Tonight I’m at the “Big” Burns Supper in central Budapest. The first such large-scale celebration of Robert Burns took place here in 1997 and since 2005 they have been run by the Robert Burns International Foundation – the British Ambassador is one of the patrons of the RBIF. This evening is one of the largest charitable fund-raising events in Hungary and last year raised over HUF 10 million (£30,000) on the night for the benefit of sick children. When HRH The Duchess of Cornwall visited the Tűzoltó Street Pediatrics Hospital in Budapest last March, she was able to see in practice some of the very good work that had been done by the RBIF.
Orthodox Burns enthusiasts would probably complain that the “Big” Burns Supper includes Scottish dancing among the evening’s events – traditionally these Suppers are limited to speeches focusing on Robert Burns. I used to go Scottish dancing at my (English) University – not so much for the dancing itself at that time, but because when the ratio of the sexes is 7:1 (men to women) it seemed as good a way as any to meet girls. My (limited) ability in this field has come in useful on a surprising number of occasions during my diplomatic career. But my only formal duty this evening is to propose the health of Her Majesty. This is the shortest speech I have ever had to make, consisting of just two words – “The Queen”! And as this is my fourth “Big” Burns Supper here, I am by now word perfect (even after a wee dram of “John Barleycorn”, as Burns himself might have put it).
Some of you may be wondering about the “Big”. This is because it is also the practice here on the following Tuesday to hold a smaller-scale “Wee” Burns Supper at the historic Scottish Mission Church in Budapest. This is the church where the martyr Jane Haining, “Scotland’s Schindler”, worked and worshipped – I spoke about her and her efforts to save her Jewish pupils from the Nazis in a commemoration service last May. Two years ago, at the “Wee” Burns, I was invited to give the speech known as the “Immortal Memory” about Robert Burns – a risky undertaking for any “Sassenach” (or Englishman) in a roomful of Scots. And last year I pronounced the Selkirk Grace over the haggis. But this coming Tuesday I am due to give the speech to the “Lassies” (or Ladies) – which is a doubly risky enterprise if I say the wrong thing about these delightful creatures, so much beloved by Burns himself.
Burns’ popularity is surprisingly high in Hungary. Comparisons are made between him and the much-venerated national poet Sándor Petőfi, to the extent that Burns is sometimes called “Scotland’s Petőfi” here. His poems have been translated into Hungarian, no mean feat, and there is huge interest in him and in Scottish culture. Last year I attended no less than four events linked to Burns and could have gone to many more if I’d had the time!