Joint Congress clearly indicates that Esperanto is moving forward

A fuller report will follow in due course; but it can already be stated that the British Esperanto Movement is showing strong signs of recovery after going through a difficult period.

What happened at the four-day Congress in Glasgow, which finished on 25 May 2003, to substantiate this assertion?

First of all there were almost one hundred delegates, guests and visitors. This indicates that the "Barlaston factor" is at work in a very positive way.

Another encouraging factor was the significant overseas representation: there were delegates from at least 10 countries, including participants from as far away as Mongolia and Sri Lanka.

The high proportion of young people who took part was remarkable; they were so numerous that guests and civic dignitaries mentioned there presence specifically.

The programme was incredibly diverse in terms of lectures, seminars, cultural items and a range of visits to the attractions of Glasgow: more details concerning all this will follow in due course.

The Banquet in the John Logie Baird Room at the Quality Hotel Central in Glasgow had all the elements appropriate for the double Centenaries of the Glasgow and Edinburgh Esperanto Societies. The Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow was represented by Baillie Stephen Dornan. He expressed warm congratulations to both societies and emphasised that Esperanto was a noble enterprise which merited wide support. He also, of course, reminded everyone that Glasgow is a city of architecture, culture and friendship! Baillie Dornan expressed his delight that Diana Richardson, daughter of John Logie Baird and a member of the Glasgow Esperanto Society, was present.

The Scottish Esperanto Association congratulates Duncan Thomson who fronted arrangements and now becomes Past-President, Hugh Reid the new President, Jean Bisset the new Vice-President; and the hard-working local committee.

Congress Photos