Monaco Tribune

Preview and Talking Points: Hutter’s AS Monaco eager for success against Metz

Although AS Monaco are currently sitting third in the Ligue 1 standings and in an excellent position to finish in the Champions League qualification places, manager Adi Hutter knows the run home won’t be easy.

Speaking ahead of their game with Metz, who are fighting to avoid relegation, the Austrian tactician was full of insight on a variety of topics, as his team embarks on this pivotal period.

Heading into this Metz match on a four match unbeaten run and eager to continue their excellent away form that’s seen them win seven of their last nine road games, obtaining all three points is vital especially given tough encounters with Rennes, Brest, Lille and Lyon are on the horizon.

“We know they are fighting for survival in Ligue 1, they may not have the best record at home, but they have a goal to save themselves and they are going to want to fight for it. For our part, we want to continue our good streak away,” Hutter explained.

“When you look at the Ligue 1 rankings, everyone is fighting for very specific objectives, whether for Europe or to maintain their position. Our intention is clear, and it is to deliver the best performance possible, whether at home or away. The important thing for me is to attack the last eight games of the season with confidence, and that we fight to have the best possible results in front of our home crowd or on the road. But the most important thing is that we are still in the battle for the top four, and that we have the keys to qualify for the Champions League. There are also aspects that we do not always control due to injuries and suspensions, but again I repeat, we have our destiny in our hands.”

Another key topic of discussion that arose was the return of star forward Breel Embolo, who’s set to be in the matchday squad following his ACL injury, which is a huge boost for the remainder of the campaign even if it’s unlikely he’ll feature on the weekend.

“After a long period of unavailability, you should always be careful and not take risks. I don’t think he’s 100% ready, even though he’s been training with us for ten days. He could be in the group in Metz, for the dynamic, but I prefer to wait one more week to see him make his return to competition,” Hutter insisted.

“In any case what is certain is that he really wants to come back. During his first season in Monaco, and even with me in Monchengladbach, he had exceptional seasons. He is a very communicative person, who is very important in the locker room, especially because he speaks a lot of languages. He transmits good energy to the group.”

Hutter also gave his insights on the goalkeeping situation, which has seen Radoslaw Majecki step up impressively to claim the number spot from Philipp Kohn, as he approached the subject in a professional, measured manner.

“First of all, I must say that we had to make a decision which was not easy. We spoke a lot with Philipp Kohn, who understood our point of view, especially as Radeck was gaining strength in training,” stated the 54-year-old.

“Radoslaw has a big personality, a great attitude on the pitch, and he is very communicative. He’s doing a fantastic job and has helped us a lot recently, even if he was unlucky against Lorient. He’s shown his qualities, particularly one-on-one. But we must not forget the work that Philipp has done since the start of the season. Every player obviously wants to start every match, but we have a very good relationship with them. Philipp has not changed his way of being, he still works hard in training, and shows a very professional attitude, even after this decision which came after the Toulouse match.”

With so many storylines surrounding Les Monegasques following the international break ahead of the all-important home stretch, it’ll be fascinating to see how Monaco fare against Metz.

Set to pick a strong squad and desperate to maintain their superb away form, which is the second best in the league behind only Paris Saint-Germain, this Metz match will be crucial for Hutter and his Monaco team to inject some positive momentum into what looms as a captivating sprint to the finish line.

Continue reading →

AS Monaco: Dmitry Rybolovlev, a President with a close connection to his club

The AS Monaco President has been cheering on his team in recent weeks, both at Louis-II and away from home, as reported in L’Équipe on Wednesday 27 March.

Adi Hütter’s side have played eight games in the space of a month and a half. Which is also the number of matches attended by Dmitry Rybolovlev, a 100% attendance record.

His regular and conspicuous presence raises questions, according to L’Équipe at a time when rumours are rife about a possible sale of the club in the coming months. 

However, according to the French sports daily, the AS Monaco president has never missed a match in recent seasons, even if his busy schedule has sometimes prevented him from being physically present at away matches.

Close to Thiago Scuro and Adi Hütter

As the season draws to a close, the businessman intends to stay close to his players and staff to help them achieve the goal set out at the start of the season and which has eluded AS Monaco since 2018-2019: direct qualification for the Champions League group stage. This would be an excellent ‘birthday present’ for AS Monaco fans in the club’s centenary season.

