“Spreadsheets have never really been my world,” says Julie Mascha, “but meaningful objects and artistic expression always have.”
WATCH VIDEO: Julie Mascha on celebrating womanhood and a Monaco pop-up.
The 31-year-old grew up in Lyon but her path has taken her around the world – from Brazil to the US, and then to Spain, where she spent five years living between Barcelona and Madrid before returning to Paris. Her career began in the luxury industry, where she learned the importance of storytelling, placing the client at the centre, and creating experiences that feel both personal and unforgettable.”
The idea for Sculptée Paris, the company Julie founded in September 2025, came to her during a trip to Amsterdam to visit her childhood best friend. “I discovered a similar concept and instantly felt that this was what I wanted to build – a project where craftsmanship, femininity, art, and luxury meet. On the train back to Paris, I was already drafting the business plan. That was a year ago.”
Julie fuses innovation and tradition to capture the female body, its beauty but also its power, especially during pregnancy “because, to me, it is one of the most striking moments of transformation and femininity.”
Her unique sculptures reflect both artistic sensitivity and the authentic shape of every woman, thanks to a high-precision 3D scan. Every detail is captured, right down to a beauty mark. The digital model is then refined by hand. “With my artistic eye, I work on the skin texture, softening certain areas.”
Julie, who is bilingual in French and English, says her role is to guide her clients through the creative process – the pose, level of smoothing, final finishes – but “the final piece must be a reflection of the client.”
It all starts with the 3D-modelling session. “This is one of my favourite moments of the entire process, because it is incredibly intimate. Clients often arrive slightly intimidated – and understandably so, as they reveal their bodies at a deeply vulnerable time of their lives. I feel a great responsibility in honouring the trust they place in me, and I make sure the experience feels warm and empowering.”
From this model, Julie creates a mould using advanced 3D-printing technologies. Depending on the chosen finishes, the sculpture then passes through the hands of several specialised artisans, from the art foundry to the master gilder, and sometimes a painter for the final patinas.
“I’ve surrounded myself with passionate artisans and artists, to offer the highest level of quality. For the gold-leaf finishes, for example, I collaborate with a master gilder who works with 24-carat Florentine gold – a delicate and noble material – and who also crafts for some of France’s most prestigious luxury houses. This level of craftsmanship is part of Sculptée Paris’ DNA.”
Bridging the two worlds of cutting-edge 3D scanning technology and centuries-old craftsmanship has not been without its challenges. “In the artisanal sphere, these technologies are still relatively new, so we had to create a workflow that allowed the sculpture to move seamlessly from digital precision to hand-crafted artistry. Also, we use the age-old lost-wax casting method, and it took many trials before identifying a material that could preserve every detail of the 3D model.”
From December 9 to 11, Julie will be in the Principality to meet with women who may be interested in the Sculptée experience. “For three days, I will welcome clients by appointment only to a beautiful, cocoon-like studio –very private – located just five minutes from the Monte Carlo Casino.” You can book an appointment online here.
In January 2026, Sculptée Paris will participate in the “Ateliers Futures Mamans” in Brussels – a wellness-focused event designed as a nurturing pause for expectant mothers. The workshops include prenatal yoga sessions, discussions with a physiotherapist about pelvic health.
“I want to continue to push the boundaries of sculptural art, merging cutting-edge technology with traditional craftsmanship to celebrate femininity,” says Julie.
Literary lovers take note: there’s a new book fair in town. The first edition of the Franco-Monegasque Book Festival is around the corner, on Saturday, December 6.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: HEIDI DE LOVE TALKS ABOUT THE BOOK FAIR.
Brought to you by a dynamic new association – the Franco-Monegasque International Literary Festival Association (FLIFM) – the Festival du Livre Franco-Monégasque will bring together more than 50 authors from around the world from 10am to 6pm.
The guest of honour and best-selling author, Bernard Werber, has sold more than 15 million copies of his books worldwide. His trilogy Les Fourmis (The Ants) has been translated into more than 30 languages.
“Bernard’s participation at this inaugural edition reflects the long-term vision of the organisers – to open the Principality to the great names of literature while giving visibility to emerging talents,” explains Raphaël Abenhaïm, FLIFM cofounder and vice-president.
Nathalie Cohen (Un fauve dans Rome) and André Peyrègne (Petites histoires féminines de la grande musique) will also be on hand for book signings and discussions, and the French-language literature promises to appeal at all generations and readers, including fans of manga and comics. Admission is free.
