Oxonmoot 2024

Over the past few years, Maureen or Uinen, has taught Zumba and Yoga like sessions with a Middle Earth theme. Join her for a session to strengthen, stretch, and laugh to help connect with each other through movement. This session is open to all. Sit, stand, or observe from the arms of an Ent friend. Wear comfortable clothes, costumes if you like, fitness shoes, or just your hairy bare-feet. Look forward to familiar music associated with Middle Earth and those from our own world that very much feel like Middle Earth. Please note, although we have had reformed orcs in our number in past sessions, I am pleased to say no hobbits have been snacked upon! To date…

We have participants from several countries: surely with knowledge of translated editions in many different languages. Share your stories! What is Barliman Butterbur called in your language? How did the publishers of different countries deal with the tengwar and runes on the books: do you know of professionally translated inscriptions, annoyingly obvious mistakes or curiously original choices of localisation? Is there any peculiarity of Tolkien’s texts which are especially difficult to be presented in some language you know? Are there any misinterpretations in the editions you first read which you realised only when seeing the original texts or even the movies? Do you have translated editions with lovely or absurd illustrations by local artists? Do you know of fan-made adaptations in your country? Let us discover the different experiences and treasures of this wonderfully international community!

*THE SPEAKER WILL NOW BE ONLINE*
How we envisioned and created the city of Umbar to integrate with the parts of the world more clearly defined by Tolkien in the Lord of the Rings Online game.

Join the Alliance of Arda in a reading session dedicated to inclusive readings of Tolkien. Participants will have a chance to bring short readings from Tolkien's legendarium that speak to us inclusively along lines of issues including but not limited to race, disability, age, gender and sexuality, and discuss them together from our own experiences of both the legendarium and fandom. We hope that this will be an opportunity to see Middle-earth from some new perspectives with compassion and empathy and find community and representation in some perhaps unexpected corners of Arda!

Attend this active 30/30/30 writing session, split into three parts – conversation, creation, and community. Whether you write or read darkfic, crackfic, romance, humor, canon compliant, AUs, or any other form of fanfictional delights (no matter the rating or word count), all are welcome to participate! Drop in to write or read – prompts provided for those who are interested, WIPs and Ships always welcome – either in-person or online. During this creative session, Ann, Maglor, Nuinzilien, and Zhie will facilitate discussion on why we create fanfiction, what leads us to adding to the tales of Middle-earth and the characters and scenes from the Legendarium and Tolkien’s other works, and the importance of representation in fanfiction. (30 min Panel Discussion with optional audience participation, 30 min quiet time for creating or reading in-person or from the comfort of your remote location, 30 min sharing your work or what you’re currently reading and your love of fanfiction.)