Monaco Telecom has given a donation to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, money that was raised from its commitment to reduce the use of paper in its organisation.
Martin Peronnet, General Manager of Monaco Telecom, recently gave Olivier Wenden, Vice President Managing Director of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, a donation from revenues gained from the dematerialisation of its customer invoices.
Each month, Monaco Telecom issues some 22,000 invoices, 85% of which are now sent electronically. It is a drastic reduction in their paper consumption in line with the company’s social and environmental responsibility policy adopted in recent years.
The amount donated to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation will help support projects related to the preservation of forests and the biodiversity they shelter.
Deforestation remains a major problem, which is still increasing in some parts of the world. Reducing paper consumption helps to combat this ecological threat but also to save water and energy resources.
Going even further in their commitment, Monaco Telecom management used the opportunity to sign the ‘Charter on Wood’, an initiative of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation alongside the Government of Monaco, MC2D and IMEDD.
The wood charter component of the initiative ‘Monaco commits itself against deforestation’, aims to educate Monegasque companies in the responsible use of wood products and wood derivatives found in their purchases or within the framework of their customers relations and suppliers. Nearly 60 Monegasque companies have already committed to the charter, the most successful are rewarded at an annual awards ceremony at the Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo.
Same sex couples in Monaco will be able to benefit from a host of legal rights afforded to married couples and their children, under a new Free Union law that has just been passed by the National Council.
After reading a very detailed report by Pierre Van Klaveren on bill 974 and the civil contracts of solidarity, the law on the common life contract and the contract of coexistence was unanimously adopted by the Monaco National Council on Tuesday 4th December.
“It’s true, we would have preferred two different texts, but as we are pragmatic, we had declared ourselves ready to accept a single law, if it had two separate elements, with separate rights for couples and families, without hypocrisy, because of course their relationships are different. It’s done,” said President of the National Council Stéphane Valeri.
The rights recognised to couples, of the same sex or of different sex, protect a person in the most difficult situations of their life, such as disease, through the social coverage of their partner, or in death by more favourable succession rights or co-ownership of a lease.
Mr. Valeri made a point of highlighting the fact that the common life contract is very different from a marriage contract, which remains unattainable for same sex couples in Monaco.
According to French law, the union libre is an agreement between adults which grants rights between parents and potential children, but holds no obligation of sexual fidelity, nor does it grant reciprocal duties and rights between partners.
“Tonight, through the joint work of the Monaco Government and the National Council, we are moving our country even more on the path of modernity,” said the council president. “This is good news firstly for all concerned couples – and I know there are many with us tonight. These couples will be able to benefit from the recognition of their situation, to which they can legitimately aspire. It is also excellent news for the international image of Monaco, a modern state which is always respectful of its institutions and values.”
Top picture: National Council votes in Free Union law. Photo: National Council
In October and November, nearly 4,000 people responded to a call to give their opinions on the quality of life in the Principality, and it’s no great surprise that traffic and construction noise were tops on the list of complaints.
The survey was organised by the National Council and revealed that over 80% of participants think that noise pollution is a significant problem, be it from road traffic, especially of the two-wheeled variety, construction sites, or just the general noise of daily life on the streets.
Respondents also think driving in Monaco is increasingly challenging. 83% report having trouble getting around by car on a regular basis, whilst 89% say vehicle travel has become harder full stop. The possible solutions mentioned by those asked were to limit the number of vehicles entering the Principality, creating car parks at the entry points to the city, and making road improvements for two-wheeled vehicles.
Pedestrians, on the other hand, are finding their lot vastly improved, with 70% stating so.
Transportation options in the Principality elicit strong sentiments and unambiguous expectations. Over half of those polled would take the bus more often if it were free, and 71% believe that only residents and those working in Monaco should be able to get a free ride. Test runs by the National Council for free bus services are soon to conducted on one of the Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM) lines, which would encourage those who may not otherwise take public transport to do so.
One in four are very willing to use Monabike, especially if improvements such as more designated bike lanes are created and the enforcement of helmet wearing is implemented for the safety of bikers.
