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Princess Grace Irish Library to explore Princess Grace’s Irish heritage in upcoming talk

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
18/01/2026

The Princess Grace Irish Library is set to host a talk by historian Neal Doherty on January 22nd, exploring the Irish ancestry of Princess Grace.

Doherty, who works as a lecturer and tourism guide, will present a visual talk about County Mayo in Ireland’s west, where Princess Grace’s grandfather was born before emigrating to the United States in the late 1800s.

The presentation will look at why John Henry Kelly, then 20-years-old, left his homeland during a period marked by famine and widespread poverty. The talk will cover the harsh conditions faced by Irish emigrants, many of whom travelled on dangerous vessels that became known as “coffin ships” due to the high number of deaths during the Atlantic crossing.

Monaco’s link to Mayo

The Kelly family’s original home in Drimurla is now in the hands of Prince Albert II. He had toured the site back in 2011 alongside Princess Charlene, who back then was still his fiancĂ©e. That visit had come five decades after Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III first travelled to Ireland in 1961.

In March 2023, Prince Albert returned to the area to unveil a statue honouring his mother in the town Newport.

Prince Albert unveiling a statue honouring his mother in the town Newport. Credit: Edward Reid

About the speaker

Originally from Dublin, Doherty spent his early career in the food industry with Nestlé before changing direction to focus on history and guiding. He now leads private tours in both English and French from his base in western Ireland, and has written multiple guidebooks about Irish locations and monuments.

His tours in Mayo include stops at Drimurla, where he shared the Kelly family story with visitors.

Booking information

Entry costs €10, with a reduced rate of €5 for students. Tickets are available through my.weezevent.com, or by contacting the library directly via email at info@pgil.mc or phone on +377 93 50 12 25.

Those planning to pay on arrival should note that only cash or cheques made out to “Fondation Princess Grace” are accepted.

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Main photo: Princess Grace arrives in Ireland in June 1961 for the first time. © Princess Grace Irish Library Archives

 

Monaco names Bruno Valentin as new cybersecurity chief

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
16/01/2026

Bruno Valentin is set to assume leadership of Monaco’s national cybersecurity agency next month, the government announced on Friday.

Having previously served as deputy director of the Monaco Cybersecurity Agency (AMSN), Valentin will take over the role on February 4th. His promotion follows the departure of FrĂ©dĂ©ric Fautrier, who is moving to head the principality’s Interior Department.

The government acknowledged Fautrier’s contribution, noting that he joined the AMSN when it was established in 2015 and had led the organisation since August 2021.

Valentin brings nearly three decades of experience in combating cybercrime and securing digital systems across both public and private sectors. He joined the AMSN in late 2016 and has since played a key role in shaping its operational strategy.

Officials said his background will prove valuable as Monaco confronts the same digital security challenges facing other wealthy nations. Cyberattacks and online crime now threaten organisations across every industry.

The agency, established to protect the principality’s digital infrastructure, works closely with businesses and public institutions to help them defend against ever-evolving cyber threats.

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Main photo credit: AMSN ©Direction de la Communication, Michaël Alesi

Monaco celebrates Sainte DĂ©vote: what to expect at this year’s festivities

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
16/01/2026

Monaco will celebrate one of its oldest traditions next week as the Principality pays tribute to Saint DĂ©vote, patron saint of Monaco and Corsica.

The annual festivities on 26th and 27th January draw thousands each year, combining religious ceremonies, processions with an awe striking public ritual: the burning of a symbolic boat on the harbour.

Monday’s procession and boat burning

The day begins at 10:30am with a traditional mass celebrated in Monegasque at the Saint DĂ©vote church.

Then, the evening kicks off at around 6pm with a procession carrying the saint’s relics from the Grand Prix chicane, winding its way towards the church. Solemn vespers will then follow at 7pm, with Monaco’s highest authorities in attendance. A member of the Municipal Council will formally present the relics to the clergy, commemorating their arrival by the sea centuries ago.

The day’s highlight will then arrive shortly after with the ceremonial boat burning at half past seven on Quai Albert 1er, presided over by the Princely family. This dramatic ritual recalls the legend of thieves who attempted to steal the saint’s relics. Local fishermen had intercepted them and burned their boats. According to tradition, nails recovered from the burnt boat are set to bring good fortune. A drone spectacle will follow the burning, providing yet another awe-striking sequence to the public gathered at the Port.

