This is Tolkien Week, and Tolkien enthusiasts will have several reasons to celebrate!
First, the new (next) trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. ET. I’m hoping for some new footage that we haven’t seen yet!
Next, September 21 marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit (1937.) The first print run was only 1,500 copies. Since that time, The Hobbit has undergone several revisions (to bring it into line with Tolkien’s changing ideas as he wrote The Lord of the Rings), but it has never been out of print. The Hobbit enjoys worldwide popularity, and has been translated into at least 54 languages and dialects, including Esperanto. And unless you’ve been living in a goblin cave, you’re no doubt aware that it’s now being made into a three-part movie by Peter Jackson, New Line Productions, and Warner Bros. films.
You can celebrate the 75th anniversary with Second Breakfast, a world-wide event taking place at 11:00 local time on Sept. 21. Go to Hobbit Second Breakfast for information, including a recipe for seedcake and a printable bunting to decorate your home or office space. I’ve already marked my calendar.
True aficionados will also celebrate Bilbo and Frodo’s birthdays on September 22, also known as Hobbit Day. WikiHow has some suggestions on how to observe this festal day. Just be sure to include plenty of food — and cake!
Finally, the Hobbit movie blog has posted character portraits of Gandalf, Bilbo, and the dwarves. Enjoy!
| Gloin (Gimli’s father. The axe is a nice touch, don’t you think?) |
Leave a comment to let me know how you plan to celebrate Tolkien this week!
Sources:
“The Hobbit.” Wikpedia article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hobbit
“How To Celebrate Hobbit Day.” WikiHow. http://www.wikihow.com/Celebrate-Hobbit-Day
“Hobbit Day and Tolkien Week.” The American Tolkien Society. http://www.americantolkiensociety.org/hobbit_day_and_tolkien_week.htm
The Hobbit Second Breakfast website: http://www.hobbitsecondbreakfast.com/
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Character Gallery.” The Hobbot Blog. http://www.thehobbitblog.com/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey-character-gallery/?pid=473
“Translations of The Hobbit.” Wikpedia article. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Translations_of_The_Hobbit
