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Photos: Princess Charlene and twins thrill crowds at Sainte Devote celebrations

by: Stephanie Horsman
27/01/2023

In Prince Albert II’s absence, Princess Charlene stepped into the leading role for the traditional Sainte Devote celebrations alongside her children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella.

The Princely family – minus the Prince who is under quarantine with Covid – kicked off Thursday evening’s Sainte Devote festivities with the annual arrival of the boat, representing the one that brought the body of Monaco’s patron saint to its shores.  

A procession followed to bring the boat to the courtyard in front of the Sainte Devote Chapel, where the Princess, dressed smartly in a black jumper with trousers and a long grey coat, and eight-year-old twins Hereditary Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, used long red and white candles – the colours of the Principality’s flag – to set the boat alight as tradition dictates.

 

The spectacle, always something to experience, was made all the more special by seeing it through the eyes of the twins, who looked on in wonder, periodically hugging each other in delight and waving goodbye to the burning vessel.   

All eyes then turned to the skies as a magnificent eight-minute show featuring a hundred drones lit up the night with images related to the event.  

The celebrations continue on Friday with a high mass held in the Saint’s honour, followed by a church and Princely family processional around the Rock.  

Later in the day, from 4pm to 530pm, the Department of Cultural Affairs is organising an organ concert by Silvano Rodi, resident organist at the Church of Sainte Devote, in collaboration with the Diocese of Monaco.  

All are welcome, but space is limited.  

 

 

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Photos credit: Eric Mathon, Palais Princier de Monaco

 

Greek New Year tradition celebrated at Monaco Yacht Club

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/01/2023

The annual ceremony of cutting the vasilopita – the traditional Greek New Year’s cake – was held last week at the Yacht Club de Monaco with prominent members of the Hellenic Community of Monaco joining in on the celebrations.  

Cutting the vasilopita is an important start of the year in Greece and is done to pay tribute to Saint Basil. Usually cut by the senior member of the family, portions of the vasilopita are distributed amongst the household in a specific way. The first portion is, in more religious families, cut in remembrance of Jesus Christ, and the other portions are cut for the members of the family, including “the house” and “the poor”. A coin is baked into the cake for luck in the year ahead.   

On 22nd January, the Hellenic Community of Greece gathered at the Yacht Club of Monaco to carry out this time-honoured tradition as well as to recap the past year and talk of plans for the future.  

Members, along with their families, listened as the president of the association, Sophia Vaharis Tsouvelekakis, presented her annual report, which included the activities carried out in both the Principality and Greece, followed by the treasurer of the Hellenic Community, Dr. Panagiotis Kyriazis, who presented the financial statement for 2022.  

Also on hand were Ambassador of France to Monaco Laurent Stefanini, Minister of State Pierre Dartout with his wife Helen, Archbishop of Monaco Dominique-Marie David, Metropolitan of France Dimitrios Ploumis, and Honorary General Consul of Greece to Monaco Petros Machas. 

The leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in France, Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, was awarded an honorary distinction for his great contribution to Christianity and the people in general. 

Candy sculptures were created for the event by French artist Laurence Jenkell, painted in Greek and Monegasque colours.  

Finally, the lucky coin winner was treated to a weekend at the Vathi Cove resort on the Greek island of Thasos.  

  

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Photo supplied by the Hellenic Community of Monaco

 

Dates for your diary: two February Pink Ribbon events with special guest Noah Wyle

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/01/2023

Breast cancer charity Pink Ribbon Monaco is back with two big events next month, featuring appearances by former E.R. star actor Noah Wyle.

This February, two special occasions are taking place. The first is the ‘Dare to Bear’ Gala at the Hôtel Hermitage on Friday 10th February. TV star and human rights advocate Noah Wyle, whose life was touched by the recent illness of a relative, will be in attendance.

During the gala, an auction will be held selling one-of-a-kind photos and film strips from two Alfred Hitchcock‘s classics: Rear Window and Vertigo. All stills contain either Grace Kelly or Kim Novak alone or with James Stewart.

These one of a kind pictures will be sold alongside the filmstrip for a unique piece of movie history. Also in the auction is jewellery, a watch and more.

Two days later, on 12th February, will be the annual Pink Ribbon Walk, which Wyle will also be a part of. The five-kilometre event starts at 9.45am from Port Hercule, following a route that passes in front of the Palace, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum, then the Casino de Monte-Carlo terraces.

“The easy circuit will allow people of all sporting levels to participate,” say the organisers. “Children are welcome and free under 13 years old. Other participants must assist people with reduced mobility or using strollers in certain places.”

Raffle tickets will be on sale at €10 for two, and a commemorative t-shirt, offered by partner SBM Offshore, will be given to mark the event.

The walk itself is unique to others, in that participants don’t have a number on their bibs. Instead, they are asked to write messages of support or tribute to people living with breast cancer. Additionally, it is not meant to be competitive, but collaborative.

“It is not a question of completing the course in record time, but of participating in large numbers to bring visibility to the cause we support,” the association says.

The walk is organised within the framework of the Monaco Run, which offers different events for all running enthusiasts over a weekend each year. In 2023, the Monaco Run will offer 1,000m races for young and old, as well as a chance to participate in the 12-kilometre City Trail, which will take runners through the Principality’s most emblematic sites via narrow streets, parks and stairways. Five and 10-kilometre races will also be held.

