Per capita, Saint Lucia has the most Nobel Laureates of any 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. Outside of this remarkable achievement, the Laureates also share the same birthday of January 23.

Annual celebrations are currently underway for the Nobel Laureate Festival 2025, that will be observed from January 5 to February 4.

Under the theme “Celebrating Excellence. Acclaiming Our Trailblazers. Inspiring Our Nation” Chair of the Nobel Laureate Committee Her Excellency, Dame Pearlette Louisy discussed the inspiration and national pride that created such a festival and its evolution.

“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.”

Several activities have been planned for the festival which include Paint the Village with Jonathan Gladding; a 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; and a Wreath Laying Ceremony. The full calendar of activities is available at Nobel Laureate Festival: Saint Lucia.