Green Light for Monaco Grand Prix and other Monaco news
Another busy week in Monaco is coming to an end and together with it the first month of the year. Many plans started to take shape. So here are the most interesting developments of the week.
Green Light for Monaco Grand Prix Despite Cannes Film Festival Dates Wobbling
There’s a lot on the line in 2021. The world is eager to move into a new era where the greatest events again dominate the social calendar – and the Monaco Grand Prix is a litmus test for it.
In fact Monaco’s auto-racing is already setting the pace with reigning champion Sébastien Ogier opening the 2021 World Rally Championship with a record-breaking eighth victory at the Monte Carlo Rally with a spellbinding drive of pure magic.What a way to celebrate the Monte Carlo Rally’s 110th anniversary and a slap in the face for Covid in 2021.
Look Ahead: 2021 Municipal Projects and Events
Monaco’s City Hall gave a press meeting to give a progress report concerning local construction projects and other events on the agenda for 2021. The Mayor gave an update about three big construction projects currently underway as well as the upcoming digital transition, the new Monegasque Identity Card, new public screens and upcoming cultural events. Although the COVID-19 epidemic has kept municipal teams busy since March, major municipal projects are still progressing throughout the Principality.
Monegasque Launches ‘Most Expensive Hotel Package Ever’ in Dubai
Monaco’s very own Sébastien Noat, the new General Manager of the ME Dubai Hotel, has already made a huge international impression at the start of his new career by announcing the most expensive hotel package in the world: the “3 nights +1 Bugatti +1 watch” package, priced at €1.9 million!
New Underground Tunnel for Monaco’s Commuters
A new underground pedestrian tunnel, which will connect the top of Boulevard du Jardin Exotique to the Fontvieille district, is scheduled to be ready in 2023. Work on the ambitious tunnel, named ‘Les Salines,’ is well underway. The vast amount of hard rock separating the two neighbourhoods is currently being dug out using dynamite.
Cannes Film Festival Moves Its Dates
The dates for the Cannes Film Festival are moving from this May to July instead. There is still uncertainty about the health situation. Infections are still at a high level. And there are wobbles in the implementation of the vaccination campaigns in the U.S . and Europe. The official announcement by the Cannes Film Festival organizers states:
“Initially scheduled from 11 to 22 May 2021, the 74th Festival will therefore now take place from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 July 2021.”
Inauguration of the new Vaccination Centre at the Grimaldi Forum
On Monday, January 25, the Principality’s new Vaccination Centre against Covid-19, now housed within the Grimaldi Forum, was inaugurated in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, the Prince’s Government and the President of the National Council.
Covid-19: Extension of the Curfew measures in Monaco
The measures in force since January 11, including in particular the curfew between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., expires on January 27 at midnight. HSH Prince Albert II has decided to extend all current health measures until February 19 inclusive. This decision follows on from the proposals of His Government established in consultation with the Conseil National, who together are members of the Joint Monitoring Committee.
Artcurial Auctions a Comic Book for Millions. The World Record is Smashed!
In January, under the hammer of Arnaud Oliveux, Artcurial organized two sales sessions dedicated to Comics. At 2.15 p.m., the auction entitled “The universe of the creator of Tintin” began, featuring more than 100 lots of Hergé. The long-awaited lot was lot n°18, an exceptional and unprecedented work on the art market: the illustration project by Hergé for the cover of the original edition of the Blue Lotus (Lotus Bleu) album from 1936.
New player joins AS Monaco
AS Monaco is pleased to announce the signing of 21 year old Krépin Diatta from Club Bruges on a five year contract.
The Principality club and the current Belgian champion have reached an agreement for the transfer of the young Senegalese international winger, who has signed with AS Monaco through June 2025. Able to play on the entire right flank and also as a left winger, Krépin Diatta (1.75m) joins Ligue 1 after having played one season in the Norwegian elite, with Sarpsborg 08 (2017), then three years in the Jupiler Pro League.
