Wikipedia

Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco

Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco (The Philosophical Meetings of Monaco), also known as PhiloMonaco, is an intellectual symposium and cultural organization based in Monaco. Founded in 2015, the institution aims to make philosophy available to the general public while emphasizing "playful, joyful, and scholarly knowledge", by organizing workshops, open lectures, debates, dialogues, and cultural seminars that connect classical philosophy with contemporary societal issues.

Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco
Founded2015
FounderCharlotte Casiraghi, Robert Maggiori, Joseph Cohen, Raphael Zagury-Orly
FocusPhilosophy, contemporary cultural debate, education
Location
MethodLectures, symposiums, annual prizes, publishing
Websitephilomonaco.com

The organisation's aim is to utilize philosophical methods across disciplines (including medicine, politics, psychoanalysis, literature, and the social sciences) in ways that are considered useful and accessible,[a][1] and that enhance the culture of the Principality. Every year the events organized by PhiloMonaco are tied to a particular theme, such as love, the body, violence, and "what it means to be human." The organization also oversees the annual Prix PhiloMonaco awards, recognizing meaningful contributions to contemporary thought, by opening up "news ways of approaching and questioning the world."[2][3]

History

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The organization was co-founded in 2015 by Charlotte Casiraghi (who serves as president),[4] the French philosopher Robert Maggiori,[b] Canadian-French philosopher Joseph Cohen, and the French philosopher Raphael Zagury-Orly, as well as Laura Hugo since 2024.[8][7] The initial goal was to award an essay prize to a writer in the French-language philosophical landscape, however the project evolved into a more ambitious establishment in Monaco, positioning itself ostensibly as an international hub for contemporary philosophical engagement.[1] Operating outside of (but in collaboration with) traditional academic institutions, the main objective of PhiloMonaco has been to make philosophy broadly accessible and culturally beneficial.[1][2]

The dialogue between students and teachers is a key framework that runs through PhiloMonaco's core history and mission. Casiraghi was a student in Maggiori's philosophy class and as Laura Hugo has emphasized, the organization continues to operate along that fundamental Socratic model.[1] From that core relationship grows an exchange and flow of ideas. In Casiraghi's words, the mission is to "share culture with a wider audience on a larger scale", so promoting the work of the scholars and making their contributions known to more people.[9]

Organization

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PhiloMonaco is organized in partnership with the Prince's Government and the Department of Education, Youth, and Sport.[2] It is also subsidized by luxury sponsorships like Montblanc[3] and Chanel,[c] as well as the Columbia Global Centers for international research.

Sometimes the media are partners with PhiloMonaco for events, as was the case between the organization and Madame Figaro (Le Figaro) for Semaine PhiloMonaco in 2024.[8]

The founding members are:

A jury, presided over by Maggiori, consists of "recognizable personalities"[2] in the world of philosophy. Events are held throughout the year, hosted by one or more of the founding members and honorary members, and organized around the chosen annual theme. Semaine PhiloMonaco (PhiloMonaco Week) occurs in June every year to promote public engagement directly by taking the conversation onto the streets, to workplaces, to schools, and third spaces.[10] With its emphasis on public participation, Semaine PhiloMonaco aims to provide opportunities for meaningful questions and dialogue between the public, professionals (i.e. medical, media, business, and education) and visiting scholars.[10][11]

Programs and activities

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The association holds monthly thematic public workshops (ateliers) throughout the academic year in Monaco.[3] It hosts the annual PhiloMonaco week (in French: Semaine PhiloMonaco), which features panels, debates, and philosophical educational events co-organized across Monaco and Paris.[1] Live events take place at event venues in the Principality of Monaco, most often at the Théâtre Princesse Grace,[1][12][13] but sometimes at other places, like the Fort Antoine Theatre,[14][15] the New National Museum of Monaco,[1][15], the Yacht Club de Monaco,[13] and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco.[3] Round table discussions, jury meetings, and prize ceremonies are often coordinated at la Maison de la Poésie in Paris.[2]

