Tolkien 2005

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

The program for that conference is quite wonderfully funny. On the evening of Monday 21 August 2006 for example, we learn that: "Evening free for conversations, orientation and rest". Does one have to do all three, or can one do but two? Does one have to do them in order or can one go a bit mad and do them out of sequence?

Even more amusing is the agenda for Thursday 24 August 2006 when after lunch there is a "Free period for rest or shopping". What if one wants to nip down to the Bird and Baby for a pint? Would that be frowned upon do you think?

From the looks of this thing, it is not something from which hoi polloi is being excluded -- quite the reverse! From the price tag, the lack of multiple offerings, the speakers list, the special guests, the paper topics and the location I assume that this is being put on specifically for Tolkien Fans of Means who don't mind dropping a bundle on a fab week walking in the professor's footsteps. I can assure you all that there are very very VERY few academics out there fortunate enough to work for institutions who would be willing to shell out that much money for a conference!