Celebration in the Boat Club!

16 Scottish Esperantists met on Saturday 9^th December 2000 to pay tribute to the creator of Esperanto within a festive context. Dr. L. L. Zamenhof was a man marked by humility; so the celebration was in accordance with the character of the man: good natured and appreciative. Yet with a firm conviction that the man was a genius; for he brought into being a living language which is still developing its potential and spreading throughout the world.

Aberdour Boat Club

In his introductory remarks David Bisset, Secretary of the Scottish Esperanto Association, reminded the company of Zamenhof’s extraordinary youth when he began his creative labour; he was a teenager! And when the idea finally reached fruition Zamenhof was still in his twenties.

During the Celebration Dr. Chris Gledhill from St. Andrews University lectured about his recently published Esperanto translation of The Hobbit. He said that it was his first published translation; and that he had learned much from his baptism of fire! Dr. Gledhill clarified some of the problems which had confronted him by leading an illuminating study session based upon a paragraph of the original, a French translation and his own. The success of his lecture was indicated by a barrage of questions.

Chris Gledhill, Vice President, cuts the cake!

John and Hadie Macleod then entertained us by an amusing look at Australia, Hadie’s country and John’s adopted home. They presented some amusing anecdotes about Kep Enderby, the President of the World Esperanto Association, who before his retirement was a member of the Australian cabinet. John also reminded everyone that Australia because of its unique flora and fauna presents a perpetual challenge to all linguists including Esperanto

The celebration ended with a feast of good things and the ceremonial cutting of a festive cake bearing best wishes to one of the little known benefactors of humanity. Did I forget to mention that we were also celebrating the birthday of this remarkable man?

Happy birthday, Ludoviko!

Thanks are due to David Hannah for once more organising this happy event.

 David W. Bisset