Festival in the Shire: A celebration of all things Tolkien inspired. J.R.R. Tolkien inspired Conference, Exhibition and Festival

August 13th -15th, 2010 at Y Plas, Machynlleth, Wales, United Kingdom.


Machynlleth is to host an exciting new international festival next year. Festival in the Shire is a conference, exhibition and fair celebrating themes inspired by the author J.R.R. Tolkien which will be held in the town’s historic Y Plas house and grounds.

This three day festival caters to serious Tolkien fans as well as families and everyone else by holding three separate events for different audiences. Tolkien literature enthusiasts will have the opportunity to delve deeper into Tolkien’s work with a three day conference entitled ‘Welsh influences on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien’. This will feature internationally respected speakers such as Jane Chance, Douglas Anderson, Tom Shippey, Colin Duriez, John Garth, and Verlyn Flieger and includes experts from Welsh universities such as Dimitra Fimi from University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC), a specialist on Tolkien’s Welsh connections and his use of the Welsh language.

Keen collectors of Tolkien’s books and Tolkien inspired art will be delighted at the exhibition element of the festival. The exhibition will showcase rare first editions of Tolkien’s books, original art and other Tolkien artefacts. Many of these pieces are from private collections and unlikely to be shown again. In addition to displaying their paintings some of the famous artists who have illustrated Tolkien’s books will be present at this event and attendees will have the exciting opportunity to meet them and discuss their work. Artists attending include Roger Garland, Ted Nasmith, Jef Murray, Peter Pracownik and Ruth Lacon.

For information or to participate in Festival in the Shire visit www.FestivalintheShire.com or email info@FestivalintheShire.com