Atlanta Burns Conference Spectacular !

Mac Irvin, organiser of this years World Fedration conference in Atlanta, USA, has provided us with details for those interested in attending. It is clear that this will be a fabulous conference, so whether you are "state side" or further afield, here is an opportunity to combine your love of Robert Burns with a visit to one of the most spectacular cities in America.

Mac's contact details are available at the end of this article. For those of us here in Scotland, The Robert Burns World Federation are organisng flights and details can be obtained from Chief Executive - Shirley Bell -

The Robert Burns World Federation
Conference 2001 - Atlanta, Georgia
July 20th - 22nd, 2001

After Atlanta was torched by invading troops, Scarlett O'Hara observed in Gone With the Wind:

"They burned you and they laid you flat. But they didn't lick you. You'll grow back just as big and sassy as ever."

Grow back is exactly what Atlanta has done. In 1896, only three decades after Atlanta lay in smouldering rubble, the spirit of Robert Burns energised a group to found the Burns Club of Atlanta. These dedicated Atlanta Burnsians in 1910 built a replica of the Alloway Cottage that has been called the most significant memorial to the Bard outside Scotland.

Come to Atlanta to visit the Robert Burns Cottage and join with Burnsians across the continents to celebrate only the second conference ever conducted in the United States. The conference will include customary AGM events and celebrate a wee bit of the Southern USA heritage.

Saturday July 21
7:00-9:00 a.m
9:00 a.m.
12:00-2:00 p.m
2:00 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.

Sunday July 22
7:00-10:00 a.m
11:00 a.m.
12:00-2:00 p.m
1:00 p.m.

Plan to arrive early for a Friday afternoon pre-conference Symposium and Exhibit: "Robert Burns and America" A panel of Burns Scholars will include Kenneth Simpson, Esther Hovey and Tom Keith, as well as a showing of the 1937 film Auld Lang Syne starring Andrew Cruikshank as Burns. A reception will celebrate the exhibit opening of The G. Ross Roy Collection of Robert Burns, Bursiana and Scottish Poetry at the Emory University Special Collections library.

Potential outings or sightseeing opportunities
(based on expressed interest of attendees):

Organised sightseeing: Carter Presidential Library and Museum; Atlanta History Centre; Atlanta Cyclorama (a site depicting Battle of Atlanta during Civil War); Zoo Atlanta with its pair of giant pandas; Margaret Mitchell House & Museum; Stone Mountain Park; CNN Studio Tour; Coca Cola Museum; Atlanta Botanical Gardens; Centennial Olympic Park; or tour the Robert Burns Cottage of Atlanta.

Without leaving the Emory University campus: Visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History (including old wood forest trails) or the Carlos Museum with its impressive Egyptian collection.

Bus service available Saturday afternoon to Atlanta's prime shopping area in Buckhead.

Friday morning round of golf in the hometown of the legendary Bobby Jones.

Potential day trips or longer excursions: North Georgia mountains and Dahlonega gold mining; Savannah or visit to beach at Hilton Head; or Callaway Gardens. (Registrants will receive information regarding such opportunities after registration is received)

Housing

Attendees may choose accommodations from a range of options with varying costs:

A - Emory Conference Centre Hotel (first-class conference hotel where meetings will occur) www.emoryconferencecenter.com

B - Emory Inn (smaller, moderate hotel adjacent to the Conference Centre) www.emoryconferencecenter.com/emoryinn.asp

C - Emory University student housing (located two blocks from Conference Centre)

Fees: The cost for the entire conference including lodging, breakfast, lunch & dinner will be as follows per person (double occupancy) based on the housing option selected:

A: $480 B: $360 C: $240 (US dollars)

Attendees may arrive early or stay over at the following daily rates per room:

A: $145 B: $ 99 C: $ 60 (US dollars)

If housing in any option is limited, choices will be accepted in order of receipt of registration.

To obtain additional information, please contact:
Conference Chairman - Mac Irvin.

Mailing Address 40 Brighton Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30309-1519

Telephone (404) 237-1020 (office) - (404) 351-2136 (home)

E-mail - Mac Irvin OR Mac Irvin 2