Ian Collier sends this along: In response to calls for more events around the world the Tolkien Society Seminar for 2007 is happening in two parts, one “up here” and the other “downunder”. The seminars are being arranged by the Tolkien Society in partnership with The Cambridge Tolkien Society and Tol Harndor: The Australian Tolkien Society. The Northern Hemisphere Tolkien Society Seminar
Women in Tolkien, Saturday, 16th June
Wolfson Court, Girton, Cambridge
The ‘northern’ seminar in Cambridge has the theme of “Women in Tolkien” and the weekend will also include an evening mead tasting (for those who are over eighteen years of age) and a punt-moot on the Sunday to Grantchester complete with a picnic lunch.
Interested in Giving a Paper?
Papers should be either 20 or 45 minutes long to fit into half-hour or hour slots with time for questions or discussion. There may also be scope to accommodate a number of short 10-minute presentations. Please send the title, a short summary/abstract and the intended length to the Seminar organiser:
Registration Costs: Tolkien Society members: £28.00 & Non-members: £30.00
The registration fee covers attendance at the seminar, a light lunch and morning and afternoon tea and coffee. The mead tasting is £5.00 per head for members and £7.00 per head for non-members.
The Punt moot will be £15-£20 for punt-hire depending on numbers.
The closing date for registration is 6th June, however spaces are limited so to secure your place please book early. The Southern Hemisphere Tolkien Society Seminar
The Art and Science of Magic in Middle-earth
Saturday, 25th August, NSW Writers’ Centre, Sydney, Australia
This significant annual event in the Tolkien calendar is being held overseas for the first time in Sydney, Australia. With attendees travelling from around the world this will have an international festive feel. The magic of Middle-earth is wide-ranging in scope and can cover not only all aspects of magic in the works of Tolkien but also the enchantment that Tolkien’s writings have instilled in Tolkien fans far and wide. The seminar will be held at the NSW Writers’ Centre, the Centre was established to promote writing-based culture and the rights and interests of writers and offers literary resources and professional information to established and aspiring writers of all kinds.
Interested in Giving a Paper?
Some potential topics for consideration might be:
The limitations or laws of magic in Middle-earth
The various forms of magic
The supernatural
Tolkien’s magic compared to other authors of ‘modern’ fantasy
Is Tolkien’s magic mystical and without explanation or is there evidence of science? How did the Inkling’s view magic/science?
The magic of words, spells, music and language
The presence of magic in the classics such as Beowulf, The Kalevala, and Edda.
The effects of magic on events during the Ages. Was it pivotal?
The differences in how magic was used and viewed by the various races
The enchantment of Tolkien’s writings
The dark arts of Middle-earth and the corruption of magic
Magic in a religious context
Papers should be either 20 or 45 minutes long to fit into half-hour or hour slots with time for questions/discussion. There may also be scope to accommodate a number of short 10-minute presentations. Please send the title, a short summary/abstract and the intended length to the Seminar organiser:
AN ICONIC 20ft stainless steel statute to celebrate Birmingham’s links with Lord of the Ring’s creator JRR Tolkien is set to get the green light. The giant Ent Treebeard, a walking tree creature from the classic fantasy story, could soon be strolling across Moseley village green. It has been designed by the Moseley Statue Group, part of the local business association, to draw tourists and Lord of the Rings fans to the area. [More]
Ian Collier from The Tolkien Society writes: Are you a dad, mum, grandparent, uncle, aunt with an interest in Tolkien? Are you a young person with an interest in Tolkien? Then Reading Day is designed for YOU
Tolkien Reading Day encourages the use of Tolkien’s works in education and library reading groups, as this year’s day falls on a Sunday the emphasis is on families reading together.
A chance for grownups and children to read together and share their thoughts about whatever stories by Tolkien they have read and to discover new ones. J.R.R. Tolkien’s books appeal to all ages and readers worldwide find pleasure, entertainment and deep significance in his work.
Information packs are available online and in hard copy
For children and adults reading together is fun, and stimulates good conversation, vocabulary development, an interest in history and for some an interest in linguistics. 25th March has significance to Tolkien’s readers, as it is the day of the Downfall of Sauron at the conclusion of the ‘War of the Ring’ in “The Lord of the Rings.” There’s more to Tolkien than “The Lord of the Rings” though. Families and reading groups can enjoy the story of the dog “Roverandom” and his adventures on the moon or the mock-medieval rebellion of “Farmer Giles of Ham” complete with giants and dragons.
Members of the public (or libraries and schools wishing to hold an event near to rather than on the 25th) can contact the Society for free posters and help with publicising their event.
