WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MONACO

Posted on 05/06/2016 | About Monaco

Monaco? Monte Carlo. The deep blue of the Mediterranean. Sunshine. Stylish buildings clinging to the hills above a yacht filled harbour. The Casino. Grace Kelly and probably (to North Americans at any rate) the only immediately recognizable European Royal Family other than the Windsors. The Grand Prix roaring through winding streets. Memories of films that have been shot on location. That’s about it for most of us. And really that’s a lot for a country that’s not quite one square mile in size. But there’s much more to Monaco

It may be small but – 

There’s a lively arts scene and a lot happening this year:

Les Ballets de Monte Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra regularly perform in the Salle des Princes in the local Grimaldi Forum, which doubles as both a performance facility and a modern conference centre. 

The Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival held in November-December draws big names and is well known internationally. 

Architect Charles Garnier’s magnificent and iconic Monte-Carlo Opera and Casino built in 1879 and totally renovated in 2004-2005. 

On the gallery side there are important exhibitions.“From Chagall to Malevich, The Revolution of the Avant Garde”, was a hit last summer, and “Francis Bacon, Monaco and French Culture” will be on display at the Grimaldi Forum.

For those not up on the art scene, Bacon’s triptych of his friend Lucien Freud shattered global art auction records in 2013 when it was sold in New York for US $142.4 million. Christie’s declined to name the buyer. 

Bacon spent many years living in, and frequently visiting, both France and Monaco, and this ambitious exhibition, with over 60 of his works on view, is a must-see on art lovers’ lists. 

On the more quirky side (not that Francis Bacon couldn’t be considered quirky) Monte Carlo hosts an annual International Circus festival.

Lots of sports – 

The Monte-Carlo Rally through the streets of the city has been captured on movie and television screens for years, but I’ve been told by those who have actually witnessed it, that there is nothing like the excitement of “being there.” 

Perhaps not as internationally famous (except to car buffs) the Historic Rally is a race of historic Grand Prix cars that variously date from 1952 to 1976. This sounds (to me) almost more fun than the main race. There is also a Museum of the Princes of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection. 

The Monte Carlo Rolex tennis Masters played on red clay is a popular stop on the tennis circuit, and the Monte-Carlo International Jumping (Horses) is a also big deal. 

In October this year SPORTEL, the convention for media industry leaders will be held in Monte-Carlo. 

An important environmental heritage 

What many people do not know is that Monaco has a long played a significant role in environmental protection and conservation. The rulers of this tiny Principality, roughly half the size of New York’s Central Park, Prince Albert I, Prince Rainier and the current ruler Prince Albert II, have all recognized the importance of the protection and preservation of the natural environment. 

Monaco was one of the first nations to use reforestation to preserve its mountainous landscape, and as early as 1976, it instigated an agreement with France and Italy to protect the quality of its seawater and the sustainable development of its coastline. 

In 1960 the Monaco Scientific Centre was founded at the request of Prince Rainier with a mission to develop research towards conservation and protection of marine life. 

In 2006, one hundred years after his namesake grandfather’s efforts had helped build the Oceanographic Institute, the current ruler, Prince Albert II led an expedition to the North Pole. 

The same year a foundation was formed to limit the effects of climate change, to safeguard biodiversity, and to protect water resources. The Prince Albert II foundation now has chapters Europe, the UK, the US and Canada and has allocated grants totalling more than US $23 million to over 185 projects around the world – specifically in the Mediterranean Basin, the Poles and the least developed countries. 

These are just a few of the initiatives instigated and encouraged by the Monaco’s far thinking, visionary leaders. 

A far cry from politicians who in the face of all evidence to the contrary contend that the damage we are heaping on this planet has no environmental impact.