This month, the island of Saint Lucia is showcasing its cultural heritage with the 30th edition of the Nobel Laureate Festival to celebrate Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott.
Visitors can participate in and enjoy more than 30 public events on the island throughout January, such as exhibitions, historical tours and community plays. Online access is also available for viewers who wish to tune in from home.
Saint Lucia has two Nobel Laureates, an impressive feat with its population of less than 180,000. Sir Arthur Lewis won the Nobel Prize in Economics (1979), and Sir Derek Walcott won the Nobel Prize in Literature (1992). In fact, Saint Lucia is home to more Nobel Laureates per capita than any country in the world.
New this year, the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has launched a special giveaway for one lucky winner to experience the festival next year in person. The prize includes a five-night stay for two at Stonefield Villa Resort, including flights to Saint Lucia. To enter and for more information on the Nobel Laureate Festival, visit www.stlucia.org/nlf.
“A visit to Saint Lucia means meeting our people and immersing in our culture,” remarked Lorine Charles-St. Jules, CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. “There are so many ways to do this, and we would love to see more visitors experience the Nobel Laureate Festival each year. It’s an opportunity to see more of the island, get out into the communities and revel in our heritage. It could be art, poetry, history tours, or even rum. There’s so much to enjoy. Our prestigious Nobel Laureates have contributed to Saint Lucian history and culture for generations, and we are proud to continue celebrating their global recognition with our visitors and residents.”
More about The Nobel Prize:
According to The Nobel Foundation, the Nobel Prize was set up when businessman and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel died and left most of his fortune to the establishment of prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace. His will stated that the prizes should be awarded to “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.”
The word laureate refers to being signified by the laurel wreath. In ancient Greece, laurel wreaths were awarded to victors as a sign of honor.