Media

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The organization communicates with the public via major social media channels, such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Broadly, the username for the organization is designated as @philomonaco. Recorded transmissions are published on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, and Soundcloud.[16] During the COVID-19 pandemic, social media became an essential tool of communication, with Maggiori, Zagury-Orly, and Cohen doing regular and alternating "#InstantPhilo" lectures using videoconferencing software. That period saw eleven episodes of Les Antivirus Philosophiques (antivirus series), each one hosted by a different scholar connected with the organization and transmitted via the normal social media channels and to the internal Princess Grace Hospital Centre network.[16][17]

Publications

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  • Les ateliers:
    • Brochures & transcripts on the organization's annual themes: L'humain, La violence, Le cours, etc.
    • Individual interview of one scholar or dialogue between particular scholars: i.e. Boris Cyrulnik on "enfance et violence" (childhood & violence) with a presentation by Charlotte Casiraghi.[18]
  • Le cahier: Essays & artworks, numbered, i.e. Le Cahier no.3[19]
  • Les cahiers and conferences by one scholar, such as a long-form academic interview with a scholar like Marcel Conche.[20]
  • Collectif. 2020. Cahier du (dé)confinement. Monaco: Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco.
  • Digital media: recorded workshops and presentations for transmission to social media, YouTube, and podcast platforms.

Prizes and Awards

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Each year during its June symposium, the organization presents its jury-selected awards,[6] to honor contributions to French-language philosophical text and publishing,:[1] bridging theory and real-world applications to key issues.[21]

  • Prix PhiloMonaco de l'Essai (The Essay Prize): Awarded to a recent book that offers new perspectives on major contemporary issues while at the same time balancing academic standards with broad accessibility without oversimplifying.[21]
  • Prix PhiloMonaco de l'Éditeur (The Publisher's Prize): Honors a French-language publishing house that has distinguished itself through the circulation of philosophical thought and the encouragement of new authors and ideas.[21] A selection of works from the winning publisher is then donated to Monaco's Médiathèque Caroline ("Caroline Media Library") as a part of the prize's goal toward the dissemination of knowledge.[21]
  • Le Prix Lycéen (The High School Prize): Organized in partnership with Monaco's Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sports, this award is given to two students for outstanding written essays on a chosen philosophical prompt.[21] This is part of the organization's overarching and expansive youth program.[21][21]
  • Prix de la Principauté (The Principality Prize): A lifetime achievement award presented jointly with the Prince Pierre Foundation to a person of global renown for their lifelong body of work in recognition of advancement of philosophical thought through interdisciplinary approaches.[1][21][22]

Prix de la Principauté

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The Prix de la Principauté (Principality Prize) has been awarded to major global figures (for notable contributions across disciplines and for an entire body of work) since 2017.[23][24]

Notable Lifetime Achievement Laureates

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Accessibility is stressed in promotional transmissions about PhiloMonaco. Example: Casiraghi's interview on Monaco Info Philomonaco : une semaine de philosophie pour tous," 28 May 2024, at 6:41 on the YouTube video.
  2. ↑ Maggiori was Casiraghi's La Terminale teacher in the early 2000s at the Lycée François Couperin in Fontainebleau, France.[5][6][7]
  3. ↑ Casiraghi is a high-profile ambassador for the fashion house of Chanel.
  4. ↑ Cohen is called "honorary founding member" on the official website since 2024, maintaining his connection with the organization but reducing his involvement in the day-to-day
  5. ↑ Laura Hugo, already PhiloMonaco’s director of editorial content and publication,[1] is now grouped on the Équipe page of the official website alongside Casiraghi, Maggiori, and Zagury-Orly.

