- The author first encountered Esperanto in the late 2000s via an AOL message from a friend, who described it as a universal language invented by LL Zamenhof to promote world peace through easy learning.
- Esperanto was created in 1887 by Zamenhof, a Polish-Jewish ophthalmologist, aiming to reduce conflict by providing a neutral, easy-to-learn second language.
- The language grew in popularity among anarcho-syndicalists, socialists, and pacifists, but faced persecution under Stalin, Franco, and the Nazis, who saw it as a Jewish or communist conspiracy.
- After World War II, Esperanto persisted, especially in the Soviet Union, China, and among cold war youth, and later via the internet, with online classes and communities.
- The author attended the 110th World Esperanto Congress in Brno, Czechia, where they observed a shift from political ambitions to hobbyist and social activities, with factions like finvenkismo (worldwide adoption) and raŭmismo (community-building) coexisting.
- Practical benefits of Esperanto include the Pasporta Servo, a global homestay network for speakers, allowing cheap travel and deep connections beyond transactional communication.
- The language remains relevant in regions like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where it serves as a neutral tool for aid and communication among diverse linguistic groups.
- The author reflects on Esperanto's enduring appeal as a sincere, joy-focused community that fosters understanding, despite its failure to achieve global peace.
- The Catholic Church and Chinese government continue to engage with Esperanto for soft power, maintaining its presence in international contexts.