The Return of the Ring

The Return of the Ring
Location	Loughborough University, England
Organizer	The Tolkien Society
Dates	16-20 August 2012

The Return of the Ring: Celebrating Tolkien in 2012 was a large convention hosted by The Tolkien Society after the success of Tolkien 2005. It was held at Loughborough University, England, on 16-20 August, 2012. The convention marked the 75^th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit.

Events

• Academic streams (two or three in lecture theatres): lectures, panels, visual presentations, etc.
• Creative stream: hand-on doing things, workshops and the like.
• Fandom stream: anything that is inspired through fandom.
• Dealers’ Room: there is a good sized room for the dealers on the ground floor with space for signings.
• Art Show: we have a nice light, airy room to display art to good advantage.
• Bar and hospitality facilities: a large bar in a central area on the ground floor and a caffeteria [sic] on the first floor.
• Child-friendly activities for younger people with their parents (we won’t be providing child minding or a crèche)
• Tours: we're planning to repeat the popular coach trips to Birmingham and Oxford, and possibly elsewhere too.
  —"Streams"

Guests

Tom Shippey Tolkien polemic. Author, The Road to Middle-earth   Ted Nasmith Renowned Tolkien artist   Kate Madison Director, producer and actor of Born of Hope Kate Madison Director, producer and actor of Born of Hope   Brian Sibley Author and screenwriter   Verlyn Flieger Academic and author   Corey Olsen Podcaster and professor Corey Olsen Podcaster and professor   John Garth Author, Tolkien and the Great War John Garth Author, Tolkien and the Great War   Colin Duriez Author and Inklings scholar Colin Duriez Author and Inklings scholar   Chris Bouchard Director and producer of The Hunt for Gollum Chris Bouchard Director and producer of The Hunt for Gollum   Bob Blackham Author of The Roots of Tolkien's Middle-earth Bob Blackham Author of The Roots of Tolkien's Middle-earth   Dimitra Fimi Author and lecturer in myth and folklore

Video from Peter Jackson, Alan Lee, John Howe

In addition to donating two items for the auction (A The Lord of the Rings (extended edition) Blu-ray boxset and a ComicCon 2012 The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey poster, both signed by Jackson), Peter Jackson, Alan Lee, and John Howe sent their greetings and best wishes to the Return of the Ring. The video was played at the opening ceremony to the event.

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See also

• Tolkien 2005
• Oxonmoot
• Mythcon

External links

• Official Website
• BBC News: "In pictures: Return of the Ring Festival"