Elected to the LFP board a year and a half ago, Dmitry Rybolovlev has decided to become more personally involved in the day-to-day running of his club, and he was also present at the La Turbie Performance Centre ahead of the Riviera derby against OGC Nice and on the eve of the clash with Paris Saint-Germain.

President Dmitry Rybolovlev attended the training session at the AS Monaco performance centre prior to the match with PSG © AS Monaco

According to L’Équipe, he is very attentive to feedback from Adi Hütter and Thiago Scuro, with whom he frequently discusses the sports side. At the last match against Lorient, President Rybolovlev presented Aleksandr Golovin and Ismaïl Jakobs with collector’s jerseys in recognition of their long service at the club. 

Continue reading →

Driver charged after crash killing two IUM students

The tragedy occurred on December 17, 2023, around 4.30 am. 

The investigation is ongoing, over three months after the violent collision that claimed the lives of two students and injured two others at the exit of the Millenium tunnel, near the border with Cap-d’Ail. According to Monaco-Matin, the public prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the driver, a 22-year-old Finn, has been charged by the examining magistrate with “aggravated manslaughter and aggravated unintentional injury”, and placed under the court’s supervision.

The driver and four female passengers, all students at the International University of Monaco (IUM), were in the vehicle. A first fatality was reported at the scene. She was a 19-year-old young woman from Kazakhstan, and a second death was announced a few days later. Taken to hospital in a serious condition after the collision, the 20-year-old student from Azerbaijan did not recover from her injuries.

Under the court’s supervision

When contacted in December, the public prosecutor told us that the driver was driving well over the speed limit, and under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. An investigation was opened, but the driver, who was admitted to the Pasteur hospital in Nice, could not be questioned immediately by the police. The Monegasque daily reports that the man was finally questioned on Thursday, February 8 and charged on Thursday, March 21.

The public prosecutor’s office had requested that he be remanded in custody pending the court hearing, however the judge decided to place him under the court’s supervision, “with several obligations, including a €60,000 bond to be paid in instalments”, as reported by Monaco-Matin.

Continue reading →

Monaco shopkeepers: Rossi ice cream, naturally

The Rossi family has been based in Monaco since 2017, and those seven years have been enough to build up a fabulous reputation.

A Tiffany blue shopfront, and so many flavours it’s impossible to choose? Then you must have found Rossi, the artisanal ice-cream shop, next to the Sainte-Dévote church. At the counter, where we met Sonia and Claudio Rossi, the bright colours on display are like a rainbow for the tastebuds.

Originally from Italy, the two founders arrived in Monaco “six seasons ago,”  says Sonia. It didn’t take long for them to be spotted by the locals, like Zalog and her two children, who have come for a treat after lunch. “We came here in their first year, and they make the best ice cream in Monaco,” says Mum.

From a simple fruit sorbet to a gourmet combination, Rossi offers a wide choice – © Monaco Tribune

“We have a natural philosophy”

Innovate, test, produce, create – that’s the guiding principle at Rossi. Claudio has been in ice cream since he was 16, and through his studies in food chemistry he has acquired an impressive understanding of how tastes and products work together. “I am constantly trying out new flavours,” he says. Also thanks to this knowledge, the Rossis place the emphasis on health. For example “there is no added white sugar in our sorbets.”

In fact no additives are used in their recipes. “We only work with natural products,” the couple stresses. They also create new ice creams especially for certain events, such as at the moment, for the Printemps des Arts (Spring arts festival). “Monaco is an international place and we love to try out different flavours,” adds Sonia, who takes care of the customer and administrative side.

Flavour is obviously an integral part of the product. This is why Sonia and Claudio attach so much importance to their ingredients. Origin, culture, ethics… the products and suppliers are selected with great care. “We use organic produce and short supply chains as much as possible. The tropical fruit is obviously imported, but otherwise it comes from the surrounding area or Italy… And we’ve seen that the local products are really top quality,” Sonia explains.

This means flavours depend on the seasons, so the display changes according to the time of the year, “you won’t see peach in the winter.”

The recyclable box is designed to keep the cold in – © Monaco Tribune

As well as the quality of the local products, the environmental aspect is paramount. “It breaks my heart to see all this plastic at sea, so we have been using biodegradable cardboard packaging from an Italian supplier for some time. It’s more expensive, but at least it’s in keeping with our vision.”

