For Esperanto in the US, the Northeast is where it's at!
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
I'm sure others may disagree, but here's why I'm excited about Esperanto in the Northeast.
First is the local groups. There are active groups in Rochester, Syracuse, New York, and Boston (and certainly many more that I am not personally aware of.) I've also heard from people in Buffalo, Albany, and Philadelphia (among others) so if there aren't active groups there, there certainly could be.
Probably the biggest thing that goes on in the Northeast - although it's still several months away - is the Aŭtuna Renkontiĝo de Esperanto (ARE), the Fall Esperanto gathering on Lake George in October. This really is an international event with a good mix of people from the US and Canada (including many French speakers), and usually a small handful of people from Europe or South America. Mark your calendars for Columbus Day weekend.
Twice in the last several months, I've been able to put together some pretty successful small gatherings within a few hours drive of my home (Rochester, NY), meeting other speakers half way. Word gets out and some other people make the drive -- and a few local people come out of the woodwork. We've done one on the NY-PA border, and another right in Rochester. I'm always looking for an excuse to do it again.
Finally, I'm excited about NASK -- while not quite in the north, it is in the east. We haven't quite worked out our travel plans, but I'll be going with two of my older children. If we don't fly, we'll be crossing a good chunk of the Northeast and we'd love to meetup with some folks - especially if you've never had a chance to speak Esperanto in person before.
If you live in the Northeastern US, please upvote this thread (and leave a comment if you feel moved to). If you live elsewhere, I hope you'll start a thread about all things to be excited about in your region.
37 Comments
- 10
- 5
- 4
- 2
Dankon! Mi estas komencanto en Esperanto. I live in Massachusetts and so far I am enjoying learning the language! As I continue learning I hope to gain enough confidence and speak it person (or through google hangouts, etc) with experienced and/or native speakers by the summer.
Also, I'm looking for DuoLingo Esperanto friends! Let's connect
Whereabouts in MA? I live in Boston, but there are Esperantists and Esperanto groups throughout the state.
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
In the Northeast, MA is where it's at!
P.S. I'm playing around, but only sort of. P.P.S. I advise not waiting "till I have confidence." Using the language will build the confidence.
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
Funny. Now that you mention it, I suppose you're right. I was thinking that between Boston's BRUEGO in the east, and Amherst in the west, the whole state was covered. I now see that New York is kind of the same way: certainly no shortage of people to speak Esperanto with in NYC, and the metro areas of Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo have the other end covered. Those in between have ARE (the fall Esperanto gathering) to look forward to.
Of course, Pennsylvania is not so bad either. :-)
When I said NY, I was also thinking about the Urba Semajnfino you held in January out in Rochester. Hope to go to a Urba Semajnfino someday! (or maybe we could host one in MA!)
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
Janjo, that was a "Senkrokodila Semajnfino" - and was the second time I've put one together. The pattern is generally this: somewhat short notice (only a few months - not planned a year in advance), find someone willing to meet halfway, then put the word out to other active Esperantists in the same radius, then finally put the word out to new or isolated Esperantists where the event is happening. It's worked pretty well at least twice so far. I'm always looking for more people who want to meet halfway.
"Urba Semajnfino" seems to refer to events planned using Chuck's guidebook. It's really the same concept, though.
My husband and I went to ARE last year and met plenty of wonderful folks. It is on our calendar again for this October. We'll also be at NASK in June/July. Looking forward to both events!
If you're in the MA/Boston area, we have a monthly meetup in downtown Boston. We meet on the third Monday of every month at 7 PM. Everyone is welcome! (It is even fine if you don't know any Esperanto!) http://www.meetup.com/bruego/
- 19
- 15
- 13
- 12
- 11
- 9
- 7
- 5
- 5
- 5
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 2
- 2
Esperanto is on the backburner for me again, but it's good to know my Northeast is seeded with Esperantists ;)
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
Another reason that the Northeast is "where it's at" is that it has just been announced that NASK will be located in the same place again next year ... for the next three years, actually -- William Peace University in Raleigh. As I think I mentioned, yes, I know that Raleigh is not in the Northeast ... but this means that if YOU are in the Northeast for the years 2017, 2018, 2019, and possibly beyond, you'll be within driving distance of one of the greatest Esperanto courses IN THE WORLD. There's also a decent chance that someone (me, for example) will be driving through your town on the way there and would love to meet up for coffee.
I haven't made my plans for next year yet, but we had a great time this year and would love to do it again.
- 17
- 12
- 8
- 7
- 6
- 4
- 2
- 2
Another event in the Northeast! In New York State. If you like camping and are within driving distance now is the time to reserve your campsite for the June 3 - June 4 weekend. I will guide a hike to Kaaterskills Falls and another to the mountains right around the campsite with awesome views.
http://verdapensaro.blogspot.com/2017/01/senkrokodila-semajnfino-novjorkia.html
- 15
- 10
- 6
- 2
- 2
Mi estas komencanto en Connecticut. Mi estas virino kaj lernas Esperanto. Mi sxatas gxin multe.
