An International Art Hub for Picasso’s Last Home

 

The last home of world-renowned artist Pablo Picasso is being transformed by its current owner into an international art center with an estimated price tag of €114 million.

The artist, who still influences artists to this day, was in his time a sculptor, painter, and ceramist with the Cote d’Azur being one of his most inspiring areas of the world in which to live.

His last home in Mougins, formerly known as Mas Notre-Dame-de-Vie, later renamed Château de Vie is about to undergo a major transformation for others to enjoy, 50 years after his death.

It was announced that the property owner Rayo Withanage, a New Zealand billionaire, has set out plans to convert the villa into a “global hub” where art will flourish through collaborations with “major artists and institutions from around the world”. In 2017, Rayo Withanage bought the expansive and quite magnificent property at auction for 20 million euros and pledged 114 million euros to get the project underway.

“We invite the most iconic artists and creative institutions around the world to see the world as Picasso saw it, to work in his studio, and to consider the influence of his work,” he has said, adding that he envisions the villa to be a place where artists can work in-residence and that part of whatever proceeds are made from the sale of artworks will be donated to charities.

In the last years of his life, it has been said that Picasso’s time in Château de Vie was some of his more inspiring, productive, and overall happiest. After his passing, the property went to his wife Jacqueline Roque in 1973. Bereaved, Jacqueline had reportedly left everything exactly as it was the day he died, down to the place he last set down his reading glasses. She later committed suicide in 1986 and the property was left empty for 30 years.

Now, future generations will be inspired and exude life into the former home of Pablo Picasso and Jacqueline Rogue.

More Celebrities for the Monte-Carlo Summer 2023 Festival

 

Yesterday an announcement was made by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the organizers of the 16th edition of the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival extending their list of international celebrities that will be in concert this summer in Monaco.

This year, the summer music festival will be quite varied and jam-packed throughout the season.

At the extended announcement in the courtyard of the Hôtel de Paris on April 13th, the Monte-Carlo SBM and Monte Carlo Live unveiled the full schedule.

Many of the performers at this year’s music festival had been announced in March with those being, Ricky Martin, Mika, Sting, Tarkan, and tribute performer ‘Michael’ The Magic of Michael Jackson.

Now, the Artistic Director, Gilles Marsan announced that headlining the music festival this year will be singing legend Robbie Williams, who will perform at the Red Cross Gala on July 29th.

Legendary crooner, Chris Isaak will play at the Opéra Garnier on July 10th, Norah Jones will perform at the Opéra Garnier on July 12th, and Seal will take to the stage in the Salle des Etoiles on July 16th.

 

On August 4th, in addition to Mika, it was stated that Eros Ramazzotti will perform on August 8th, Nile Rodgers & Chic will play on August 12th, and Tarkan will hit the stage of the Salle des Etoiles on August 19th.

This year, there is definitely something for everyone to enjoy, making it a most memorable summer season.

Tickets can be found at Monte-Carlo Live.

First Female Political Minister Comes Out as Lesbian in France

 

A female politician in France has become the first minister to come out as gay after revealing her sexuality in an interview.

The youngest serving political minister, Sarah El Haïry, for the Democratic Movement revealed she is a lesbian and is dating someone.

The 33-year-old state secretary for youth at the Ministry of National Education casually mentioned her partner while discussing whether she uses Twitter.

In a recent interview with Forbes, the government’s youngest member responded to the question without hesitation saying she only ever reads Twitter when it affects her girlfriend or her family members.

The mention of her partner solidified Sarah El Haïry in the history books, becoming the first female minister in France to identify as part of the LGBTQ community.

Since being appointed youth secretary of state, the government minister has been outspoken regarding both women’s and LGBTQ rights and second nature in her comments.

She has previously called out discrimination against LGBTQ groups in France, saying that promoting LGBTQ rights is a “daily fight”.

Sarah El Haïry’s announcement, which the Forbes interview described as “discreet”, came not long after a similar reveal from former National Assembly of France member, Olivier Dussopt.

In an interview with the French magazine Têtu on March 24th, Olivier Dussopt said that his sexuality was “neither a secret nor a subject” while condemning homophobic attacks in France.

“Being homosexual is never neutral,” he said during the interview. “But one has the right to defend causes, to militate, to participate in the debate without making one’s personal situation a political element in itself.”

He added that, while this was his first time coming out, he has been outspoken for same-sex marriage and LGBTQ autonomy in the past.

Despite France’s current government in support of LGBTQ rights, the rise of the far-right in the country following the 2022 presidential election has caused concern.

Emmanual Macron defeated far-right rival Marine Le Pen in the 2022 presidential race, gaining a slim 58 percent of the vote compared to Le Pen’s 41.46 percent.

Although much more work needs to be done, France is still overall a very safe, and gay-friendly country to visit.

Rencontres In&Out - Festival du Film Queer in Nice

 

Celebrating an amazing 15 years, the In&Out Queer Film Festival gets underway on April 6-15, 2023 in the beautiful, gay-friendly city of Nice.

The association in Nice, created in 2009 is more than just a film festival showcasing the best of LGBTQ works from around the world. With the In&Out festival also taking place at various times of the year in Cannes (since 2009) and Toulon (since 2020), it is here where one can attend discussions not only on films but also on the fight against homophobia, with educational services in schools, and overall awareness in society on the matter.

There are a wide array of film choices to be found throughout the week in Nice on almost any subject imaginable from well-known writers, directors, and actors along with those just starting off their careers in the movie business, many of which will be in attendance for not only discussions but also question and answer periods.

 

The organizers would like to extend a huge thanks to all the volunteers who, since 2009, have given their time to help make this crazy idea a reality, following the five founding friends, Benoît, Isabelle, Matthijs, Sébastien, and Sylvain. Impossible to mention them all without forgetting some of them, but they are the great family of the Ouvreureuses and will recognize themselves.

 
Tickets for the In&Out festival will go fast for the films and events so book early!