​The Northwest Regional Esperanto Conference (NOREK) opened its 44th year on August 22nd with a welcome dinner at Chill N Fill Bar and Food Carts in Portland, Oregon.

 

In Portland, food trucks are an important part of the local culture. Although this phenomenon is not limited to the city, the great diversity of cuisines available in one location is considered a characteristic of Portland life. Such arrangements enable participants to enjoy a diverse selection of foods, which is particularly suitable for large groups with different preferences.

 

Unfortunately, the weekend of August 22, 2025 proved to be the hottest of the year in Portland, with temperatures nearly 104°F (40°C). However, this did not prevent Esperantists from the northwestern United States and western Canada from attending. More than 20 participants gathered in the basement of the Augustana Lutheran Church on Saturday to listen to presentations in Esperanto, participate in a treasure hunt, and converse with fellow speakers.

 

Presentations on various topics were given by John Dale, Sherri Wells, Autumn Tafoya, Alaine Warfield, Reggie Remigio, Nikvo Woods, and the president of Esperanto-USA, Brandon Sowers.

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A remembrance of passed Seattle Esperantist Arlyn Kerr was given. Her contributions to the movement will not be soon forgotten.

 

Afterward, we had dinner at McMenamin's Broadway Pub, a well-liked local restaurant in Portland.

 

On Sunday, the last day of the conference, two excursions were planned. The first had to be changed at the last minute when it was discovered that the Saturday Market (which in recent years had operated on both Saturday and Sunday) had changed its hours back to Saturday opening only. Instead, participants met at the famous Portland institution Voodoo Doughnut, known for its unusual and creative donuts, for example one with maple cream and bacon. Afterward, we enjoyed the purchased donuts in Tom McCall Waterfront Park beside the Willamette River.

 

Later, the group visited the well-known bookstore Powell's City of Books, which occupies an entire city block. After browsing books, the attendees bid farewell to one another.

 

For three days, nearly thirty Esperantists of all ages and language levels came together to enjoy the international language and the community it nurtures. In all, the conference successfully continued a nearly four-and-a-half decade tradition. Until next year!