Last night KDHG held its first meeting of the 2010 - 2011 session. It was attended by over 90 members. Almost a full house!
The audience heard a wonderful talk by John Millar on the history of the Lithuanians in Scotland. John himself was born in Scotland in the 1920s to Lithuanian parents and he gave an excellent account of why people from the Baltic state had chosen to come to Scotland and of how they were treated by the native Scots, which was often, sadly, not very well. Interestingly, he quoted from a speech delivered in Irvine by Keir Hardie, which was, at best, xenophobic. Not the picture of Hardie, the socialist idealogue, that is frequently portrayed.
A great start to what looks like a first class programme for the year.
Great opening speaker. Looking forward to next meeting already.
ReplyDeleteJohn's talk was fascinating and a real eye opener about the severe difficulties immigrants experience, even now, driving them into what at best are called communities, at worst ghettos.
ReplyDeleteThese folk came here to escape a terrible regime which was intent on destroying their land and culture. Sadly, most Scots did not give them the welcome we foolishly think we are famed for.