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Esperanto Congress
Added: (Wed May 07 2008)
Esperanto-Asocio de Britio
International Communication without Discrimination
PRESS RELEASE 7TH May 2008
The 89th British Congress of Esperanto is to take place next weekend 9th-11th May, in Southport, on the Lancashire Coast. Speakers of the International Language from all round the UK and overseas will gather at the Prince of Wales Hotel where the leading guest speaker is to be the Polish film director and author, Roman Dobrzynski, who has spent recent months at the Esperanto Centre “Bona Espero” in Brazil.
Chairman of the Congress, Dr. Paul Gubbins, from Congleton, said he was very pleased to be welcoming members to Southport, his birthplace. “It’s especially appropriate this year”, he told us, “not only because nearby Liverpool is European City of Culture, but also because our two North English Federations are both marking their centenary – a good cause for celebration.”
Stephen Thompson is the “Prezidanto” of the North-West Federation and speaking on behalf of the Esperanto Association of Britain, which will hold its AGM during the Congress, he told us that 2008 had been designated “Year of Languages” by the UN, but unfortunately foreign language teaching in the UK was an area of ongoing concern. “Research over many years and in many countries has shown that to study Esperanto first gives a boost to language learning”, he said, “and our ‘Springboard to Languages’ project is a valuable tool now being piloted in Primary Schools. We shall be discussing the project in Southport and hoping that members will be able to encourage more schools to take part.”
A number of delegates will stay on after the official close of the Congress to visit Liverpool on the Monday. “Many languages are already heard in our cities” said Paul Gubbins, “and attempts by visitors to use English are not always successful. Esperanto makes communication between different peoples so much easier.” ENDS
Contacts: Paul Gubbins 01260 274 575
Stephen Thompson 017683 61486 or 07831 737366
Information: EAB www.esperanto-gb.org
Research : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaedeutic_value_of_Esperanto
Springboard: http://www.springboard2languages.org
Journalists/Photograhpers/Broadcasters
You will be welcome to attend the opening of the Congress at 10.am on Saturday 10th May, at the Prince of Wales Hotel, Lord Street. Southport. The formal opening, conducted in English and Esperanto, will be attended by the Mayor and Mayoress of Sefton, Lord Ronnie Fearn and Dr. John Pugh MP. To visit at other times, please arrange with Stephen Thompson, as above.