12 ° C
Profile

Day: 1 January 2026

Video: “Entire ceiling ablaze” – dozens killed as fire tears through Swiss nightclub

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/01/2026

Dozens of people have died and more than 100 have been injured in a catastrophic fire that tore through a popular nightclub in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana during New Year’s celebrations.

Police confirmed “several dozen” deaths following the blaze at Le Constellation bar, which broke out around 1:30am on Thursday. The Italian foreign ministry cited Swiss police suggesting approximately 40 deaths, though officials would not specify an exact figure at a morning press conference.

The victims include many young people, with Le Constellation popular among 16 to 25-year-olds who had been celebrating the start of 2026. Many nationalities are believed to be among the dead and injured, with several hundred people affected by the blaze.

Did birthday sparklers trigger the inferno?

Two French nationals who escaped the fire told BFMTV the blaze began when a waitress placed birthday candles (sparklers) on champagne bottles, one of which was then held up too close to the wooden ceiling.

“In a matter of seconds, the entire ceiling was ablaze. Everything was made of wood,” Emma and Albane said. “The flames started to rise very quickly. The entire ceiling was on fire, even the first floor was on fire as we tried to make our way outside.”

A video taken within the nightclub appears to show the blaze igniting above the bar.

The pair described evacuation as “very difficult” due to narrow escape routes. “We were very lucky. There were about 200 people trying to get out within 30 seconds through some very narrow steps,” they said.

Flash fire devastation

Swiss authorities confirmed initial evidence points to a rapidly spreading “flash over” fire, in which anything combustible ignites very quickly, rather than a deliberate attack. A team of specialist forensic investigators from Zurich is now at the scene working to determine exactly how the fire started and why so many people died.

Firefighters were mobilised from across the entire region after emergency services were called when smoke was first noted at the bar. Despite rapid response, the fire’s speed overwhelmed evacuation efforts.

Many victims suffered severe burns. Local hospitals’ intensive care units are full, forcing transfer of some patients to hospitals in other cantons for urgent care. Swiss authorities have appealed to people across the country not to overburden the health service as emergency wards and burns units operate at capacity.

Identification process underway

Police emphasised it will take time to identify all victims given the number of nationalities involved and severity of injuries. The area has been completely closed off, with a no-fly zone imposed over Crans-Montana.

A police official told the press conference that everyone involved in the operation is “stunned” by this “painful moment”. As one emergency worker put it: “a time of celebration has become a nightmare.”

The disaster represents one of Switzerland’s deadliest fires in recent memory, striking at the heart of the New Year’s celebrations in one of the country’s premier ski destinations.

Prince Albert II sends condolences

Prince Albert II sent a message of condolence to Swiss President Guy Parmelin following the tragedy. “The Principality of Monaco learned with deep emotion of the fire in Crans-Montana,” the Prince wrote in an official dispatch on 1st January. “The Sovereign Prince and the Princely Government extend their support and solidarity to the Government of the Swiss Confederation, local authorities and all emergency services.” Prince Albert expressed compassion to victims, their families and all those affected by the tragedy, stating that Monaco “stands alongside the Swiss people in these difficult times”.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo: Screenshot of the blaze taken from a video recording of the incident. Credit: Le Nouvelliste/SuisseAlert

Prince Albert reflects on “beautiful and happy year” in New Year’s address with family

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/01/2026

Prince Albert II delivered his annual New Year’s address on Tuesday, reflecting on 2025 as a year of political, economic and sporting success for Monaco whilst calling for continued unity and progress in 2026.

The video message, published on social media channels, concluded with Princess Charlene, Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella joining the Prince. The twins alone delivered the traditional Monégasque greeting “Viva Munegu” to close the address.

“As the world prepares to close the page on 2025 and open that of 2026, I want to send each of you my best wishes for health, success and happiness,” Prince Albert said. “And I want to wish our entire community to continue developing in serenity and unity.”

Political and economic achievements

The Prince highlighted several successes during 2025, beginning with political and diplomatic achievements including visits from foreign heads of state and the organisation of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum in June, which he described as “a decisive step in implementing a new development model respectful of the seas.”