The first edition of the Festival du Livre Franco-Monégasque takes place at the Club Bouliste de Monaco in Fontvieille (across the street from Stade Louis II) at Espace Saint-Antoine, Avenue Marquet. Stay up-to-date with their latest news on their website and social media.
While you’re in the neighbourhood, don’t forget to check out the Christmas Kermesse at the Chapiteau de Fontvieille, also from 10am to 6pm.
Article first published on November 25, 2025. Photos and video copyright Good News, Monaco.
The Drama Group of Monaco has been performing English-language plays and pantomimes since 1965. The first stage production, the comedy Love’s a Luxury, was put on in 1974 at the Salle des Variétés in Monaco and attended by Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: “‘Oh no they are not!’” says Drama Group of Monaco president Andrew Riley.
Over the next decade, the non-profit organisation performed in Monaco and on the Côte d’Azur but things really took off when in 1985 the Drama Group was offered “The Green Room’” at the Stade Louis II for rehearsals, workshops and Play-Readings.
“In the early days of the Drama Group of Monaco,” recalls the current President, Andrew Riley, “the monthly readings of plays in The Green Room were extremely popular with the local English speakers because there was no satellite TV!”
These days, with streaming services and social media, the Drama Group of Monaco continues its battle to keep performing art alive. Membership (with in-house auditions) is open to all enthusiastic English-speaking adult thespians, and, since 2019, youth from the age of 9. “Although it is an amateur theatre association, we pride ourselves on the teamwork, enthusiasm, and commitment of every performing member. Our only aim is to generate pleasure and emotion to our often very discerning public.”
“Our Youth Theatre weekend workshops and performances have helped to contribute to a wider theatrical experience for the local anglophone community,” says Andrew. “Traditionally we devote an afternoon performance of the Pantomime to various classes of pupils at Monaco schools, in close collaboration with the Education Nationale.”
Born in the UK, Andrew studied English and French literature – which included Drama – at university, and came to Nice as a student, eventually settling on the Côte d’Azur and becoming a Monaco resident. He started working for Barclays Private Bank Monaco in 1981 and retired nearly 40 years later in 2019.
“I started acting at school, which was an all-boys public school, so I played both male and female roles, something that I continue to do today in the Pantomimes!”
Andrew joined the Drama Group of Monaco in 1984. His first stage performance that year was a farce – as he says, “appropriately called” – A Bedfull of Foreigners. He’s had the “opportunity and privilege” to perform in some amazing theatrical roles including in Macbeth and Henry V, The Elephant Man, and Dangerous Liaisons.
“I’ve been passionate about amateur dramatics in English in Monaco ever since my first show, juggling professional and family commitments with my love of theatre. My first Pantomime was in 1996, I played Abanazar, the Baddie, in Aladdin.”
The Drama Group’s most popular tradition is, of course, the Christmas Pantomime, a highly anticipated outing for the whole family, from the age of 5. The larger-than-life characters delight the audience with their extravagance and often outrageous costumes.
“This very British custom is a light-hearted bundle of laughs, slapstick, and dance routines roughly based on the dramatization of a well-known fairy tale or folk tale. Traditionally, some of the key roles are played by a member of the opposite sex. The ‘Dame’ is often played by a man, and the ‘Principal Boy’ is played by a girl.
“There is much actor-audience interaction. The ‘Baddies’ are booed and the ‘Goodies’ are cheered on, and there is lots of ‘Oh yes they are!’ versus ‘Oh no they are not!’”
After nearly 30 years, the Drama Group of Monaco is bringing back Aladdin. Written by Ben Crocker, directed by Andrew Riley and Miranda Dawe, and choreographed by Celia Riley, the pantomime will be performed by 30 members, including 16 youth, on Thursday December 11 and Friday December 12 at the Salle des Variétés, starting at 8pm. “The text and the jokes of a Pantomime are continually evolving, so any returning audience is rarely disappointed,” says Andrew.
To get your tickets for Aladdin on Thursday December 11 and Friday December 12 (8pm) at the Salle des Variétés, go to the Drama Group of Monaco’s website.
Article first published November 20, 2025. All photos and videos copyright Good News Monaco.
Monegasques Andrée and Michelle outside the palace in Monaco Ville. Photos: Nancy Heslin
To celebrate National Day on November 19, Andrée and Michelle – the “Mamies of Monaco Ville” – share their stories about growing up on the Rock and how Covid has impacted the community.
