Tempodivalse:I wonder if these large-scale Esperanto congresses are really worth it, in the connected digital age. I much prefer chatting with local Esperantists in an informal setting to going to some massive convention where I know nobody (and I've heard from many people that the national and international congresses can be very lonely places if you don't know anyone already).

In my opinion large-scale Esperanto congresses are wasted money. I could be wrong but round about money wasted with proud of E-o event UK in Lille instead of it would allow to finance five 300 person events (i.e. like IJK) and seven/eight less-than 100 person events (i.e. like FESTO).

spreecamper:

Tempodivalse:I wonder if these large-scale Esperanto congresses are really worth it, in the connected digital age. I much prefer chatting with local Esperantists in an informal setting to going to some massive convention where I know nobody...

In my opinion large-scale Esperanto congresses are wasted money. I could be wrong...

I think they are probably only worth it if they make money, and are achieving their goals. If they don't make money and they don't achieve their goals then it probably isn't worth it.

For me, attending an international (or even national) Congress would be a big waste of money. There are the travel expenses, the lodging expenses, and the attendance fees - in exchange for what? - being surrounded by a bunch of people whom I don't know, and who probably would prefer to talk to people whom they know better already.

Compare that to my nice local, monthly Esperanto meetup, which costs only the train fare downtown, and I can get to know a smaller-knit group of people much better.

The only reason I'd consider going to a big congress is if came to my city (which is unlikely, given that they hosted it only a few years ago).

Given the general decrease in participation in world congresses, I'd say there is a trend towards more local meetups.

You missed an important option. "What local Esperanto Club?"

Tempodivalse:For me, attending an international (or even national) Congress would be a big waste of money. There are the travel expenses, the lodging expenses, and the attendance fees - in exchange for what? - being surrounded by a bunch of people whom I don't know, and who probably would prefer to talk to people whom they know better already.

This is only partly true. It's true that people like to stick with their friend groups at the very large events. I forget whether you said you're in the US, but the US national congresses are generally not very large and even though I am not an extrovert, I did not have a problem meeting people there, even if I went knowing perhaps only one person. This year's US LK in Detroit was exceptionally small (Only around 30 people, I think, which is roughly the size of ARE, the small and welcoming Columbus Day Esperanto weekend in NY State!).

Compare that to my nice local, monthly Esperanto meetup, which costs only the train fare downtown, and I can get to know a smaller-knit group of people much better.

The only reason I'd consider going to a big congress is if came to my city (which is unlikely, given that they hosted it only a few years ago).

I was once told by an experienced Esperantist, early in my Esperanto days, that the UK is boring but you should go at least once, if only to see so many Esperanto speakers in one place. A bit like a hajj for Esperanto? I have been to two UKs. I am not big into the flag-waving, hymn-singing ceremonial aspects of things. This is my list of reasons for attending an UK (at least once), with some caveats.

1) It is actually pretty cool to see so many Esperanto speakers in one place, to run into them randomly in the city, etc., and even to run into them on your trip to the UK (because lots of people are going to the same place, right?). It underscores that this is not a language spoken only by the 5 people in your local meetup but actually by a pretty good population. It makes speaking Esperanto feel a little less isolating and weird.

2) Many organizations hold their annual meetings at the UK. If you're a proud atheist/vegetarian/railway worker/cat lover and you want to meet other people with similar beliefs, this is the time to do it. The "Movada Foiro" is pretty fun, with all the tables for the different organizations.

3) If you are a fan of a major Esperanto music group that is still active, there is a decent likelihood they will be playing at UK; similarly, if you are into theatre, this is more than likely your only chance to see a full play in Esperanto (not just a skit at a talent night of a smaller event).

4) You will run into a lot of people from all over the world, and chances are you will know some of them, even if you have only been active online. This is a cool chance to get to know people that you only knew as names on a page before. Like I said, I've only been to 2 UKs, but at both I ran into people I'd intersected with previously in Esperantujo, nice people that I was not close with but I was glad to see again and catch up with. I ran into a guy from Nepal who I hosted in my apartment for a few nights, years ago; I ran into a Japanese guy now living in Israel that I had corresponded with on a translation I had been working on, and we had a short conversation in Yiddish. A lot of people come to UK for "business" purposes (annual meetings of organizations etc) and a lot of active Esperantists are also active in an organization and want to attend the meetings, so you run into a lot of people who are involved in interesting stuff that you may have heard of.

Who should not go to UK? I would not go if I was a beginner, unless I had someone more experienced with me. Frankly it doesn't seem like it would be very fun if you don't know what's going on. I would not go alone unless you are an extrovert. It's a ton of people and it's easy to get lost in the crowd unless you are outgoing enough to go introduce yourself to random people who look interesting (I am personally not). Unlike a small event, no one will notice if you are usually found by yourself and not having a good time. I ran into an acquaintance from my city in a UK and he was having a terrible time, and it is for exactly this reason. He finally found a group of people to hang around with by the end but the first few days were no fun for him. Part of the fun is seeing all kinds of people that you know from all different Esperanto experiences in your life, all converging on one place. I would not go to UK as a first event unless I definitely knew I'd know a lot of people there. I'd start with smaller events. But like the experienced Esperantist told me - I'd try to go to UK at least once (maybe when it's held in a place that you'd like to visit for some reason other than UK, so you can bail and do that if you aren't having fun.

Thanks so much for the in-depth response, Erinja - it is good to get the insights of people who have actually gone.

I would not go alone unless you are an extrovert.

That rather sums it up for me - I am invariably that odd person off to the side ignored by everyone, even in small social gatherings. I can't imagine it being any better in a big crowd, even if it's a bunch of Esperantists.

If I were to go, it would probably be for the book sales. Nothing quite like browsing a room full of Esperanto literature (Internet shopping doesn't do it for me).

This year's US LK in Detroit was exceptionally small (Only around 30 people, I think, which is roughly the size of ARE, the small and welcoming Columbus Day Esperanto weekend in NY State!).

That surprises me. What was attendance like in previous years?

erinja:
I was once told by an experienced Esperantist, early in my Esperanto days, that the UK is boring ...

Boring?! On what did he base this opinion, a day trip to a suburban business park? Cheeky beggar.

Tempodivalse:That surprises me. What was attendance like in previous years?

When we hosted in DC, we had almost exactly 100 registrations, slightly fewer actually came. That was an excellent turnout. I would say that 50-75 is standard, depending on the desirability of the location.

It's occasionally held in Canada or Mexico as a joint congress with the Canadian or Mexican associations and that is what was done in Detroit but it doesn't seem to have improved the turnout. I'm sorry for Detroit but it's not really shocking that people didn't want to go there.

Vestitor:

erinja:
I was once told by an experienced Esperantist, early in my Esperanto days, that the UK is boring ...

Boring?! On what did he base this opinion, a day trip to a suburban business park? Cheeky beggar.

I am not inclined to disagree with him. The percentage of the programming that I found interesting was not high. It is indeed a lot of annual meetings of organizations that are not necessarily too interesting for those outside those organizations. I am not too interested in the UEA politics and the meetings that go on in that regard. The educational day usually has at least one or two scholarly talks that look interesting and some of the concerts look fun. But for me the point of going to UK is to see the people, not to go sit in a talk about vegetarianism.

I started a local club here in the Kansas City area. You can join on FB, search for "Esperantists in Kansas & Missouri" (I'm at work, can't get on FB.)

We have 28 members on FB, but about 5 regulars who come to the meetings / movie nights.