Pink Ribbon Monaco has been raising funds and awareness for breast cancer since 2011 under the leadership of founder Natasha Frost-Savio. Registration for the Pink Ribbon Walk is €30, and for more information or to register for the walk and to purchase gala tickets, visit www.pinkribbon.mc or email office@pinkribbon.mc.

 

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Photo source: Pink Ribbon Monaco/Facebook. This article was originally published on 12th January. 

UArctic meeting puts polar issues front and centre

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/01/2023

More than a hundred people gathered at the recent UArctic Rector’s Meeting, including Prince Albert II, who emphasised the important role of universities in solving the climactic challenges facing polar region.  

UArctic is a network of universities, colleges, research institutes and other organisations concerned with education and research in and about the North Pole, who are all working to promote viable communities and sustainable economies, as well as forging global partnerships in the region.  

On 13th January, representatives from 29 UArctic-affiliated schools met at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco along with other interested parties and were greeted with a welcome address given by Prince Albert II.   

“To protect the Arctic, as with everything related to the environment, nothing would be possible without science and without the work of scientists,” said the Prince. “Nothing would be possible without such painstaking – sometimes unrewarding – efforts, which alone enable us to see beyond appearances, to understand the complex mechanisms at work, to anticipate their effects, and more importantly to find ways of mitigating and adapting to them. This is why we need to encourage research without respite, to nurture it, protect it, and to disseminate the knowledge it offers us as widely as possible.” 

The Prince Albert II Foundation (FPA2) has been a long-time supporter of UArctic and, as such, recognises the active roles universities as seats of learning can provide to the bigger picture. 

Along these lines, the Prince declared, “The specific role of universities is also due to their being not only places where knowledge is produced, but also where it is transmitted. This is also an essential quality for responding to the challenges that we face today.” 

The day unfolded by holding keynote discussions on “some of the most critical and debated issues” facing the region today. A summary will be available to read later this year.  

The meeting was also an opportunity to introduce The Polar Initiative, launched in 2022 by the FPA2 as a tool to take a proactive role in polar preservation and conservation. 

 

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Photo source: Daiwei Lu for Unsplash

Five nights of Mozart in Monaco

by: Stephanie Horsman
26/01/2023

The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra will be performing five concerts dedicated to the works of one of the classical world’s most prolific and famous composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, from the end of January.

Fans of the musical genius have something to look forward to this month as the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (OPMC) is gearing up for a series of performances running from 27th January to 5th February with their Mozart in Monaco event.

The opening night will feature pianist David Bismuth accompanied by Liza Kerob on violin, Frederico Andres Hood on alto and cellist Thierry Amadi, who will be playing pieces by both Mozart and that other classical master, Ludwig von Beethoven.

Then on Sunday 29th, the OPMC’s Artistic and Musical Director Kabuki Yamada will be conducting an evening with pianists Lucas and Arthur Jussen and violinists Liza Kerob and Ilyoung Chae, who will be performing four Mozart classics.

Then on Tuesday 31st, the OPMC will be hosting a Musical Happy Hour featuring Matthieu Bloch and Martin Lefèvre on oboe, Marie Barrière-Bilote and Diana Sampaio on clarinet, Arthur Menrath and Michel Mugot on bassoon, Patrick Peignier and David Pauvert on horns, and Matthias Bensmana on bass. They will be playing extracts from all-time favourites, including from the Enchanted Flute and Don Giovanni.

On Friday 3rd February, a completely different concert will take place featuring Xavier de Maistre on harp under the direction of Bernard Labadie. The renowned harpist will perform three pieces by Mozart, which are sure to be as hauntingly beautiful as his instrument itself.

Finally on Sunday 5th, soprano Fatma Saïd will sing pieces by Mozart and Franz Schubert alongside pianist Martin Helmchen, violinist Antje Weithaas, cellist Marie-Elisabeth Hecker, and clarinetist Marie Barrière-Bilote.

Ticket prices start at €17, with Happy Hour prices running at €13. For reservations and more information, visit the OPMC website.

 

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Photo source: Julio Rionaldo for Unsplash. This article was first published on 5th January. 

Truffle day at the Marché de Monte-Carlo

by: Stephanie Horsman
25/01/2023

It’s prime truffle and chestnut season in the region, and the Marché de Monte-Carlo is celebrating both of these winter favourites with a special market in early February.  

A day featuring these two gourmet treats will be coming to the Principality on 4th February as the market, found on Boulevard des Moulins, hosts sellers of locally sourced chestnuts alongside that most prized tuber, the truffle. Coming primarily from Aups, a town in the Var known for its medieval streets and truffle forests, stands selling the tuber melanosporum will be open to the public from 7.30am to 2pm.  

At 10am, a live cooking demonstration will also be held where a chef will be whipping up a brouillade and panisse à la truffle.  

Truffles can be eaten in a variety of ways, from finely grated into pasta dishes, infused in oil, whipped into eggs or thinly sliced atop a beautiful salad.  

Alongside the truffle pedlars will be vendors offering tastings and sales of warming, roasted chestnuts, chestnut creams and chestnut liqueurs.  

Admission is free and open to all, so come hungry and with a full wallet… Truffles don’t come cheap!  

 

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Photo credit: Michael Tri Wijaya for Unsplash