The second edition of the “Brazilian Night in Monaco” gala, presented by the Brasil Monaco Project, took place last Saturday, May 17th. This year’s edition was marked by a tribute to Ayrton Senna attended by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, Honorary President of Brasil Monaco Project, and Viviane Senna, president of the Ayrton Senna Institute.
The night was kicked off by Luciana de Montigny, the Brasil Monaco Project’s founder and president, who gave an emotional speech, explaining why she was so excited to be paying homage to Ayrton Senna as we celebrate 20 years of his legacy. André de Montigny (Honorary Consul of Brazil in Monaco) and Ramon Reis also organized the event.
H.S.H. Prince Albert II presented Viviane Senna with the first Brasil Monaco Project Award, honoring people who “make a difference” due to their human qualities and hard work. In the case of Viviane Senna, she made Ayrton’s dream a reality, allowing millions of Brazilian children to be properly educated.
More than 300 guests were present at the exceptional night, including several Brazilians, who flew in for the occasion. Drivers Felipe Massa and Lucas di Grassi were also there. At Sporting Monte-Carlo’s Salle des Étoiles guests could see two Lotuses that were driven by Ayrton Senna – he won the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix with one of them and scored his first victory at Monaco with the other one, in 1987.
The gala dinner was skillfully executed by Michelin-starred chef Joachim Koerper. The meal was followed by an auction, in which one of the highlights was the exceptional new Ducati 1199 Panigale S Senna Limited Edition – the only one in Europe, numbered 000. It will be available in Brazil in June of 2014.
Only 161 units will be manufactured, in allusion to the 161 Formula One Grand Prixes that marked the Brazilian champion’s career. Its grey color was chosen by Ayrton Senna himself.
Especially for the occasion, Moët & Chandon, in collaboration with the Ayrton Senna Institute, re-created a single copy of the iconic Moët & Chandon Impérial champagne Jeroboam bottle, decorated with an 18K gold medal, paired with a reproduction of the yellow helmet that marked Senna’s celebration of his third F-1 world title, conquered in 1991.
Another item up for auction was the beautiful Ayrton Senna sculpture by Marcos Marin, a master of Op-Art, that was signed by H.S.H. Prince Albert II, Viviane Senna and Marcos himself. The sculpture was part of the room’s decoration during the whole night.
The auction also featured an Ayrton Senna helmet reproduction (number 84 of a limited series of 161); a model of Bruno Senna’s car; Felipe Massa’s helmet, Lucas di Grassi’s suit, gloves worn by Emerson Fittipaldi and his grandson, Pietro; Ava Vartanian earrings, Sebastião Salgado’s “Bighorn Creek – Parque Nacional Kluane, Canadá, 2011” picture; a painting by Philippe Pastor, from his “Blue Monochrome” series; young Brazilian artist Ricardo Negro’s “Sonho Senna” painting; and Brazilian artist Christine Drummond “Domingo na Praia do Pepe” painting.
