Monegasque Language Competition: “the language of heart and home”
Monaco Tribune / Paul Charoy
52 students rewarded for their proficiency in the Monegasque language, at an event they will remember for the rest of their lives.
The traditional Monegasque Language Competition prizegiving ceremony took place in the Cour d’Honneur at the Town Hall on Monday evening, June 20.
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In all 50 pupils, from CM2 to 3ème (US 5th to 9th grade, UK years 6 to 10), were presented with prizes such as medals, books and even stamps by Prince Albert II, Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy, Mayor Georges Marsan as well as numerous elected representatives of the Municipal Council and the Government of Monaco. A 10th grade/year 11 pupil and a 11th grade/year 12 student were also rewarded, outwith the competition, to congratulate them for having kept the option up in high school.
SEE ALSO: The best books for learning the Monegasque language
The ceremony opened with the Monegasque anthem, then the Mayor of Monaco, Georges Marsan, gave an inaugural speech in which he stressed that Monegasque represents “the language of heart and home” to Monegasques.
In the middle of the evening, five young students brilliantly performed a French-Monegasque sketch, in which they paid tribute to Prince Albert I.
As evidence of the enthusiasm for the Monegasque language, 1416 students entered the competition, with only 50 selected for the oral, the second and final stage of the competition. As of next year, the Monegasque language will become mandatory for all students up to 9th grade/year 10.