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European Heritage Day 2011: the Greening of Monaco
2011-10-14 11:13
What:
16th European Heritage Day 2011
Theme:
Sustainable Development
Where: multiple locations in Monaco
When: Sunday 16 October, with walk to La Turbie the day before
Each year, all the countries of Europe (including non-EU states) observe their individual and shared heritage with a number of special events, openings and visits. In the last two years, Monaco has celebrated its achievements in the world of sport (2010) and of ballet (2009). This year the selected theme is '
Sustainable Development' - a subject which in this part of the world they know quite a bit about!
Monaco is a paradoxical place, where conspicuous wealth and conscientious welfare live cheek-by-jowl. On the one hand there are the screaming engines of twenty-four Formula 1 cars powering around Monaco's narrow streets; on the other, the Prince smiles to the camera as he unveils the latest electric smart car. Gas-guzzling superyachts throng Monaco's Port Hercule, but the quickest and cheapest way of crossing that water from one quay to the other is by
solar-powered 'Bateau Bus'. Restaurants in the Principality will serve you extraordinary dishes, but are banned from serving
blue-fin tuna, in an effort to save the species. Monaco has done much to clean up its image as an ethical place to bank your money: now it is spearheading the world's drive to a greener future.
Earlier this year Monaco won a Gold Medal at the
Chelsea Flower Show for an urban garden design which made much of its sustainable credentials. Sustainability has also been the theme of a year-long exhibition at the
Oceanographic Museum, entitled 'Méditerranée - Splendide, Fragile, Vivante', which aims to show the devastating effects that mass fishing has had on the sea which Monégasques and others consider to be their second home.
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European Heritage Day 2011
On Sunday 16 October, a total of 36 historical monuments and sites will be open to the public in Monaco. In addition to the usual tourist attractions such as the State Apartments in the Prince's Palace, a number of research centres including the
Scientific Centre and the
International Hydrographic Bureau will be open to the public.
Among the fascinating and unusual features of Monaco being highlighted by this year's Heritage programme will be the
Cistern of the Prince’s Palace, a waste-to-energy plant and a wastewater pre-treatment plant (UPTER). There will also be presentations concerning the fragile marine ecosystem. Finally, to reinforce the green theme, on Saturday 15th October, the day before Heritage Day itself, a cross-border hike will
take place along the hiking trail from La Turbie to Fort de la Revère.