The fourth volume of ‘Blitz’, the chess manga created by Monaco-based Shibuya Productions, will be released this week featuring a special guest star in the form of Prince Albert II.
On Friday 25th June, manga fans will be treated to a new instalment of the Monaco-produced Blitz.
“From the moment Blitz took place in Monaco, it was obvious to me to have the most important person in the country in the manga,” says Blitz creator and writer Cedric Biscay. “This volume four is really special because we have the honour to introduce an exceptional guest, Prince Albert. Moreover, he said yes right away, which is great!”
Whilst few specifics have been made public, the creators say the latest volume will show added depth and dimension to the main characters Tom, Harmony and Karl.
Shibuya Productions was founded by Cedric Biscay and Kostadin Yanev as an umbrella for production, development and creation of content for publishing, video game platforms, cinema, television.
When they launched Blitz in February 2020, it was in the hope that they could demystify the chess world and make it accessible and entertaining to people of all ages and backgrounds. In the latest story, there will be a “complete analysis of a game used in the book in order to help readers to understand the subtleties of the game”.
The Blitz series, supervised by the greatest player of all time Garry Kasparov, has been a huge success, prompting more to follow. Biscay considers this project his baby, and offers for an anime adaption have been made, showing an appeal far outside of the local market.
The latest volume will feature the Prince’s Palace on the back cover as well as the appearance of Monaco’s Sovereign.
“If I’m allowed to continue and the readership is still there, we can come up with 25 Blitz books with all I have to add to the story,” says Biscay.
Photo: Cedric Biscay at the press conference for the launch of Blitz volume 4
Monaco Life was there for the final episode of the 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival on Wednesday night. Here are the highlights.
It was an evening that marked the end of Monaco’s first major festival since the pandemic began. The public turned out to see celebrities, television stars and A-list personalities walk the red carpet, including Ferrari driver and Monegasque favourite Charles Leclerc who stopped to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. Photo of Charles Leclerc greeting fans on the red carpet by Monaco Life
Prince Albert, Honorary President of the Television Festival, was joined by his nephew Louis Ducruet and wife Marie for the main event in the theatre of the Grimaldi Forum – the presentation of the Golden Nymph Awards.
Monaco beauty Victoria Silvstedt was one of the first to present an award, rising up to the stage amidst a hologram of golden swirling stars. She presented the PeaceJam Special Jury Prize, sponsored by Monaco-based GEMA Foundation, to Lady Monika Bacardi for the Italian series Bella Da Morire. Photo of Victoria Silvstedt by Monaco Life
US film Uncle Frank, produced by Miramax and Amazon Studios, was the big winner of the night, taking out Best Film, Best Creation and, for lead actor Paul Bettany, best Actor.
The UK’s It’s a Sin won Best Series, while lead actress Lydia West won Best Actress.
In the news category, ITV News won Best News Coverage for its Inside US Capitol production.
In total there were 14 winners selected from 27 nominated programs from 14 countries across the Prince Rainier III Special Prize, News and Fiction categories as well as a number of accolades including the Monaco Red Cross Prize and the AMADE Prize.
The coveted Crystal Nymph Award, destined for an actor for outstanding work, was presented by Prince Albert to French Tchéky Karyo.
“This 60th Monte-Carlo Television Festival has been a successful edition not only because of the remarkable and diverse talent who have joined us from around the world, but also in regards to the exceptional circumstances of the health crisis surrounding its organisation,” said Prince Albert, Honorary President of the Festival.
In a spectacular display of glitz, glam and technology, award winners who were not able to attend because of travel restrictions were projected on to the stage as holograms.
“I am very proud of the fact that, with the united effort and support of our friends and colleagues, we have managed to organise this exceptional edition of the festival during the global pandemic,” said Laurent Puons, CEO of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “A huge thanks to the entire festival’s team who worked tirelessly to make this anniversary memorable. It has been a fantastic five days here in Monaco culminating in an innovative and ground-breaking awards ceremony. The festival prides itself on its modern approach and, in this anniversary year, has truly celebrated the depth and breadth of global television as it continues to adapt and evolve.”