Andrée and Michelle are sitting on a bench outside the palace, nearby the marble statue of tribute from foreign colonies presented to Prince Albert I on the occasion of his 25 years of reign in 1914.
“When I was a child, I used to climb that statue,” Andrée points. “Everything has changed. This used to really be a square.”
“Well, it was different,” says Michelle. “When I was younger, we would bike and roller-skate in the square. You know, the other morning, there was no one here except for a few kids from the painting school (Pavillon Bosio Visual Arts School) who were sitting in front of the palace on the sidewalk with their papers and pens, and the teacher was there. I saw a Carabinier approach and tell them they had to leave. The gentleman said he was a teacher here in Monaco-Ville and the students wanted to draw the palace a little. The Carabinier replied, ‘No, it’s out of the question.’ I found this completely absurd.”
“When I was young and in the month of Mary (May), we would all go to the Cathedral. There are arches at the top of the church tower and you can see there is a floor. There was a door and so we would go up and look at the choir sing. Now, you have to show your credentials everywhere. It’s not like before.”
These days, Covid also makes life different for the two women. Before the health pandemic, Andrée and Michelle would usually meet with friends every day for coffee. “We would meet up every morning at 9 at the San Remo bar,” says Michelle. “Before Covid, Monaco was far more lively. I think that with lockdown, we realise that apart from tourism, there’s not much on the Rock. Even people from Monaco, they are not going to come here to buy souvenirs. Although, some have come in a stand of solidarity.”
“In our day, it wasn’t like that,” shares Andrée. “There were grocery stores, a stationery shop, florists, a cobbler … we had everything. Souvenir shops practically did not exist. But it changed in the Sixties, they took away all the stores.”
Michelle agrees. “Monaco-Ville used to be a village but it gradually changed and is now essentially touristic. I’m going to tell you the honest truth. At the time, we were a bit fed up, because you couldn’t walk in the street in the summer, in the middle of August. Between the restaurant’s terraces and the groups, going out was really annoying. Frankly, we were bothered by this but when you look around now, it’s obvious that it is dying with sadness.”
Andrée adds, “I think, there is going to be a reversal. It’s necessary for the souvenir shops to do something else.”
“But some can’t close because they have big management,” Michelle remarks.
Village Life
“Before, all the families used to all know each other in Monaco-Ville. Now we no longer do,” says Andrée. There are many foreigners who have bought as secondary residences.
“The old grannies would take their chairs,” Michelle describes, “and bring them in the street and they would be in front of their doors, chatting. I remember that.”
“I can see them now,” recalls Andrée, “with their aprons, and they would shell peas or beans…”
Michelle remembers how the women would wash laundry. “You’ve seen the Parking des Pêcheurs? There was a lavoir there. I saw women who would leave their house with the thing on their heads and they went to wash their linen there.”
“Not my grandmother,” says Andrée, “because we had the bassine on the terrace.”
“Well, Claudie, with her sister, who are roughly my age, they would go there,” Michelle responds.
Andrée adds, “Not so long ago, some people still didn’t have toilets at home, they would still go wash to the washhouse. And there was a lavoir at Sainte Devote church, you know where the stairs go up behind, there were toilets there. They removed them, and there was a washhouse.”
Michelle says she sold her 3-bedroom apartment on Boulevard des Moulins to buy another apartment on the Rock for her son “because I couldn’t see myself living at Palais Miramar. For me, my stronghold is here.”
“My neighbour can see me in my bed,” Andrée, who has one daughter, laughs. “It doesn’t bother me, it’s been like this since I was born. Where I lived before, my neighbour was Madame Augusta, and when I opened my windows, there she was. ‘Hello Madame Augusta,’ I would say … My grandfather bought the place I now live in 1921, I have the deed. I wanted to leave because I had back pain and I have four floors. But at my age, I couldn’t picture myself moving.”
“I don’t have neighbours opposite,” says Michelle, who has a son and daughter. “I have a view of the mairie. It’s my grandmother’s house and I was raised there, so were my children, and even my grandson. My grandparents used to live near Sainte Devote, at villa Lilly Lou, I think it’s still there. And they sold it to buy here on the Rock, a house with two floors. They bought the second floor first, because the first floor was rented. And I remember that later when they bought the first floor, there were always two apartments. I was raised in one of the apartments with my grandparents.”
Andrée, with Michelle, in front of the Palace statue she used to climb as a child.
Living With Lockdown
During the first lockdown, the women say they only did what was authorized, like went out to do shopping or a morning walk in front of the Carabiniers or around the garden and then home.
