Monaco

The Block

Elizabeth Hamilton was the principal designer for the Monaco block while Daphne Howells provided the images. The central pennant resembles the celebratory banners used throughout the country. It depicts the Monaco Palace, the official residence of Prince Rainier III. Stitched by Suzanne Labrie in black-work, a challenging counted-thread embroidery, it creates the illusion of shadows lingering over the castle. The palace is flanked by rows of lozenges embroidered in one of the national colours. These symbols of honesty and constancy, were tokens of noble birth as well. Historically this design was a part of knights’ clothing, which identified them with the Grimaldi name. Today it is widely used on all heraldic devices, as well as on such things as stamps, and the scarves included in the national soccer team’s uniforms. Crowning the banner is a gold-work coronet, created by a variety of filling stitches worked in metallic threads, symbolizing the principality.

Cultural Profile

A small principality on the Mediterranean, Monaco is one of the tiniest countries in the world with an area of only 2.02 square kilometres, but the country is looking to slowly expand by reclaiming land from the sea. It was originally settled by the Genoese, and in 1297 the long reign of the Grimaldi family began. It continues to this day. In 1918 however, a treaty made with France stated that should the Grimaldi dynasty die out, Monaco would become an autonomous state under French rule.

The heart of the principality is Monte Carlo. It is famous for its casino and challenging Grand Prix race, once compared by a driver to ‘trying to ride your bicycle around your living room’. Gambling is but a small part of Monaco’s economy as tourism is actually the main industry. The official language is French, although Monégasque (a mixture of French and Italian), English and Italian are also spoken. The main ethnic groups are French, Monégasque, and Italian.

Monaco is home to the Musée Océanographique, which was founded in 1910 by Prince Rainier’s grandfather to study oceans. The museum, complete with 90 seawater tanks and a display of living coral, also showcases the works of the late oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau. The country is known for the Exotic Garden, which houses a comprehensive collection of plants from around the world. It is also renowned for its production of beautiful and decorative postage stamps.

A cherished part of Monégasque heritage is the legend of Dévote, a young Corsican executed during the Roman era. Her body was put in a boat bound for Africa however, the boat drifted off course, running aground on the coast of what is known today as Monaco, and a state was founded in her honour. An annual ceremony is still held to pay tribute to her. Cultural institutions include the award-winning Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (founded in 1863), and les Ballets de Monte Carlo (established in 1985 by Princess Caroline in honour of her mother, Princess Grace).

Immigration records report that Monégasques have been coming to Canada since 1974, the year individual countries began to be listed instead of being included under regional designations. Their numbers however are low and the 2001 census indicates that there are just over 100 currently here.

 Sponsor: Daphne Howells, in memoriam Jock Howells