In 2011 Marius Stakelborough was awarded Piteåmedaljen, a medal of merit for his commitment and engagement as Piteå’s own ambassador on St. Barths. It is a task he has voluntary carried out for centuries. Marius is a great friend of Piteå and a profile on the island with friends all over the world.
Life wasn’t always easy for Marius who descended from slaves, was brought up in a poor family and unable to get an education. His creativity, inventiveness and wisdom have had and have a great impact on the island and touched the hearts of men and women all over the world. In his museum there are letters from both Ted Kennedy, Rickard Nixon and our present Swedish king. In 1981 he was awarded the Order of the Northern Star for his commitment to strengthen the relations between Sweden and St. Barts.
Le Select
It was hard to make a living and to support his growing family with the income he made from toiling on the seas and at the meteorological station. In 1949 he opened a bar, Le Select. Even though his son Gary is running it today you can find Marius at his open- air office under a tree in the center of the popular venue.
To visit Le Select has become a must when you are at the island. It’s not only the affordable hamburgers that attract the visitors; it’s the relaxed atmosphere at a venue in the heart of Gustavia.
In the bar you can find a faded picture of the Swedish King and Queen, symbols from many parts of Sweden and of course signs which show that Piteå has a special relationship to Le Select, S. Barth and Marius.
The Museum
Today he has his own museum which shows part of his exciting life story. A few years ago he built a two storey building. He turned the ground floor into a museum but Marius himself stayed in his small house overloaded of memories from his long and exciting life.
Here in the museum he shares parts of it with the visitors. Life can be more exciting that fiction, it becomes clear when you take part in Marius’ life story.
A friend of Piteå
Since his first visit to Piteå in 1977 Marius has been here almost a dozen times. Close relations has been developed during the years and Marius has always been a good host for people from Piteå who has visited St. Barts. The last time he was here was in 2004 when he also celebrated his 81 birthday.