People were also concerned with a few health-related matters, though quality of care was not one of them. These thoughts were more along the lines of the impact of 5G on health and topics concerning living environments, such as water quality.
Overall, the news is good for Monaco’s quality of life. Despite the things that people would like changed, almost everyone is united in saying that life is good compared to so many other places in the world, with 90% asking for the adoption of a plan to maintain the lifestyle already enjoyed. This, the National Council asserted, is now a top priority.
The breakdown of respondents to the poll was 70% Monegasque, 21% residents and 9% commuters.
In late November, Hermitage Fine Art hosted the inaugural Russian Sales at Le Meridien, auctioning off some exciting rare pieces.
To understand more about this new auction house and some of the fine items that went under the hammer in the Principality, Monaco Life spoke to Hermitage Fine Art Director Elena Efremova.
Monaco Life: When did Hermitage Fine Art enter the auction scene?
Elena Efremova: We opened our auction house Hermitage Fine Art in 2017 and we organise three large art auction series every year. The next sales will be in March 2020.
What are some of the standout pieces you have auctioned?
In the last three years we have curated and organised auctions of Old Masters, 19th Century and Modern and Contemporary art. One of our highlights was a significant painting by Felix Vallotton ‘Femme nue’, the sale of which coincided with an important exhibition of Vallotton at the Royal Academy of Art in London and, in recent years, the Grand Palais in Paris.
Another important work we sold in 2018 was Portrait of Gabrielle d’Estree by Fontainbleau School, painted before 1600. The painting was sold in Monaco and after the auction it was included in the exhibition catalogue ‘La Joconde Nue’ and published as part of the the homonymous exhibition at the Domaine de Chantilly in 2019.
Portrait of Gabrielle d’Estree by Fontainbleau School
Do you have a specialty?
We are known worldwide for auctions of manuscripts and autographs. From rare historic handwritten letters to unique autographs by famous politicians and writers, cultural and literary figures, scientists and world celebrities.
In November, we sold a unique, previously unpublished autograph of ‘Silver age’ by Russian writer Valeriy Bryusov (1873-1924) – a handwritten letter to Zinaida Gippius. In it, Bryusov eloquently talks about all the poetic twists and turns that have taken place in the cultural life of Moscow in the summer of 1907.
On the pages of the letter are literary competition, philosophical debate, and magazine intrigue involving the first poets of the era: Alexander Blok, Andrei Bely, V. Ivanov, G. Chulkov, Gumilev, Gorodetsky, M. Kuzmin, etc. All the events revolve around rival magazines ‘Zolotoye Runo’ and ‘Vesi’. Letters from Bryusov to Gippius remain largely unknown. The lot was sold for 19,860€.
One of our main focuses is the auction of Russian art and history, with unique historic artefacts such as silver gilt Kovsh of Peter the Ist time. Several of these items are preserved in State museums in Russia (Kremlin Armory Chamber, etc.) and in private collections. Our auction house features the highest quality Russian masterpieces and an exemplary collection of Russian antique and rare books.
In March 2020 Monegasque clients will have an opportunity to see original scripts of Marlon Brando with his handwritten notes and other exceptional items from his library.
We also had auctions of numismatics, with Septimius Severvs (193-211) Aureus, Rome, going for a record 86,060€. Severus was Roman emperor from 193 to 211. On the reverse side of the coin there are images of Severus’ sons Caracalla and Geta. These are perhaps the only reliable portraits of these great historical figures. This rare and fine coin was sold for 86,060€.
The Roman Empire golden coin – Septimius Severus (193-211) Aureus, Rome, 201, AU 7,48g
In addition to the auctions, how else are you involved in the art scene of Monaco?
We are happy to be part of the cultural life of Monaco, with our art breakfasts, art talks, previews and cocktails. We invite people from Monaco to follow the new exciting projects on our website and visit our events.
What were some of the other rare pieces auctioned on 21st November at Le Meridien?
‘Autumn View on Church’, a painting by Konstantin Ivanoovich Gorbatov (1876 – 1945), Oil on canvas, sold for 72,820€ (Top picture).
