This was the Esperanto Association of Britain's site from 2005 to 2018. You will find its current site at esperanto.org.uk.

EAB News 2015-04-17 to 19: British Esperanto Congress

The British Esperanto Congress 2015 in Brighton

For more pictures, see this photo-album on Esperanto-UK's facebook page.

The Jubilee Library in Brighton was the venue for this year's British Esperanto Congress, from April 17th to 19th. It was attended by around 60 Esperantists - mainly from Britain but a few from further afield. Brighton had previously hosted a British Esperanto congress in 1972, and had hosted a World-wide ("Universala") Esperanto Congress in 1989.

Congress venue; photo by Vilĉjo Walker

The opening evening's buffet, optional buffet lunches, and a constant supply of tea and coffee meant that there were plenty of opportunities for casual meetings and conversations - in Esperanto. After all, part of the point to attending an Esperanto congress is for the opportunity to hear, use and exercise the language! (But beginners were, of course, welcome, and allowed to speak English where necessary!)

Buffet supper; photo by Vilĉjo Walker Tea, coffee and wine (if only we can work out how to operate the tap!); photo by Vilĉjo Walker

Participants enjoyed a continuous and varied programme of events, talks and activities over the four days, ranging from general interest themes to specialised and technical topics - and all in Esperanto.

Headline guest speaker Jorge Camacho from Spain gave three talks, on Esperanto poetry (with readings from his collections), his experiences as an interpreter, and reasons for learning Esperanto in the 21st century.
Tim Owen opened the congress, presented a quiz loosely themed around Esperanto in Britain (with the winners' score donating a prize to Fondaĵo Canuto, which supports Esperanto-speakers in developing countries), and a separate session on the development of EAB's new logo.
Paul Gubbins gave a talk on Brighton poet Karolina Gilmore, and a separate session on how to get an article in your local newspaper.
Julia Hédoux invited us to the forthcoming World-wide ("Universala") Esperanto Congress 2015 in Lille, France.
Tim Morley gave an overview of the Somera Esperanto-Studado courses in Slovakia.
Ian Carter led coversation circles for beginners and post-beginners.
"Esperanto's answer to Nicholas Parsons" Rolf Fantom chaired a comedy-quiz, with witty banter from panellists Ian Carter, Tim Morley, Jorge Camacho and Ed Robertson.
Jack Warren gave a talk on traits of the English (from a variety of perspectives), and also led a music-making session.
Elizabeth Stanley organised an ecumenical service at the Presuming Ed Coffee House.
Viv O'Dunne ran the Esperanto bookstall, selling new publications and also giving new life to second-hand books.

Congress speakers; photo montage by Vilĉjo Walker Rolf Fantom's comedy quiz; photo by Vilĉjo Walker Ian Carter led conversation circles; photo by Vilĉjo Walker Tim Morley's talk on SES; photo by Vilĉjo Walker Paul Gubbins' talk on Esperanto poet Karolina Gilmore; photo by Vilĉjo Walker

The Annual General Meeting of Esperanto-Asocio de Britio received the trustees' and treasurer's report, elected the new Management Committee, and discussed and debated suggestions and comments from the membership. Joyce Bunting was awarded Fellowship of EAB in recognition of her many years' advice and service as Honorary Treasurer to the Association.

Paul Gubbins disrobes before the the Annual General Meeting; photo by Vilĉjo Walker Voting in the ManCom election; photo by Vilĉjo Walker Joyce Bunting awarded Fellowship of EAB; photo by Vilĉjo Walker

The congress was followed by an evening banquet in Zizzi's restaurant , and throughout the weekend, the congress participants used the fine spring weather to enjoy the sights of Brighton.

- Vilĉjo Walker

For news of future British Esperanto Congresses, look out for details on the

British Congress website

[Return to EAB news bulletins list]
[EAB Homepage]