March 3 (Friday)
Opening Ceremony

At 3:00 on the afternoon of the first day, Mr. Billet began to meet with the exhibiting artists from Japan and offered a brief review of the work of each artist who was in attendance at the hall. With frank and open character, Mr. Billet held extended discussions on their artwork with 43 of the artists visiting Monaco, including what aspect of the work excelled and which characteristics are held in esteem in French painting circles. These visiting Japanese artists felt extremely privileged to have been able to personally receive comments that could only be offered by someone like Mr. Billet, who encounters several thousands of works of art sent each year from every country of the world to "Le Salon", the world's largest open exhibition.
While Mr. Billet was offering his reviews, exhibiting artists from the Ambassade International des Arts began to visit the hall and those who had participated in the "OASIS" exhibition in Osaka Japan, the sister-exhibit to this Monaco exhibition, held cheerful reunions with Japanese OASIS members.
Before long, it was almost 5 p.m. and time for the opening ceremony to begin, so the important guests of honor from the Monaco government began to gather. Appearing together in this one venue were the faces of his Exellency Rene Novella (Secetaire d'Etat/Secretary of State), Edmond Pastor (the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Monaco), Michel Bouquier (Director of Tourism) and Rainier Rocchi (Director of Cultural Affairs), as well as others from the Monaco Tourist and Convention Authority, one of the organizers for this year's event, and consul-generals and government-related individuals from each country, and the hall overflowed with mass media such as TV stations and newspapers and was, in an instant, enveloped in an atmosphere of glamour.
After greetings were heard from Mr. Billet and Mr. Bouquier, the Festival International d'Art Monaco - Cote d’Azur 2006 was officially opened with a brilliant tape cutting ceremony held with 9 participants, including persons related to the government who were involved in this exhibition, Mr. Billet, and Kazuo Noguchi from REIJINSHA.
After this series of wonderful ceremonies, the guests strolled around the hall talking with the attending artists and politely appreciating their work. At the same time, preparations for a cocktail party were being made on the second floor where, starting with exhibiting artists from Japan and members from the Ambassade International des Arts group from France and the Comite National Monegasque des Arts Plastiques de l’A.I.A.P aupres de l'Unesco art association of Monaco, there were prominent scenes of both guests and other persons from the world of art with wineglass in hand, fostering discussions, and appreciating the works of art on display.

Award Ceremony

From 6:30 the festivities were moved to the grande salle de l 'Auditorium Rainier III located on the 3rd floor, and an awards ceremony was held. As Director of Tourism and Director the Monaco Government Agency for Cultural Affairs, respectively, Mr. Bouquier and Mr. Rocchi served as presenters and conferred the "Prix d'Honneur" certificate of merit issued by the Monaco government and the Consulate General of Japan to the exhibitors from the three countries. The exhibitors and other participants then moved to the Hotel Hermitage for a dinner party from 8:00 pm where, following greetings from the representatives of each group of artists, Josiane Allegri-Vignal, Marie-Aimee Tirole and Kazuo Noguchi, there was a congratulatory address by Andre J. Campana on behalf of the mayor of Monaco City. A letter written by Mr. Ambille who had been unable to attend this year's events was read as well. Many important government officials attended this dinner party and this fact was one of many that conveyed the eagerness with which the Principality of Monaco organized this international exchange exhibition.
With a toast of "A votre sante!" by suiboku-ga painter Seiun Sekizawa, the dinner party commenced, and the guests were all delighted with dishes from the world-renowned first-class chefs of the Hotel Hermitage, said to be one of Europe's top 5 hotels, and with live music in the background.