Last week, I joined the Dutch Tolkien Society for a special event: the annual Tolkien toast. At precisely 9 p.m. on January 3rd, fans across the world raise a glass to honor "The Professor." It’s a celebration of Tolkien's birthday, but for me, it turned into an eye-opening exploration of what it means to love Middle-earth.
Over dinner, I discovered two fascinating groups within the Tolkien fandom. There are the Ardarians —the meticulous historians of Middle-earth. They’re all about the lore, the timelines, and the geography. They want the adaptations to stick to Tolkien's writings like glue. Then there are the Tolkienists, who dive deep into Tolkien himself: his life, inspirations, and the big themes in his stories. They tend to embrace creative interpretations, like The Rings of Power, even when they stray from the original texts.
The conversations were lively, respectful, and—let’s be honest—pretty nerdy. But that’s what makes fandom great, isn’t it? You can debate Galadriel’s characterization in The Rings of Power or analyze the psychology of the ringbearers in Lord of the Rings, and still raise a glass together at the end of the night.
For me? I think I’m a little bit of both. I adore Tolkien's original works and appreciate staying true to his vision. But as a storyteller, I also understand the creative choices behind adaptations. Sometimes, the medium demands change.
What about you? Are you more of a Tolkienist, an Ardarian, or a mix of both? Share your thoughts, and tune into my latest podcast episode to hear more about this unique evening and the surprising insights I learned from fellow fans.
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