Andrée admits, “Confinement didn’t bother me the first time.”
“I have a terrace with the sun, I have a view on the mountain … there is worse,” Michelle says. “We are very privileged in Monaco. Even if things have changed, we are privileged, really.”
“You know,” says Andrée, “you have to be born in Monaco-Ville, because there are a lot of people from Monaco who tell you they would never live here. I can’t leave.”
“Things never change here, and never will,” says Michelle. “Except that they repaired houses but otherwise, you can’t touch Monaco-Ville. When we look at the old photos, it was a bit old-fashioned. Now, when you look, it’s all perfect. It’s all redone.”
Michelle adds, “Everybody dreams about coming to Monaco. It’s the only place where you can go out with your jewellery and not worry about your purse. Let me tell you something. We are all happy, even those who complain, in Monaco, everyone is happy. And everyone would like to live there. Aren’t I right?”
Andrée nods in complete agreement. “If you only knew how I hear from friends because we are less locked-down than in France.I don’t know, it seems that people are jealous,” says Andrée. “There is good and there is bad, it’s a bit like life.”
“I can’t stand when people criticise Monaco. I can’t stand it,” admits Michelle.
National Day
“The fête nationale in Monaco is something close to our heart,” says Andrée. “Every time we come to the square, there is a party. I was born on the Rock, really, and I’ve never seen this before.”
Michelle agrees. “We come to the square with a flag, we wait until the Princely couple stands at the window. This year it’s sad because it won’t happen. There will be a speech on television. They are doing the Te Deum but with distancing and that’s all. For the Prince’s Day, everything has been cancelled.”
Typically, in the days leading up to the National Day in Monaco, which has been on November 19 since 1952, there are rehearsals for the parade in the Place du Palais and the ambience is festive. As we sit near the Place du Palais two days before the big event, there is little activity. This year, there will be no military parade or symbolic wave from the window by the prince and his family. Mass at the Cathedral and the ceremony in the Cour d’Honneur will be broadcast live on Monaco Info.
“Every year, the Princely couple would stand at the window, sometime’s the whole family even,” Michelle points out.
“It was a family holiday,” says Andrée. There were two different days, on Wednesday and Thursday.”
“Back in our children’s time, they would have all the games at Place du Palais. There were things for children all day long.” Michelle says warmly.
I ask the ladies if they saw Prince Albert as a child at the window, and they admit seeing all three young siblings – Caroline, Albert and Stephanie.
Michelle recalls the birth of Princess Caroline. “I was at school and I must have been in 6th grade. I remember, with the teacher, there were cannons fired.”
“… to know if it was a boy or a girl,” Andrée chimes in.
“And then, after the cannon shots,” Michelle relives, “we all left school and came here to the square with flags, shouting. It really came from our hearts. We were kids.”
Andrée and Michelle say that before Princess Grace, “Monaco was not much.” For Michelle, “Grace is the one who brought about the renewal of Monaco that led to making Monaco known all around the world. The whole world was invited to Monaco. There were parties, there were galas, and it was sumptuous. Sumptuous. Even now, it’s not the same anymore. It’s not the same thing, it was a different era.”
Andrée adds, “At the time there was Le Bal de la Rose at the palace or on the square … we would see all the artists pass by, I saw Charles Aznavour.”
“In the morning, we would always see Princess Grace bring her children to school,” Michelle reveals. “We would meet them in the streets. One day, I was walking down the ramp and there came the Princess, such simplicity. She had a small scarf, flat shoes. You remember Andrée?”
“Yes,” Andrée replies. “We would often see them. I also remember her with Stephanie, and their dog, the little poodle.”
“We had the most glamorous period of Monaco,” Michelle says. “We were very lucky because we had a time, I think, no one will have again. It was the time of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. It was magic.”
Words cannot express my gratitude to Andrée and Michelle, two characterful ladies who provided a rare glimpse into a very private world in honour of National Day. They only removed their masks for photos.
I wish I could organise a Rediscover Monaco-Ville day to encourage Monaco residents to explore and support the old town, to eat at the restaurants and buy some gifts and souvenirs for a Very Monaco Christmas. But alas, I cannot. So I will continue to share stories of real people and maybe, just maybe, we can make a difference together.
Serge Thomas at Les Pierres du Rocher. Photos: Nancy Heslin
Healing stones used to be thought of as something hippies wore around their necks but in recent years celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Adele (who uses crystals to reduce on-stage anxiety) have helped build the “near-gemstone” industry into a mainstream market worth more than $1 billion.
