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Nobel Laureate Festival Launched

By Marvlin Anthony
Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General Emerita
Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General Emerita

The Nobel Laureate Festival has officially been launched and this year it will be celebrated under the theme ‘Celebrating excellence, acclaiming our trailblazers, inspiring our nation.’

Olympian Julien Alfred will be highlighted as part of the event.

At yesterday’s launch, Delia Dolor, PR Coordinator of the Nobel Laureate Committee, observed that Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott (Saint Lucia’s two Nobel Laureates), “began a trail that inspired the nation”.

“The latest Saint Lucian to make their mark on the world stage in their field and in so doing released the collective pride of Saint Lucians both here and around the world is our very own Julien Alfred,” she said.

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“This year’s theme is inspired by Miss Alfred’s spectacular achievements at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games,” the PR Coordinator added.

Chair of the Nobel Laureate Festival Committee, H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy, Governor General Emerita, noted that “What began as Nobel Laureate Day in January 1993 to celebrate our second Nobel Prize on the birthday of both our Nobel Laureates, has grown into Nobel Laureate Week and now Nobel Laureate Festival. Indeed, there is more than enough reason to celebrate.”

“Sir Arthur earned his Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979 for promising research into economic development with particular consideration of the problems of developing countries, while Sir Derek was lauded and given the Literature Prize for his publication, Omeros, which was described as a poetic oeuvre of great luminosity. These two Nobel Laureates blaze the trail for others to follow,” she stated.

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This year, Bank of Saint Lucia (BOSL) is sponsoring the event.

The bank’s commitment to the festival is rooted in its corporate social responsibility policy, which focuses on youth, education and culture.

According to Senior Manager, Genevieve Downes, supporting initiatives like this allows BOSL to invest in the future of the nation.

“We are particularly pleased to support the Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture, a hallmark event that pays tribute to one of our most distinguished Nobel Laureates. Sir Arthur’s work in economics has had a profound global impact and we are proud to be associated with a programme that honours his legacy alongside Sir Derek Walcott whose contributions to literature continue to inspire generations.”

Several activities will be taking place throughout January to celebrate the Nobel Laureates. They include: 

Paint the Village with Jonathan Gladding (Saturday 11 January, Morne Le Blanc Nature Heritage Park)

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Church service and breakfast (Sunday 12 January, Abbey of Our Lady of the Assumption, Mount of Prayer)

  St. Lucia Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Writers Awards (Wednesday 15 January, Location TBA)

Creating Musical Excellence (Wednesday 15 January, Babonneau Multipurpose Center)

Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture (Thursday 23 January, Location TBA)

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Wreath Laying Ceremony (Friday 24 January, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College)

Writers in the Spotlight, A Saint Lucian Literary Fair and Author Talks (Friday 24 January, Hunter J. François Library)

The Nobel Laureate Festival was launched via YouTube this year.

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