Marie-Pierre Gramaglia steps down from Princely Government and other Monaco news
Marie-Pierre Gramaglia steps down from Princely Government of Monaco
After over ten years of service, Marie-Pierre Gramaglia will be stepping down from her post as the Principality’s Minister of Public Works, Environment and Urban Development on 1 September. She will be succeeded by Céline Caron-Dagioni.
A press release by the Prince’s Palace confirmed the news at the beginning of August. Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, a Monegasque born in 1962, joined the upper echelons of the princely government on 14 January 2011, during the Michel Roger era. During her decade-long career as a government councillor minister, she was steadfastly part of Monaco’s development. She attending countless building inaugurations, environmental meetings and charity events, many times alongside HSH Prince Albert II.
Time to Watch, Time to Celebrate a James Bond Icon
25.000 dollars, would have been a mere drop in the bucket for Goldfinger, and it will get you and your companion a rare VIPs only opportunity to view the avant-première of the next James Bond blockbuster in the surroundings of the Salle Garnier and the Casino of Monte Carlo.
Maybe for a little less, 2.500 dollars, Odd Job, Goldfinger’s deadly henchman, could also afford a ticket to watch – and you too could join him at this price in Salle Garnier together with a sumptuous dinner in the Casino knowing that your ticket price goes to the Charitable Princess Grace Foundation of the USA.
New Carmelha Tower built from the Top, Down: A First in Monaco
On the plot of land where the old Villa Carmelha once stood, a new 12-storey building, which will accommodate 25 state-owned housing units, is currently being constructed using a new innovative process all the way from Québec.
The Carmelha Tower will be a timber residential building standing at 47 metres tall with over 4,000 m2 of space. The innovative building process will eliminate the use of tower cranes and “improve worker’s safety,” according to Upbrella’s website, by working at a human’s height.
Rolex Fastnet Race: Dmitry Rybolovlev’s Skorpios takes Line Honours
After crossing the finish line in Cherbourg, Dmitry Rybolovlev’s Skorpios took line honours in the Rolex Fastnet Race. The team’s total elapsed time for completing the 695 nautical mile course from Cowes to Cherbourg was 2 days, 8 hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds. This marks the first time that a sailboat from Monaco achieved such success in the Fastnet regatta in the almost 100-year history of this competition.
Younger People Hospitalized for Covid: Average Age Drops by 10 Years
The General Director of the Princess Grace Hospital Centre, Benoîte de Sevelinges, recently spoke to Monaco Info News about the increasing number of hospitalizations in Monaco. The Director said that not only has the pandemic returned to Monaco, but the average age of patients being hospitalized for Covid-19 is getting younger.
The average age of patients hospitalized for Covid-19 in the Principality was once 74 years old, but that number has dropped to 64 years of age recently, due to new variants of the virus.
Great Conductor, Musician and Naturalized Monegasque Passes Away
Naturalized as Monegasque by the Prince is testimony to the influence this great Italian-born conductor and music director had on the cultural life of Monaco. Sadly, beloved composer and musician Gianluigi Gelmetti has passed away at the Princess Grace Hospital, too young at 75 years old.
Going back as far as the 1990s Gianluigi Gelmetti had conducted for the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra before becoming musical director of the Rome Opera from 2000 to 2009 and principal conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra from 2004 to 2009. And, of course, he was also a celebrity in Germany as titular conductor of the Stuttgart Radio Orchestra for nearly ten years.
Among his great contributions to the cultural life of the Principality was as the artistic and musical director of the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (OPMC), between 2012 and 2016.
Monaco is Now Charging for Covid Tests
As of Sunday 15 August, individuals will have to pay to obtain a Covid-19 test in Monaco, a decision made by the government to encourage more people to get vaccinated. Unlike the rest of France, where tests will remain free until the autumn, the Principality is now charging for PCR tests, with a few exceptions.
The decision was made by the government in mid-July to no longer reimburse individuals who take a PCR test without a medical prescription. The decision may also be a way of discouraging certain individuals to receive multiple tests.
Redevelopment and Resettlement at Jardins d’Apolline Has a Happy Ending
One of Monaco’s more serious housing dilemmas took place in 2017 when the Jardins d’Apolline a major Monegasque housing development with hundreds of apartments, had serious damp, which penetrated throughout the complex. Many families experienced distress in the process as the problems persisted and indeed worsened.
After an extensive investigation at the highest level of the Princely government an accord was reached with the property developer to thoroughly renovate the complex.
In the four buildings affected by water infiltration in 2017 we now see brand new kitchens and walk-in showers.
The residents have found their feet again and the removal trucks have brought their possessions home.
Monaco’s Venturi Attempts to Win the Formula E Drivers World Championship in Berlin
Destiny can put a spoke in the best-laid plans, especially those of Venturi’s Edoardo Mortara who had a fighting chance to win the Formula E World Drivers Championship in the final race of the season in Berlin.
As we have seen so often this season, notably during the Formula 1 Grand Prix too, you can be the best driver together with piloting a dream-racing car but accidents that play havoc with your best plans come out of nowhere. There was just a three-point gap to overcome and Mortara would be holding the world championship trophy. It was not to be.
Yet he has had a magnificent season with Venturi and finished runner-up in the Drivers World Championship. Thus, Monaco has reason to celebrate the Swiss ace’s latest success in Berlin for the ROKit Venturi team.