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Hugo, Laura (5 June 2025). ""Les Rencontres de Monaco invitent les philosophes à faire de la vérité un désir partagé"". Philosophie Magazine (in French). Archived from the original on 7 October 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Sharing philosophy in Monaco". Monaco Now. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Sommelet, Pauline (23 June 2017). "Les Rencontres philosophiques de Charlotte Casiraghi". Point du Vue (in French). Archived from the original on 2 June 2026. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Fashion: Chanel Explores Female Empowerment. (2021). Wwd, , 7. https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/fashion-chanel-explores-female-empowerment/docview/2569657342/se-2 Charlotte Casiraghi quizzed novelist Camille Laurens about motherhood, stereotypes about aging and the impact of the #Me Too movement.
  5. ↑ Light, Steve. "Celebrating Philosophy in Monaco". 3:AM Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2021.
  6. 1 2 Huffer, Jérôme (15 June 2016). "Les philosophes autour de Charlotte Casiraghi". Paris Match (in French). Archived from the original on 16 June 2016. Retrieved 2 June 2026.
  7. 1 2 Milena (15 February 2017). "Charlotte Casiraghi passion philo". L'Observateur de Monaco (in French). Archived from the original on 11 April 2026. Retrieved 12 June 2026.
  8. 1 2 Thomas, Chantal (11 July 2024). "Chantal Thomas, philosophe : «Libres de se sentir belles ?»". Madame Figaro (in French). Le Figaro. Archived from the original on 17 July 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  9. ↑ "Charlotte Casiraghi : «Je ne sépare jamais l'écriture et la lecture. C'est un dialogue constant.»". Série Limitée (in French). Les Echos. 1 June 2023. Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 3 June 2026. Le point commun entre les Rencontres philosophiques de Monaco et les Rendez-vous littéraires, c'est la volonté de transmettre la culture à un public plus large et à plus grande échelle. Pour que des spécialistes, philosophes et auteurs, rendent leur travail et leurs idées plus accessibles. Il s'agit de créer des moments de vie à travers des échanges permettant de toucher un large public. Même si vous ne passez pas beaucoup de temps à lire de la littérature ou de la philosophie, elles peuvent avoir une place importante dans votre vie. On peut parfois avoir besoin de rencontrer des personnes brillantes pour cela.
  10. 1 2 "Philomonaco : une semaine de philosophie pour tous". YouTube (in French). @MonacoInfo. 28 May 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
  11. ↑ Staff (26 October 2016). "Charlotte Casiraghi, la philosophe du Rocher". Vanity Fair (fr) (in French). Condé Nast. Archived from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2026. Outre ce choc des cultures, le programme des interventions frappait surtout par sa qualité et son sérieux, réunissant quelques-uns des grands noms de la philosophie contemporaine : Marc Crépon, directeur du département de philosophie de l'École normale supérieure, Anne Dufourmantelle et Cynthia Fleury, philosophes et psychanalystes, Frédéric Worms, spécialiste de l'œuvre de Bergson... Beaucoup plus de matière grise que de Botox. Quant au comité d'honneur, il pourrait tenir lieu de Who's who de l'internationale intello : Hélène Cixous, Pierre Nora, Michel Serres, Avital Ronell, Amartya Sen (prix Nobel d'économie), feu Umberto Eco ou encore Julia Kristeva. « Le fait que ce projet vienne d'une jeune femme comme Charlotte constituait une promesse absolument inattendue, s'extasie l'écrivain et psychanalyste, compagne de Philippe Sollers.
  12. ↑ Brodie, Jack (27 April 2026). "PHILOMONACO PRIZE HIGHLIGHTS CONTEMPORARY THOUGHT WITH 2026 EDITION". Monaco Daily News (in French). Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  13. 1 2 "Truth, the central theme of the "PhiloMonaco week"". arts & culture. La Gazette de Monaco. 13 May 2025. Archived from the original on 4 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  14. ↑ Gertaldi, Alexis (8 June 2021). "5ème Colloque des Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco du 17 au 19 juin". Monaco Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 4 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  15. 1 2 ZADEH-AMADIO, Natacha (13 June 2021). "la remise des prix approche". La Gazette de Monaco (in French). Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  16. 1 2 Horsman, Stephanie (13 June 2020). "RENCONTRES PHILOSOPHIQUES OFFERINGS DURING LOCKDOWN". Monaco Life. Archived from the original on 4 June 2026. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  17. ↑ Lacroix, Alexandre (23 September 2021). "Un virus, trois stratégies" (in French). Philosophie Magazine. Archived from the original on 17 November 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2026.
