Monaco's master chef Alain DUCASSE immortalized by the Grévin Museum

The inauguration of master chef Alain DUCASSE's wax double at the Gévin Museum took place on Monday, March 23rd in Paris. Bernard Pivot, president of the Grévin Academy, presided at a ceremony presented by Bernard Spindler, a prominent Monegasque journalist and close friend of the chef.

Born in southwestern France, Alain Ducasse has become one of the most famous chefs of our time and currently presides over 22 restaurants around the world, including Monaco's prestigious Louis XV.

As a master chef, a creator of restaurants and a dedicated teacher, Alain Ducasse has spent 25 years developing his multiple talents to an unrivaled level of excellence. In May 2009 he will inaugurate a new school for "Haute Cuisine" in Paris open to students of all levels and offering courses to aspiring cooks, pastry chefs and wine specialists. Created in 2001, The Grévin Academy designates new candidates to be immortalized in wax by the Museum.

The committee includes journalists from a variety of fields (sports, culture, politics…) who make their choices according to the popularity and newsworthy qualities of prospective candidates. Alain Ducasse was chosen by unanimous vote at the April 2008 reunion, after which the Museum's sculptor Eric Chaffray and his team began six months of work with a series of photo, video and 3D image sessions, plus the molding of Ducasse's face and body so as to achieve the finest possible true-to-life double. Alain Ducasse is represented standing and dressed in his chef's uniform, with a large number of the ingredients and utensils he uses set on a table in front of him… all created in wax.

Other famous figures soon to grace the halls of the Grévin Museum include Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and actress Carole Bouquet.

A Year of Merriment, Make-Overs and Milestones for the Principality of Monaco in 2009

Long acknowledged as one of Europe’s most illustrious and enchanting destinations, the Principality of Monaco offers travelers a luxury experience, at any vacation budget, through attractive accommodations at every price level and exhilarating year-round events. In 2009, the “jewel of the Riviera” will celebrate new and refurbished hotels and restaurants and cultural and artistic anniversaries.

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THE MONACO DECLARATION

Developed following the Second Symposium on Ocean Acidification (The Ocean in a High CO2 World) held in the Principality of Monaco in October 2008 and co-signed by 155 leading scientists from 26 countries, the “Monaco Declaration” was presented in January 2009 at the ASLO aquatic science congress in Nice, France.

The declaration, with forewords by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, calls for political decision-makers to address the issue of ocean acidification and encourage research in the field. It urges for immediate action to reduce CO2 emissions sharply to prevent changes in ocean chemistry and widespread and severe damage to marine ecosystems on which half of the world population depends for survival.

Ocean acidification is caused by the absorption by the ocean of increasing quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted to the atmosphere from human activities.

This phenomenon impacts various marine organisms that need calcium carbonate to survive such as coral reefs, mollusks and crustaceans, and can severely disturb the entire marine food chain. In the long run, this could result in significant consequences on human activities such as tourism, aquaculture, and the fishing industry.

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Monégasque Government strongly support The Monaco Declaration, which, based on the Research Priorities Report developed by participants at the 2nd Symposium on Ocean Acidification, urges political leaders to take action.

Since its release in January, the Monaco Declaration has made headlines around the world raising public awareness and the urgency for a global consensus on the issue of ocean acidification. In His forewords, Prince Albert II of Monaco urges political leaders to heed the Monaco Declaration as they prepare for climate negotiations at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December 2009.

Download the Monaco Declaration (pdf)

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Holiday Season in Monaco

Monaco offers special cultural events and gala dinners throughout the Principality on Christmas Eve and on New Year’s Eve, including parades, concerts and activities for children. Monaco's hotels and restaurants offer special packages. On New Year's Eve at the stroke of midnight, revelers convene in the magnificent Casino Square to ring in the New Year.In Monaco, Christmas Eve was the occasion when all the members of a family would gather at their home to perform, as a preliminary act to the evening meal, the rite of the olive branch. Before sitting down, the youngest of the guests, or the oldest, soaked an olive branch in a glass of old wine. He approached the fireplace where a great fire of pine and laurel branches burned and with his little branch traced the sign of the Cross while pronouncing a few words on the virtues of the olive tree, a source of all kinds of good things. After this, everybody in turn would wet his lips in the glass of wine serving as an aperitif. Dinner traditionally consists of an enormous "brandamincium", a Monégasque dish of salt cod pounded with garlic, oil and cream, surrounded by "cardu", cardoon in white sauce; "barba-giuan", literally "Uncle John", stuffed fritters and "fougasses" flat crunchy biscuits sprinkled with sugared aniseed colored red and white, flavored with several drops of rum and orange-flower water.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

