MONACO TRADITION

The first Red Cross Ball in Monaco was organised by the ruling Prince of Monaco , Louis II in 1948 . Since then it has traditionally hosted charity concerts , auctions and dinner parties . Monaco has always lived in the spirit of pacifism and coope ration ; its rulers throughout history strove for the peaceful solution of problems and were famous for their charity and assistance to neighbouring countries . That is why the Red Cross became so widespread on the Côte d ’ Azur . The mission of the young Monegasque organisation was , in fact , to continue the work of the great humanist Henry Dunant who created the Red Cross in 1863 . By creating this charity , Dunant aspired to bring first aid to the wounded in battle or injured soldiers returning from the front . He himself was struck by his view of the battlefield after he had taken part in the Battle of Solferino . Henry Dunant was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901 for his work and for his creation of the Red Cross .

The young Prince Rainier III became President of the first Red Cross Ball . He officially opened the ball , greeting the guests and presiding over the whole ceremony . This was new to the Principality — a head of state being actively involved in a charity event . Thus began the history of the Red Cross Ball in Monaco .

Maurice Chevalier was the Star of the first Red Cross Ball . And every year the programme grows more and more impressive . Famous and notable guests honour the evening with their presence and organisers seem to surpass themselves from year to year . For example , in 1952 it was opened by a Christian Dior catwalk show and in 1953 Zizi Jeanmaire , a French ballet dancer and singer , performed on its stage .

HSH Prince Rainier III , 1950

HSH Prince Rainier III and The Princess Grace , 1957

The Red Cross Ball , 1961

The Gala receives important donations due to its scope , programme and excellent menu prepared by the best French and Italian chefs . A dinner per person costs an average of 1,200 euros .

Ten years after its creation , the Red Cross Ball changed its President . It was now Princess Grace of Monaco who carried out her mission with the utmost zeal and dedication . During the years of her presidency of the organisational committee , the ball was attended by celebrities such as Ella Fitzgerald ( 1959 ), Sammy Davis Jr . ( 1961 ), Charles Trenet ( 1962 ), Sacha Distel ( 1963 ), Gilbert Bécaud ( 1968 ), Charles Aznavour ( 1970 ) and Shirley Bassey ( 1971 ).

1974 was important for the Red Cross Ball , as this year the venue was transferred to the newly built Monte-Carlo Sporting Club . Since then , every summer the princely family continues to host the largest charity event in its now famous Salle des Etoiles . This is where

Monaco Red Cross Gala , 2017

All the collected funds go to the Red Cross of Monaco Foundation . Organisers claim to collect about 500,000 euros per year .

HSH Prince Albert II and HSH The Princess Charlene of Monaco

Hello Monaco Summer – Autumn 2018 / 95

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