Tomorrow, Saturday March 25, International Tolkien Reading Day is celebrated but… why is this day celebrated?
What does this day mean for the fan of this famous author? We tell you all this and, in addition, the best plans to enjoy this celebration
What is the origin of the day of reading Tolkien?
As many of you know, this author was very precise (almost obsessive) with all the details of his work related to Middle-earth, to such an extent that He had exact control of the geography, the dates, the sunrises and sunsets of the sun and the moon… That is why the calendar of the events that occurred during, above all, the Third Age, is one of his most precise works.
Among the most important days in the War of the Ring, March 25 stands out on its own merits, the date on which destroyed of the Ring and that marked the end of the third age in The Lord of the Rings.
Was the English Tolkien Society who, in 2003, started to commemorate this date as “International Tolkien Reading Day”, which has been celebrated annually ever since.
Tolkien Societies around the world celebrate this event, not exactly every March 25, but on the weekend closest to that day. This year we could not have chosen a better date, since the 25th is Saturday, so What better day to join other fans of the English author’s work and enjoy the readings?
Activities organized by the Spanish Tolkien Society this March 25 and in which you can participate
Almost all the smials (local delegations) of the STE organize their own International Day of reading Tolkien, and there is something for all tastes: from more “typical” readings (anyone who attends can read one of their favorite passages), to online contests, going through gatherings with personalities such as Jordi Boixaderas (voice of Boromir) or Francesc Parcerisas (Catalan translator of this author’s works), or even a visit to the Osborne winery, with a reading and tasting (for those of you who are surprised, yes, this winery is related to the English author. Look for “JRR’s Spanish connection Tolkien”).
To know all the activities that exist (which are many) we advise you to look for information on the Tolkien Societies of your country. As an example, here you have the Activities Calendar of the Spanish Tolkien Society, where you can find out about all the activities that are organized near you and choose the one that most appeals to you. I can assure you that they will welcome you in the best way, with open arms and a ready smile, as a hobbit would say.
and I remind you that our author wrote about many more topics besides the well-known works set in Middle-earth (The Silmarillion, the Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings) and that of course will be reflected in these activities with readings of fragments more or less known by all.
But it is that Tolkien, as a philologist that he was, made editions of classics such as the epic poem Beowulf or a study of the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, essays and articles (among which I highlight On fairy tales), in addition to short works such as the amusing Egidio, the farmer of Ham or the exciting and enlightening Leaf of Niggle, among many. I encourage you to discover them and if you already know them, that you are encouraged to read a fragment of these or any other work by the Professor, as we fans of his work call him.