Although medically unproven, gemstones are widely believed to relieve stress and increase positive energy, amongst a long list of other health benefits, depending on the minerals. And during the current health pandemic, Millennials are especially turning to the power of metaphysics.
Labradorite, for example, is considered a spiritual and healing stone for people who tend to overwork. “This stone comes only from Madagascar,” says Serge Thomas, who opened Les Pierres du Rocher two years ago.
Described as a “hard worker,” “great guy” and “artist,” Serge is widely known in the local community even though he has always lived in France. “I was a pâtissière (pastry chef) and owned La Boule de Neige in La Turbie until I retired.”
Not quite ready for those golden years and wanting to maintain contact with people, Serge decided to open a business on 32 rue Felix Gastaldi in Monaco Ville. “This used to be a souvenir shop,” he says,” but I didn’t want to do that or become a métier de bouche (food service). I love nature and stones, and as stones are trendy these days, I opened Les Pierres du Rocher.”
His clientele is made up of both tourists and locals from Monaco. “Of course, we had to close for two months during confinement and we completely suffered. 60% to 70% of my business comes from tourists, but there are no tourists.”
Serge points to his bestseller, a wall of bracelets, costing between €9 to €50. “It is all about the quality of the stone, so the higher the grade, the more expensive. If it’s just for decoration (or costume jewellery) that’s fine, but it is better to buy a stone of quality,” he advises.
He shows me a fabulous Lithuanian natural amber necklace (€58). “Amber is fossilised resin that is washed out into the Baltic Sea,” explains Serge, “and many people don’t know this but it is very easy to make counterfeit amber.”
He laughs, “As a professional capable of knowing a good cake from a bad cake, I can also tell the quality of stone.”
Another hot in-store item, notably with spas currently shut down, is the €35 regenerating stone roller to reduce wrinkles, which another customer tells me “is very, very effective.”
“Minerals have a link with humans,” Serge says and his range of healing pieces come from around the world, from Madagascar to Peru, in every size you can imagine.
For Christmas, Serge, who happens to also be a talented ice sculptor, is selling wooden house-shaped advent calendars that you can fill how you wish (€80 to €90 everything included).
There is currently 20% off sale on everything in the store. You’ve heard of people bringing home sand from their beach vacation? This Christmas holiday in Monaco why not pick up a stone from the Rock?
Open daily 10:30 to 5:30
Les Pierres du Rocher 32 rue Felix Gastaldi, Monaco Ville
A spectacular 10-room hôtel particulier in Paris that once belonged to Monaco’s princely family has been sold for a record amount by the Kretz family of Netflix fame.
“We sold it two years ago, and now again this year for €33,850,000,” Valentin Kretz tells me. “The buyer is an American crypto genius in his thirties.”
The 500-square-metre urban mansion next to Hermès on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the 8th arrondissement features an unfathomable 450-square-metre garden with sauna.
“This is the largest transaction in Paris in several years,” Valentin says. “The 2024 record was €25 million and that was all agencies combined. This is also one of the Kretz Agency’s biggest sales, although we have also sold at these levels in St. Barts.”
The reality star adds, “This shows that the ultra-luxury sector has not suffered a crisis, quite the contrary. There is so little supply in ultra-luxury that properties are highly sought after.”
Valentin, along with his parents and brothers Martin, Louis and Raphael, star in Netflix’s The Parisian Agency (l’Agence) now filming its sixth season. A spin-off of the real estate show, New Destinations, has been commissioned by TMC.
Axel Sategna is a Monegasque entrepreneur launching Monaco’s first social network. It’s called Intouch, it’s free, and it’s going live November 18.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Axel Sategna talks about Intouch app.
Available soon from the App Store and Google Play, Axel says Intouch offers a simple solution to a universal problem: knowing what to do, where, when, and with whom – in just a few clicks.
The idea came to him during a business trip to Montreal where he spent a week interviewing for jobs in finance. He realised how difficult it was to find the right places to go out, where to go for a walk, or just to connect with others in person over coffee.
WATCH VIDEO ABOVE: Axel Sategna on how Intouch works.
“None of the existing social platforms – Meetup, Eventbrite, Instagram, LinkedIn, or others – truly filled that gap”, explains the 30-year-old. “Intouch’s mission is to fight boredom, reduce isolation, and bring people closer together through a living map of activities spanning sports, entertainment, culture, and volunteering.”
