Tolkien Reading Day 2023: Tolkien Reading Day is celebrated annually on March 25. Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s extensive bibliography count today as one of their favored days of the entire year. Fans across the globe seek out their beloved Tolkien works in order to reread the books, discuss them with friends, and escape the mundane world of Earth for the otherworldly, enchanted realm of Middle-earth.
HISTORY OF TOLKIEN READING DAY
Tolkien Reading Day was instituted in 2003 by the Tolkien Society after Sean Kirst, a newspaper columnist from Syracuse, New York, proposed the holiday. The purpose of the celebration is to recognize the immense literary output of John Ronald Reuel (J.R.R.) Tolkien, the genre’s progenitor, and to encourage educators and library groups to promote Tolkien reading in their communities and ensure that people have access to his works.
The date of March 25 was chosen because it commemorates the defeat of Sauron, a major antagonist in “The Lord of the Rings.” Since 2008, Kirst has organized Tolkien Reading Day annually.
Even before his death in 1973, Tolkien’s fame reached cult proportions. The ‘Tolkienist’ fanatical subculture emerged in the United States during the 1960s, as “The Lord of the Rings” exploded in prominence after its publication between 1954 and 1955. In 1960, the first meeting of the fan society known as “The Fellowship of the Ring” took place at Worldcon, the World Science Fiction Convention.
Tolkien’s work influenced many authors in the high fantasy genre, but it also influenced contemporary pop culture elements such as games (board games, video games, and card games), music, action figures, jewelry, apparel, and even fonts that you can use in your own writing. Why not use the Elven Common Speak font for your business letter or presentation? Hopefully, the following suggestions and others will inspire your own Tolkien Reading Day celebration!
National Cocktail Day 2023: Date, History, Significance of the day
Maryland Day 2023: Date, History, Significance, Facts
Greek Independence Day 2023: Interesting Facts about Greece
TOLKIEN READING DAY ACTIVITIES
Listen to a Tolkien podcast
Numerous Tolkien fans have begun their own blogs and/or podcasts to discuss his works. Share their enthusiasm for Tolkien’s literature through the following podcasts: That’s What I Love About Tolkien, Tea with Tolkien, or The Tolkien Road.
A game of Tolkien trivia
Everyone enjoys a good trivia contest, which can be experienced virtually if necessary. There are over 300 online Tolkien quizzes available.
Organize a viewing soiree
Invite fellow Tolkien fans over for a movie night featuring one of “The Hobbit” or “Lord of the Rings” episodes. Request that they arrive dressed as their favorite movie character to increase the fun factor.
5 LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS BY TOLKIEN
English Dictionary Oxford
Tolkien worked at the Oxford English Dictionary after World War I, where he wrote about the history and etymology of Germanic words beginning with the letter W, such as ‘waggle’ to ‘warlock.’
University College of Leeds
Tolkien joined the University of Leeds as a Reader in English Language in 1920, and only a couple of years later, he was promoted to full professor.
“Letters from Saint Nicholas”
This posthumously published work was a compilation of numerous letters from Father Christmas, also known as Santa Claus, that Tolkien wrote to his children between 1920 and 1943.
The Silmarillion (The Silmarillion)
This compilation of Tolkien’s works was compiled by his son Christopher Tolkien and published posthumously in 1977. It won the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel in 1978.
“A Translation and Commentary on Beowulf”
From 1920 to 1926, Tolkien translated the epic poem “Beowulf”; decades later, his son Christopher edited and published it in 2014.
TOLKIEN READING DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 25 | Saturday |
| 2024 | March 25 | Monday |
| 2025 | March 25 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | March 25 | Wednesday |
| 2027 | March 25 | Thursday |
