The British Esperanto Congress 2009
The 2009 British Esperanto Congress is at Sarum College, Salisbury, from 2009-Apr-17 to 20.
Programme

Friday
- 3.00 pm Venue opens
- 4.00 pm Artistic walk (Joyce Bunting)
- 5.00 pm William Butterfield, British architect (David Bisset)
- 6.30 pm Dinner
- 8.00 pm Opening: guests, new poem (Marjorie Boulton)
- 9.00 pm Asterix (Andrew Weir)
Saturday
- 8.30 am Breakfast
- 9.30 am Esperanto - not only a language? (David Kelso)
- 10.30 am Coffee break
- 11.00 am EAB Annual General Meeting
- 1.00 pm Lunch
- 2.30 pm Gaston Waringhien: Zamenhofologist (Graham Blakey)
- 3.30 pm Free time; Walk around the cathedral surroundings (David Bisset)
- 4.30 pm JEB Jubilee celebration
- 5.15 pm Preparing for a World Congress (Przemek Wierzbowski)
- 6.30 pm Dinner
- 8.00 pm Thomas Hardy (Paul Gubbins)
- 9.00 pm Quiz, music, etc.
Sunday
- 8.30 am Breakfast
- 9.30 am Ecumenical service in the chapel (guided by Geoff Wood and Martyn McClelland)
- 10.15 am Esperanto - is it a parasite? (Hugh Reid)
- 11.00 am Coffee break
- 11.30 am Discussion Circles (Derek Tatton)
- 1.00 pm Lunch
- 2.30 pm Play(let) recital: The dream of the course leader by Marjorie Boulton (Paul Gubbins and actors)
- 3.15 pm Free time
- 4.15pm Presentation on George Herbert (in the chapel; new translations
- 5.15 pm Intonation in an international perspective (John Wells)
- 7.00 pm Banquet(White Hart Hotel); Welcome to Wales(Harry Barron); music
Monday
- 9.30 am Excursion (Bemerton, Avebury Ring and Old Sarum)
The congress town
Salisbury is a beautiful cathedral town, full of cultural attractions. it can be reached from London by bus or train in about 90 minutes. Airports at Southgampton, Bournemout and Bristol are nearby. At the website http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/salisbury/home you can find details about Salisbury and its surroundings.
The congress venue
The congress venue, Sarum College, is situated near the cathedral. It has high qualty rooms and is a beautiful, tranquil place. A bar and drinks machine is available. Congress participants have to book and pay for overnight accommodation directly with the college. Please book early to reserve a room. Tel: 01722 424800, e-mail: hospitalitysarum.ac.uk
If you don't want to sleep in the college itself, then the tourist information centre in Salisbury (tel. 01722 334956) or the 'Visit Wiltshire Where-to-Stay' website can help you to find and book local accommodation.
Near the college you can explore Salisbury Cathedral, its historic close, Mompesson House, the Military museum, the Salisbury museum, ancient taverns and riverside fields.
Local attractions include Stonehenge and Wilton House; by train you can also reach Bath, Romsey Abbey and The New Forest. ^ Go to top of page
Congress Themes
The inheritance of Ludovic Zamenhof, and the literary, architectural and historic facets of Salisbury and its surroundings.
Conversational classes and grammar advice sessions will be available, along with a bookstall.
The (optional) banquet takes place on Sunday evening in the beautiful White Hart Hotel which dates from 1800. It is at St Anne's gate, five minutes from the congress venue. ^ Go to top of page
Excursion
On Monday from 09:30 to 15:00 (times to be finalised), an optional excursion will visit Old Sarum and Avebury Ring. The price has yet to be finalised, but you can register your interest (above) when you book your congress place. If you have a National Trust and/or English Heritage card, do bring it along.