

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
15/08/2025

Monaco will welcome amateur theatre groups from around the world when the 18th World Amateur Festival takes to the stage on Wednesday 20th August.

The week-long event, running until 27th August, will see groups from five continents perform at the Théâtre des Variétés and Théâtre Princesse Grace. All performances are free and open to the public.

Organised by Studio de Monaco and supported by the Government, the festival was created in 1957 and takes place every four years. Rather than a competition, organisers describe it as a unique artistic encounter where each group presents their vision of theatre, bringing their culture and history to life on stage.

Programme highlights

Performances begin at 6pm each evening, featuring three shows with 30-minute intervals for set changes. Each participating company will perform on two consecutive nights.

The festival opens on 20th August with performances by groups from the Unites States, Cuba and Slovakia at the Théâtre des Variétés. Other participating countries include Italy, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, Central African Republic, France, Finland, Armenia, Indonesia, Latvia, New Zealand, Lithuania, Morocco and the Philippines.

A Festival Village will also be inaugurated at the Auditorium Rainier III on Wednesday 20th August at 11:30am.

Workshops and congress

The festival includes workshops led by international specialists for participating theatre groups, aimed at knowledge exchange and developing theatrical practices.

Symposiums will be held following the first evening of performances, giving actors, directors, critics and audiences the opportunity to discuss the shows in a structured setting.

The 41st Congress of the International Amateur Theatre Association will also take place during the festival, opening on 23rd August at the Auditorium Rainier III.

The festival concludes with a closing evening at the Monaco Yacht Club on 27th August at 10:30pm.

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Main photo credit: Mondial du Théâtre

UN Plastics Treaty talks in Geneva stall as countries reject draft

by: Cassandra Tanti
15/08/2025

Hopes for a landmark UN treaty to end plastic pollution have stalled in Geneva, with negotiations extended by a day after delegates failed to agree on a draft text.

Talks chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso adjourned the session late Thursday, saying consultations on his revised text were still ongoing. The proposal — stripped of measures to cap plastic production or regulate toxic chemicals — was rejected by both sides: high-ambition countries called it a hollow waste-management accord, while oil-producing states said it crossed too many “red lines”.

UN Environment Programme chief Inger Andersen acknowledged the frustration but urged persistence. “I know this will not be the ending you had hoped for — and nor indeed the ending that we at UNEP have worked for,” she said. “Ultimately, I have heard from every country here … you want to end plastic pollution. You want a deal.”

Divisions remain over whether the treaty should address plastics’ full life cycle — from fossil fuel extraction to disposal — or focus solely on waste. The EU called the draft “not acceptable”, Panama labelled it “surrender”, and Tuvalu warned it risked failing to protect vulnerable nations from an “existential threat”.

Environmental groups sounded the alarm. Greenpeace urged ministers to tackle “the relentless expansion of plastic production”, while WWF warned that failure means “more damage, more harm, more suffering”.

The latest round of talks — known as INC-5.2 — was due to end Thursday but will now resume Friday, with pressure mounting for countries to find common ground.

See also: 

Lancet launches global health ‘Countdown’ on plastics as historic UN treaty talks enter final stretch

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Photo credit: Florian Fussstetter/ UNEP

Cannes to host second Summer Run Club event

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
14/08/2025

Lucia Cannes will host the second edition of Summer Run Club x Oysho on Sunday 18th August, following the success of July’s inaugural event which attracted over 60 participants including several local influencers. 

The free event runs from 8pm to 9:30pm, featuring a 5-kilometre route along the seafront starting and finishing at Lucia Cannes. The evening timing allows runners to avoid peak summer heat while enjoying Mediterranean coastal views.

Participants receive limited-edition Summer Run Club x Oysho t-shirts and exclusive tote bags containing promotional codes for Oysho boutiques. The run concludes with an aperitivo at Lucia Cannes, including fresh fruit juices and pinsas to share.

The concept combines both sport with lifestyle elements, reflecting what organisers describe as Côte d’Azur living. The collaboration between local venue Lucia Cannes and Spanish fashion retailer Oysho aims to create regular community events showcasing both fitness participation and local dining culture.

Registration for the run remains free of charge.

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Twiga’s new owners secure premium deal with AS Monaco until 2028

by: Cassandra Tanti
14/08/2025

LMDV Hospitality, the Italian group that acquired the Twiga brand earlier this year, is making a high-profile entrance into Monaco with a new premium partnership with AS Monaco running until 2028. The deal also brings into the spotlight Acqua Fiuggi, the historic Italian mineral water brand purchased by LMDV Capital in 2024.

Formed from the 2022 launch of Triple Sea Food and its subsequent merger with Twiga in February 2025, LMDV Hospitality has rapidly grown into a 650-strong group combining fine dining with exclusive entertainment. Its portfolio includes acclaimed restaurants such as Vesta, Casa Fiori Chiari, and Trattoria del Ciumbia, alongside Twiga venues in Monte-Carlo, Versilia, Baia Beniamin, and Porto Cervo. The acquisition of Twiga marked a decisive step in the group’s ambition to become a global leader in high-end hospitality.

Now, through its partnership with AS Monaco, LMDV is securing a prominent place in the Principality’s cultural and sporting life. Twiga will be featured on the professional team’s training kit, as well as pitchside at the Performance Centre and within the VIP spaces of the Stade Louis-II.

Acqua Fiuggi — whose origins trace back to the 13th century — will appear on the jerseys of AS Monaco’s amateur teams, while its bottles will be served at home games, in hospitality areas, and at press conferences.

“We are delighted to welcome a partner like LMDV Hospitality to the Rouge & Blanche family,” said Thibaut Chatelard, AS Monaco’s Marketing & Revenue Director. “Like AS Monaco, LMDV Hospitality makes it a point of honour to offer its customers unrivalled experiences. We look forward to creating synergies between our two entities.”

Leonardo Maria Del Vecchio, President of LMDV Capital, described the move as both strategic and personal: “Monaco is much more than a place — it’s our home. With Twiga and Vesta, we bring our vision of hospitality: energy, elegance, and uncompromising quality. Partnering with AS Monaco is a long-term commitment to the Principality and its community. We are proud to stand alongside a global sporting icon that shares our values, our ambition, and our vision of excellence.”

See also: 

Flavio Briatore sells Twiga Monte Carlo and other venues to Italian billionaire

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