9 ° C
Profile

Tag: monaco

La Mairie hosts annual Galette des Rois gathering for local associations

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
13/01/2026

Monaco’s deputy mayor Marjorie Crovetto and sports delegate Jacques Pastor welcomed representatives from the principality’s associations on Monday evening for the traditional Galette des Rois celebration at A Casa d’i Soci.

The annual gathering, held on January 12th, brought together members from numerous local groups to mark the start of 2026. During the celebration, attendees shared several galettes with the customary crowning of a king and a queen for the evening.

“The associative world constitutes an essential pillar of social cohesion and more broadly of the human community,” Crovetto told those gathered. “It is based on the personal commitment, passion and generosity of women and men invested in associations whose diversity of actions creates richness.”

She added that the occasion provided an opportunity to acknowledge the close ties that unite the municipal administration with local associations.

A Casa d’i Soci, which has served as the primary meeting point of the community since 2014, continues to see growing use. The facility, run by Monaco’s Sports and Associations Service, now supports 337 registered associations – up from 307 the previous year.

In 2025 the venue recorded 1,105 bookings, a notable increase from 826 in 2024, with nearly 15,685 people using the facilities.

The informal reception allowed association representatives to network among themselves and with municipal officials.

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: Mairie de Monaco

Monaco’s Ice Party returns to Port Hercule

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
13/01/2026

Teenagers in Monaco can look forward to an unforgettable evening on ice as the Ice Party returns to Port Hercule’s ice rink on February 7th. 

Organised by la Mairie de Monaco, the event, running from 7pm to 11:30pm, offers young kids between 12 and 17 a chance to enjoy four and a half hours of skating to the beat of the music.

Entry is restricted to students enrolled at Monaco schools or young residents of the principality, with proof of identity or a school record presented at the entrance. It is to be noted that organisers maintain the right to refuse admission.

Tickets cost €20, and include not only access to the rink, but also a happy meal: a hot dog, chips, a brookie desert, and a soft drink or water, ensuring young skaters are properly fuelled for the energetic evening on ice.

For bookings and additional details, residents can contact organisers on +377 93 15 06 09

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: Monaco Life

Monaco launches ‘Heritage in Danger’ photography contest

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
12/01/2026

Young photographers in Monaco aged 11 to 25 are being invited to capture images of cultural heritage at risk for a competition organised by the Direction of Cultural Affairs. 

The contest, which runs until March 15th, asks participants to explore the theme ‘Heritage in Danger’. Photographers are encourages to think about what Monaco’s cultural legacy means to them and how it can be protected for future generations.

Organisers want young people to consider the various threats facing both tangible heritage such as historic buildings, archaeological sites, gardens and works of art, and intangible traditions including local customs, performing arts, craftsmanship, and culinary practices.

Climate change, natural disasters, urban development, mass tourism and social changes are among the challenges highlighted by the competition, now in its second year.

How the competition works

An expert panel will assess entries based on artistic merit and thoughtful engagement with the theme. The jury includes heritage champion Stéphane Bern and internationally acclaimed photographer and documentary maker Nick Danziger, alongside other figures from Monaco’s cultural sector.

Fifteen photographs will be selected for exhibition on the railings of the Saint-Martin Gardens from April to October. Three winners will be announced across age categories: 11-14, 15-18, and 19-25.

The competition is open to young Monégasques, residents, students and workers in the Principality.

Interested participants must complete the online form at culture.mc by March 15th at 23:59. For enquiries, contact infodac@gouv.mc

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 from the competition’s 2025 edition: Monaco Life.

Monaco pour l’Emploi turns spotlight on tech as the recruitment fair returns

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
10/01/2026

More than 5,000 jobseekers are expected to gather at the Grimaldi Forum next month as Monaco pour l’Emploi returns for its fourth edition on February 6th in the venue’s Diaghilev and Nijinski spaces.

The event brings together businesses from across Monaco’s economic landscape and while all sectors will be represented, from hospitality and luxury to construction and yachting, this year’s forum is putting technology and artificial intelligence on the spotlight with a dedicated space for digital careers.

It’s a notable shift for an event that previously focused heavily on Monaco’s luxury and service industries. The attention on tech roles derives from the Principality’s desire to diversify its economy and position itself as a hub of innovation beyond its traditional strengths in banking, real estate and high-end hospitality.

The forum, organised by the Princely Government, offers something unique: a chance for face-to-face meetings with managers and the opportunity to make an impression beyond a CV. For cross border workers from France and Italy, it’s also a rare opportunity to navigate Monaco’s complex job market and understand what employers are actually looking for.

“One day, a thousand opportunities. Direct exchanges, spontaneous meetings, unexpected discoveries…The forum is where professional projects come to life,” said Christophe Robino, Government Councillor and Minister of Social Affairs and Health.

