St. Lucia: A Nation of Nobel Laureates
St. Lucia has a remarkable achievement in the world of academia, with a per capita ratio of Nobel Laureates unmatched by any other sovereign state. The country boasts two Nobel Laureates: Sir William Arthur Lewis in the area of Development Economics and Sir Derek Alton Walcott in the area of Literature.
A Shared Birthday and Shared Success
Interestingly, both Nobel Laureates share the same birthday, January 23. This remarkable achievement is a source of national pride, and the country celebrates this milestone with the annual Nobel Laureate Festival.
The Nobel Laureate Festival 2025
The festival, which will be observed from January 5 to February 4, is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of these esteemed individuals not only to their homeland but also to the international community. The theme for this year’s festival is "Celebrating Excellence. Acclaiming Our Trailblazers. Inspiring Our Nation."
The Evolution of the Festival
According to Chair of the Nobel Laureate Committee, Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy, the festival has evolved over the years from a single day of celebration to a week-long event, and now, a month-long festival. "For the past 32 years, we have been setting aside the month of January to acknowledge their contributions not only to their homeland but to the international community. What began as a 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. They have done us proud, and we are proud that we have contributed in some measure to their success."
Festival Activities
Several activities have been planned for the festival, including:
- Paint the Village with Jonathan Gladding
- Church service and breakfast
- The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Writers Awards Saint Lucia
- Creating Musical Excellence at the Babonneau Multipurpose Center
- A Remembrance of Sir Leton Thomas
- A Wreath Laying Ceremony
The full calendar of activities is available on the Nobel Laureate Festival: Saint Lucia website.
Conclusion
St. Lucia’s remarkable achievement in producing two Nobel Laureates is a testament to the country’s commitment to education and excellence. The annual Nobel Laureate Festival is a celebration of this achievement and an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of these esteemed individuals.