A unique gala called ‘Chill Out on the Bay’ is being planned by Ambitious Monte-Carlo in July, combining boxing with glamour and marking a comeback of the sport after the pandemic.
The English boxing gala will be held from 1st to 3rd July near Calvi, Corsica at the stunning Villa Plage. It includes boxing matches and an after-party with live DJ, followed by a “Barbeque of the Kings” on the final day.
Ambitious Monte-Carlo’s Romain Goiran says he decided to organise the gala as a way to ease back in to the sport after the constraints of the past year and a half due to the pandemic.
“Our job is to prepare the boxers to fight,” he said. “Considering the current situation, very few opportunities to fight have come to the table. So, it was evolve or close, and the natural evolution of working in boxing is having your own organisation.”
His other goal was to make boxing glamorous again. The organisers of the event want to change perceptions of boxing from a sport only for the underclasses to a sport that reclaims the glory days when people saw boxing as a gentlemen’s game.
“The reality is such that today’s public has become familiar with an idea of boxing, especially in France, that is not necessarily compatible with luxury,” said Romain Goiran. “The objective is to create an event concept around boxing capable of attracting other customers. Being a Monegasque resident, my event culture revolves around elitism. I think that French professional boxing today needs a new setting to survive the economic difficulties it is experiencing.”
Headlining the event is four-time world champion Hassan N’Dam N’Jikam, who is eager to help make Goiran’s dream a reality.
“I’m 37-years-old and have stepped into the ring all over the world,” he said. “However, this concept of a gala where luxury and boxing are associated will be a first for me. It’s very exciting.”
Art and charity will also feature in the weekend, with pieces on display by artist Julien Marinetti. Some of the artist’s works will line the ring as well as the floor, taking the place of sponsors. After the match, the art will be cut out and sold at auction to benefit the Calvi Hospital.
Louis Ducruet is a sponsor of the event and says he is proud to back the concept. “It is very important for me to associate myself with those who wish to export Monegasque sport outside the borders of Monaco,” he said. “Combining such an event with the charity side, which I am very close to, strengthens the support I can bring to this great project.”
Ambitious Monte-Carlo is a boxing management agency based in Monaco. Their boxers represent the Monegasque colours in top-flight venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The iconic original superyacht Lady Moura has been sold after just a year and a half on the market for an eye-watering €105 million.
Camper & Nicholsons announced the in-house sale of Lady Moura on Friday evening. Listed exclusively with the company for 554 days, the sale represents the fastest known brokerage sale of a 100+ metre vessel in the last 10 years, as well as the largest yacht sale recorded by a brokerage house since 2019. Her asking price was €105 million (US $125 million).
“Camper & Nicholsons is extremely proud to deliver such an excellent result to the owner, who recognised in the company a combination of unrivalled heritage and industry-leading innovation that made it the only choice to entrust the sale of such a beloved yacht,” said Camper & Nicholsons in a statement.
The legendary 105m motor yacht was delivered by Blohm+Voss in 1990 and was presented to the market for the first time a year and a half ago. Throughout the decades, her annual arrival in Monaco heralded the start of the summer season. Lady Moura sails into Monaco
Lady Moura was the highly private vessel of Saudi Arabian businessman Nasser Al-Rashid and was built to host royalty and dignitaries, a family residence that became a point of reference in Monaco’s Port Hercules. Until her listing, she had never welcomed brokers or charter guests on board. Much detail about her Luigi Sturchio-styled interiors had remained a closely guarded secret.
Catapulted into the list of top 10 yachts in the world upon her delivery, she has been called the original superyacht: the beach club, the hydraulic fold-out balcony and the tender garage were among her pioneering features. Incredible interior volumes — her beam is 18.5m — and a seven-deck arrangement are just two of her stand-out features. Her listing on the brokerage market generated plenty of buzz. The saloon of the Lady Moura
“I am extremely pleased we achieved such a result and the timeframe in which we achieved it makes it even more exceptional. I would like to thank all the people involved, across our Marketing, CRM, Legal, Brokerage and Management departments as this was a truly joint effort that makes me so very proud to work for this company, with every single team member we have today,” said CEO Paolo Casani.
