A new Tolkien-inspired event in Wales will celebrate all things Middle-earth

With the huge success of The Lord Of The Rings movies, and rumours spreading like wild-fire about who will take the helm for the two Hobbit films ( ? Yay!), the time has never been more right for an ꦗevent dedicated to the life and works of JRR Tolkien and all things Middle-earth.

This year, from 13 August until 15 August, Festival In The Shire is promising more than just your average fantasy convention. The festival is being held in 🗹Pontrhydfendigaid in Wales, and not only does it offer the usual community atmosphere and the sale of memorabilia, visitors will also have the chance to sit in on several conferences (titled "Welsh i🌱nfluences on the works of JRR Tolkien") from respected Tolkien professionals such as Tom Shippey and Colin Duriez.

Organiser Mark Faith : "There is a huge following for Tolkien [who] created his Middle-earth for academic 🔯reasons rather than for today's comꩵmercial reasons. The fans ... are enthusiasts but they have a certain amount of knowledge and expect an event that caters to their interest."