Centenary Banquet

The John Logie Baird Room at the Quality Hotel Central in Glasgow was a noble setting for a unique event on the evening of 25th May 2003: the celebration of the Centenaries of the Glasgow and Edinburgh Esperanto Societies. The 75 who participated came from all over the United Kingdom, and also from other European countries and beyond, thus underlining the importance of the occasion.

Duncan Thomson, President of the Glasgow Esperanto Society, acted as Chair during the evening. Jack Casey spoke characteristically about the history and personalities of the Glasgow Esperanto Society; then Ed Robertson spoke concisely but eruditely about the history of the Edinburgh Esperanto Society. This was followed by the cutting of the Centenary Cake by Ed Robertson and Diana Richardson, a member of the Glasgow Esperanto Society and daughter of John Logie Baird, inventor of television and one of the greatest minds of the last century. A poem written in Esperanto by Diana about her parents was then declaimed by David Bisset, Secretary of the Scottish Esperanto Association.

The Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow was represented by Bailie Stephen Dornan. He expressed warm congratulations to both Societies on their Centenaries (taking some pride in Glasgow being a few weeks older!) and emphasised that Esperanto was a noble enterprise which merited wide support because communication and internationalism are still needed today as they were 100 years ago.. He also, of course, reminded everyone that Glasgow is a city of architecture, culture and friendship! Baillie Dornan indicated his special delight concerning the participation of Diana Richardson; John Logie Baird was one of his heroes from childhood.

There then followed the Banquet during which the room buzzed with animated Esperanto while gastronomic delights were enjoyed and the wine flowed!

A replete and good humoured audience then sat back to enjoy after-dinner entertainment. Flavie Audibert from France entranced everyone with mime and contemporary dance. This was followed by music for clarinet, guitar and percussion by Petra, Gavan and Rolf Fantom. The style once more vocally and musically was contemporary. The entertainers made it evident that Esperanto youth culture is flourishing.

The final contribution was by David Kelso, the Director of the Esperanto Association of Britain. He wittily spoke about 2 cities, 3 languages and 100 years, taking the opportunity, as a Scot, to joke about the Scots and also, of course, to untangle the cultural differences of Scotland's 2 great cities. His scholarly points were inserted with considerable delicacy!

Edmund Grimley -Evans, President of the Esperanto Association of Britain, then thanked everyone who had contributed; and 'Auld Lang Syne' was fervently sung in Esperanto: an appropriate finish to the evening.

In case it is overlooked let it be stressed that the whole evening was in Esperanto with the exception of Bailie Dornan's speech which was translated by Dr. Paul Gubbins, who also was the Bailie's interpreter during the whole evening.

Bailie Stephen Dornan (right) with interpreter, Dr. Paul Gubbins