Smart Yacht Rendezvous: An event uniting sustainability and innovation in Monaco

29/12/2022

Yachts, a symbol of luxury synonymous with Monaco, but also one that can clash with the Principality’s drive for sustainability. The upcoming Smart Yacht Rendezvous seeks to change that juxtaposition.

The first ever edition of Smart Yacht Rendezvous (SYR) is set to take place at the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) between 23rd and 24th March 2023, slotting neatly into the wider Monaco Ocean Week.

The concept seeks to highlight the need for sustainability-focused innovation at each stage of a yacht’s life cycle, from the research and development phase to construction, maintenance, retrofits and, ultimately, disassembly.

Organiser Monaco Marina Management (M3), itself an environmentally-aware yachting consultancy based in the Principality, hopes the networking event will help bring owners and players from yachting together so that the challenges of remaking the industry can be discovered and discussed in a balanced forum.

“It is imperative to involve the entire ecosystem to make it more virtuous by encouraging exchanges and bringing on innovations that can effect major changes to the industry. Today it’s a priority,” said Jose Marco Casellini, the CEO of M3, in announcing the event. “We started with infrastructures, the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, and logic dictates that we continue with yachts as the two are inextricably linked.”

The SYR comes on the heels of two successful editions of the Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous, also held at the YCM, the third of which is being planned for 24th and 25th September 2023.

“Monaco is not only the capital of luxury yachting, but most importantly, the capital of sustainable yachting,” Prince Albert II and also the president of the YCM has said.

It is a sentiment echoed by Bernard d’Alessandri, the president of Cluster Yachting Monaco and the general secretary of the YCM: “For many years, the Yacht Club de Monaco and its president, Prince Albert II, have supported any action promoting sustainability in the yachting world. We need to act together and fast. YCM is a platform to present tangible solutions that can make a difference.”

Tickets are now available for the event and cost €500, including access to all roundtable events and networking sessions.

For more information, please visit the website.

Photo by Monaco Life

Herculis 2023 programme revealed

by: Luke Entwistle

27/12/2022

The 2023 edition of Herculis, the annual Diamond League meeting in the Principality of Monaco, will take place on 21st July 2023, and will once again welcome the world’s most elite athletes.

Herculis has been rated as the best meeting on the calendar on seven occasions, and the fans will once again pack the stands of the Stade Louis II for the event in 2023. Moved from August to late July, the latest edition of the elite athletics event is sure to bring the greatest athletes in the world to the Principality.

As well as the date of the event, the disciplines on show have also been revealed by the Diamond League. In the Women’s categories, there will be 200, 400 and 1,500-metre races as well as a 100-metre hurdles event. There will also be a high jump and a long jump.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce lit up the track in Monaco in the 100m competition earlier this year, blowing away the competition, and while that event won’t be on the itinerary in 2023, the Jamaican sprinter could nonetheless return to compete in the 200m event.

In the Men’s categories, there will be 100, 800 and 5,000-metre races. There will also be a 3,000-metre steeple chase and a 400-metre hurdles race. There will also be plenty of action off the track, with pole vault, triple jump and javelin throw events all on show as well.

Noah Lyles took gold in the Men’s 200m last year, before going on to beat Usain Bolt’s record in the discipline just over a month later. He will have the chance to better his personal best of 9.86 seconds in the 100m on the iconic Monegasque track next July, in what promises to be another enthralling night of athletics at the Stade Louis II.

Photo by Monaco Life

Monte-Carlo Circus Festival makes grand return to the stage

by: Jessica Tatam

23/12/2022

The world’s biggest circus festival – the Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo – will celebrate its 45th anniversary with a breath-taking display at the iconic Big Top in Fontvieille.

After a forced pause of two years owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the circus festival is returning from 20th to 29th January 2023 for a joyous and excitement-filled celebration.

Some of the unmissable artists set to participate in the anniversary celebrations include Peter Marvey, a world-famous magician who will amaze the audience with mind-blowing illusions, and an American artist on the tallest unicycle in the world… It’s 8.8 metres high! The festival is also welcoming back the Cassellys, the award-winning German family who proudly present a sensational three-person horseback routine, as well as acclaimed juggler Kris Kremo, who this year returns with his son for a unique and synchronised juggling performance.

The 10-day affair will also combine with the 10th edition of the New Generation Festival, which champions young and emerging talents from the circus world.

