This week, the Book Club moves on in our discussion of ‘The Hobbit” to Chapter VII, where Bilbo and his companions meet a ‘man’ who not only talks to the animals, but is able to become one!! Join us to discuss what happens when they meet this big, dangerous to meet in the dark, skin-changing man known as Beorn.
Durham University doctoral student Danielle Smith is undertaking a project into the experiences of tourists to mythical and fantastic locations, through two case studies- the landscapes of New Zealand/ Middle-earth, and Arthurian sites in the South West of Britain.
As part of her PhD fieldwork she spent 6 months touring the North and South Islands of New Zealand. You can read her Middle-earth journal in which she describes her experiences of visiting some of the film sites, meeting some the equine stars of the movies and much more.
Dr Dimitra Fimi’s course, “Exploring Tolkien: There and Back Again” is taught exclusively online and is open to students and adult learners all over the world. The course is run over 10 weekly units and starts on 12th February 2007 with a further course starting on 23rd April 2007. There are further details here.
The results for the Mithril Awards (2005) for fanfiction have recently been announced. You can find out more about the awards and read the winning entries here.
Tomorrow, 3rd January, is the birthday of J.R.R. Tolkien. He was born 115 years ago on 3rd January 1892 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The Tolkien Society suggest that at 9pm in your local time you raise a glass and celebrate his life and work with a toast to “The Professor”.
Part Two of the opera “Leithian” by Adam Klein – the story about the love of Beren and Luthien based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Silmarillion” – will be performed on April 14 and 15, 2007 at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 225 West 99th Street, New York City. There are further details about the event here.
You can read an interview with composer Adam Klein here.
Missing CoE’s Non-Tolkien RP sister site, Monkeygames? Unfortunately, the original website was hacked and destroyed. However, there’s a brand new site up and running to take its place. It’s called Loki’s Palace. Loki is the Norse god of mischief, games, fun, and fire. What better place to open up a world of roleplaying than in his grand palace?
Gwendeth from CoE is serving as the administrator for Loki’s Palace, and will be running the forum. The Moderators are dreamdancer and gaurnana. Just pm us on Loki’s Palace if you have any questions about the forum. Head on over and have a look around (don’t forget to check out the rules!) and register for some roleplaying fun!