As a child, Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof (1859 - 1917), the designer of Esperanto, must have been fascinated, if not thrilled, by the Biblical story of the Tower of Babel.
He was born in Białystok, then part of the Russian Empire, now situated in eastern Poland. His native language was Russian, but he also spoke Yiddish and Polish, which became the native language of his children. His father was a teacher of German, and Ludwig also spoke that language fluently. He mastered French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and English and was interested in Italian, Spanish and Lithuanian.
Weary of all linguistic misunderstandings and confusion, young Zamenhof tried to come up with some kind of international language which would facilitate easier ways of communication. In 1887 he used the name Dr. Esperanto, meaning "someone who hopes" to publish the book 'La internacia lingvo'. His language however got the name Esperanto.
In 1905 the first congress in Esperanto took place in France. These days Esperanto is spoken in 120 countries by 2 million speakers. Every year many congresses in Zamenhofs language are organized.
In The Netherlands there are six monuments dedicated to the linguïst and his amazing project: in the southern border town Bergen op Zoom, in Den Burg (in the island of Texel), in Leeuwarden (the capital city of the province of Friesland), in Utrecht, in Oost-Vlieland ( a hamlet in the island of Vlieland) and in Zwolle (the capital city of the province of Overijssel).
In Bergen op Zoom the monument was established in 1933. Present was Lidia Zamenhof,Ludwig's daughter.
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