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Some
Personal Comments about the 100th Scottish Esperanto Congress
Longer Reports will no doubt appear in
other places; and as I had an subsidiary role, it is difficult to be totally
objective!
It is also difficult to avoid the compilation of a catalogue. However, something
must be written about a unique event!
The first point is the incredible variety of the 30 item programme; the second
is the almost uniformly high quality of these items; the third is the fact that
the sun shone, as it always does in Scotland; the fourth is the friendly
atmosphere; the fifth is the organisational genius of Jean Bisset, the President
of the Scottish Esperanto Association.
Is it necessary to emphasise that everything was conducted in Esperanto?
Probably yes; for this phenomenon seems to surprise even well educated persons.
I could give examples, but with some reluctance refrain.
By definition 100th Scottish Esperanto Congresses take place rather
infrequently; and the presence of World Esperanto President, Renato Corsetti,
from Rome, underlined this fact. However, being Scotland his many titles were
soon discarded; and he became Renato to everyone! There were participants from 9
countries: some of whom had been attracted to the event by the wonders of the
Web. According to unofficial statistics about 65 persons took part; not all were
experts, some were actually enquirers; but the standard of Esperanto was
excellent; and I suppose that everyone dreamed (pleasantly, I hope) in
Esperanto!
Now comes the subjective chronicle of what went on; apologies of course for
omissions: to err is human. Subjectivity cannot really be avoided as we all have
a viewpoint.
Ed Robertson began things by masterly analysing the achievement of Albert
Goodheir when he translated from Greek and Latin. He even used the British
pronunciation of Latin! David Bisset stood outside the Largs Priory House Hotel
and endeavoured to explain the complex topography of the islands and peninsulas
which could be seen from the hotel. After a lively buffet during which the
Centenary Cake was cut by Renato Corsetti and Phyllis Goodheir, Renato lectured
about the interesting phenomenon of children who have been brought up speaking
Esperanto: the linguistic results are unexpected, and merit the extensive study
which the UEA President has devoted to the subject. The first day (Friday) ended
with singing around the piano: often hilarious, but traditional in Esperanto
circles. Yes, Esperanto is really a language for singing.
Saturday was a cornucopic day: if such a word exists! Hugh Reid introduced John
Francis, a member of the Scottish School (skota skolo) of Esperanto poetry. He
rightly said that John had always tried to hide his warm humanity under a
disguise of severity! John then spoke from the heart about the genesis and early
days of the Scottish School: a contribution of historical importance. The theme
of the School was continued by a pyrotechnic lecture by Paul Gubbins about Reto
Rossetti, who was the Father of the School in multiple senses. The AGM of EAS
did not shake the world, but progress is being made, especially regarding
publications. Others went out to enjoy the sunshine and visit Vikingar, which
explains not too academically the Viking role in Scotland's story. This theme
was developed by Geoffrey Sutton; with erudition and dry humour he lectured
about the development of the Scandinavian languages. William Auld then appeared:
not literally as he does not do much traveling now, but by means of the
declamation and singing of his works. Stephen Thompson performed most of this
tribute with skill, wit and histrionic touches. An unusual item was a reading
from Bill's translation of “Pickwick Papers”: a translation which he did not
complete because of infirmity. Permission to use the material was given by the
Russian publishing house, Sezonoj. The next lecture was concerning Douglas
Gregor, polyglot and polymath. It was the first lecture in Esperanto ever given
by David Lilley. What an extraordinary debut! What a tribute to an extraordinary
man! The participants were then (officially!) allowed to escape: some took to
the hills with Duncan Thompson; other had an architectural perambulation with
David Bisset; the majority tasted the blowsy pleasures of Largs the resort on a
sunny day! In the evening the Congress Banquet was the sort of solemn event
which Scots deal with well: structured informality! Jane Gorman, the Depute
Provost of North Ayrshire, welcomed the participants. It was a particular
pleasure to hear her making good use of Scots! Who said that the language of
Burns is dead! After the feast Renato surveyed the state of Esperanto in many
countries: Dr. Zamenhof's incredible creation is alive and well in the most
unexpected places! The evening finished with contrasted guitar music from Connal
and Duncan.
On Sunday the Congress moved across by ferry to the nearby Isle of Cumbrae where
all events took place in the Cathedral of the Isles and the adjacent College.
The more energetic made a bicycle circuit of the small island for enjoyment and
also to earn some money for the Esperanto charity EVIDENTE. Professor John Wells
was so enthused that he made the circuit twice! While the cycle run was
proceeding Norman Richardson lectured about the passenger ships of the Clyde
Estuary. The factual knowledge if Esperantists is always a source of amazement.
During the buffet lunch in the Cloisters, Esperanto wine, which is produced by a
small chateau in the Garrigue, was enthusiastically quaffed! An Ecumenical
Service took place in the Cathedral guided by Revd Charles Dornan; the
Alternative programme item being led by Bill Simcock. These parallel events were
followed by a lecture given by David Bisset in the Cathedral about the
extraordinary origin of the building; its architect, William Butterfield; and
its significance for the Oxford Movement. For those with other interests Duncan
Thomson dexterously demonstrated the art of knot- making. (He is a mountaineer.)
The Cathedral then became the sublime venue for a concert of classical music,
poetry and songs. Stephen Thompson was the MC, and an important participant.
Somme members of the public were present. The final item of the day-out on
Cumbrae was a moving lecture by Marjorie Boulton about John Dinwoodie, the least
known member of the Scottish School, and, in her opinion, one of the finest
Esperanto Christian poets. The venue was particularly appropriate. The Congress
then made its way back to the mainland where after dinner John Wells spoke about
the planned changes in many national languages, and then concentrated upon the
role of the Academy in the continuing evolution of Esperanto.
A surprising number of participants were still in Largs on the Monday morning to
attend a fascinating forum led by David Kelso in which the opportunity was taken
of asking Renato's opinion about multitudinous matters. Comments and
supplementary questions from the floor were not lacking! Informal education, I
suppose.
President Jean Bisset closed the 100th Congress with typical Scottish brevity
and informality; then gave out words and music to ensure that La Espero was sung
with suitable fervour.
After lunch 18 persons participated in an enthralling private visit to Kelburn
Castle, the seat of the Earl of Glasgow. As Lord Glasgow's ancestor had built
the Cathedral of the Isles on Cumbrae, this short Post-Kongreso was splendidly
on theme!
David W. Bisset
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