Navigating Monaco’s employment system

However, beyond the company stands, the forum provides another rare opportunity. Monaco’s key employment institutions will gather under one roof and attendees will be able to speak directly with representatives from the Employment Service, the government’s Human Resources department, and the social security officers.

For anyone unfamiliar with how Monaco’s employment system works, particularly around residency and social contributions, this access to official guidance can be as valuable as the job opportunities themselves.

Industries participating include accounting and legal services, banking and insurance, commerce, construction and public works, education and training, energy, healthcare and personal services, hospitality and restaurants, industry, interim and security services, logistics, luxury goods, and yachting.

How to attend

The forum is free and open to all visitors. However, while walk-ins are welcome, advance registration is recommended through the official website at www.monacopourlemploi.com.

For businesses interested in participating who have not yet reserved their space, can contact the organising agency Lena Corporation (Denise Davide or Marie Barresi) at +377 97 97 35 55 or by email at info@monacopourlemploi.mc

See also: 

Monte-Carlo SBM to offer 1,200 jobs at January recruitment day

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.

Monaco pour L’Emploi 2025 edition, Photo credit: Manuel Vitali / Monaco Communications Department

 

Monaco’s Electro Winter Party returns with new lineup

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
08/01/2026

Following a successful debut last year, Monaco’s Electro Winter Party is scheduled to return on February 6th with a fresh line up of electronic music acts. 

The all-night event will take place at the Grimaldi Forum’s Ravel Hall, running from 9pm until 3am. Parisian duo Ofenbach, described as the world’s most-streamed French electronic act, will top the bill alongside Nice-based producer Feder.

The first Electro Winter Party took place last year on January 16th as part of the venue’s 25th anniversary celebrations. That evening had seen Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene open the forum’s new extension, a 6,000-square-metre addition to the facility.

Now, the February edition shifts the focus towards more mainstream electronic dance music. Ofenbach have built a substantial following since they formed, reaching billions of streams across platforms. Their 2022 debut album topped French charts and became one of the country’s most successful exports in recent years. The pair have performed hundreds of shows internationally.

Feder, on the other hand, gained attention nearly a decade ago when his debut track reached the top spot on iTunes in multiple countries. He’s since become recognised for his production work, including tracks used as sporting anthems.

Belgian artist Nathalie Duchene, whose work draws from disco and techno traditions, will also perform, with Monaco-based DJ Baloo closing out the night.

Tickets for general admission cost €70 and include a drink. Meanwhile, the venue also offers VIP table packages for groups of eight or 12, priced between €1,500 and €4,200 depending on the package tier.

Entry is restricted to adults aged 18 and over, with identification checks at the doors, which open at 9pm.

See also: 

Prince Albert, Princess Charlene unveil Grimaldi Forum expansion at 25th anniversary celebration

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: Grimaldi Forum

Monaco Social Services celebrates a decade of support

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
08/01/2026

Health and Social Affairs Minister Christophe Robino joined staff at Monaco’s Direction de l’Action et de l’Aide Sociales Thursday morning to mark the department’s 10th anniversary, revealing the scale of social support provided across the Principality.

The department, which employs 180 staff across 15 professions with an annual budget of €51.4 million, handles around 3,500 cases each year through its Social Protection Office alone.

Speaking at the celebration at the new Honore II premises, Robino revealed the range of services provided since the department’s creation, including support for 500 minors and adults with disabilities, 250 child protection cases annually, and 1,500 people in professional integration programmes.

“I want, above all this morning to salute the women and men who work within the DASO,” Mr. Robino said. “It is thanks to you, thanks to your commitment, thanks to your humanity, that the Prince’s Government can support these thousands of people.”

The Princess Charlene Children’s Home welcomes between 20 and 25 children each year, while the department has introduced significant new benefits including minimum income support, autonomy assistance, and subsidiary medical coverage.

Director Marie Thouvenin-Rapaire, addressing colleagues and partners, explained that behind every case, every file, lies a human story. “Behind each file, each procedure, each decision, there is a story, an expectation, sometimes a worry,” she said. “And our role, collectively, is to find that delicate balance between administrative rigour, fairness, and attention to the person.”

However, she also acknowledged the challenges ahead, describing increasing complex situations, and told staff: “Our work requires technical skill, but also personal commitment, discretion, and often great inner strength. As director and former social worker, I know what that represents. I see your investment. I measure your professionalism. And I want to tell you today: thank you.”

Government Disability Delegate – Technical Adviser Lionel Galfré was also present in the celebrations, showing his appreciation for the department’s instrumental role in implementing Monaco’s handipact strategy, as well as its continuous development of specialist services, including a specialised educational centre for children with disabilities.

The minister’s visit was then followed by a public open day running until 5pm, with staff celebrating the milestone with anniversary cake and drinks.

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: Monaco Life