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
Bonege. Mi gxojas auxdi de vi. Mi esperas ke vi pripensos veni al ARE cxe Silver Bay en la auxtuno. Mi ne scias cxu estas grupo en Connecticut (eble estas, mi vere ne scias) sed estas grupo en Novjorko (la urbo) kaj en okcidenta Masecxusetso. Gratulon pri via bona mesagxo en Esperanto.
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
It's fun because barely anybody speaks it. There are enough so that it's possible to find people to talk with yet rare enough so that it's always exciting when you do. I hope you can meet up for the Fall Gathering or perhaps at our next "Senkrokodila Semajnfino" -- not announced, but possibly this summer.
- 19
- 15
- 13
- 12
- 11
- 9
- 7
- 5
- 5
- 5
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 2
- 2
I look at it this way--I only need to talk to one person at a time in Hangouts. I've been chatting with a Brazilian in Portuguese, a Venezuelan in Spanish, and an American in Esperanto (barely). If I lose my practice partner for any of those language, I'll find a replacement quickly. The percentage of Esperantists who are willing to chat is much much higher than Spanish or Portuguese speakers.
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
Hello Northeasterners. I've been mentioning ARE as one of the things that makes the Northeast great for Esperanto. This year we're aiming to make this the most beginner-friendly event yet. I just created a FB event for it. Please check it out and comment with any feedback that would make this the event that you wouldn't want to miss.
https://www.facebook.com/events/878659765593725/
P.S. "Any feedback" means something realistic. Would you come if I bought donuts? Say it! Would you come if I mowed your lawn? Keep dreaming!
- 14
- 5
- 4
- 2
- 2
Hey! Just discovered this thread and wanted to plug again, we have an active Esperanto group in Boston, with monthly meetings, and special events. Check out our website here for details: https://www.bostonesperanto.org/hejmo
Also, +1 for la Aŭtuna Renkontiĝo de Esperanto (ARE), each October at Lake George. It's one of my favorite Esperanto events, I definitely recommend it!
Feel free to join our Duolingo Events group to get notifications of upcoming events: https://events.duolingo.com/boston-esperanto/. All of our meetings are beginner-friendly. Hope to see you soon!
- 17
- 12
- 8
- 7
- 6
- 4
- 2
- 2
Yes, the Northeast is where it's at. We have an active and growing club in New York (the city). Formal meetings are on the 3rd Friday of the month. We have informal meetings roughly every two or three weeks in between on Saturdays, typically at a cafe in Manhattan. Roughly once a month we have been meeting in Queens on Wednesday evenings. Our club is currently growing and we have an interesting mix of diverse and interesting people, young and old. Come visit us! http://www.esperanto-nyc.org/ #Novjorko
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
For 2018, New York State has (in addition to all that's going on in NYC), monthly meetings in Rochester and Syracuse, a one-day-or-weekend Esperanto class for beginners planned for March, at least one immersion weekend planned (April), and an intense "home stay" style experience under discussion -- and, of course, the Jubilee ARE (click link in October.)
- 15
- 246
Kial no Esperantujoj en Nova Jxerzo? Mi kredas lo sola esperantisto cxi tie. Pardonpetas mi gramatiko.
- 19
- 15
- 13
- 12
- 11
- 9
- 7
- 5
- 5
- 5
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 2
- 2
We're here! Maybe Dave Rutan can chime in. He goes to the central Jersey meetings and is in charge of the North Jersey meeting.
Where are you in the state?
- 19
- 15
- 13
- 12
- 11
- 9
- 7
- 5
- 5
- 5
- 3
- 3
- 3
- 2
- 2
The central Jersey meeting should be close to you and is the bigger group.
- 17
- 12
- 8
- 7
- 6
- 4
- 2
- 2
Speaking of New York (state)... a new group just sprung up in Binghamton! Check out their facebook group for details: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551200958567378/about/
- 14
- 7
- 3
NY/PA border... near Binghamton? (I live in Binghamton.) Mi estas komencanto, but I'm extremely interested in connecting with others who are learning or know the language if/whenever possible!
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
I was thinking Sayre, PA, but yeah. We had lunch in Binghamton and dinner in Elmira. Would love to do that again.
Message me on Yahoo or Amikumu. My yahoo dot com name is the same as my name here so you can send me an email. I'll send you information for getting on our mailing list. There's a lot going on in the region.
- 20
- 13
- 8
- 967
This thread comes up in searches for Esperanto Rochester -- or was it Rochester Esperanto ?
https://www.duolingo.com/comment/22047451/Esperanto-in-Rochester-NY-USA