#hello_monaco weekend: what to do on November 19th and November 20th
You are one foot into the holiday weekend as this Saturday Monaco is celebrating its National Day. And HelloMonaco prepared a program for you.
The Monegasque National Day, also known as the Sovereign Prince’s Day or ‘La Fête du Prince’ in French, one of the most important holidays in the Principality, traditionally takes place on November 19, this year it falls on Saturday. It is an official day off in the Principality.
“The Sovereign’s Day” is traditionally held on the day of the reigning Prince’s patron saint. Rainier III departed from this custom by choosing the day of his enthronement, 19 November, which also happens to be the celebration of Rainier d’Arezzo. In memory of his father, Prince Albert II kept the same date, thus fixing the date of Monaco’s National Festival on 19 November.
A few weeks before the celebration, streets, government institutions, offices and shops are decorated with red and white state symbols, and the Marie de Monaco encourages patriotic citizens and residents to hang national colors from their windows and balconies to demonstrate loyalty to the ruling Prince and the state.
On this day, the tradition is that Prince Albert II with his family greets people from the windows of the Palace. The Prince carries out a presentation of medals in the Courtyard of the Palace. And on the main square of the country there is a military parade. Then, in ceremonial costume, he attends a Mass in the memory of his mother, Princess Grace, at the cathedral. All members of the princely family, as well as other officials, are present at the events.
On 18th November at 20.00, two hundred drones will take to the skies above the Princely Palace in Monaco. A 12-minute light show will take place for the first time during the National Day celebrations. The music specially composed for the occasion by Bruno Abel (music teacher and musician), choreographed by the MC-Clic company, will again present Prince Albert I’s explorations in Antarctica, and the different great sides of the character of this sovereign. The public will be able to enjoy the show to the full, thanks to the sound system installed in the fairground.
In the evening, residents and guests can enjoy the traditional fireworks display.
On the occasion of the National Day, the Condamine Market offers a day in the colors of the Principality, on Saturday November 19, 2022.
On the program: tasting of local specialties from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., preparation of a giant stockfish at noon and musical entertainment from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
On Saturday 19 November at 18.00 there will be a concert of sisters Camille and Julie Berthollet (cello and violinists) in the Space Leo Ferre. The artists will captivate the audience with their interpretation of “the captivating universe of TV series of yesterday and today, using the most beautiful musical themes created for the small screen.”
On November 19th, the Grimaldi Forum will be presenting Hector Berlioz’ opera La Damnation de Faust, accessible only by invitation of the Palais. The opera with Aude Extrémo, Pene Pati, Nicolas Courjal, Frédéric Caton, the Chorus of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, Music Children’s Choir of the Rainier III Academy and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Kazuki Yamada, was performed twice at the Grimaldi Forum, on November 15th and 13th. On November 19th they will present their final show of the season.
Almost forty years after the creation of La Damnation de Faust by Hector Berlioz, Raoul Gunsbourg, brilliant director of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, provided a resounding answer to the dilemma that captured the musical world of the 19th century: was La Damnation de Faust an oratorio, (dramatic legend) as announced, or a real work intended for the theater? By directing the work of Berlioz, Gunsbourg freed himself from a taboo and accomplished a masterstroke. The Monegasque stage, known as a luxurious opera house where one could admire the most famous voices of the time, was then placed in the heart of Europe as an intense center of creation. The impact of this first iconoclastic and phantasmagorical production assures a special place for Berlioz’s work on the international operatic stage.
On the occasion of the centenary of Albert I, it seemed more than appropriate for the Opéra de Monte-Carlo to return to this founding event with a contemporary eye.
The No Finish Line® is a solidarity event that has existed since 1999 in Monaco. This race is open to all, professionals or not, runners and walkers. It’s easy to participate in No Finish Line 2022! You can register online.
You are free to participate for 1 hour or to run a marathon every day… You are free to participate alone or in a team.
Thanks to registrations, donors and sponsors, for each kilometer traveled, Children & Future are donated €1 to support projects in favor of disadvantaged or sick children. If you wish, you can also donate €1 for each kilometer you will do.
For sports fans there is a Betclic Élite game: AS Monaco Roca Team – Limoges on Sunday 20 November 2022, at 5 pm, in Salle Omnisports Gaston Médecin – Stade Louis II.
This year, the Attractions Fair is gathering residence and guests in the Port of Monaco from Friday October 21 at 2 p.m. to Saturday November 19, 2022 at midnight. Arranged over the entire upper part of the Quai Albert Ier as well as on the Darse Sud, entertainment stands, gourmet stands and attractions will delight the public, who will find thrill rides and other, more traditional, for the little ones.
Among the rides that take place for four weeks on the Quai Albert Ier, we can mention: the Space Combat, the Astrojet simulator, the Palais du Rire and even the bumper cars! This year again, the Attractions Fair should satisfy all ages and all tastes!
There are several interesting exhibitions open in Monaco. To begin the Oceanographic Museum’s new Polar Mission exhibition is currently open and taking visitors on an epic journey from the North pole to the South pole. The new exhibition kicked off on 4 June and covers five exciting themes spread over two levels. From wildlife, to explorers, to artefacts, to immersive technology, the exhibition is chance to feel like you’re voyaging to the world’s chilliest landscapes at opposite ends of the globe.
The Polar Mission Exhibition at the Oceanographic Museum will be on display for the next two years. Entrance to the exhibition is included in a regular ticket to the Oceanographic Museum (€18.00 for adults and €18.00 for children aged 4-17 years). The Museum is open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Another exhibition is “Polar Encounters” by Monegasque artist Michel Aubéry, under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II from Tuesday 18 October to Sunday 20 November 2022, in Musée Océanographique de Monaco.
Photography exhibition “Albert I: A Different Perspective” is organised by the Department of Cultural Affairs from Monday 10 October to Tuesday 29 November 2022, in Galerie des Pêcheurs.
Of course there are other interesting events taking place in Monaco. If you want to learn more about them visit our Calendar.
So have fun and enjoy your weekend!