"Esperanto is a way of growing out of infancy," said Renato Corsetti, president of the Universal Esperanto Association, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua at the ongoing 89th International Esperanto Conference.
"Esperanto has its spirit, and to me, it is not a mere language, but an ideal for a more balanced world," Corsetti said, cutting the air for emphasis.
Like many other participants to the conference, Corsetti's belief is well-grounded, as he gave out a litany of worst-case-scenarios that Esperanto has survived.
"In 1905, when the czar of Russia prohibited the use of Esperanto, it survived; in 1914, when the world swirled in the havoc of war, it once again survived..." he said.
In Corsetti's narration, Esperanto has been undergoing many setbacks, in such cases as people's misunderstanding, havoc of war, reign of Nazi and the current predominance of English, "Facing all these troubles, Esperanto still took root in human history and rejuvenated in recent years."
Taking China, Japan and Africa as examples, Corsetti said Esperanto, much to our surprise, is seeing a stable increase of learners.
Also out of his expectation, Esperanto won 43 percent positive votes in a discussion of what working language should be used by European Union.
"This help us see that Esperanto is more than idealism, as more and more people began to see its value." Corsetti said. In Europe, it is true that EU is haunted by language problems and the heavy burden of translation fees.
Despite the good news, problems existed. The "Esperanto Movement," as it is called by most Chinese Esperantists, is pestered by fewer young learners, inefficient mechanism and lack of funds.
Altaf Gohar Khan, president of Pakistan Esperanto Association, said he only has three remaining students. In China, as Tan Xiuzhu, chairwoman of All-China Esperanto League introduced, the Esperanto classes organized by local organizations can not attract students even if they are free.
"In Europe, what young people care is how to enjoy life, they don't have any interests in the expression of idealism," said Corsetti. Besides, the commercialism has also influenced Esperanto associations.
Many people join the Esperanto movement simply for money, as Corsetti observed.
"I think it is understandable, but Esperanto, in essence, is an ideal of justice which is destined to prevail," he said.
Founded in 1908 by L. L. Zamenhof, the Universal Esperanto Association (UEA) is aimed to facilitate understanding among Esperantists.
Renato Corsetti was elected as the president of UEA in 2001, and after 89th International Esperanto Conference, held here from July 24 to 31, he will start his second three-year term.
(Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2004)
