A timely reminder from former governor general: A society without the creative arts is a cultural desert!

Eight days ago we entered the fifth decade since a native son of ours was awarded a Nobel prize, one of the world’s most prestigious awards. Two decades later, we earned a second Nobel prize. Many the world over continue to marvel at this phenomenal achievement for so small a country as ours, as indeed it is, and we are justifiably proud.”

So proclaimed Dame Pearlette Louisy on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the launching of this year’s Nobel Laureate Festival. She was, of course, paying homage to Sir Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Walcott, who were awarded the Nobel prize for Economic Sciences and Literature, respectively. This year’s festival runs from January 10 to February 6. Celebrated over the past 27 years, the numerous events endeavour to nurture, cultivate and encourage a deeper appreciation of the notion of excellence.

It is for this reason, said the former governor general, that the theme ‘The Celebration of Excellence’ is recurring. This year’s sub-theme was coined ‘Vision 2020’ as together they recognize the clarity of purpose which energized the laureates’ work.  She reminded the gathering that this celebration started modestly as Nobel Laureate Day, celebrated only on January 23rd —the birth date of both laureates. The celebration then graduated to Nobel Laureate Week and now it is the Nobel Laureate Festival. 

“Had they lived,” she continued, “Sir Arthur would have been 105 and Sir Derek 90 years old this January 23rd. Let not their years relegate them to the backwaters of history and our memory. Instead, let it inspire us to believe that the longer we live, the more opportunities we perhaps have of excelling.” Recalling Sir Arthur Lewis’ admonition that “a society without the creative arts is a cultural desert”, Dame Pearlette urged the nation to build the type of resilience in the cultural realm that will bolster economic development.

Finally, she welcomed the contribution of the private sector to the festival, namely Bank of Saint Lucia and long-time sponsors First Citizens Investment Services. Other partners include the Cultural Development Foundation, the Ministry of Education, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, the National Trust, the National Archives Authority, St. Mary’s College, the UWI Open Campus, the estate of the late Patricia Ismond, the Laborie and Dennery development foundations, Choice TV , 758 Books, and the Office of the Governor General.

On Monday January 13, thirteen schools from across the island will perform in a music festival at the National Cultural Centre. The event begins at 10:00 am and will include choirs, solo singers and instrumentals. A wreath-laying ceremony is scheduled for Friday January 24 in remembrance of the two laureates. The ceremony will commence at 10:00 am at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, where the two are buried. 

On Tuesday January 21, from 7:30 pm, author and playwright Mac Donald Dixon will deliver the Sir Derek Walcott Memorial Lecture under the theme ‘After Derek Walcott – The Saint Lucia Poetic Tradition’. 

Timothy Antoine, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, will deliver the Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture on Thursday January 23. Titled ‘Socio-Economic Transformation by Invitation and Innovation’, the event kicks off at 7:30 pm. Both lectures will take place at the Financial Administrative Centre, Point Seraphine. 

The full schedule of events can be viewed on the Nobel Laureate page at facebook.com/NobelLaureateWeekSaintLucia.