The bilingual go-getter became driven by an ambition to truly transform the way we connect but, like many startups, faced financial hurdles. Outside of his full-time job at UBS Monaco, he spends his waking hours developing the first social network developed and launched from Monaco with support from Monaco Boost.
After graduating from the International University of Monaco with a Master’s degree in Finance with a Hedge Fund & Private Equity option, Axel built a foundation in private banking, asset management, audit, and the Constitutional Reserve Fund of Monaco – with experience in both Monaco and Luxembourg.
He hopes the Intouch app will expand to other territories after finding success in Monaco.
WATCH VIDEO BELOW: Axel Sategna talks about special filters and chat group on Intouch.
Article first published October 19, 2025. All videos and photos of Axel Sategna copyright Good News Monaco.
Lina Salamanca was only seven years old when she tried Crazy Kart. “As soon as I drove, I knew I loved it! The speed and the thrill of driving…it was a revelation,” Lina enthuses.
Like many young people, the 10-year-old Monaco student cites Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as her inspiration but also greatly admires drivers like Doriane Pin, Maya Weug and Lola Lovinfosse who prove that girls can succeed in motorsport.
Lina also told her of her ambition to represent Monaco in motor sport one day. This exchange was a very special moment for her, a great source of motivation that gives her even more determination to move forward. She has unforgettable memories of it and is very grateful for the exchange.
Last season, Lina was part of the F1 Academy, the female-only single-seater racing championship founded by the Formula One Group in 2023 and run by Monaco resident Susie Wolff. She was selected to take part in the Champions of the Future Academy international championship. “I was lucky enough to represent the girls in the Mini category with two other drivers. It was a great experience,” shares Lina.
Obviously, getting picked for F1 Academy is one of Lina’s favourite racing memories. But there is another moment that stands out for the young driver. “When I won the Volant Jules Bianchi, which was incredible and a great source of pride for me.”
Lina says she tries to be organised and do well at school so she can continue to do karting. “When I’m driving, I feel free and happy! I love the feeling of speed. I’m fully concentrated and I enjoy every moment of it. I try to train as much as I can on the track. And when I can’t drive, I work out so that I’m fit and ready for the next race!”
She admits she makes mistakes on the tracks but “every mistake helps me to progress. So, I never give up and I always try to improve.”
That’s her advice to other girls thinking about taking up go-karting. “Never give up! It’s a great experience, because you learn a lot of things – to be patient, determined and disciplined. When you’re passionate, anything’s possible!”
When Lina met Prince Albert at the International Women’s Sports Day forum on January 24 at the Prince’s Car Collection, she presented him with a copy of her book, Le Grand Départ de Lina, to give to Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. It was an unforgettable moment for the young racer, and she told HSH about her dream of driving at Monaco Grand Prix one day.
But motorsport dreams need sponsors and that, says Lina’s mom Anaïs is tough, especially when you’re just starting out. “Go-karting is an expensive sport and it’s often difficult to raise the money needed to train and compete. You need equipment, travel, entry fees… Without sponsors or external financial support, it is very complicated to follow a full competition programme. That’s why outside support, whether from sponsors or people who believe in Lina, is essential to help her move forward.”
Anais looked for an alternative that would allow her both to share Lina’s passion and to help fund her journey. “That’s how the idea for the book Le Grand Départ de Lina came about. I wanted to tell Lina’s story but write a book that was both motivating and educational, with a touch of dream and adventure.” This book in French is based on Lina and is especially for children who love sport, challenges and inspiring stories. There is also an English-language version: The Karting Lina’s Grand Start.
“Through this story, I wanted to capture that unique moment when Lina discovered her passion, but also to inspire other children to believe in their dreams. This book is a message of encouragement: it shows that anything is possible with determination and that you should never be afraid to follow your path, even in an environment that is still very male-dominated.”
“A lot of parents and young drivers see themselves in Lina’s story. The book has also been well received in the world of karting, as it helps to promote the sport to younger people.”
The feedback was so positive that Anaïs wrote a second book, Karting Heroes – Discover the World of Karting, also available in French and English, which delves into the world of karting with explanations of equipment and much more.
These books are more than just a story of a young girl’s passion, they offer a practical way of helping Lina move forward on her journey. “Each reader becomes, in their own way, a supporter so that she can continue to progress and show that girls have their place in motorsport.”
In addition to the book, Anaïs launched a brand inspired by Lina – Adrenalina Racing by Lina – with merchandise linked to go-karting. “It’s a project that allows me to pass on Lina’s passion and create a world around her. At events, I talk about Lina, her story and her commitment to go-karting.”