  18. ↑ Cyrulnik, Boris. 2018. Enfance et violence. Presentation by Charlotte Casiraghi. Monaco: Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco.
  19. ↑ Collectif. 2018. Le Cahier N°3. Edited by Charlotte Casiraghi. Monaco: Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco.
  20. ↑ Casiraghi, Charlotte, and Anastasia Vécrin. Entretien avec Marcel Conche / « On a dû s’embrasser quelque peu… ». Monaco: Les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco, 2016.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Prix PhiloMonaco 2026: les prix qui célèbrent la philosophie contemporaine entre Monaco et Paris". MonacoCarlo Living (in French). 28 April 2026. Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  22. 1 2 "« BETWEENS », LA CONFÉRENCE DE SIRI HUSTVEDT". Pages Monaco (in French). 10 October 2025. Archived from the original on 1 June 2026. Retrieved 1 June 2026. Ce prix distingue chaque année un auteur dont le travail a ouvert de nouvelles voies dans la réflexion sur la science, la politique, la théologie, l'histoire, l'anthropologie, l'éthique ou la psychanalyse.
  23. 1 2 Brun, Raphaël (15 October 2025). "Siri Hustvedt à l'honneur à Monaco". Monaco Hebdo (in French). Archived from the original on 5 June 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Artists honoured by the Philosophical Encounters of Monaco and the Prince Pierre of Monaco Foundation". Hello Monaco. 21 October 2025. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2026. The Principality Prize was established in 2017 and is awarded to an author for their entire body of philosophical work. The prize honors a life of philosophical writing, an outstanding body of work which has opened up new paths in the field of philosophy and introduced alternative approaches in science, politics, theology, history, anthropology, ethics or psychoanalysis. It has previously been awarded to Jean-Luc Marion, Jean-Claude Milner, Georges Didi-Huberman and Hélène Cixous.
  25. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2024". Philomonaco (in French). Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  26. ↑ "Souleymane Bachir Diagne in Paris for the conference "Universalism, universalism and translation" of the Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco: On 12 June at the Maison de la Poésie the philosopher, winner of the 2024 Prix del Principality". @monacodailynews. Twitter. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  27. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2023". Philomonaco (in French). Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  28. ↑ Povey, Ross (15 May 2025). "JACQUES RANCIÈRE EXPLORES THE POWER OF EMOTION IN PARIS LECTURE". MONACO DAILY NEWS. Archived from the original on 16 January 2026. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  29. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2022". Philomonaco (in French). Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  30. ↑ Esteve, Camille (17 October 2022). "Découvrez les lauréats 2022 des Prix de la Fondation Prince Pierre". Monaco Tribune (in French). Archived from the original on 17 December 2025. Retrieved 5 June 2026.
  31. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2021". Philomonaco (in French). Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  32. ↑ "Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco : Remise de Prix" (Video) (in French). YouTube. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2026. Décerné conjointement par les Rencontres Philosophiques de Monaco et la Fondation Prince Pierre de Monaco, le Prix de la Principauté 2021 a été décerné à Julia Kristeva le mardi 12 octobre 2021 lors de la Cérémonie de proclamation des Prix de la Fondation Prince Pierre.
  33. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2020". Philomonaco (in French). Retrieved 5 March 2025.
  34. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2019".
  35. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2018".
  36. ↑ "Prix de la Principauté 2017".

Further reading

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