As the final month of 2023 begins, the last in the centenary year of Prince Rainier III’s birth, the Principality is continuing to reflect on the impact the late Prince made as well as the legacy he left behind.
THE PRINCE AND THE MEDITERRANEAN
On 6th December, the Oceanographic Museum will open a completely revamped space as a tribute to Prince Rainier and his lifelong commitment to ocean protection. It will showcase his actions both nationally, such as the creation of Monaco’s marine reserves, as well as internationally, including his fight to stop nuclear waste from being dumped into the Mediterranean Sea, the founding of the Pelagos Sanctuary and RAMOGE.
The Prince and the Mediterranean will be part of the overall 700m2 ‘Monaco and the Ocean’ permanent exhibition room that offers visitors an “immersive and interactive journey” through the reigns of the Monegasque sovereigns Albert I, Rainer III and Albert II, and their separate efforts to protect the world’s oceans.
CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
On 7th December, the Christmas Village will open on Port Hercule with the theme for this year of Rainer III, Passionate Prince. This much-loved annual fun fair will feature plenty of different attractions and stands alongside music events and live entertainment.
In line with the motif, there will be scenes decorated with photos of the Prince enjoying the things he loved most: motor sports, the arts, animals and the sea.
See more: Dates announced for Monaco’s Prince Rainier III-themed Christmas Village
RAINIER IN HIS OWN WORDS
Two chances to view the film Rainier III par Lui-Même can be had on 7th December at 6.30pm at the Cinéma des Beaux-Arts and on 18th December at the Théâtre des Variétés at 8pm.
Directed by Yann-Antony Noghès, and with the input of historians Thomas Fouilleron and Vincent Vatrican, the film gives exclusive insight into the inner workings of the Prince based on interviews and speeches given by Prince Rainier.
UN PRINCE, UN MUSÉE
From 15th December to the end of March 2024, the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology will host the Un Prince, Un Musée (One Prince, One Museum) exhibit celebrating Prince Rainier’s vision for this important place, which was founded to preserve the country’s prehistorical treasures.
In addition to the excavation sites, which are priceless, there will also be exhibits on the support he and Princess Grace gave to the museum through donations.
BALLET TRIBUTE SHOW
Finally, on 20th December at 7.30pm, the Ballets de Monte-Carlo will perform two pieces that were particular favourites of Prince Rainier in his honour at the Grimaldi Forum’s fittingly named Salle des Princes.
The first is La Valse by George Balanchine. Created in 1951 and first performed in Monaco in 1994, the Prince loved this ballet because of Ravel’s score. He was a huge fan of the composer, and he and Princess Grace had welcomed the famous Russian choreographer on several occasions, making this a rather personal work for him.
The second is Jean-Christophe Maillot’s take on L’Enfant et les Sortilèges, which premiered in 1992. This too had a Ravel score and is filled with the magic of childhood. Maillot’s modern interpretation kept all the original charm of the piece, but made it relevant to contemporary audiences.
For more information on each of these events, click here.
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Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department