For Anaïs, “This adventure proves to me every day that you should never give up, and I’m grateful to those who believe in Lina and want to support her on her journey. And, as an author, knowing that this book can inspire other children and make them want to believe in themselves is an immense source of pride.”
She adds, “Lina is an incredibly passionate child, and I want to do everything I can to help her make her dreams come true. Seeing her grow through this experience is my greatest reward.”
The overall message is that no matter what age or background you come from, you have to believe in your dreams and work hard to achieve them. “Never give up. We are capable of much more than we think! Creativity, passion and perseverance drive us to find unexpected solutions. We need to explore every possible alternative, seek out local sponsors, create opportunities and, above all, tell everyone about it.
“Every meeting, every initiative can open unexpected doors. The most important thing is to believe in your child and to show that girls have their place in go-karting and motorsport.”
On Thursday, July 31, Annette Anderson of Stars’N’Bars fame retired after 35 years of working in Monaco. Friends gathered at Marius Monaco to say thank you to the heart of our community, an extraordinary human being whose comforting day-to-day presence will be missed.
Following a fantastic farewell speech by Gavin Sharpe, Annette was presented with a jade-coloured soapstone heart by Menton artist Florence Duet. And even though we forgot to use microphones (note for next time!), she made the evening news on Monaco Info. (Watch Video Below.)
Now, typically, I would share a few words about what makes Annette Anderson so darn special and how she represents the authentic spirit of our Monaco community. But as she brilliantly tells her own story on the recent Monaco Info podcast, I will instead invite you to listen to learn more about her life and time in the Principality. (Listen with this link below.)
As for Gavin’s speech, I’m sharing here as it perfectly captures the gathering to hip-hip-hooray Annette last Thursday. You can watch this video below or read the text. There are also plenty of photos if you scroll down.
Gavin Sharpe’s Farewell To Annette Anderson “Annette, we couldn’t let this week pass without saying thank you and taking a moment to honour and celebrate you.
Now, anyone who knows Annette knows just how much she hates the spotlight. Well … sorry, Annette – these next few minutes are all about you. So you’ll just have to grin and bear it!
Not many of us can say we’ve created a legacy like yours. Thirty-five years ago, you helped open a remarkable chapter in Monaco’s story. I’m of course talking about the cultural institution that is Stars’N’Bars.
Let me share a little secret – you can’t always believe what Annette tells you. She’ll try to convince you she was just in the background, holding the fort while Kate and Didier made the magic happen. But the more I’ve come to know Annette, the more I’ve realised the truth: Stars’N’Bars was a remarkable co-creation and it worked because three incredibly talented people brought their different and remarkable gifts to the table. And in my view, that’s what true leadership looks like – collaborative, humble, and quietly powerful. That’s you, Annette.
There’s something almost poetic in the fact that Stars N’ Bars was created to bring people together, informally. It wasn’t about wealth or pretence – it was about being real, being grounded. And how fitting that you were at the heart of that.
Very few people get to shape a place, a feeling, a community the way you have. Your legacy isn’t just in bricks and mortar – it’s in the memories, the friendships, the laughter, and the lives you’ve touched.
On a personal level, thank you, Annette – for your friendship, your vision, your heart, your humour, and your immeasurable contribution to the Principality and to all of us lucky enough to know you.
I know you’ve worked tirelessly with Didier and the team to build something new and exciting in your next venture, Marius. We wish them every success with it.
But I can’t wait to see what YOU create in YOUR next chapter – I know you’re brimming with ideas. But for now, please raise a glass with me to toast the inimitable and iconic Annette Anderson.”
Riviera Radio MD Paul Kavanagh, Martine Malbouvier, Eric Gibelin, Camille Bidard and Sarah Lycett.Natasha Frost-Savio, Tiffaney Perlino and Kimberley Bottomley.Vanessa Ilsley and Lisa DeRea Frederiksen.Irina Peterson.Sue Blake and Mike Colquhoun.Joe Ghannam and Annette Wijdom.Rhonda Husdon and Ina Ina McLaughlin.Barry and Emma-Jane McCormack.Kaen Bond and John Ina McLaughlin.Silvia Mischler.Finlay, Kelly and Charlotte McNish.Gavin Sharpe and Sebastian Rocca.Jilly Jackson.Karin Corradi.Didier RubioloAlicia Sedgwick
Article first published August 2, 2025. Photos and videos copyright Good News Monaco.