Ideas for exploring Tolkien’s books together are available online and in hard copy
e-mail us at education@tolkiensociety.org or write to:
The Tolkien Society Education Officer, 18 Magnolia Road, Bitterne,
Southampton, SO 19 7LH
Launched in 2003 the reading day event has sparked interest in reading and reading groups across several nations and ages from Primary schoolchildren to University students and library users of all ages. Hence the circulation of this release to the media, educational press and county library services.
TORN Staffer Altaira writes: The Misty Mountains Smial of the Tolkien Society will hold their 5th annual Tolkien Toast at the Celtic Tavern in downtown Denver on Wednesday January 3 rd, J.R.R. Tolkien’s birthday. Enjoy birthday cake, share your favorite Tolkien reading and have a chance to win “The J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide,” donated by Houghton Mifflin, as well as other prizes! [More]
By the time it was all over, the 55+ people who made it to the final seconds of “Return of the King” could hardly contain their giddiness. For 14.5 hours they had inhabited TORn’s chatroom where they laughed together, cheered together, and cried, together, while watching the entire “Lord of the Rings” Extended Editions trilogy from start to finish.
They began gathering at 10 a.m. EST, impatient and eager. Tar_Gathalion arrived first, a newcomer to the chat room, and was one of the last to leave. Coriaelleth was wide awake and chipper at the start of “Fellowship of the Ring,” despite it being 2 a.m. in Brisbane, Australia, where she was chatting from. She, too, was still going strong at the end, taking energy from the amazing fellowship that had sprung up amongst the chatters.
And what a fellowship it was. Amidst the appreciation and groaning over the films, these people — of all ages and nationalities — shared how they discovered Middle Earth and their love of Tolkien. In doing so, we learned about each other. Teenagers listened as us old-timers recalled seeing Bakshi’s film in the movie theaters. The older chatters smiled as teens spoke of discovering Tolkien through video games and these movies that Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema gave to us.
So we made our way through the films, remembering anew how much we loved the opening sequence and the amazing Sauron, debating whether the Black Riders were scarier than the winged Nazgul, if the film suffered from lack of Tom Bombadil or Glorfindel, marveling at the horses in the flood at the Ford of Bruinen, discussing how the film’s depiction of Boromir rendered him so much more sympathetic than Tolkien’s. So many things to remark upon: The balrog, is he winged? Why is Lorien blue? Why does Celeborn ………. talk ………. like ………. this? The gifts! Just too much.
And that was only the first movie!
I honestly can’t even begin to recount all the people who contributed to the fun of this day from start to finish. There were Alatariel and justine’s witty comments, Lancelot (aka Sir_Capsalot) and CaptainOfGondor’s infectious enthusiasm. Beth and eRIC’s excitement was equally contagious. EcossElf and Ainulaire, omeron and stavros and nicktheoden. Susanita who hung on despite many computer problems. OBSERVER who was able to join us mid-way through. And Adrian, who thought she’d miss the whole thing, but managed to get home from work in time to see the end of “Return of the King.” I just know I’m leaving out so many more.
Movie Chat seems a simple concept — everyone puts a disc in, it plays, you chat — but in reality it takes a lot of orchestration. PAL and NTSC formats run at different speeds, so breaks are required throughout the evening in order to allow people to synch back up. Managing those pauses, wrangling everyone to press “play” at the same time, informing late-comers on how to catch up with everyone else, and generally making sure that everyone has a great time — these things take great moderators, and the night wouldn’t have happened without the many people who pitched in: starlady and caoil, who managed the countdowns and time-keeping for films 2 & 3; Wingfoot and FayWraith who shepherded the mid-film arrivals; Figgy and Elenya who played backstop by greeting people and pointing them in the right direction, plus making sure that everyone chatted nicely. Bravo and thank you!
By the time “Return of the King” launched, the enthusiasm level was at a fever pitch. Quiddler was shouting, Brandalf85 was hooting blowing up Saurons tower, Goblin was eating all the cookies, and Lancelot’s capslock key WAS PERMANENTLY STUCK!!!
And the conversation continued: Bingo_Bolger_Baggins finding Smeagol and Deagol disturbing; Elerwen and Eureka sniffling over Frodo and Sam’s heart wrenching journey; Elanor G, Will, and Spe debating the merits of Saruman’s expanded appearance; everyone complaining about Gimli the comedian; Figgy and all the ladies sighing over Faramir and the Houses of Healing; and myself — joined by Murazor — complaining all along about Denethor, Eowyn vs. the Witch King, “go home Sam,” and our utter disgust with the green Scrubbing Bubble Army of the Dead. (Hey, someone has to nitpick!)