Getting there and what to expect

Public access open from 5:30pm at two main viewing areas: Place Sainte-DĂ©vote for the procession and vespers, and the northern section of Quai Albert Ier for the boat burning and drone show. Security checkpoints with bag inspections will be in place at both sites, and large screens will broadcast the ceremonies.

Those arriving by train should note than the Saint-DĂ©vote valley and stairs will close at 5.30pm, so the Sainte-DĂ©vote gallery via rue Grimaldi becomes the main access route. Road closures and public transport disruptions are expected between 6.15pm and 7.45pm on Boulevard Albert Ier, avenue JF Kennedy and avenue d’Ostende, so arriving early is advisable.

Tuesday’s Pontifical Mass and concert

Tuesday’s celebrations begin at 10am with Pontifical Mass at Monaco Cathedral, presided over by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem. The mass is followed by a solemn procession through Monaco-Ville, with stops for blessings of the Palace, the city and the sea.

The day concludes at 6:30pm with a spiritual concert in the cathedral, featuring the Choir of Sartène accompanied by the Choir of the Papal Chapel of Assisi and the Rainier III Academy.

French Catholic broadcaster KTO will transmit Monday’s evening events live from 6:30pm.

A martyr who became Monaco’s patron

DĂ©vote was a young Christian killed in Corsica during the fourth century when Roman Emperor Diocletian ordered the persecution of Christians. Believers placed her remains in a vessel headed for North Africa, but the craft was redirected by a dove and landed instead on Monaco’s coast on 27th January.

The young martyr became Monaco’s official patron saint under Prince HonorĂ© II in the 17th century. Her relics have been invoked by Monegasques through centuries of joys and sorrows, making her what locals call the protective soul of Monegasque identity. The first book ever written in Monegasque by poet Louis Notari was titled “A Legenda de Santa Devota,” testament to her deep roots in local culture.

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Main photo credit: Stéphane Danna

 

Women’s heart health in the spotlight this January

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
15/01/2026

Monaco’s leading heart specialists are highlighting a critical healthcare inequality that continues to cost women’s lives: the gender gap in cardiovascular diagnosis and treatment.

The Monaco Women Network has organised a panel discussion on January 22nd bringing together four doctors from the Centre Cardio-Thoracique de Monaco to talk about an unfortunate reality – heart disease is the leading cause of death among women worldwide, yet female patients are routinely misdiagnosed or receive inadequate care.

The problem derives from decades of medical research focused primarily on men. As a result, doctors have been trained to recognise male symptoms and treatment protocols are designed around male physiology. For women, this can prove fatal.

The panel will explore why female heart attack symptoms often differ from those seen in men, making them harder to spot. Experts will also discuss how hormonal changes throughout women’s lives affect cardiovascular risk.

Conditions that often affect women, such as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, commonly known as “broken heart syndrome”, will also be examined.

The discussion will be led by Dr Catherine Binet, anaesthesiologist and intensive care specialist, cardiologists Dr Hélène Ceruti and Dr Ariane Truffier and interventional cardiologist Dr Camille Wehrlin.

The event will take place on Thursday January 22nd at 6pm on the 10th floor of the Centre Cardio-Thoracique de Monaco, 11 bis Avenue d’Ostende. The discussion will be conducted in French with live English subtitles, followed by a networking cocktail reception

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Main photo credit: Monaco Women Forum

AS Monaco Rugby achieve four-win streak with youth teams following suit

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
15/01/2026

AS Monaco Rugby have managed a strong return from the winter break, with both their senior and youth teams maintaining an impressive winning streak. 

The club’s first team extended their unbeaten record with a commanding 33-7 victory over UMS Rugby MontĂ©limar at home, while the Espoirs (reserves) added to the weekend’s success with a 48-29 win.

Youth team show promise

The youth setup has been equally impressive, with both the U16 and U19 sides securing victories against RC Le Beausset. Particularly important was the U19’s win as it keeps them top of their championship table, rewarding their collective work.

The club’s École de Rugby (youth academy) has also resumed activities, with youngsters returning to training filled with enthusiasm. The sessions focused on preparing for upcoming weekend fixtures while reinforcing rugby’s core values amongst the youngest players.

The youth academy, photo credit: AS Monaco Rugby

In an attempt to grow participation AS Monaco Rugby has also launched ‘En 2026, j’essaie le rugby – In 2026, I’m trying rugby’, offering free trial sessions throughout January for children born between 2012 and 2022. Special surprises are planned for those born in 2015.

