After some time without posting, I hope to write a few entries this month. The first one is simply a compilation of funny, clever images related to Middle-earth. Most images I found from facebook, whether friends send them to me, or from two pages: I Bardi della Terra di Mezzo and http://www.facebook.com/ProudfootEsq, or other sites. I'm sure you have seen some already, though you may have not seen all of them. So here it is, some Tolkien-humour, number 2!
Yesterday I came upon a remarkable news.... THE HOBBIT WILL BE PUBLISHED IN LATIN! I came upon the news through the facebook page of The Tolkien Society, which linked to the news ofthebookseller.com.
The Hobbit in Latin will bear the title Hobbitus Ille, and will be published by HarperCollins in September 2012, celebrating the 75th anniversary of Bilbo's story. Amazon shows a publication date of September 13th. It will have 320 pages, and a price of 12.99 pounds.The translator is Mark Walker, who has several publications in Latin Language. This is his webpage.
It seems the first references of this news were on October 24th 2011, in the tolkienguide.com site. But that post yesterday from thebookseller.com spread the news all over the Tolkien World.
While doing some research on further information on this topic, I found a blog called TolkienBritta, which as well has a reference to this news. It seems to be a very interesting blog, hopefully I shall read it throughly, and post an entry about it. Meanwhile, I invite you to have a look.
Finally, let me tell you the reason I'm so excited about The Hobbit being translated into Latin: I'm learning Latin at university right now! I did not have the chance to learn latin in high school, like students in other countries, so I'm in the first of six latin courses my carreer (classical philology) takes. So practicing Latin while reading the story of Bilbo, Gandalf and the Thirteen Dwarves..... perfect!
The first line of the book has been shared byt HarperCollins: In foramine terrae habitabat hobbitus..... "In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit...."
Tengwar is a metal band from Argentina, founded in 2003, who, as the name suggests, bases its lyrics on Tolkien's works. The band has two EPs and one full-length album, which was released last year: The Halfling Forth Shall Stand.
Their current lineup, according to their facebook page, is the following:
Thorvi: Vocals, Iberian lute and hurdy-gurdy Fërin: Drums and percussion Tryzwen: Bass Halatir: Guitars, additional lead and backing vocals Khâli: Galician bagpipes and recorders Feredur: Fiddle, mandolin and bodhran Graëwyn: Recorders. flute, tin whistles and crumhorn
The band's name is after the alphabet Tengwar (which literally means "letters"), devised by Fëanor during the First Age. More information about the alphabet Tengwar you can find in here.
Their album The Halfling Forth Shall Stand. has 15 tracks, and was released in 2011. The songs follow the plot of the first volume of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. By reading the band members and their instruments, you can get an idea on how the band sounds, they combine a lot of flute playing with excellent violin playing, a high-pitched male voice, drums, occasional growling, etc. It's a long album, 66 minutes of music, though it is very enjoyable. More information about the violin playing, in this nice Volins in Metal blog.
Their first EP is called The Pilgrim's March, released in 2005, and it contains two tracks: Marching South, and The Pilgrim's Gone.
In 2008 they released their second EP called Tengwesta Quendion, containing 5 tracks of which Namarië is definitely a highlight, though it was not included in their full-length album. The other songs include Tengwar, Bear Skin, Trotto, and Visions of Mortality.
Finally, in 2011 they released The Halfling Forth Shall Stand.
1. Return of the Shadow
2. A Long Expected Fading
3. The Halfling's Rise
4. War Begins
5. Marching South
6. Snow and Defeat
7. The Password
8. A Dwarf Sings in the Dark
9. Fire and Shadow Defied
10. The Pilgrim's Gone
11. In the Land of the Golden Trees
12. Farewell
13. The Swan
14. Uruks
15. The Bearer's Choice
My favorite songs are The Pilgrim's Gone, War Begins and The Bearer's Choice, short instrumental songs, like The Halfling's Rise, and Uruks, an excellent instrumental song that reminds me of Folkearth's Instrumental.
This is a live footage of Uruks, awesome song, for the album version, go here. Watch their energy and awesome performing!
I hope you enjoy this band, they deserve our admiration. And as always, if you like the band, support it and buy their cd!
Tomorrow, March 25th, is celebrated worldwide the TOLKIEN READING DAY. This date was chose because according to the Tale of Years, the Chronology of the Westlands, appearing in Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings, March 25th is the day of the Downfall of Barad-dûr and the passing of Sauron.
The is the ninth year this special day was celebrated. It started in 2003, and it's purpose is "to invite everyone to discover and enjoy the books written by J.R.R. Tolkien through talking about them and through activities associated with them". The topic for this year is "75 years of The Hobbit". People gather themselves in libraries or reading groups, and read and discuss the works. Others read with their families, others do it alone. The Tolkien Society webpage offers some educational resources, specially for children, like activity suggestions, walkthroughs to The Hobbit, or information about runes. For detailed information: http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ed/tolkienreadingday_2012.html. Also, the history of this day is explained in an article in the same webpage: http://www.tolkiensociety.org/ed/tolkienreadingday.html. The facebook event is this one, it has links to some activities around the world. Also don't forget to check your local Tolkien Society activities! http://www.facebook.com/events/347887218582891/
Besides, "mymiddle.earth.net" site is organizing a photo-contest, in which if you submit a picture of yourself reading your favorite Tolkien books, you may win one of 5 The Hobbit kindle e-books! Go ahead and submit your photograph, I'm thinking about submitting one myself! The submissions I most like:
So, remember, March 25th, go ahead and have a great time reading Tolkien! Though probably, if you are reading this, you don't need a special day todo so. :)
EDIT: Two more submissions that are worth showing, now that the contest has finished (by some reason they did not publish the winners):
Thanks to Jeffrey for the image above!
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