A close family with a common point of view

The Rossi ice cream store is a family business. Arianna and Alessandro,  Claudio and Sonia’s children, have been bitten by the homemade ice cream bug. “We’re very proud,” say the parents. Three of them take turns each morning to create the day’s ice creams, in the small laboratory at the back of the shop. The ice cream is made every morning to ensure the customer enjoys the freshest product.

Sonia and Claudio along with  their employee Elena and their daughter Arianna – © Monaco Tribune

Advice and customer relations are a priority for Sonia and Claudio. They praise a dynamic team that listens to their foodie customers. Above all, Sonia insists on “the mindset. Our employees must share our philosophy of explaining and advising customers according to their tastes, desires, and even allergies. It’s important to take the time, and be cheerful.” Elena has been working with the family for six years and nothing could make her want to leave.

Alessandro Rossi and the Liège waffle flavour “which we used to mark ‘Gelato Day’, the European Day of Artisanal Gelato” (March 24) – © Rossi

Rossi is also thinking about the future. “Many customers ask us where they can get our ice cream. So we are thinking about expanding our business elsewhere, but first, we need to find out if we can get the same quality of products in different countries, to keep up our philosophy. For example, milk is produced differently in some Arab countries. But it’s interesting, because it could also allow us to work with certain ingredients that we can’t find here,” says Sonia.

Meanwhile, the only place to enjoy these ice creams is close to Port Hercule, where you can meet the entire Rossi family.


Practical info:

  • Where: 57 Rue Grimaldi, 98000 Monaco
  • When: 7/7 from 10 am to 10 pm
  • Prices: €

Continue reading →

Digital challenges central to the 7th Monaco Women Forum

Autonomous vehicles, cryptocurrencies, data security and artificial intelligence were just some of the areas covered by the experts present.

Debating the digital future was the aim of the forum organised by journalist and entrepreneur Cinzia Sgambati Colman, which brought together speakers and members of the public to cover a wide range of digital-related topics in the presence of Yvette Lambin Berti, Secretary of State, representing Prince Albert II, and the President of the National Council, Brigitte Boccone-Pagès. Among the experts were:

  • Faustine Fleuret (of ADAN) and Émilie Allaert (of Luxembourg Blockchain Lab) shared their perspectives on cryptocurrency regularisation in European countries, as well as the transition to a cashless society and blockchain’s role in making it secure.
  • Professor Sergio M. Savaresi and engineer Maria Marcello from the Politecnico di Milano demonstrated how technological advances in AI and mobility will transform not only urban vehicles, but also our approach to travel, with a futuristic model of sharing electric and autonomous vehicles.
  • As Petra Scudo and Isabella Cerutti, researchers at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) demonstrated, advances in quantum technology and 5G and soon 6G telecommunications are essential to guaranteeing the security and efficiency of our communications.Cybersecurity expert Domitilla Benigni stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the dangers and risks involved in protecting our data, while also addressing the issue of satellites’ security, as they remain vulnerable to attack.
  • Professor Cordelia Schmid, winner of the Monte-Carlo Woman of the Year Award 2024 for her career to date, explained how Artificial Intelligence is impacting these different sectors and can revolutionise our society in an ethical and positive way. AI in robotics opens the door to many applications that can solve some of the most pressing problems of our time, from sustainability to health.

The discussions also focused on the balance between regulation and innovation to encourage technological progress, and included this interesting comment from Laurent Marochini, one of the Forum’s two moderators: “In Europe, we regulate, in the United States, they innovate and in China, they deliver.”

Continue reading →

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s… a flying cactus

A crane was used to move the Jardin Exotique’s gigantic opuntia.

A cactus weighing nearly a tonne was seen in the sky over Monaco the other day. Monaco’s Jardin Exotique (Exotic Garden) is closed to the public while major work is being carried out. A news item by French TV channel TF1 showed head gardener Pierre-Louis Grange’s team moving an opuntia cactus that had been growing in the rock for about a century. The project required significant resources, including a crane.

The cactus was safely secured in a wooden frame. At its foot, rocks were broken up to free the plant’s roots. It was a particularly delicate operation. Speaking to TF1, the head gardener said, “the cladodes are extremely fragile. We tried to tie them down as much as possible, but there is always a risk that they will break. They break like glass.”

The team installed a solid frame to prevent damage to the cactus – © TF1 screenshot

It is an unprecedented operation. The team watched, speechless, as the cactus left the ground. “It’s really not a common sight. I don’t think we’ll see this again in our lifetime,” said Pierre-Louis. “That’s why we’re really happy to work here,” added one of the workers. About a hundred metres further up the steep slope, the gigantic cactus was set down prior to being put in a container. We will have to wait until the long-awaited reopening of the Garden to see the extraordinary plant up close.

