Unu el la plej sekretaj Esperanto-aranĝoj en la mondo estas la bonega Aŭtuna Renkontiĝo de Esperanto (ARE), semajnfino en Esperantujo meze de la nordorienta aŭtuna-kolora sezono, en 2005 inter la 8a kaj 10a de oktobro ĉe la Silver Bay YMCA konferencejo en Norordienta NovJorka? Ŝtato. Mi transloĝiĝis al la nordoriento en la mezaj 90aj jaroj kaj maltrafis la unuajn jarojn, sed ekde tiam mi venas preskaŭ ĉiujare.

ARE est unu el la vere internaciaj Esperanto okazajxoj en Usono. Mi partoprenis multajn Esperanto-eventojn. La Landa Kongreso estas eble simile bona, sed ĝi often havas nur manplenon da internaciaj paroprenantoj. Organizas ĝin Normand Fleury kaj Zdravka Metz de la Kebekia Esperanto Societo dum la pasintaj 12 jaroj, ARE allogas grandan aron de kanadanoj kaj ofte ankaux kelkajn de pli foraj landoj ankaŭ, foje eĉ de norda karolina kaj aliaj fremdaj lokoj.

De tempo al tempo venas iu konatulo el Esperantio -- grava gasto kiu venas por prelegi kaj konatiĝi al ĉiuj. Claude Piron venis unu jaro kaj Amanda Higley prelegis alian jaron pri ŝia epopea vojaĝo trans eŭropo. Aliaj konatoj inkluzivas Marjorie Boulton kaj Boris Kolker. Plej ofte estas neniu speciala kiu venas - nur la ĉiujaruloj kaj kelkaj novaj vizaĝoj.

La homoj ekalvenas dum la mateno sabate.

One of the best-kept secrets in the world is the wonderful Aŭtuna Renkontiĝo de Esperanto (ARE) -- an autumn weekend in Esperantujo during the peak of the Northeastern fall coloration season, in 2005 between October 8 and 10 to be held at the Silver Bay YMCA conference center in Northeastern New York State. I moved to the Northeast in the mid 90's and missed the first couple of years, but since then, I have attended nearly every year.

ARE is one of the few truly international Esperanto events in the United States. I've attended many Esperanto events. The Landa Kongreso is probably next best, but it often has only a handful of international attendees. Organized by Normand Fleury and Zdravka Metz of the Quebec Esperanto Society over the past 12 years, ARE brings a large contingent from Canada and often has a handful of people from further away as well, especially from Central and South America, and sometimes even a few from North Carolina and other extremely foreign places.

Occasionally there has been a headliner -- an important guest who comes to present and meet with everyone. Claude Piron came one year and Amanda Higley spoke another year about her epic voyage through Europe. Other notables include Marjorie Boulton and Boris Kolker. Most years there isn't anyone in particular -- just the regulars plus a mix of new faces.

People begin trickling in on Saturday morning, renewing old friendships, meeting in small groups, and getting together for lunch. The weekend doesn't really start until the afternoon on Saturday, when the group comes together for Another Year in Esperantujo, an opportunity for anyone who traveled to an Esperanto congress to stand and speak for a few minutes on their experiences. Each year, people who have attended the Landa Kongreso, the Universala Kongreso, the TutAmerika? Kongreso, and others around the world, stand up and share their experiences with the group: how they traveled, how they met with esperantists, what was new, and what happened.

Saturday night is usually reserved for a variety of ice-breaker activities, so that people have an excuse to mingle, introduce themselves, and speak with one another. Each year, there is something new and fun to try. One year, each person had to wear a hat with the name of a famous sports figure affixed and ask questions of the audience to try to figure out who it was. I'll never forget the poor fellow from France who simply could not guess "Lance Armstrong" for anything. Starting in 2004, the Esperanto Society of New England offers a reception at the end of the evening with a formal welcome by a representative of the organization followed by light snacks and refreshments.

On Sunday, there are an assortment of activities for people to participate in: speeches, origami, nature hikes, writing haiku (I usually run that session), excursions, and anything else Esperantists are into. There is usually a book service set up where people can shop. For beginners, there are also Esperanto classes (that actually begin on Saturday and continue through the whole weekend). On Sunday night, there is a banquet followed by the "Kultura Vespero", where people present various kinds of theatrical, musical, or oratorical presentations. The haiku written during the afternoon session usually get read during this time.

On Monday, there are a few final meetings in the morning and a final get-together for a group picture, followed by lots of handshaking and hugs. For people who see each other for only one weekend a year, there are an awful lot of warm feelings. By noon, everyone is heading out, going back to their every day lives.

For the past 11 years, the meetings have taken place at Okemo Mountain Resort in Ludlow, Vermont. The organizers originally chose Okemo by drawing a line between Montreal and New York and between Ottawa and Boston -- the line intersects right around Ludlow. The location had a lot of scenic beauty, but was sometimes short of institutional support for the meeting, being primarily a ski resort. Starting in 2005, ARE is committed to trying new places. In the fall of 2005, the meeting will take places at the Silver Bay YMCA Conference and Training Center on the western shore of Lake George in northern New York State. In future years, it may try other settings including some proposed more urban locations.

Starting in 2004, a yahoogroup mailing list has been set up for people to participate in the organization of the event. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/auxtunarenkontigxo/ to subscribe and participate.

ARE