A Burns Supper is a celebration of the life and work (and food habits) of Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, and a figure in world literature. It was Burns who is credited (probably falsely) with writing the words to Auld Lang Syne, the song sung at New Year, and at the end of the evening at Scout campfires and on other occasions when people gather together. It was also Burns who coined many of the phrases we use in everyday English. Robert Burns wrote sublimely beautiful poetry, universal and timeless, about all kinds of subjects, ranging from political humour to love poetry.
A Burns Supper, most importantly is about having fun together and enjoying each other’s company. The evening features a tasty meal of soup, then Haggis (vegetarian versions available) and a dessert, with charming quantities of Scotland’s famous golden beverage (the evening is not really an event for children), musical items, and a series of speeches – the Toast to the Lassies (Lassies is a Scottish word meaning ladies, to whom Burns was devoted), and the reply to the toast, to be given by Yung-I and Simon Russel, and also the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns, a short presentation and explanation of the life of the man and his works, to be given by Kinga Kieczkowska, who currently lives in Edinburgh and will be bringing recent first hand eye witness accounts of Burns. Kinga is an excellent presenter and for sure will give us an entertaining tale or two about the Bard. There will be the Haggis, who will be brought in by a bagpiper and shown to all of our guests, followed by an Ode to the Haggis, which will be given by our Head of School, Lindsay Davidson, in his biggest, most poetic voice. We fully expect a number of gentlemen in kilts and we have some celtic harp and songs planned amongst our musical entertainment, not forgetting about bagpipes, and maybe we can fit in a song or two to sing together.
Burns Suppers are great fun, and if you have never been to one, you should come to ours and discover the joys of the evening. If you have been to one, you will be pleased to know we are having one. It is an event not to miss. The date is the evening of 18th February and the venue is Wentzl Restaurant on the Rynek Glowny. The cost will be in the region of PLN150 per person, which will include drinks. Reservations and tickets will be available very soon from both the school and the restaurant.