A ‘Faberge’ desk set in its authentic case sold for 9,930€. The paper knife and magnifying glass with decorative handles are made in the technique of guilloche enamel, inlaid with old cut diamonds and cabochon cut rubies.
‘Faberge’ The bureau set in the authentic case
Finally, an original Louis Vuitton trunk, dated 1910, became the top lot of the ‘Objects of vertu’ auction collection. The vintage Louis Vuitton Trunk was sold for 10,592€.
Since 2008, the Mairie of Monaco has embarked on an environmental programme to combat deforestation by planting one tree for every birth in the Principality each year.
Called ‘1 Birth = 1 Tree’, this year’s edition was held in La Turbie near the Tête de Chien, the iconic 550 metre-high rock promontory perched above the Principality. It saw a symbolic planting of roughly 20 plants by Mayor Georges Marsan and members of the City Council including Jacques Pastor, Claude Bollati and Mélanie Flachaire.
A sign was also erected to inform the public of the environmental commitment to reforestation of the Monegasque City Council.
In all, a total of 983 trees will be planted locally to replicate the number of births in Monaco in 2018. Additionally, cedar and larch trees are being planted by the Principality in the Haut-Var to assist their reforestation programme and to show the cooperation between Monaco and its neighbours.
The trees are chosen specifically to adapt to their climates. For example, the strawberry trees planted locally do well in calcified, rocky soil and handle drought well. The cedars in the Haut-Var grow in higher altitudes and can easily cope with soaring summer temperatures and little water.
The ‘1 Birth = 1 tree’ initiative is part of a worldwide campaign ‘Plant for the Planet, sponsored by HSH Prince Albert II and with an end goal to seeing the planting of one billion trees. In the Principality alone, nearly 12,000 trees have been planted since 2008, showing the City Council’s firm commitment to the Prince’s policies and values.
Photo credits: Monaco City Hall. Top photo: Mayor Georges Marsan surrounded by members of the Communal Council Jacques Pastor, Claude Bollati and Melanie Flachaire, as well as representatives of the ONF and the Service of Civil Status – Nationality of the Town Hall of Monaco.
Monaco has teamed up with Exclusive Brands as it’s official partner for the Monaco Pavilion at the Expo 2020 Dubai.
Monaco Inter Expo (MIE) signed the agreement on Friday at the Congress Centre of the Industrial Union of Turin, partnering with Exclusive Brands Torino (EBT) which serves as a network of Piedmontese companies of excellence.
“The partnership between our two institutions, though very different in nature, is based on sharing the same values of internationality, uniqueness, exclusivity and excellence, and on the common will to collaborate towards progress on a global scale,” said Albert Croesi, Director General of MIE, and Giulio Trombetta, General Director of Costadoro SpA, a member of the EBT network and former official partner of the Monaco Pavilion in Milan (Expo 2015) and Astana (Expo 2017). Both men were instrumental in the current deal.
“We are very pleased with Monaco Inter Expo,” said Paolo Pininfarina, EBT President. “For EBT and member companies, this participation in the Expo 2020 Dubai represents a great opportunity for visibility and publicity on an international stage, which will help further improve the performance of the EBT network, which has already experienced an increase in the number of employees in 2019 (from 652 to 783), in sales (+ 37%, or €159.5 million to €218.1 million) and the amount of exports from €81.7 million to €94.9 million.”
Monaco Pavilion Expo 2020 Dubai
To promote this collaboration, a series of limited products created by EBT companies, under the theme ‘Pavilion Monaco Expo 2020 Dubai’, have been created and are inspired by Monaco Pavilion’s design. The exclusive products will be exhibited and sold inside the Monaco Pavilion in Dubai, as well as in Italy and in the relevant reference markets coinciding with this international event.
Present at the signing were EBT President Paolo Pininfarina, the Deputy Commissioner of Section Monaco Pavilion Alexandre Bocquillon, Ambassador of the Principality of Monaco in Italy Robert Fillon, Honorary Consul of Monaco in Turin Licia Mattioli, and Director General of the Monaco Economic Board Guillaume Rose.
