European Heritage Days: a successful event

The 29th edition of the European Heritage Days attracted 130 visitors to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation on Sunday 15 September 2024.  

The Belle Époque architecture of the Villa Girasole continued to appeal to the public, who turned out in force once again this year to discover its interiors, its recently restored 19th-century leather wall hangings, its stained-glass windows, its frescoes and its mouldings. For the occasion, this setting was also the frame for an exhibition of original works that proved a great success with visitors: some twenty animal sculptures by Olivier Bertrand, made from recycled cardboard, were scattered around the Villa's various offices and in the garden, giving the premises a very special atmosphere. A panda by the gate, a 2-metre-high gorilla in the garden, a monkey hanging from the branch of a tree near the vegetable garden, a tiger sprouting from a bush and a whole series of animals – felines, monkeys, birds, etc. – installed indoors. The artist was present throughout the day to talk to visitors and explain his working methods.  

The Foundation's teams had also put together a friendly presentation of its work for the public: Philippe Mondielli, Scientific Director of the Foundation, Salomé Mormentyn, Coordinator of the Polar Initiative, Lucile Courtial, Executive Secretary of the Beyond Plastic Med Association and Laura Giuliano, Director General of the International Commission for the Scientific Exploration of the Mediterranean (CIESM), took turns to speak, highlighting examples of actions in line with the day's theme of ‘Roads, Networks and Connections’. Revisited from an environmental point of view, these included migratory movements in the poles, plastic pollution on the roads, human-animal cohabitation, networks of marine protected areas and the interconnection of ecosystems.   

Once again, the European Heritage Days provided an opportunity to combine visits, encounters and communication, much to the delight of participants.