The sale was achieved by Sales Brokers Arne Ploch and Andrew LeBuhn representing the seller and Fernando Nicholson representing the undisclosed buyer.
“An iconic vessel that defines the world of gigayachting has been sold in-house and three very senior and experienced yacht brokers have been able to achieve one of the great successes in yachting in 2021 thanks to the dedication and organisation of all the departments of C&N, starting from the CEO down. This remarkable sale is thanks to truly solid and experienced teamwork,” sad Senior Sales Broker Fernando Nicholson.
La Vigie Lounge and Restaurant is reopening for a new season, giving guests a touch of bohemian chic, seaside.
The opening is part of the Monte-Carlo Beach’s multi-faceted launch of the 2021 season. Firstly, on 28th May, the Beach Hotel and the Elsa Michelin-starred restaurant flung open their doors, with new Chef Manon Fleury at the helm. Then came the opening of the Beach Club and the unveiling of the new beach designed to match its 1930s origins. Now, it is time for La Vigie Lounge and Restaurant to reopen its doors for the season, from 25th June to 5th September.
Nestled among pine trees and amidst a classified bird sanctuary, with the sea as its only horizon, this little piece of paradise offers a relaxing atmosphere and cool summer vibes.
With its bohemian chic decor, azure blue reflections and immaculate white tones, the lounge bar is designed to seduce, offering up signature cocktails, refined wines and delicious platters to share. Comfortably seated in large armchairs facing the sea, guests are invited to pass the hours to the rhythm of summer tunes delivered by a resident DJ. Photo of La Vigie Lounge and Restaurant by SBM
Meanwhile, under the creative direction of Chef Pascal Garrigues and his team, the terrace restaurant offers a gourmet menu with South American flavours, including guacamole, empanadas and amberjack ceviche for starters, followed by specialties from the famous Josper Grill such as wagyu beef ribeye, freshly caught fish of the day and scrumptious king crab.
Long summer dinners with friends and loved ones are back on the agenda.
Like the Principality of Monaco, Tel Aviv in Israel is a Smart City with an insatiable appetite for sustainable technology.
An important aspect of that is Smart Mobility, and for 10 years, EcoMotion Week has been bringing together entrepreneurs, academics, government officials, local and global automotive industry representatives, and investors for an event that is designed to grow the Israeli Smart Mobility sector.
Following the recent EcoMotion Week in May, Monaco Life spoke to the Co-Founder and Chairman of EcoMotion Week Meir Arnon about Smart Mobility, the surprising rapid advancement of driverless vehicles, and the future of flying cars. Monaco Life:When did EcoMotion Week begin and why?
Meir Arnon: EcoMotion is an NGO that started 10 years ago in order to build an industry in Israel that was not there before – Smart Mobility. There are a lot of technologies coming from the defence industry, but not so much in other industries. So, we wanted to organise a yearly event that brings together thought leaders and actual global car makers. The first event attracted around 200 people; at the recent event, there were close to 5,000 – all carmakers and suppliers. It has become an event that the entire industry supports, and it now includes more than 600 start-ups in the Smart Mobility field. We have achieved what we wanted to in creating a new industry with lots of jobs and profits.
Of course, unfortunately during Covid, the 2020 and 2021 events were virtual, but they were nonetheless very successful with thousands of meetings and agreements between companies and start-ups. EcoMotion Week 2019 Which field of Smart Mobility has excited and surprised you most throughout the decade?
When we started, we thought that the most exciting story we would be able to tell would be semi-autonomous driving, where a driver can relax a little and rely on some of the car sensors. We did not anticipate the speed in which this technology would actually be implemented. Regulation is of course very important, not just the technology, as well as customer acceptance. In the US today, over 70% of passengers are happy to drive in a fully-autonomous car, without a driver. If you were to ask the same question five years ago, it would probably be a third of that. So, one thing we saw coming is the semi-autonomous car, but it developed much faster than we thought.