But the best moment of all came with the Ride of the Rohirrim:
(Figgy) this is the BEST SCENE in this movie
(Figgy) ERE THE SUN RISES
(Eureka) DEATH!!!
(Elanor_G) Death!!
(Brandalf85) DEathhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Lancelot) Shields shall be splintered
(CaptainofGondor) ere the sun rises!
(Beth) love this!
(Brandalf85) ~music~
(EcossElf) ruinnnn and the worlds ending
(Elanor_G) DEATH!!!
(CaptainofGondor) Stay with me
(maegwen) DEATH
(Figgy) RIDE NOW
(Stavros) ride now!
(Edendil) death!!!
(Quiddler1) Ride now!
(Brandalf85) Forth EorlingTORNS
(EcossElf) deathhhhhh
(Figgy) RIDE!
(Figgy) FOR RUIN!
(Quiddler1) Ridenow!
(Lancelot) Ride for ruin!
(Figgy) AND THE WORLD’S ENDING
(Spe) death!
(Stavros) DEATH
(Adrian) death!
(Figgy) DEATH!
(Spe) death!
(omeron) Death! Death! Death!
(ZeeWarthog) DDDEEEAAATTTHHH
(Lancelot) And the worlds ending!
(Figgy) DEATH!
(CaptainofGondor) ride for ruin!!!!
(Stavros) DEATH
(Brandalf85) ~gets on horse~
(Lancelot) DEATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
(Spe) death!
(Figgy) DEATH!
(Adrian) DEATH!!!
(Bingo_Bolger_Baggins) Death!!
(CaptainofGondor) DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Eureka) DEATH!!!
(Elanor_G) DEATH!!!
(ZeeWarthog) death
(Quiddler1) DEEEEEEEEEATH!
(Stavros) DEATH
(Spe) death!
(Figgy) DEATH!
(Lancelot) DEATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(EcossElf) daethhhhh
(Elanor_G) DEATH!!!
(Spe) death!
(Stavros) DEATH
(CaptainofGondor) Death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!S
(Adrian) Death!!!
(Pk) death!
(Eureka) Theres that violin again
(Spe) death!
(Stavros) DEATH
(Figgy) DEAAAATH!!!!!!!!!
(Quiddler1) Death!
(omeron) Death!
(CaptainofGondor) Death!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(ZeeWarthog) dddddddeeeeath
(Lancelot) DEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Adrian) death!!
(Guest) Death!!!!!
(CaptainofGondor) DEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Lancelot) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
(Figgy) CHILLS
(Stavros) DFAETH
(Lancelot) DEAAAAAAAAAAAAAATH
(Beth) DEATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
(Bingo_Bolger_Baggins) What’s happening
(Figgy) FORTH EORLINGAS!
(Gondhir) WOO, HORNS
(Beth) death!!!!!!!!!!
(CaptainofGondor) DDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTHHHH!!!!!
(Brandalf85) DEATHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Lancelot) FOR EORLIGAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Spe) yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh
(Beth) death!!
(CaptainofGondor) .Forth Eorlingas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(FayWraith) *horns*
(Adrian) Death!
(Stavros) DEAF!!!
(Lancelot) DEATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(Beth) deaaaaaaaaaath!
(Brandalf85) lol
(Lancelot) DEATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHD
(CaptainofGondor) Rohan music!!!!!!!!!!!
(Lancelot) DEATHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(Figgy) YEAAAAAAAAH
(Gondhir) the Rohirrim are the best part of the movie
You just can’t do that in a movie theater 😉
As we reached the Grey Havens, we too sensed the enormity of the 14.5-hour road we’d travelled. And, like our beloved Hobbits, the chatters were reluctant to part. But, all good things must come to an end — for a time. I’m sure we’ll all meet again for another LoTR Movie Chat some time in the near future!
If you would like to know the next time we plan a LoTR chat, please e-mail me to be added to the mailing list.
* * *
I’d like to thank all of the chatters who made the Marathon such an enjoyable experience:
Irascian writes: Joe Letteri, visual effects supervisor on King Kong, will be speaking in The Starr Auditorium at The Tate Modern in London (UK) as part of a series of lectures on digital art. Joe’s lecture will be at 6.30pm on Monday, 25th September. He will be discussing the creation of the Visual FX for Peter Jackson’s King Kong. Joe will show how Weta built 1933 New York City, grew the lush jungles of Skull Island, and brought King Kong to life. Joe has received two academy awards for the visual effects on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers in 2002, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in 2003. Tickets are £10 (£8 for children and senior citizens) and can be ordered from the Tate ticket office on 020 7887 8888 or online here.
