World AIDS Day 2024 with Fight AIDS Monaco

Yesterday, a large gathering of community members came together to support H.S.H. Princess Stéphanie's charity, Fight AIDS Monaco, now marking its 20th anniversary. The occasion featured the unveiling of memorial quilts created by charity members to honor those who lost their lives to AIDS, in observance of World AIDS Day.

The event, held at the Oceanographic Museum, welcomed the presence of Princess Stéphanie, her daughter Camille Gottlieb, and Monegasque dignitaries as Fight AIDS Monaco unveiled its memorial quilts for the 13th consecutive year.

 

Both poignant and heartfelt, the quilts serve as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of AIDS. On Friday, the association presented 8 of its 14 meticulously crafted pieces, each requiring an average of 170 hours to complete.

The quilts, considered symbols of hope, draw inspiration from the AIDS Memorial Quilt movement, which began in San Francisco in 1985. This initiative honors those who have lost their lives to AIDS by creating panels of painted fabric. Christophe Glasser, Director of Fight AIDS Monaco, highlighted this connection in his speech.

 

Fight AIDS Monaco is a non-profit NGO founded by H.S.H. Princess Stephanie in July 2004.

Faced with psychological, and financial distress along with isolation. S.A.S. Princess Stephanie has seen people living with HIV, in the face of discrimination that many suffer daily, and in the face of their acute, often hidden, internalized health and well-being. With that, Princess Stephanie has committed herself to and with them in this struggle for life and dignity.

As the honorable Princess Stephanie has stated, “I join all those who are fighting HIV in their own lives, I encourage everyone to be screened, to protect themselves, and to thank anyone who devotes their time, their money to the mobilization of AIDS.”

From previous experiences, this event is reflective in memory of those who have passed due to HIV/AIDS complications, yet also filled with compassion and love as a supportive community along with the strength and hope that we must do all we can to bring more awareness and raise funds with the hope to eradicate this disease that can affect anyone. And this year, World AIDS Day felt no different.

The Fight AIDS Monaco non-profit organization works with board members, a small but important team of employees, and many volunteers, all of whom share their time, along with Princess Stephanie to help put the word out about AIDS awareness, and prevention and to raise funds for the charity through various events in and around Monaco annually.

Fight AIDS Monaco is funded by a grant from the Government of Monaco but mainly from private donations. To donate, please contact: Fight AIDS Monaco

Photo/Video Credits:

Frédéric Nebinger
Frédéric Pacorel
Monaco Tribune

Monaco’s Innovative Six-Hectare Waterfront District Set for December 4th Inauguration

 

Mareterra, Monaco's most ambitious land reclamation project, will be inaugurated on December 4, 2024, by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. This €2 billion eco-district, complete with luxury residences, a marina, and public green spaces, will welcome the public starting December 5.

The eagerly awaited Mareterra district, a breathtaking six-hectare extension of Monaco’s coastline, will be officially inaugurated on December 4 by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. This monumental €2 billion project, launched in 2013, stands as a remarkable achievement in engineering and urban design, delivered six months ahead of schedule.

With the removal of construction barriers near the Louis II Tunnel and the Fairmont Hotel, residents and visitors have been drawn to Mareterra's striking features.

Highlights include the 16-berth marina and the iconic Renzo building, designed by famed architect Renzo Piano. While these visible landmarks are impressive, much of the district's transformation happened behind the scenes. Over 3,500 workers dedicated their efforts to completing this remarkable project, poised to become a crown jewel in Monaco's urban landscape.

Starting December 5, the Mareterra district will be open to the public, offering a 500-meter coastal promenade for leisurely strolls and lush green spaces featuring 1,000 mature trees. The district also boasts 12 shops and restaurants, an extension of the Grimaldi Forum, and 160 parking spaces, ensuring a welcoming and accessible experience for all visitors.

A First for HIV Testing in France

 

Taking an AIDS screening test in a pharmacy is now possible in the Cote d’Azur.

Six pharmacies in the French region bordering Monaco have been chosen to take part in a pilot national program offering rapid and anonymous HIV screening tests. These tests are free of charge and deliver results quickly for those seeking them.

Located in Menton, Cap d’Ail, and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, these six pharmacies are the first in France to provide this confidential and fast HIV testing service.

Launched by the French government in October, the initiative serves as a pilot program expected to pave the way for a future nationwide implementation.

“The project will initially be deployed on an experimental basis in certain areas of the Alpes-Maritimes, before a potential extension to other territories, less equipped with medical resources, depending on the results,” says a representative for Objectif Sida Zéro, a Nice-based association that supports people in the region living with HIV and AIDS. “This new lever for action will bring the region even closer to the ambitious objective of ending the transmission of HIV.”

The tests are available anonymously to anyone, require no prescription, and are provided free of charge.

Monaco Grand Prix Confirmed Through 2031

 

Formula 1 has officially extended its agreement with the Monaco Grand Prix, securing the iconic race on the F1 calendar through 2031. This new deal builds on the previous contract set to expire in 2025, adding six more years to Monaco's celebrated presence in the sport.

The Monaco Grand Prix, a cornerstone of the F1 World Championship since its debut in 1950, has been a permanent fixture on the calendar since 1955.

Next year, the event will mark its 75th anniversary from May 23-25, before transitioning to a new permanent date in the first weekend of June starting in 2026.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, shared his excitement about the contract renewal, stating, "I am thrilled that Formula One will continue to race in Monaco until 2031. The streets of Monaco are unique and an integral part of Formula One. This Grand Prix is a race that every driver dreams of competing in."

The future of the Monaco Grand Prix had been uncertain due to challenges surrounding the event's sustainability. These included the crowded race calendar, which features 24 races this year, as well as financial concerns. Monaco's distinctive urban setting limits audience capacity, and the city’s financial contribution to hosting the race is relatively modest, although it does attract an international audience well before and after the Grand Prix  with events surrounding the race happening both day and night.