The other is electrification. Arguably today, there is not one car company that has not committed to moving totally, or mostly, to electrification. Volvo was the first to announce that there would be no more internal combustion engines (ICE) in their cars by 2030, and by 2025, more than half will be electric. GM followed, saying that by 2030 more than half of their cars would be electric, then Ford did the same. If you had asked me five years ago, I would not have thought it would be so quick.
The reason for this speed is partly because, for the past five years, China has been dramatically subsidising electric cars because of the terrible pollution they have in their big cities. This accelerated the rest of the global car players. Meanwhile, five years ago, the battery industry in China was much more developed than that in Europe and the US. It is no longer the case, because many car makers – for example Tesla and many other car companies – have invested billions of dollars locally in battery manufacturing.
Another surprisingly speedy change is something that you or I could have only dreamed about – flying cars. And again, five years ago it was kind of like, “ok, good luck with that”. But today it has become centre stage. There are around 200 companies today with what we call EVTOL – electric, vertical take-off and landing. Of course, they have some challenges, but there are flying cars today that fly in the air and drive on the road. So, it parks in your garage, you fly to a short strip or private airport and you take off, you land somewhere and you continue to drive.
This whole world of electric helicopters and flying cars has moved very quickly, much quicker than most people anticipated. It reminds me of another time in history. If you look back 100 years ago in north America, there were 4,000 cars and 25 million horses. When asked what his customers wanted, Henry Ford was quoted as saying that his customers wanted faster horses. Nearly a century later, here we are with close to a billion cars globally. So, looking ahead, do we see flying cars? I think it will take perhaps 50 years, not 100. We will see less roads and infrastructure, and more autonomous flying cars in air corridors. Flying car at EcoMotion Week 2019 But what about the affordability of Smart Mobility?
By 2025, it will cost the same to produce a mini-cooper electric as a mini-cooper ICE.
Today, electric cars cost about 25% more to produce because they are less in numbers and there are parts that are costly today, but will not be costly tomorrow, such as the electric engine.
Now, let’s look at the reverse. An electric car has less than 1,000 parts. Normal cars today have ten times as many moving parts, and the moving parts are usually the problem. So, the fact is, electrification will eventually reduce the cost of cars.
With regards to autonomous cars, what today would cost you around $100,000 will cost a couple of thousand dollars five years from now.
Flying cars will continue to be expensive, but service in a flying car will be less costly. I don’t think flying cars will be targeted to everyone in the next five to 10 years, but they will come to prices that the average person can use. Not buy, but use for sure, like a taxi. What range are we talking?
Today, flying cars are using normal ICE engines, but they will soon use batteries and become electric. We envision that, if the battery develops, a flying car is looking at short-haul trips of between 160 to 800 kilometres.
Technologies are allowing things that we could not imagine a few years ago. The fact that these flying cars will be autonomous, that’s for sure; and the fact that people are willing to step into an autonomous car or plane is now more accepted than, say, five years ago. It is not just the technology and the cost, but also the acceptance among people that they can rely on a “robot”. What about cybersecurity? How much effort is being directed towards securing Smart Mobility?
There is a huge amount of work in this field. In Israel alone, there are more than 50 start-ups engaged in this field, some of whom were sold to Continental for over $500 million. It has been identified that once this technology becomes real and is no longer in the testing phase, the more security becomes a major issue, just like in normal aviation. How is the aviation industry moving towards electrification?
The limitation today is battery performance. For example, there are currently seven or eight fully electric planes being tested but they have a range of maybe 160 kilometres.
But battery technology has also seen enormous advancement over the past 10 years. Kilowatts per dollar and kilowatts per kilogram have both dropped by a factor of 10 in the last five years, and continue to drop in that trajectory. So, it will get there. The world is working hard on clean energy, especially you guys there in Monaco. What synergies do you see between Monaco and Israel?
I think Smart Mobility is very much linked to Smart City, and here in Israel we are working a lot of with the major principalities. The synergies between Monaco and Israel? Firstly, I would say that we are on the same ocean, so we should both take care of it. Secondly, Israel is full of technologies, Monaco is full of money – the challenge is to put the two together.
Top photo: Meir Arnon
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