What’s next

The senior team now faces its next challenge away at Saint-Marcellin on January 18th as it looks to extend its winning run to five matches.

The club will also host a partners’ evening on February 12th in collaboration with Les Carabiniers du Prince, featuring rugby legends including Jean-Pierre Rives, Philippe Spanghero, RaphaĂ«l Poulain and Rodrigo Capo Ortega

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Main photo credit: AS Monaco Rugby 

Grimaldi Forum extension pays dividends as “historic” 2026 calendar is revealed

by: Kyriaki Topalidou
14/01/2026

The Grimaldi Forum has unveiled a packed cultural and events programme for 2026, ranging from major international exhibitions to landmark exhibitions and performances, following a year of strong financial and operational results. 

The new season was unveiled on January 13th during the venue’s annual Review & Outlook which attracted more than 700 guests, held ahead of its traditional Galette des Rois gathering. Despite the extraordinary 2025 growth, said Director General Sylvie Biancheri, attention lies solely on the new season ahead.

Biancheri confirmed that the Grimaldi Forum closed 2025 with €28 million in turnover, an increase of 17% compared to the previous year, driven largely by the opening of its 6,000 m² extension and the focus on large-scale professional events.

“We are clearly on a very good path,” she said. “We have already reached our objectives for 2026 and are now exceeding them. If the current context remains stable, 2026, will be a historic year for us.”

Focus on fewer but larger events

In 2025, the venue hosted 64 professional events and 43 cultural performances. While the total number has decreased from previous years, their scale has increased, resulting in higher overall revenue.

“What we are seeing is fewer events, but much bigger ones,” Biancheri explained. “That is exactly what the extension was designed for.”

International events such as AMWC, Luxe Pack, Sportel, the Monte-Carlo Television Festival and Art Monte-Carlo continued to attract record attendance, while newer additions like the Blue Economy and Finance Forum and the Forbes Travel Guide Summit expanded Monaco’s international visibility.

A full cultural season in 2026

The 2026 cultural calendar opens in January with Marine Leonardi’s one woman show ‘Mauvaise Graine’ and the return of Monaco pour l’Emploi on February 6th. The OpĂ©ra de Monte-Carlo will then present Così fan tutte, staged within the Grimaldi Forum, followed in March by the 20th anniversary edition of ‘Les SĂ©rĂ©nissimes de l’Humour’, featuring Issa Doumbia, Dany Boon and Nawell Madani.

Following, the spring programming includes the Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo, theatrical co-productions with the Théâtre Princesse Grace, concerts by David Hallyday and Jérémy Frerot, and the return of Art Monte-Carlo at the end of April.

The Monte Carlo Television Festival will then take place from June 12th to 16th, before a summer season that is marked by several major anniversaries. Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will celebrate their 40th anniversary with special surprise performances in July, while the Paris Opera Ballet will present ‘La Dame aux CamĂ©lias’ in co-production with the Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

The year will close with Shrek the Musical in December.

Henri Fissore, President of the Grimaldi Forum and Sylvie Biancheri Director General during their speech, photo by Monaco Life.

Exhibitions and international projects

The biggest project for 2026 is the major exhibition ‘Monaco and the Automobile: From 1893 to the Present’, running from July to September. Supported by the Automobile Club of Monaco, the exhibition traces the Principality’s long relationship with automotive history.

“It’s an emotional and historical exhibition, not just for motorsport fans,” said Biancheri.

The Grimaldi Forum is also resuming the international circulation of its exhibitions. Colours!, one of its most visited shows with 75,000 visitors in Monaco, is opening in Beijing in January at the Mingzheng Art Museum, in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou.

Signing of a partnership agreement between the Grimaldi Forum and CMB Monaco, from left to right: Olivier Pagés, Étienne Franzi, Henri Fissore, and Sylvie Biancheri. Photo credit: Monaco Life

The venue has also renewed its ISO 14001 and ISO 20121 certifications and continues its CSR initiatives, including the redistribution of 26 tonnes of materials in 2025, among them 1.3 tonnes of food, and one solidarity day per employee per year.

The January 13th event also saw the integral, annual signing of the main partnership agreement between the Grimaldi Forum and CMB Monaco, formalised by Henri Fissore, Sylvie Biancheri, Étienne Franzi and Olivier Pagés.

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Main photo credit Monaco Life.