86^th   World   Esperanto  Congress

Zagreb ( Croatia), 21-28 August 2001

1700 visitors from 57 countries experienced the value of Esperanto as an international language, conversing freely, bonding new and old   friendships.

The President of Croatia inaugurated the Congress and acknowledged that, in  promoting the  idea of understanding, Esperantists try to make the world a better place to live in.

Lectures, meetings of various specialised groups, abundant concerts and theatre performances took place. The book fair drew a large number of visitors each day throughout the week. It was stocked with a vast selection of original and translated works.

The British Esperantists, Paul Gubbins and Chris Gledhill, were awarded prizes in the Literary Competition; P. Gubbins won, the first prize in the prose section  and the award for the best children's book went to "The Hobbit"  translated  into Esperanto by Chris Gledhill and Bill Auld. A variety of excursions to places of historic, cultural and scenic interest were well attended.

 The media coverage in Croatia of the activities throughout the whole week was extensive.

 The next World Congress will take place in Fortalezza, Brazil.

 Mia Casey