“I’m a Dubliner who loves the rest of Ireland,” enthuses Paula Farquharson-Blengino, who grew up and went to an all-girls Dominican convent school. She picked up a Bachelors and Masters from Trinity College Dublin, famous for the Book of Kells medieval manuscript. “This education was a window to the world. My first stop after graduation was New York and having Trinity on my CV opened doors to interviews, landing me a prize starter marketing job at Christian Dior USA-LVMH headquarters.”
This was the start of Paula’s corporate world journey with companies, including L’Oréal and Pretty Polly, spanning the luxury industry and publishing with a stop in Australia and back to Ireland. “Then 20 years ago I followed my dream to base myself in France permanently and haven’t looked back.”
Moving to Nice, Paula changed everything – lifestyle, language and career. She leveraged her communications experience and landed a journalist/editor job at the English-language publication The Riviera Times (now Riviera Insider). “That honed my skills to tell a story although I guess being Irish it came quite naturally!” Writing across a wide range of topics, the job expanded her network in the region.
One ofthe Times partners was Top Marques Monaco so when the time came to leave the newspaper after eight years, she was hired there as Press Officer by the founder Lawrie Lewis. “I learnt a lot from him, like attention to detail and the importance of people to ensure an unforgettable event.”
When he retired, Paula moved back into the corporate world – “quite a change” with the oil, gas and renewable energy industry. “SBM Offshore is listed on the Dutch stock-exchange so that gained me a whole new tool box of skills around governance and compliance. Confidentiality was key in my role when talking to the media; I was a gatekeeper for non-financial information from the company,” she shares.
All the experience that I’ve gained during my varied career, led her to her current position as Director of the Princess Grace Irish Library. “I enjoy working in the non-profit sector now. The Library is under the aegis of the Fondation Princesse Grace, which does such good work helping sick children and assisting young people embark on training for careers in the cultural domains such as literature, music and dance. This is a way to put my corporate experience to work for the good of others,” Paula says.
The mom of two adds, “When I was new to the region, the Princess Grace Irish Library felt like a home from home. It is a lovely, intimate ambiance and over the years I met so many wonderful people at the regular talks – and not just Irish. It is nice to chat with people who ‘get’ your Irish humour and Irishisms!”
The Princess Grace Irish Library represents a loving tribute to Princess Grace’s attachment for Ireland by her husband Prince Rainier III, who inaugurated it in November 1984, and the Princess’ personal collection of books and music scores form the heart of the library. “My favourite is a first edition of James Joyce’s Ulysses published in 1922. But it goes much beyond its content. We organise our own events and we facilitate conferences, symposia bringing people and academics together, we host writers via the twice-yearly bursaries supported by The Ireland Funds of Monaco.”
This October the Library has a symposium planned with academics from Villanova University close to Philadelphia (Princess Grace’s hometown) and there is a desire to develop more collaboration with the schools in Monaco. Princess Grace supported the arts and culture and the Library continues her legacy, operating under the aegis of the Fondation Princesse Grace.
With Covid, the Library remains open but reservations are necessary to ensure limited numbers and everyone’s safety. “We have the Monaco Safe Label. The health crisis forced us to review how things have always been done and adapt – we have gone online with events and even when normal life resumes, the digital world will allow us to be creative and reach more people, beyond the cosy, intimate setting of the physical Library. There’s no doubt that people are craving face-to-face events but I see us benefitting from having a hybrid offering with both live and online events going forward.”
On St Patrick’s Day, the library was honoured to host a small event with Irish music and drama in the presence of Prince Albert and his children, Prince Jacques and Princess Gabriella. We filmed it as we could not invite Friends of the Library due to health measures.
“On the programme was traditional music by the pupils of the l’Académie de Musique Fondation Prince Rainier III and a semi-dramatized reading by actors from the Monaco-Ireland Arts Society. The pupils were so happy after a year void of performances.
On a personal level, Paula admits that with pandemic it has been hard not being able to travel to Ireland to see family and friends but “being at the Library allows me the luxury of engaging face-to-face with people safely.”
Paula Farquharson-Blengino has found a silver lining in the Covid cloud. “The past year underlines that people value culture. They also yearn for a physical place to enjoy it and by keeping our door open, the Library acts like an oasis, where you can get lost in books and meet other like-minded people here.”
Located at 9 Rue Princesse Marie de Lorraine in the old town, the Princes Grace Irish Library is open Monday to Thursday 9 am to 4 pm and Friday 9 am to 3:30 pm.
