‘The smartest kid in the world’ (13) arrives in Croatia

by croatiaweek
July 9, 2023
in News

Laurent in Croatia (Photo: Nikola Tesla Network association)

Laurent Simons, a 13-year-old boy from Belgium who is known as one of the smartest children in the world due to his exceptional academic achievements and high IQ, began his planned visit to Croatia yesterday.

In the afternoon, he arrived at Split Airport with his parents as a guest of the Nikola Tesla Network association.

Visiting Croatia has been a long-awaited experience for him, given his great admiration for the scientific genius Nikola Tesla, whose birthday coincided with his arrival.

After a warm welcome at the Split port, Laurent visited the Krka Waterfalls and the famous Jaruga hydroelectric power plant with members of the association.

(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network association)

It was a true adventure for the young Laurent, who was impressed by the history of the sites, as well as the lush greenery and the power of the water. He expressed how these were the biggest waterfalls he had ever seen and how incredible the power generated by the water was.

(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network association)

Following that, he visited the city of Šibenik, where he saw the first streetlight that illuminated Šibenik back in 1895, making it the first city in the world to have public lighting powered by alternating current. He also explored the Cathedral of St. James and other famous landmarks in the city. The Šibenik-Knin County Prefect, Marko Jelić, joined the tour and had a friendly conversation about science with young Laurent and his parents.

Laurent (Photo: Nikola Tesla Network association)

Laurent Simons was born in the Belgian city of Ostend. He completed primary school at the age of six and started his university studies at the age of nine in Belgium.

He earned his bachelor’s degree at the age of 11 and completed his master’s degree at the University of Antwerp at the age of 12. These accomplishments have earned him the title of a child who represents the future of global science, and his name is known worldwide.

(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network association)

Laurent and his parents will continue their tour of Croatia in the coming days, accompanied by their hosts, the President of the Nikola Tesla Network association, Ivan Radošević, and the association’s manager, Dubravka Davidović.