A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns

The Immortal Memory Toast for Robert Burns is celebrated around the anniversary of his birth on January 25, 1759. The first Burns Supper was held in 1801 by a group of friends to mark the five year anniversary of his death. Burns Suppers have been held ever since.

The Burns Supper is an institution of Scottish life, a night set aside to celebrate the life of the national Bard. These Suppers can be everything from an informal gathering of friends to a huge, formal dinner full of pomp and circumstance.

This Immortal Memory Toast given at the formal Burns Supper starts with a lengthy address or speech. The first item on the program is always the "Immortal Memory" speech. It is a formal speech from the chairman or designated speaker. The focus of the speech is a formal tribute to the life and art of Robert Burns that includes biographical information or a specific aspect of the Bard's work that pertains to the group of gathered celebrants.

As described on one of the Burns Supper sites:

This speech should be long-winded enough to remind the guests that this isn't the office Christmas party, yet not so long as to induce cramping, dry-mouth, or ringing in the ears (about 25 minutes).

The speech ends with all guests standing, raising their glasses and offering a toast…

To the Immortal Memory of the Bard of Ayr.

About Robert Burns (1759 - 1796)
Robert Burns is regarded as the national poet or bard of Scotland. He is also the best-known of the poets who have written in the Scottish language.

The tradition of Burns Suppers began not long after his death on July 21, 1796. These suppers celebrate his life and his work around his birth date, January 25. Part of the elaborate celebration includes drinking a toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns.

More on Robert Burns

• Robert Burns: Man Was Made to Mourn - From About's Guide to Literature: Classics, Esther Lombardi
• Robert Burns: Address to a Hagis - From About's Guide to Quotations, Simran Khurana
• Robert Burns: A Red, Red Rose - From About's Guide to Quotations, Simran Khurana

More on the Immortal Toast, How to Propose Your Own and Lord Admiral Nelson

• A Toast to the Immortal Memory and Propose Your Own
• A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Lord Admiral Nelson

Sources:
Fischer B. Burns Supper Itinerary. Robert Burns Country: The Official Robert Burns Site. 2003. 5 December 2006. <http://www.robertburns.org/suppers/itinerary.shtml>
Alexandria Burns Club. Burns Supper at Alexandria Burns Club. 2004. 5 December 2006. <http://www.robertburns.org.uk/burns_supper.htm>
BBC. Burns Night. Burns Supper. British Broadcasting Company. 5 December 2006. http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/burnsnight/suppers/index.shtml
Image Source: Nasmyth, Alexander, Artist. Painting, Robert Burns: How to Know Him. In Nelison WA. Robert Burns. 1917. Brooklyn, N.Y. The Bobbs-Merrill Company. E-book. 5 December 2006. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/18388/18388-h/18388-h.htm>