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CFP: Tolkien the Pagan? Reading Middle-earth through a Spiritual Lens, Sunday 1 July in Leeds

  • January 13, 2018 – 12:58 pm
  • Posted in CFP

We are now calling for papers for The Tolkien Society Seminar 2018, which will be held on Sunday 1 July in Leeds at the Hilton Leeds City. The theme is Tolkien the Pagan? Reading Middle-earth through a Spiritual Lens.

Call for Papers

Tolkien the Pagan? Reading Middle-earth through a Spiritual Lens

The Tolkien Society invites individuals from both scholarly and non-academic backgrounds who have an interest in Tolkien to apply.

Papers may consider, but are not limited to, the following topics:

  • Characters’ faith and devotion within Tolkien’s narratives
  • Non-Christian readings of Tolkien’s fiction
  • Neo-pagan movements based on Tolkien’s mythology
  • Invented religions in fantasy fiction

Considering the nature of the conference’s topic, delegates are encouraged to exercise restraint and be mindful of the individual beliefs of their fellow conference-goers.

We are now accepting proposals for 20-minute papers, followed by questions. Prospective speakers are invited to send abstracts of no more than 300 words, along with a short biography, by Friday 6 April.

Submit your abstract online here.

About the Seminar

The Tolkien Society Seminar is a one-day conference of academic of talks and panel discussions on a specific theme. Held most years since 1986, the date and venue used to vary each time, but it is now held in Leeds on the Sunday before the start of the International Medieval Congress (IMC).

There will be six Tolkien-related sessions at the IMC in 2018:

  • Memory in Tolkien’s Medievalism, I (Monday 2 July, 11:15–12:45)
  • Memory in Tolkien’s Medievalism, II (Monday 2 July, 14:15–15:45)
  • ‘New’ Tolkien: Expanding the Canon (Monday 2 July, 16:30–18:00)
  • Tolkien: Medieval Roots and Modern Branches, I (Tuesday 3 July, 14:15–15:45)
  • Medieval Roots and Modern Branches, II (Tuesday 3 July, 16:30–18:00)
  • Tolkien in Context(s): A Round Table Discussion (Tuesday 3 July, 19:00–20:00)

Visit Dr Dimitra Fimi’s blog for more information.

Registration

Registration is now open.

Registration costs £25 for members and £30 for non-members, and includes refreshments throughout the day, catered breaks and sandwiches for lunch.