Boy genius Laurent Simons visits Nikola Tesla’s birthplace in Croatia and fulfils dream
- by croatiaweek
- in News
Laurent Simons with his family at the birthplace of Nikola Tesla (Photo: Nikola Tesla Network)
After enjoying the beauty and history of the Šibenik-Knin County on Saturday, Laurent Simons, the boy hailed as the future of world science, fulfilled his lifelong dream yesterday.
The travel plan organized by the Nikola Tesla Network took him to Smiljan near Gospić in Croatia, where he visited the Nikola Tesla Memorial Center and his birth house, which had been his lifelong wish as he considers Tesla his great inspiration.
Impressed by everything he saw, as well as the humility and isolation of the place, young Laurent concluded that the peace and lack of noise he experienced there were undoubtedly factors in Tesla’s global success.
(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network)
On this occasion, he was greeted by Ernest Petry, the County Prefect of Lika-Senj County, who welcomed him and presented him with a statue of a degenija, the symbol of the county.
(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network)
The journey continued with a visit to Plitvice Lakes, where Laurent, together with his family, enjoyed the natural beauty, walked through the park, and took a boat ride on the lakes. They had lunch at the famous restaurant Lička Kuća, where they were delighted by the local lamb and the gastronomic specialties of the Lika region, which they wanted to try many more times.
(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network)
Laurent’s Croatian trip ended in Karlovac, where the birthday of the great Nikola Tesla is also celebrated with a rich program. After visiting the newly opened Nikola Tesla Experience Center, they watched an exceptional music-theater performance called “Tesla” by Janez Dovč, which will also be held in Gospić and Šibenik in the coming days.
In addition to the gathered audience, Laurent was greeted in Karlovac by County Prefect Martina Furdek Hajdin, who exchanged impressions with him.
Laurent Simons, along with his family, concludes his visit to Croatia today after completing the planned activities and will return to Belgium.
(Photo: Nikola Tesla Network)
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.
