January 26th 2023

Saint Lucia honors its Nobel Laureates

by Neval Auguste, GIS

A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY WAS HELD TO COMMEMORATE THE LEGACY OF SAINT LUCIA’S TWO NOBEL LAUREATES.

On January 20, a wreath laying ceremony was held to commemorate the legacy of Saint Lucia’s two Nobel Laureates; Sir William Arthur Lewis and Sir Derek Alton Walcott.

During the event, a student of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College recalled a speech given by Sir Arthur Lewis in 1979, quoting “the path is hard, and we cannot see very far ahead of us, but the fellowship is wonderful.”

Sir Lewis’ speech bordered on the theme for Saint Lucia’s 2023 Nobel Laureate Festival: Celebrating Excellence: Nurturing Our Creativity, Consolidating Our Legacy.

“Beyond such institutions, the strength of the scientific establishment in any country is related to its general level of education, not only in supplying large numbers of eager minds for further training, but also in ensuring a public opinion that holds science in esteem and approves financial support. Education is the great growth industry of the Third World.”

During his presentation at the event, Chairman of the Msgr. Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre, Mr. Embert Charles, noted the importance of understanding and embracing rituals, most especially, ritualistic learning.

“In the secluded and enclosed environment of the classroom, the conventional approach to the formation of young people was to expose us to arguments and values of the masters of subject matter in literature, economics, history and science from distant lands. Ritualistic learning was seen as beneficial to all of us. At the extreme ends of every generation there are those on the one hand who defend rituals and there are those who try to destroy them.”

The ceremony took place on the grounds of the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College.

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