The Week Behind, and what lies ahead – Issue 07 | 6 April 2021

Issue 007 | 6 April 2021

Welcome to newsletter seven looking at the Tolkien-related news from the previous week and what is coming up in the week(s) ahead.

Bilbo woke with the early sun in his eyes by J.R.R. Tolkien. On the 25th March by the Shire Reckoning, the Great Eagles rescue Frodo and Sam from Mount Doom.

LOTRO roundup

Some (late) notes of things to look forward to from both Sev’s Executive Producer’s Letter and also +Cord of the Rings from Friday 26 March 2021:

• April is LOTRO Anniversary month (LOTRO released -on 24 April 2007)
• Scenario chat is scheduled for Wednesday 7 April
• “Further Adventures” – is not too far away, first one will star Bilbo Baggins.
• There will be a further chat with Sev on +Cord of the Rings in next couple of weeks
• Curator schedule – is now confirmed to return for the Anniversary festival
• Summer update – U30: The Blood of Azog
• Fall update – U31: Gundabad
• Brawler info as we get closer to Gundabad release

During the Spring Festival, players on Laurelin became acquainted (some happily, some less so!) with the player enigma known as Tinnfang Gellion, who from aloft the top of the newly-dubbed Tinnhenge recited tales of old. A few daring adventurers aspired to reach the same not-so-dizzy heights of Tinn, I succeeded on Rana to a nod from the Master Poet.

Now Tinn has received mixed reactions from the festival crowd, but did you know in Tolkien lore Tinfang Is one of his earlier creations? He features in a poem written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1914 called “Tinfang warble.”

Below are some helpful and informative links about Tinfang:

• http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Tinfang_Warble
• http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Tinfang_Warble_(poem)
• http://dimitrafimi.com/2016/12/31/twas-the-night-before-christmas-and-j-r-r-tolkiens-tinfang-warble/
• http://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Over_Old_Hills_and_Far_Away

HUGEsound Record’s LOTRO week has concluded but you can find all the player “Hero poses,” videos, interviews and their exclusive “Roaming Free” track.

SSG worldbuilder Scenario will return on Wednesday 7 April 2021 for another chat about LOTRO and landscape. The vote is currently open and it looks like Evendim or Forochel (go Team Lossoth!). Details and voting here:
https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?686698-Vote-on-the-next-Casual-Stroll-Livestream-destination!&p=8068715

Shelob’s around the Web round-Up

 A little late to the party, but it appears Marvel Superhero Winter Soldier (“Bucky”) is a Tolkien fan, a clip from the new Disney TV series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” shows him reveal his inner-geek:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt9ihEgJIZs

Dispatches from Middle-earth: Amazon Chronicles the 2nd Age - WonderCon@Home 2021
Esteemed scholars from the Centre for Fantasy and the Fantastic in Glasgow and  joined TheOneRing.net at WonderCon to discuss what Amazon’s upcoming TV series could like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Qma9MwkwTI

The Russian Tom Bombadil and Goldberry with their hobbit guests.

Hitting the news (and here) this week, the rediscovered lost “gem” of a Russian TV show based on Lord of the Rings! With added Tom Bombadil and Goldberry!

You can watch the show here:

• Part one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vquKyNdgH3s
• Part two: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLevCLNnLmg

I didn’t see a lot of Tolkien-related April Fools, but TheOneRing.net gave some fans a little shock with their announcement Patton Oswalt would join the Amazon LOTR TV series as a young Gollum.
Meanwhile Tolkien book collectors had a bit of fun, announcing the publication of a super deluxe edition of the one-page Tolkien poem “Goblin Feet.”

Upcoming talks/events

Mythmoot VIII: Annual Speculative Literature Conference – “The World Ahead”
24-27 June 2021
https://signumuniversity.org/mythmoot/

Tolkien Society Seminar #2 “Tolkien and Diversity”
Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th July 2021 – online - free

The next Tolkien Society Seminar will be in July and is focusing on the theme of “Tolkien and Diversity.” There is currently a call for papers, deadline is Friday 23rd April 2021. Details here:
https://www.tolkiensociety.org/events/tolkien-society-summer-seminar/
https://www.tolkiensociety.org/2021/02/call-for-papers-released-tolkien-society-summer-seminar-tolkien-and-diversity/

International Medieval Congress
Monday 5th to Friday 9th July 2021 – online - £120 (full) / £75 (concessionary)
Leeds University
https://www.imc.leeds.ac.uk/imc-2021/

The Tolkien sessions for the International Medieval Congress have been finalised. Dr. Andrew Higgins is taking over organising these from Dr. Dimtra Fimi. There looks to be some wonderful talks lined up, Details can be found here:
http://wotanselvishmusings.blogspot.com/2021/02/eglerio-tolkien-sessions-at-leeds-imc.html