Founded on 7 May 1974, the Order of Malta’s Monégasque Association celebrated its 50th anniversary with a reception and concert in the presence of Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Prior to the reception, the President of the Association, Jean Kerwat, presented the Sovereign Prince with a booklet by the Munich Post Office containing the 50th-anniversary stamp issued on 7 May. The Order of Malta will also issue a commemorative stamp this year.

At the reception, in the Salon de la Loge Princière, various distinguished guests gathered around Prince Albert II, including the Archbishop of Monaco, Msgr Dominique-Marie David, the Delegated President of the Société des Bains de Mer, Stéphane Valeri, the President of the Ordre de Malte France, Cédric Chalret du Rieu, the Order of Malta’s Ambassador to Monaco, Alberto di Luca, the Italian Ambassador, Giulio Alaimo, the Ambassador of Monaco to the Order of Malta, Philippe Orengo, and members of the Association’s Board.

The evening opened with a magnificent concert featuring the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Philippe Bender with pianist Shani Diluka. During his speech, President Kerwat expressed his gratitude to all those who had contributed to the organization of the evening, enabling funds to be raised for charitable works of the Monegasque Association and the Holy Family Hospital in Bethlehem, Palestine.

Since 2011, the Monégasque Association has been supporting the Cardiothoracic Centre in Munich to provide free treatment for children from poor families. Pursuant to a cooperation agreement signed in 2012, the Principality of Monaco also contributes to several of the Order of Malta’s humanitarian projects in Senegal and Lebanon.