Nobel Laureate Week 2016 – A Celebration of Excellence

Saint Lucia sets aside this period each year to celebrate the achievements of our two Nobel laureates – Sir Arthur Lewis who won the Nobel Prize in Economics (1979) and the Hon. Derek Walcott who won the Nobel Prize in Literature (1992). Each year various panel discussions, workshops and exhibitions are held highlighting their works as well as events to mark the excellence of achievements in various spheres.

One such event is the Saint Lucia Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Awards, which recognizes excellence in business and commerce in Saint Lucia. The red carpet event will be held this evening (Saturday 23rd January) at the Johnsons Centre. The Nobel Laureate Week Committee (NLWC) launched Nobel Laureate Week 2016 at Government House on 12th January, 2016 where the theme: “Celebrating Excellence – Transforming Lives” was presented. The Chairperson of the Committee is Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy.

The events this year range from the traditional lectures – the Derek Walcott lecture by Professor Rosanna Warren (26th January, 7:30pm, National Cultural Centre), the Sir Arthur Lewis Memorial Lecture by Dr Hyginus Gene Leon (28th January, 7:30pm, National Cultural Centre) and the UWI Open Campus Patricia Ismond Literary Workshop (17th February, UWI Open Campus) – to a Dolor Factor and GIS Special hosted by Delia Dolor featuring a round table discussion led by Hon. Derek Walcott. (17th February, 8:00pm NTN and CaribVision broadcasts).

There was a literary night in Vieux Fort yesterday, Friday, at the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC). The event featured poetry, dance, drama, storytelling, folk drumming, art display, and the premiere of a poetry video of Modeste Downes’ epic poem, Phases. At the same time St. Mary’s College presented a literary night at the National Cultural Centre.

Other events include activities by the Embassies of Brazil, Spain, Mexico, Cuba and the Alliance Francaise de Sainte Lucie; “Paint the Village” where participants will work under the tutelage of well-known artist Jonathan Gladding in a project jointly hosted by Labowi Promotions and the Laborie Development Foundation; the National Awards of Excellence hosted by the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development; Open Night with the Dennery Development Foundation and the opening of the Saint Lucia Books Fair and Exhibition organized by Options Inc.

Derek Walcott was born on 23rd January, 1930 and the late Sir Arthur Lewis on the same date 15 years prior. As such, activities for Nobel Laureate Week surround this significant date of 23rd January. For a list of all the Week’s activities, visit Facebook page: Nobel Laureate Week: Saint Lucia or email the NLWC co-ordinator, Delia Dolor.