Continue reading →

Monaco Yacht Club showcases yachting of tomorrow

The Yacht Club de Monaco hosted the 2nd Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous, supported by the Prince Albert II Foundation, along with major partners such as UBS, Sindalah, the MB92 Group shipyard and Wider Yachts.

The aim of the Monaco Smart Yacht Rendezvous is to promote sustainable solutions and new technologies for the yachting industry, particularly for yachts over 24m.

“All stakeholders in our sector need to be driving technological progress if we are to make the maritime world more sustainable,” said Bernard d’Alessandri, Secretary General of the Monaco Yacht Club. “It has to be a collective effort.” 

The aim of the networking event, which follows on from the Monaco Smart & Sustainable Marina Rendezvous (22-23 September 2024), is to further the energy transition and foster responsible solutions within the yachting industry.

“Navigating a course to a sustainable horizon in the yachting industry is not just about wind and sails, but also innovation and collective commitment,” said José Marco Casellini, Managing Director of Monaco Marina Management.

Innovations examined by an international jury

“From concept to dismantling every decision directs us towards a future where conscience meets excellence. We must harness the air of change and lead our industry towards an ocean of ethical and responsible actions.” 

The innovations were presented to the international jury members, around twenty industry professionals and investors, through 149 remote interviews.

Participants were able to share their expertise and ‘draw the blueprint’ for the Smart Yacht of tomorrow during specific workshops.

“We need startups, we need ideas, we need the young generation to change the mistakes of the past,” said explorer Mike Horn.

Very interested in the exhibition area, the explorer visited the different solutions on display, including Beyond the Sea by yachtsman Yves Parlier, and Coreod Space, a French start-up that was presenting its AI-powered virtual reality headset.


Winners of the Smart Innovative Yacht Awards 2024

The international jury, made up of around twenty yachting professionals and investors, presented two Smart Innovative Yacht Awards this year. Start-up company Composite-Recycling and the Greenboats scale-up received awards.

Guillaume Perben, co-founder and Managing Director of Composite-Recycling. “We recycle composite materials used to build boats and wind turbines and enable them to become new boats in a way that closes the loop of the constituent materials.  We are very pleased to have won this award for the work we’re doing on recycling boats, helping make boating sustainable and something that no longer harms the environment.”

Loris Schimanski, Business Developer at Greenboats: We are delighted to have won this award and been recognised by these industry giants. Over the last few years, we’ve been working flat-out on R&D to try and develop fibres that can compete with glass fibres and, even better, be lighter. It’s a solution based on panels that can be more easily assembled in the big shipyards to reduce the carbon footprint.”

Continue reading →

Yacht Club de Monaco awards exploration and innovation prizes

Le Prince Albert II, who is concerned about the issue, attended the event.

The 7th Monaco Ocean Week was driven by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation along with the Prince’s Government, the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, and the Scientific Centre of Monaco. During the event, the Yacht Club de Monaco led the debates in the field of Grande Plaisance (Super yachting) on Thursday 21 March, and presented the 4th “YCM Explorer Awards by La Belle Classe Superyachts,” an initiative that was launched in 2019.

A jury of professionals awarded prizes in a number of categories: “technology and innovation”, “science and mediation” and “adventure and environmental ethics”. The Sovereign praised the commitment of these men and women: “who are acutely aware of the environment and are playing and will play a crucial role in marine exploration by providing invaluable support to scientists and local communities.”  Prince Albert II also pointed out that the tradition of exploration was deeply rooted in Monaco’s history, and that we owe it to Prince Albert I.

The four winners are:

  • S/Y Cachalote, a 25-metre boat equipped with flexible solar panels
  • M/Y Archimedes, a 68-metre vessel that explores parts of the ocean that are not well sampled, such as remote areas of the Atlantic, Pacific and Southern Oceans
  • M/Y Gigi, a 49-metre boat that symbolises philanthropic adventure, with missions such as distributing tablets to schools to support local education in disadvantaged regions
  • M/V Lattitude, a 47m vessel for technical changes such as realigning the engines to increase efficiency and speed while limiting its ecological impact.

