Saint Lucia has launched its festival celebrating their two Nobel Laureates, Sir William Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Alton Walcott. Under the theme, Celebrating Excellence: Forty Years On, the Festival takes place in various venues around Saint Lucia, starting with a Church Service and Breakfast at the Abbey of Our Lady of the Assumption Mount of Prayer, Coubaril on Sunday 13 January.
Nobel Laureate Festival Committee Chair and Former Governor General of Saint Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, remarked that 2019 was an extraordinary year to celebrate as it also marks the 40th anniversary of the award of the Nobel Prize to Sir Arthur Lewis in 1979, the same year that Saint Lucia gained its independence. It was with this milestone in mind, that this year’s theme “Celebrating Excellence: Forty Years On” was chosen.
“While both Laureates have passed on, there should be no dimming or weakening of the pride we should all feel in the achievements and legacy of our country’s accomplished sons. We therefore encourage all to join us in celebrating their lives and their contribution, thus rallying around the theme for the nation’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of our Independence, ‘All In: Our Journey, Our Future”, H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy stated.
This year’s programme which takes place between 13-27 January, includes the Sir Derek Walcott Memorial Lecture (Tuesday 22 January, Finance Administrative Centre, 7.30pm) delivered by Professor N. Gregson G. Professor of Economics at Sheffield University and co-author of a biography of Sir Arthur; The National Awards of Excellence and the Schools’ Music Festival hosted by the Ministry of Education; and the stage production of “Masquerade Master” written by Drenia Frederick and produced by June King Frederick, as part of the Walcott Schools’Theatre Festival. Also, Walcott Place, managed by the St. Lucia National Trust, will be open to the public from January 21 to 25.
New launches and international events feature: The launch of the “At The Well Leadership Academy”, which seeks to establish a connection between young Saint Lucians and Princeton University, the Caribbean Book Fair & Francis “Leebo” De Lima Award,’ hosted by 758 Books which celebrates authors and music producer “Leebo”; an online collaboration with the University of Manchester, England, and Delia Dolor Media Relations (DDMR), which highlights Sir Arthur’s contribution to Manchester, the Caribbean community and the world of economics. Events also take place in Dennery, with “Conversations” an evening of performances by representatives of schools and the wider Dennery community followed by a lecture, and Laborie’s Paint the Village: Paint our History, a two-day community visual arts festival hosted by artist Jonathan Gladding which will focus on Laborie’s historical (industrial heritage) Ti Twou and Morne Leblanc.
Programmes are available by request at [email protected] or (758) 717-7979. (WhatsApp) and Facebook page – Nobel Laureate Festival: Saint Lucia features programme events and highlights.
H.E. Dame Pearlette Louisy
Committee Members and Media
