Some Highlights of the Week - Honouring Excellence And Determination

Image: Sir Arthur’s nephew and former Prime Minister, Dr. Vaughan Lewis, laying a wreath at yesterday’s ceremony. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop] — Sir Arthur’s nephew and former Prime Minister, Dr. Vaughan Lewis, laying a wreath at yesterday’s ceremony. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

NOBEL Laureate Week activities dominated the past few days as multiple activities were held to honour Saint Lucia’s two Nobel Prize-winning sons, Sir Arthur Lewis (Economics, 1979) and Derek Walcott (Literature, 1992).

Among the activities held this week was the fourth annual Meet The Artiste session last Thursday organized by the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC). This year’s session featured dub poet/drummer RasIzley and drummers Niger Nestor and Joseph Jean.

Image: Niger Nestor and Joseph Jean pass on a few drumming tips to SALCC students. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop] — Niger Nestor and Joseph Jean pass on a few drumming tips to SALCC students. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

Held in the Lecture Hall and attended by scores of SALCC students, the aim of the exercise was to expose the students to different types of art forms and artists in Saint Lucian society. The session was both interactive and dynamic, with students joining in to create a few musical beats with the seasoned cultural performers.

Image: The Aimé Cesaire conference and debate proved to be quite stimulating and informative. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop] — The Aimé Cesaire conference and debate proved to be quite stimulating and informative. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

On Thursday evening, a conference and debate on the topic, “AiméCesaire: The Man and his Works”, was organized and held at the Alliance Francaise at Pointe Seraphine. The guest of honour was Nancy Morejón, one of Cuba’s foremost poets and intellectuals.

Image: Cuban writer, Nancy Morejón, and Saint Lucian poet/actor, Mac Donald Dixon, who moderated the conference and debate session. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop] — Cuban writer, Nancy Morejón, and Saint Lucian poet/actor, Mac Donald Dixon, who moderated the conference and debate session. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

Morejón discussed Cesaire’s long poem, “Cahier d’un retour au pays natal”, explaining elements of the late Martiniquan poet/politician’s extended version of the poem published in 1947 that remain relevant today.

Yesterday, the traditional wreath-laying ceremony was held at the late Sir Arthur Lewis’ tomb on the SALCC campus. Prayers, songs, readings of both Walcott and Sir Arthur’s works by students and teachers punctuated the solemn ceremony.

Image: SALCC students pose near Sir Arthur’s tomb yesterday. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop] — SALCC students pose near Sir Arthur’s tomb yesterday. [PHOTO: Stan Bishop]

Among those laying wreaths at Sir Arthur’s tomb yesterday were Governor-General Dame Pearlette Louisy; Sir Arthur’s nephew and former Prime Minister, Dr. Vaughan Lewis; Chairperson of the Board of Governors, Fortuna Anthony; Gaspard Henry, Secretary of Staff Association, CordeliaFevrier; and President of the Students’ Council, ChaddieFaucher.

This year’s Nobel Laureate Week runs from January 17 to 30.