Continue reading →

Carlo App revisits referral programme

Carlo users will no longer earn 2% for referrals. But there will be new benefits, reassures the Monaco-based start-up.

If you are a Carlo user, you will no doubt have received an e-mail explaining changes to its referral programme. A number of users commented on the message via social media. The start-up says it has stuck to its mission statement since the app was launched in 2019: “to help local businesses with a local payment app and a local loyalty programme, on a city-wide scale,”  says Antoine Bahri, Carlo’s co-founder.

“The referral programme has fulfilled its purpose”

Carlo is a cashback application, aimed at businesses in the Principality. The start-up receives 10% for every purchase, including 5% cashback for the user, 2% for the referrer (‘sponsor’) and 3% in fees. The 10% was originally borne by the shopkeeper, but in 2020, during the Covid period, the Monaco Government supported the project by covering that cost. “The project was meant to last four months, but in the end it’s been four years,” says Antoine Bahri,  “There’s a real interest, it’s efficient, and all the players are on board.”

Today, Carlo has around 70,000 users, and almost 80% of the Principality’s businesses are members of the programme. “Now it’s time to make some adjustments. The referral programme has really fulfilled its purpose,”  says Antoine Bahri. With the aim of  “optimising costs, we are changing our referral model; it is not disappearing, but it is evolving.” From 1 April 2024, “the sponsor will no longer receive the 2% cashback on transactions made by the person they refer, but will receive five euros for the first payment the referee makes,”  explains the company director.

Secondly, in addition to the five euros, “we will be adding another benefit, with ad-hoc offers. For example, we’re going to set up campaigns such as: ‘During the month of August, if your referees make a certain volume of purchases, you’ll be rewarded with X euros.'” The 2% will be used to fund this feature in future.

Looking further afield?

Carlo, a start-up that has become a key player in the Principality, is constantly expanding. Since 2020, the application has retained its cashback-based model, but a number of new features have also  been developed, such as payment between friends and gift vouchers. Also of note, the “exceptional Carlo bonus”, for civil servants in particular, is coming to an end. Despite a comment saying “many of us still haven’t spent all of our money,” Antoine Bahri assures us that “it’s a success every year, almost 99% of the money is spent.”

At the end of 2022, the application set out to conquer Aix-en-Provence, with convincing results. So where next? Bordeaux, Toulon or Annecy? Many cities are a potential target for the Monegasque company’s expansion.

Continue reading →

Monaco to host “Blue Economy and Finance Forum” in 2025

The forum aims to get businesses and innovative public and private funding solutions behind ocean protection.

Monaco continues to work to protect the oceans. On Monday 18 March, the Monaco Oceanographic Institute and the Prince Albert II Foundation formalised their cooperation with the French Organising Committee for UNOC 2022. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding, the Principality committed to hosting and co-organising the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on 7 and 8 June 2025 at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

The “UN Ocean Conference Special Event” will be part of the United Nations Ocean Conference to be held in Nice from 9 to 13 June 2025, co-organised by France and Costa Rica. The BEFF aims to bring together solutions to support the blue economy and safeguard marine ecosystems, in response to Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14).

Getting public and private players on board

The forum, co-chaired by Pascal Lamy and Ilana Seid, will focus on harnessing public and private resources to protect the oceans. The aim is to bridge the gap between the traditional maritime economy and the sustainable blue economy, by fostering dialogue between businesses, banks, insurance companies and public bodies.

By placing the private sector at the centre of blue economy finance, Monaco is supporting a crucial balance between conservation and sustainable economic development. The recommendations and solutions to come out of the forum will then be presented at the United Nations Diplomatic Conference in Nice, which begins the following day. This new event is further proof of the Principality’s strong commitment to protecting the oceans.

Continue reading →

Visitors from Middle East and America boosted Monegasque tourism in 2023

The Prince’s Government announced a positive result, and its strategy in the lead-up to the 2024 summer season.

The 2023 tourism report presentation, recently organised at the Grimaldi Forum by the Directorate of Tourism and Congress (DTC), brought together representatives from the Monegasque industry, in the presence of Pierre Dartout, Minister of State, and Pierre-André Chiappori, Minister of Finance and the Economy.

2023 showed a positive result for Monaco, with the hotel occupancy rate up by one point compared to the previous year, reaching 57%. The average room rate also increased by 3.5%, reaching €474 excluding VAT, reflecting a sustained demand for luxury as well as the Principality’s appeal.