Economic results remained strong, with healthy public finances, flourishing businesses and sustained attractiveness demonstrated by remarkable results recorded throughout the year, according to the Prince.

Sporting achievements earned particular mention, with exceptional performances by Monegasque athletes bringing recognition to the country across multiple disciplines including tennis, sailing, equestrian, swimming and Formula 1.

Human achievements above all

However, Prince Albert emphasised that the year’s principal successes were human. “This year again, our community demonstrated its strength and unity, and knew how to meet great challenges,” he said.

He cited the July celebrations marking 20 years of his reign as a moment of communion for the community. “We continued to advance together toward common objectives, founded on progress and the general interest,” the Prince said.

“Our values, our unity, our model have once again this year demonstrated their strength, our strength,” he stated. “I therefore hope that 2026 will in turn be an opportunity to make this model shine.”

Support for those suffering

The Prince expressed particular thoughts for those experiencing hardship. “At the moment of looking toward 2026, I have a special thought for those among us who are in sorrow, those who suffer in body or soul,” he said. “To them too, I want to express my affection, that of Princess Charlene, that of my family and our support to all.”

He emphasised that unity extends beyond moments of celebration. “United when things go well, we also know how to be so during more painful periods,” Prince Albert said. “It is all together that we will make 2026 a great and beautiful year, for Monaco and for each of us,” he concluded.

Multilingual closing

The address ended with the Princely Family appearing together to deliver New Year greetings in multiple languages: “Bonne année à tous! Happy New Year! Bon anu noevu!” before Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella alone proclaimed “Viva Munegu!” in Monégasque.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: Michaël Alesi/Palais princier.

 

Monte-Carlo Printemps des Arts Festival returns with ‘Utopias’ theme

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
01/01/2026

The Monte-Carlo Printemps des Arts festival has unveiled its 2026 programme, providing a chance to music lovers to experience 27 concerts featuring more than 80 works performed by 260 artists from March 11th to April 19th. 

Artistic director Bruno Mantovani revealed the season’s highlights during a presentation at the Oceanographic Museum on December 5th, which will present 12 world premiere performances, and showcase works by 50 different composers.

The 42nd edition is titled ‘Utopies – opus 1’ and will place musical instruments at the heart of the programme. Both period and modern instruments will feature in dialogue from Renaissance masters to contemporary composers.

The festival, presided over by Princess Caroline of Hanover, will open on March 11th with works by Gesualdo and Monteverdi performed by La Venexiana and Duo Xamp at the Église Saint-Charles. The following evening, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will present pieces by Stravinsky, Monnet and Debussy at the Auditorium Rainier III.

Concerts will take place in various locations including the Oceanographic Museum, the Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection, as well as venues in Nice such as the Théâtre National’s Franciscan hall.

Highlights include a candlelit concert on March 14th featuring violinist Tedi Papavrami and pianist Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, and ‘La Grande Battle’ by Ensemble I Gemelli at the Oceanographic Museum on 13th March.

The programme also features performances from earlier centuries, including ‘Laude Novella’ by Ensemble Gilles Binchois and ‘Harmonia Artificiosa’ by Ensemble Artifices, alongside major works such as Messiaen’s Turangalîla-Symphonie performed by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra at the Grimaldi Forum on 4th April.

The festival concludes with ‘Miniatures’, a series of ballet performances by Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo from 16th to 19th April.

Accessible pricing

In a significant change for 2026, the festival has introduced the same pricing for most concerts at €20, making the festival more accessible to audiences.

Exceptions include concerts in partnership with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. The festival remains free for under 25-year-olds with advance booking.

Tickets are now available online via the Monte-Carlo Ticket platform: https://indiv.themisweb.fr/0526/fListeManifs.aspx?idstructure=0526 or at the box office in the Casino de Monte-Carlo’s entrance hall, open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5:30pm, and on concert Sundays from 10am to 4pm (closed 24th and 25th December).

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo credit: OPMC

Why teaching children to say ‘no’ matters

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
01/01/2026

France has published new guidance on teaching children about consent, an education necessary to protect young children and shape tomorrow’s society. 