For Its First Venture Abroad, Monte-Carlo SBM Has Chosen Marrakech

Masters of savoir-faire since 1863, having reached the pinnacle of excellence, the Monte-Carlo S.B.M. brand has, throughout its prodigious history, made a name for itself as a leading trendsetter. Today, it is one of the world’s top luxury brands, ready to export its image to the planet’s great capital cities and the most elegant venues. For its first project abroad, the Monegasque group has chosen a flagship destination, popular amongst its traditional clientele: Marrakech.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/pdf/marrakech08.pdf

Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival January 15-25, 2009

For decades, the circus has been known for its ability to brighten up the faces and spirits of adults and children alike. As a young child, H.S.H. Prince Rainier was fascinated with the circus world. It is for this reason that in 1974, he created the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival to showcase the world’s greatest Big Top performers. Each year hundreds of acts request to be a part of this weeklong ceremony, during which the two best performances are crowned with the coveted Gold and Silver Clown awards. Held every year in mid-January, the event features spectacular animal acts, uproarious comedic performances, and masterfully choreographed acrobatic feats. Each act is judged on its technical difficulty and creativity by a panel composed of seasoned circus professionals from around the world. Presiding over the panel, H.S.H. Prince Albert II and His Sister, H.S.H. Princess Stephanie (who serves as Vice President), traditionally open the star-studded festivities.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

Monte-Carlo Ballet Season 2009

In 1985, H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover recreated a new company in the Principality, a project initiated by her mother, Princess Grace, and became the President of the company, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo.

Since the first performance of Serge de Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in Monaco in 1911, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo became the first official company of the Principality of Monaco, performing throughout the year at the Opera de Monte-Carlo as well as in the most famous theaters and venues abroad. Determined to keep this ballet company at the highest professional level, and to enrich the repertoire with creations and contemporary works, the President of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo offered the direction to Jean-Christophe Maillot in 1993.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra Season 2009

The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, founded in 1856, holds a rarefied position in the musical world having been led by guest conductors such as Arturo Toscanini, Dimitri Mitropoulos, Bruno Walter, Richard Strauss, Victor de Sabata, Sir Thomas Beecham, Kiril Kondrachin, Raphael Kubelik, Leopold Stokowski, Charles Munch, Sir John Barbirolli, and Eugene Jochum.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

Monte-Carlo Opera Season 2009

By the end of the nineteenth century, Charles Garnier was hired to build Monaco's Opera House. The famous architect had gained recognition from his work for the Paris Opera House.

Sarah Bernhard inaugurated the new Salle Garnier in 1879. Between 1893 and 1951, Raoul Gunsbourg directed the Opera and built fame and prestige for Monaco's Opera House. Among the best internationally, Monaco's Opera hosted great voices such as Patti, Tamagno, Melba, Caruso, Chaliapine, Garden, Schipa, Dalla Rizza, Gigli, Lubin, Muzio, Thill, and Pons.

For more information, visit http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique at the Cleveland Museum of Art through January 18, 2008

A jeweled masterwork from the Princely Family of Monaco's private collection... This fall at the Cleveland Museum of Art, one of Princess Grace's most treasured possessions, never before seen in the United States, will be unveiled -- and will be a highlight of Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique, an exhibition which runs from October 19 - January 18, 2009.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

“Treasures” From the Principality of Monaco’s Prince Rainier and Prince Grace on Display in Chicago

Conspicuous among the fine jewelry and valuable collectibles on display at the Field Museum’s Treasures of the Titans exhibit opening January 26, 2007, are striking pieces on special loan from Prince Albert II of Monaco – including a diamond tiara which belonged to His mother, H.S.H. Princess Grace of Monaco which She wore to official functions such as the 1962 wedding of King Juan Carlos I of Spain.
The exhibit also includes a pair of Her Van Cleef & Arpels diamond earrings, a Mikimoto pearl necklace, a diamond and ruby Scorpio (Her birth sign) pendant and a Vacheron Constantin gold watch.

For more information, go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageID=1072

First LUX WINE Trade Fair April 27-29, 2007

One of the Principality of Monaco's big new event for 2007 is undoubtedly the LUX WINE trade fair taking place from at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco Friday April 27 to Sunday 29, and it already looks decidedly like becoming one of Monaco's springtime musts.

About 150 exhibitors are expected to attend this first edition that will transform the Espace Ravel into an immense wine cellar.

For more information, http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283

Top Marques Monaco April 19-22, 2007

With the aim of achieving the ultimate supercar show, Top Marques Monaco 2007 goes interactive to become the Only Live Supercar Show in the World! The fourth edition at the Grimaldi Forum from April 19 to 22 is already a sold-out event (with many manufacturers still knocking at the door) and promises to be a stellar show, indeed! Alongside the fabulous exhibition of supercars inside the Grimaldi Forum, outside will be the excitement generated by the motors of over 30 supercars in the new Top Marques Pits.

For more information, please go to http://www.visitmonaco.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=283