Saint Lucia has inaugurated its annual Nobel Laureate Festival, a vibrant celebration honoring the nation’s two distinguished Nobel Prize recipients. The month-long event, officially launched on January 6th, pays tribute to economics laureate Sir William Arthur Lewis and literature laureate Sir Derek Walcott under the thematic banner “Celebrating Excellence: Honouring our Legacy, Shaping our Tomorrow.
The festival program encompasses an extensive array of cultural and educational activities including memorial lectures, artistic exhibitions, creative workshops, academic competitions, literary launches, and musical performances. A particularly significant date occurs on January 23rd—designated Nobel Laureate Day—which coincides with the shared birthday of both honorees, despite their ten-year age difference. Schools throughout Castries will present special musical tributes on this commemorative day.
Dame Pearlette Louisy, Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, emphasized the enduring relevance of both laureates during the live-streamed opening ceremony. “Their contributions are undoubtedly influencing our present and will assuredly shape our tomorrow,” she stated regarding Lewis and Walcott’s lasting intellectual legacy.
Corporate sponsors echoed this sentiment, with Bank of Saint Lucia’s Senior Marketing Manager Genevieve Downes noting how Sir Arthur Lewis’s achievements demonstrate the profound global impact that small island nations can deliver. Meanwhile, FLOW Marketing Officer Sharline Tilo highlighted the festival’s role in inspiring future generations, stating their support reflects a commitment to “fostering a culture of inspiration and achievement” among youth.
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the formal decision to honor both Nobel Laureates, originally established on January 23, 1993. The festival committee has made full event schedules and programming details available through their official Facebook presence @NobelLaureateFestivalSaintLucia or via direct communication channels including text message and email.