A delightful summer evening in Monte-Carlo

Yesterday evening we joined our friends Kate and Michel on their penthouse terrace to watch the international fireworks competition with England on the program. It was one of those pleasant Mediterranean summer evenings, and from their place we had a magnificent view of Monaco from the Port to the Rock, while enjoying a delicious buffet and an open bar al fresco. The highlight of the evening was meeting our hosts’ baby Camille just 4 moths old and a bundle of joy, and the guests who were of all ages and nationalities and really interesting! Starting with Rio, a 4 year-old charming beautiful girl who told me she lives between London and Monaco marking the beginning of a lively conversation, and continuing with Fiona, an attractive and engaging young woman who happens to be a writer and is currently and working as a ghostwriter, quite a riveting experience. She captivated me with her account of her trip to Chile during the massive 2010 earthquake that changed her life forever. Yes, we were a having convivial and amusing time and the fireworks were the icing on the cake!

Marvelous pyrotechnic display

It was the turn to Jubilee Fireworks from Great Britain, created in 1987 and who had achieved the ‘champion of champions’ title, to fire an awesome artistic show. Their colorful and explosive display was accompanied by a fitting musical program that included themes by Rihanna, The Prodigy, John Newman and more, using 3,5 tons of fireworks that literally pierced the Monegasque sky during 25 minutes. Sublime!

The International Fireworks Competition was first launched by Monaco’s Town Hall in 1966 and it is the most attractive public event in the Principality’s summer calendar. It was 30 years after its creation that it became pyromelodic by coordinating fireworks to music with a powerful sound systems installed over the whole Port Hercule. The Jury is presided by the Mayor and selection is based on music and fireworks design and synchronization, choice and variety of colors, music selection, quality of the display, originality and creativity and the grand finale. The first, second and third candidates receive a trophy with the winner receiving a prize of Euro 10,000 and the runner up Euro 5,000. A prize is also awarded by the general public who vote on line for their favorite.

Mark your calendar for the next and last show scheduled for Saturday, August 16, by Pyrotex FireworX also from Great Britain.