BY SIMONE J. SMITH
The Caribbean is made up of over 700 islands and 30 territories that are situated within or near the Caribbean Sea. The islands are so alluring to tourists because of the scenery, which looks as though the world’s greatest artists curated it, taking time to harmoniously balance colours, and composition.
One of the Windward Islands of the West Indies’ Lesser Antilles, Saint Lucia is nestled halfway down the Eastern Caribbean archipelago. Saint Lucia is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including: the signature Piton Mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a tropical rainforest, the highly-Instagrammed mud baths at Sulphur Springs Park, and the world’s only drive-in volcano.
Culturally rich offerings include the bustling marketplace in the capital of Castries, quaint coastline fishing villages, and internationally inspired-cuisine. Saint Lucia’s wide range of accommodations includes five-star hotels, all-inclusive resorts, intimate inns, and value-oriented properties. The destination also offers world-class cruise and yachting facilities.
January 2023 was an exciting time on the island as Saint Lucia launched its Nobel Laureate Festival, commemorating the island’s two Nobel Laureates for winning the world’s most prestigious award for literature and economics. Visitors can still enjoy over 30 public events on the island, or online throughout January, including: guest lectures, performances by students, and poetry.
The Nobel Laureate Festival celebrates the achievements and successes of Sir William Arthur Lewis, who won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economics in 1979, and Sir Derek Walcott, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.
William Arthur Lewis was a public intellectual in the field of development economics. In 1971, he became the first African American to receive a Nobel Prize in a category other than peace: he was honoured for his work in economics. William was the author of 12 books and more than 80 technical works in developmental economics
At Manchester University in 1954, he wrote the work, entitled “Economic Development with Unlimited Supplies of Labour,” for which he received the Nobel Prize for Economics in 1979 alongside Chicago, Illinois economics professor Theodore Schultz. He followed the article with a well-received overview of development economics called “The Theory of Economic Growth.” In both articles, Lewis attached enormous importance to education and social development as agents of change. He argued that governments all over the world would benefit from providing guidelines for promoting economic growth.
A professor, poet, and playwright of: English, Dutch, and African descent, Derek Walcott was a 1981 MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grant recipient who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992.
Heavily influenced by the modernist poets T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound, Walcott became internationally prominent with the collection, “In a Green Night: Poems 1948-1960 (1962).” It was his epic poem Omeros (1990), re-imagining the Trojan War as a Caribbean fishermen’s fight, which cemented him in the literary firmament.
Three Caribbean nationals have received the title of Nobel Prize Winner, earning Saint Lucia the number one spot on the list of independent nations with the highest number of Nobel Prize winners per capita.
The Nobel Laureate Festival is a great opportunity to experience Saint Lucia, and to experience the: sights and sounds that make this beautiful island a cultural oasis.
“A visit to Saint Lucia means meeting our people and immersing ourselves in our culture,” remarked Lorine Charles-St. Jules, CEO of the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority.
“There are so many ways to do this, and we would love to see more visitors experience the Nobel Laureate Festival each year. It’s an opportunity to see more of the island, get out into the communities and revel in our heritage. It could be art, poetry, history tours, or even rum. There’s so much to enjoy. Our prestigious Nobel Laureates have contributed to Saint Lucian history and culture for generations, and we are proud to continue celebrating their global recognition with our visitors and residents.”
Is it time to get away from the cold, and into the sun; you have a chance to experience the island’s diverse culture, as the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) has launched a special giveaway for one lucky winner to win a five-night stay for two at Stonefield Villa Resort, including flights to Saint Lucia.
To enter and for more information on the Nobel Laureate Festival, visit www.stlucia.org/nlf
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