The statistics show a diverse tourist clientele, with a noteworthy presence of visitors from the United States and the Middle East. In fact the USA came in second place behind France, closely followed by Italy, relegating the United Kingdom to fourth place.

Guy Antognelli, Director of Tourism and Conventions, highlighted his department’s commitment, through the “Like Nowhere Else” campaign, to promoting responsible tourism. In addition, partnerships are gradually being established with airlines such as Air France, United Airlines, Lufthansa, China Airlines and British Airways.

Monaco is maintaining its standing as a popular tourist destination, offering not only a luxurious setting but also a commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism. Future projects promise to further strengthen this reputation and attract even more visitors.

Continue reading →

Stars 80 concert comes to Monaco this summer

Sabrina, Christiane from Zouk Machine and Patrick Hernandez will perform their legendary hits at the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival on July 6. 

Boys boys boys… The phenomenon, which has already registered 4.5 million spectators, will feature Sabrina, Emile & Images, Patrick Hernandez, Jean-Pierre Mader, William from Début de Soirée, Christiane from Zouk Machine as well as Joniece Jamison, Phil Barney and Vivien Savage in an exceptional new show. Backed by their musicians, the artists will pay tribute to the crazy eighties.

A charity concert

Stars 80 will support Fight Aids Monaco, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (SBM) will be unveiling a number of other prestigious artists in the near future.


More info:

  • Prices: dinner and concert from €260
  • Doors open: 8 pm / concert starts: 10.30 pm
  • Bookings: montecarlolive.com / ticketoffice@sbm.mc

Continue reading →

2024 Monte-Carlo Women of the Year prizewinners

The event took place on Friday 22 March at One Monte-Carlo.

The Prize, created by journalist Cinzia Sgambati-Colman in 2012, aims to recognise women from all over the world who, in their personal or professional lives, have achieved extraordinary things, without necessarily being acknowledged.

As is the case every year, the Committee awarded three prizes:

  • The Woman of the Year Award for Monaco went to Louisette Azzoaglio, for having had the foresight in 2002 of creating the Action Innocence charity, to teach children, adolescents, and their parents, how to protect themselves from the dangers of the internet.
  • The Special Prize was awarded to the European Commission’s JCR (Joint Research Centre) for Cybersecurity and Quantum Technology. Isabella Cerutti and Petra Scudo collected the trophy.
  • The Monte-Carlo International Woman of the Year Award  was presented by Princess Stephanie of Monaco to Professor Cordelia Schmid, a world leading specialist in computer assisted recognition, for her work in artificial vision and more particularly in automatic image interpretation by robots.

The annual event takes place under the High Patronage of Prince Albert II and the Honorary Presidency of Princess Charlene.

Continue reading →

“Le Printemps des arts”, a dialogue between disciplines

Le Printemps des Arts (Spring Arts festival) is celebrating its 40ᵉ anniversary this year. Monaco Tribune spoke to Bruno Mantovani, the event’s artistic director.

French composer and conductor Bruno Mantovani has been the artistic director of Le Printemps des Arts for three editions. A major date for Monegasque cultural enthusiasts, the event, which combines the different disciplines and senses, has been delighting the Principality for 40 years.

A combination of the new and the established

A new feature this year is “an overall theme on Man’s relationship with the world around him, the Earth and the environment. It’s not a new subject; many works from the 18th century deal with the question,” says Bruno Mantovani. The concerts are evolving, “with new concepts such as musical siestas, a musical dinner with chef Yannick Alléno, a Renaissance dance workshop with live musicians…”

Since his arrival, the artistic director, with the help of his team, has endeavoured to “present early and more mature works by the same composer, to showcase the evolution of the artists’ language.” It’s also a way for the artists to express themselves, with “free rein to instrumentalists who give several concerts.” Also a constant feature, Bruno Mantovani’s latest edition promises “a mix of eras: we are providing music from the 15th century as well as contemporary music. Our aim is to have a festival that covers a broad historical period.”

2024.03.21_Quatuor Modigliani_Opéra de Monte-Carlo_DSC8429©PDA_Alice Blangero
Modigliani Quartet in concert at the Opera de Monaco on 21 March – ©Alice Blangero

Why do you want to mix genres and arts? – “Our aim is to keep opening up dialogues between complementary artistic disciplines. For this anniversary edition, it’s important to get back to the concept from the start of the Printemps des Arts adventure. It’s not a question of turning the Printemps des Arts into something other than a music festival, but of introducing disciplines that interact with music.”