Delphine Saulière, editorial director at Bayard Jeunesse and co-author of a book on preventing sexual violence against children, explains that consent education should begin in early childhood, even though children rarely understand the term itself.

According to the guidance, consent involves giving permission for things that affect you. While adults must make certain decisions for children, respecting a child’s input means explaining what will happen and why.

The key is informing children about decisions affecting them, listening to their concerns, and helping them feel involved in their own lives.

Everyday consent lessons

Parents can teach consent through daily situations. For instance, they might explain that children needn’t accept unwanted kisses from people they barely know, and mustn’t force kisses on others either. Similarly, siblings can learn to respect each other’s privacy during bath time, asking permission before entering the bathroom when someone is washing. Parents might also discuss playground dynamics, such as when certain groups occupy play spaces and exclude others.

These ordinary moments help children recognise what feels right and wrong, and push them to speak up.

This consent education creates a culture of mutual respect. Children learn they have rights over their own bodies, and thus must respect others’ boundaries too.

The approach covers all forms of mistreatment, not just sexual violence. Children should know they can refuse being pushed around at school or excluded from games.

Practical advice for parents

Experts recommend creating regular dialogue opportunities, perhaps during shared reading time, when conversations can flow naturally. Meanwhile, parents might use age-appropriate books to introduce difficult topics without making children feel ambushed. Another recommendation is taking advantage of natural moments, for example school registration or joining sports clubs provides opportunities to discuss what children might experience in these new environments.

The guidance also suggests helping children identify trusted adults they can turn to, whether that’s a teacher, a friend’s parent, or a school counsellor. Additionally, when problems arise, children should be encouraged to act with friends rather than alone, turning the power of a group dynamics into something positive.

Lastly, it also reminds parent that children cannot invent detailed descriptions of abuse. If a child reports something troubling, there’s truth in what they’re saying.

However, the French guidance also reminds parents that they aren’t alone. As an old saying explains, it takes a village to raise a child. Teachers, coaches, librarians, and parents must all play their part in helping young children grow up understanding respect and boundaries.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Main photo credit: Vitaly Gariev, Unsplash

New Jean Cocteau exhibition in Menton is a tribute to friendship, art, and identity

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/01/2026

A major new exhibition, Jean Cocteau and His Friends: Portraits and Self-Portraits, is open at the Musée Jean Cocteau Le Bastion in Menton until 8th June 2026. Presented by the city’s mayor and curated from the Séverin Wunderman collection, the exhibition celebrates the life and work of the iconic French artist through over 150 works — including drawings, paintings, sculptures and photographs.

At its heart, the exhibition explores the duality of the self and the influence of friendship, offering a deeply personal look at Jean Cocteau’s emotional world. Alongside his own self-portraits — some created during periods of grief and introspection — are portraits of his closest friends, among them Raymond Radiguet, Jean Marais, Jean Desbordes and Édouard Dermit. These individuals not only shaped his creative journey but were themselves immortalised in intimate and expressive works.

The exhibition is presented in four thematic sequences: Self-portraits, Monstres sacrés, Musicians, and Dancers and Writers. Cocteau’s depiction of his friends as mythic and sacred figures is especially poignant in the Monstres sacréssection, where larger-than-life personalities like Sarah Bernhardt, Lucien Daudet and Pablo Picasso are cast as muses.

Meanwhile, his lifelong collaboration with musicians such as Erik Satie and Francis Poulenc is explored in the Musicians sequence, while his connections with dancers and literary figures — from Serge de Diaghilev to Raymond Radiguet — are highlighted in the final section.

A particular focus is placed on self-portraiture as a spiritual exercise. Cocteau used his art to process grief, identity and time, especially following the deaths of loved ones. His introspective series Jean l’Oiseleur is a striking example, created during a period of mourning and seclusion at the Welcome Hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer.

The show also features rare international loans and collaborations, including pieces by the Spanish sculptor Apelles Fenosa and artists Yvonne Billis Régnier and Zhang Hua, whose works reflect Cocteau’s ongoing influence across continents and disciplines.

Stay updated with Monaco Life: sign up for our free newsletter, catch our podcast on Spotify, and follow us across Facebook,  Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tik Tok.

Photo source: Ville de Menton