The Festival International du Cirque de Monte-Carlo was born in 1974 thanks to Prince Rainier III, a passionate lover of circus art. In a bid to support the traditions of the circus and its families, he created the now-famous festival. This love for the circus was also shared by his daughter, Princess Stéphanie, who in 2005 was named President of the world’s largest circus festival. Passing the passion on through the generations, Stéphanie and her daughter Pauline Ducruet then created New Generation in 2012.

Ticket prices start at €20 euros, with a discount for children under 12 years, and are available to purchase now. You can reserve your place in person, by phone, or online.

For more information, please click here.

Photo credit: F. Nebinger/Facebook. This article was originally published on 23/12/22.

Monaco town hall shares the spirit of Christmas

by: Jessica Tatam

23/12/2022

Children from across the Principality rejoiced last week as the Monaco mairie held its three-day Arbres de Noël gift-giving event with one very special visitor…

Organised by the Mairie de Monaco and taking place each December, the event themes each of the three evenings around a beautifully decorated tree. Created specifically for the children of the Principality, it has evolved into a much-loved Christmas festivity, and this year’s event from Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th December was particularly special, as it marked the end of a two-year hiatus following the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Welcomed by an impressive crowd of nearly 800 delighted children in total, Santa Claus made his much-awaited entrance accompanied by his elf helpers and a mountain of gifts with which to shower the awaiting youngsters.

Following the same process as in previous years, the first day saw the youngest children welcomed by Santa to the Nativity Scene Christmas Tree, followed by the Town Christmas Tree for older children on the second day. Finally, the children of mairie staff enjoyed the closing event.

The festivities were lovingly and carefully prepared by the Seniors and Social Action Service and the Early Childhood and Family Service of the town hall, with no detail left forgotten.

The result, as always, was a warm and joyful atmosphere with colourful Christmas decorations and an alley of fir trees as well as the familiar entertainment that families have come to expect and love.

Every child left with their hands filled with a gift, their bellies filled with popcorn and pancakes, and their hearts filled with the joyful Christmas spirit.

Photo source: Mairie de Monaco/Ed Wright

Photos: Christmas Parade of the Fiat 500 Brigade

by: Elsa Carpenter

22/12/2022

Over the weekend, dozens of Fiat 500s drove through the streets of the Principality, delighting fans of this legendary little car.

On Saturday 17th December, the Club Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo organised its annual Christmas Parade. Accompanied by Santa Claus and decorated in festive finery – from garlands and ribbons to lights and stuffed toys – the fleet of iconic vehicles toured the streets of Monaco, waving at spectators and passers-by.

The procession came to a stop in the Place du Casino for photographs and Sant Claus handed out treats from the Chocolaterie de Monaco, who had prepared a special selection for the event.

“I can only thank all the members of the Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo Club,” said Massimo Peleson, President of the Club, with a smile. “Our members were exceptional. A big congratulations to them for their superb achievement and a big thank you to all the members of the Club.”

Photo source: Club Fiat 500 Monte-Carlo

Photos: Prince Albert celebrates 40 years of Red Cross presidency

by: Elsa Carpenter

20/12/2022

An emotional evening shared by the Princely Family and volunteers from Monaco’s Red Cross has celebrated four remarkable decades of Prince Albert as the organisation’s dedicated president.

On Saturday 17th December, Prince Albert, accompanied by his wife Princess Charlene, the couple’s two children Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella, and his niece Camille Gottlieb, entered the Chapiteau de Fontvieille to a warm and heartfelt welcome from more than 320 Croix Rouge de Monaco volunteers.

The occasion celebrated 40 years to the day since Prince Albert took over the presidency of the well-known organisation, which had arranged for a retrospective exhibition of photographs from over the years to line the hall.

Much has changed in the four decades since Prince Albert took on the role, and the Monaco Red Cross’s Secretary General Frédéric Platini and Treasurer Bettina Ragazzoni-Janin spoke fondly of the developments and changes the Prince had helped bring about in his four decades of tenure, before broadcasting a special video to mark its anniversary.

*Prince Albert and his family pose for a commemorative photograph of the evening, source Croix Rouge de Monaco*

In a touching speech, Prince Albert recalled his personal experiences at the Red Cross and extended sincere thanks to the organisation’s partner and donors, “without whom nothing would be possible”.

He then received a memento of the night from his children, a framed photo of the twins with the 40th anniversary logo and a sweet inscription of “Bravo Papa”. Prince Albert was also gifted an engraved Jaquet Droz watch by the Red Cross’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

The festivities concluded with a gourmet meal and music, complemented by entertainment from comedian Hassan of Monaco and ice sculptor Mario Amegee, who both volunteer locally. Gymnasts from the Femina Sports de Monaco rounded off the exceptional night.