Knowledge, the key to enjoyment

During the before and after sessions, the public will be able to meet the artists, with complementary objectives. “The before aims to provide the public with as much information as possible, through conferences and round tables. This means the audience is more informed about the music they are about to hear. It’s very important, you enjoy it so much more when you are aware,” says the French composer.

As for the afters, the director describes them as “much more informal, with the musicians getting out their instruments and playing, as if we were in a 19th-century salon. It’s very spontaneous.” It is a moment of dialogue, an opportunity for the public to share their impressions with the artists and meet the festival team.

printemps-des-arts
Maroussia Gentet & Henri Demarquette during the Printemps des Arts Season Presentation at Hauser & Wirth Monaco – © Mark Bradford

Impact and accessibility

The Printemps des Arts de Monte-Carlo is also a way of making art accessible, in particular thanks to free access for under-25s. “That’s part of our mission. The rhetoric of Western art music is necessarily demanding. It’s a strong message we want to get across, that: ‘this festival belongs to everyone, and especially to the generations who are less likely to listen to classical music.’ There is a lot of work going on with the national education system, making it possible for classes to attend concerts, to attract these young people.”

Finally, art must have an impact on the world, Mantovani says, “artists have a political role to play. You only have to look at the last elections, where culture was completely neglected. So the idea is for the artist, with his utopian and idealistic vision, to become a stakeholder in society, public life and the Republic once more. It’s not about right or left, they [the artists] must become more and more involved in projects that raise us all up.” This is also why the Printemps des Arts “puts the score, therefore the work at the centre of the event, and not the performers. It’s almost like being in a manifesto, where the work comes before the artist,” just as a score comes down through the centuries.


Practical info:

  • When: From 13 March to 7 April 2024
  • Bookings and programme: Printemps des Arts
  • Tickets: Atrium du Casino de Monte-Carlo, Service Billetterie, Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco
  • Further information: +377 92 00 13 70

Continue reading →

Pierre-André Chiappori: “We need to consider all the ways we can Monaco attractive”.

Appointed earlier in March by Prince Albert II to the position of Minister for Finance and the Economy, Pierre-André Chiappori took up his duties a few days ago. 

Last week, the Minister spoke about his roadmap in an interview with local TV channel Monaco Info. The economist and conference speaker discussed the tasks assigned to him by the Sovereign, as well as topical issues, such as Moneyval and the reforms that the Principality needs to implement in the fight against money laundering.

Monaco and the FATF’s ‘grey list’

“I have to say that the administration’s response has been extremely robust. The measures taken over the last two years are quite spectacular. We’re on the right track and we’ve made some really significant advances,” the Minister added. At the heart of the discussions surrounding the Principality is its potential inclusion on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) ‘grey list’ of countries that are insufficiently diligent in the fight against money laundering. It is in no way a punishment. We were already under special surveillance, but the grey list means even tighter surveillance. If this were to happen, it would mean that the FATF would indicate a certain number of points on which progress needs to be made,”  said Pierre-André Chiappori.

The timescale for “completing the process and getting off the grey list”  would be around a year and a half. The new Minister for Finance and the Economy also announced that he had “been in contact with the entire Monegasque administration.” “There is genuine unityWe are all convinced of the importance of what is at stake and we are all ready to commit, unreservedly,”  he continued. The next step for Monaco is a meeting with the FATF in Istanbul, “which will, to a large extent, decide the outcome.”

The Sovereign is aware that Monaco is at a strategic crossroads

“We have been able to ride on the coat tails of a number of resources, particularly real estate,” says Pierre-André Chiappori, when asked about the roadmap he was given by Prince Albert II. “The Sovereign is aware that Monaco is at a strategic crossroads, as it were.” The Minister spoke about moves to diversify these resources, which have been under way “for some time now,”  and about building on the Principality’s attractiveness. “We’re working hard on this, and this is the direction that we’re going to have to pursue and develop further.”

And to make Monaco even more attractive, the Franco-Monegasque Minister assures us that he is “taking forward what has already been done.” “There’s a whole communication aspect: getting the word out, getting the message across, but that’s not all (…) We need to consider all the ways we can Monaco attractive, everything that can make innovators, creators, people who have something to contribute to the community, feel good, feel at home in Monaco,he concluded.

Continue reading →

Page 1 of 215 - 1 2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  >