In press photos, she is often in the background. At municipal events, she walks behind her husband. One might think she is overshadowed, a spectator, or merely an extra in a film without speaking a word.
Think again, dear readers, appearances can be deceiving!
Madame Monique Peyrat is a true Niçoise by birth and heart with Italian blood in her veins. Therefore, being a Niçoise implies being a strong woman who speaks her mind and gives endlessly to what she loves!
This is exactly what she intended to demonstrate by founding, ten years ago, the association Nice-Présence. An association that strives to assist the most underprivileged and destitute throughout the year.
Soon, Nice-Présence will don its most beautiful evening gown to fill its purse with donations that will be offered to the great charitable cause, in favor of children and the elderly.
Nice-Première went to meet the president of Nice-Présence, Madame Monique Peyrat.
When Madame Monique Peyrat, the wife of the mayor of Nice, becomes a woman of heart ….
Nice-Première: On October 6th, the Nice Opera will host the annual ‘Women’s Gala.’ Can you introduce this new edition to us?
Monique Peyrat: It is particularly interesting this year because we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Women’s Gala, but at the same time, the 10th year of TGV Pièces Jaunes. That’s why we have the great honor of welcoming Madame Bernadette Chirac, who is coming for the gala and will preside over the event.
Mr. Paul-Emile Fourny, the theater director, wanted something outstanding, and we indeed have an extraordinary program.
Every time there is a Women’s Gala, what happens on stage is unprecedented. The show is created just for that evening.
There will be performances by the three laureates of the ‘Revelation of the Muses’ competition: the muse of song, dance, and piano. Three marvelous candidates who have been awarded and will each receive a bursary of 4,000 euros. They will have the honor of performing on the opera stage for the first time since they are very young.
The first part is always a bit playful, with a bit of everything.
There will be three ballets, including a rather special ballet, but it’s a surprise, but I’ll tell you. Aside from the classical ballets, I wanted to see hip-hop on the opera stage, which is an extraordinary dance to me. We will therefore have a hip-hop troupe joining a classical troupe. They will each claim the stage and then finish together.
Next, there will be a tribute to Madame Chirac, where she will receive the ‘Armand de la Femme.’ You know Arman made us a trophy? There will be a short film about him because, unfortunately, he is no longer with us. It’s also a tribute to Arman.
The second part will be purely lyrical. We will have the first act of La Traviata, and generally, at the Women’s Gala, there are lyrical singers who sing simply with the philharmonic orchestra, but this time, there will be sets, costumes, the philharmonic orchestra, more dance, children’s choirs, opera choirs … You have to come and see it (smile).
N-P: Why is the trophy called ‘Arman de la Femme’?
M.P.: When I asked him to make this trophy, he wasn’t too keen, but when I told him: ‘You know, we are going to name it the Arman de la Femme,’ he replied: ‘Ah, I like that. L’Arman, l’amant, I like that.’ And so he did it; it was very kind of him.
N-P: Among the personalities present, there will be Jean-Claude Brialy.
M.P.: Yes, Jean-Claude Brialy, who knows Madame Chirac very well. He agreed to come, especially since he’s filming a movie near Paris at the moment. He is making a special trip. He will give a short presentation on women as he knows how to do it so well.
N-P: During this Gala, you pay tribute to a woman. How is the Woman of the Year chosen?
M.P.: Ten years ago, we wanted to organize a Women’s Gala. We did it on Women’s Day, that is, March 8th, and then some opponents found that Women’s Day wasn’t about ‘opera glitz,’ so we postponed the date.
In this gala, I wanted us to choose a Woman of the Year who has a connection with the city of Nice. The proceeds go to a cause. This year it will be for the Hospitals of Paris and France Foundation since Madame Chirac is the president. Every time we’ve organized this gala, we always chose someone with a link to Nice. For example, Princess Gabrielle of Savoy because we are descendants of the County of Savoy, Niki de Saint Phalle who donated 140 works to the city of Nice, Arlette Gruss who, every time she comes here, donates countless free tickets for underprivileged children, Eve Ruggieri who is a Niçoise, Claude Pompidou because she opened an Alzheimer’s house in Nice. This year, we are paying tribute to Madame Chirac because the France Hospitals Foundation, of which she is the patron, is about to fund 13 projects in our region with the money raised during the Pieces Jaunes operation. That’s the common thread (smile).
N-P: Bruno Della Sudda, an alternative municipal councilor, wrote about the choice for Woman of the Year: “a tribute to Bernadette CHIRAC, whose contribution to the cause of women is totally non-existent, at least so far.” What do you think about that?
M.P.: That doesn’t mean anything; the important thing is to raise funds. Last year, we honored Madame Pompidou, and the funds were used to build a house for Alzheimer’s, a disease that mainly affects women. This year, the 13 projects we are supporting have links to women and children. They want to go down to the street every time and raise their fists. The Women’s Gala has nothing to do with that, which is why we don’t do it on March 8th.
N-P: What would you like to say to these opponents?
M.P.: We’ve already told them at the municipal council. I defend the cause of women all the time; I am a convinced feminist. I prefer to do it at the opera because it brings people with a lot of money, and the proceeds will be much more significant. It’s ridiculous to have made that comment. We defend the cause of women through care, medical research, by helping underprivileged children …
N-P: So, the Women’s Gala is more aimed at people with money?
M.P.: Yes. How do we raise money at Nice-Présence? I am not subsidized because I am the wife of the mayor, which would be a conflict of interest. So we organize events and yes, I do these events with people who have money and who can pay because, at the opera, everyone pays, including my husband and me. There is no free ticket. But I do add that the prices we have are for everyone. It starts at 8 €, 15 €, 45 €, and 75 €, of course, I prefer people to come at 75 €, but everyone can come! (smile)
N-P: Have you already thought about the Woman of the Year 2007?
M.P.: Now that’s a big problem because we have always climbed in intensity. So, next year, it will be very difficult (laugh). I would like it to revolve around sports or medicine. I do have an idea in mind but can’t talk about it because I don’t know if she will accept. You’ll see, it will also be a big name: a woman who defends women a lot and who has been a minister.
N-P: But you’re saying a lot.
M.P.: (Laughs) So I’ll stop there because I don’t know if she will accept.
N-P: To finish, how would you define the Women’s Gala?
M.P.: A meeting of generosity and elegance because everyone likes to dress up and it’s especially about highlighting deserving women like the three muses and bringing happiness to people.
