Tolkien festival in Pontrhydfendigaid celebrates author

The three-day Festival in the Shire includes an exhibition of Tolkien-inspired art

A three-day festival celebrating the life and work of author JRR Tolkien is being staged in Ceredigion.

The festival in Pontrhydfendigaid will include re-enactments, games, and storytelling.

There will also be lectures on the influence the Welsh language had on Tolkien and his books.

Fans of the writer, leading academics and illustrators are expected to attend the event, which has been organised by a Gwynedd book dealer Mark Faith.

The festival, at the Pavilion in Pontrhydfendigaid, also includes an exhibition of Tolkien-inspired art.

Mr Faith, who runs an art and book dealership in Dinas Mawddwy, Gwynedd, said in June the festival on was a "three-in-one event" combining an academic conference, the art exhibition and a general festival for fans.

JRR Tolkien created an elf language based on Welsh, experts say

He said the conference was for those with a scholarly academic interest.

This will feature internationally respected Tolkien experts such as Tom Shippey, Colin Duriez, John Garth, Corey Olsen, Alex Lewis, Colin Manlove and Verlyn Flieger.

Dr Dimitra Fimi from University of Wales Institute Cardiff, a specialist on Tolkien's Welsh connections and his use of the Welsh language, will also attend the event.

Mr Faith claims the language created by Tolkien, Sindarin (the language of the grey elves of Middle Earth), was based on Welsh phonology and grammar.

He said: "The pavilion (in Pontrhydfendigaid) is an indoor venue, so people can have fun rain or shine, and there are activities for people of all ages.

"We're expecting visitors from around the world from countries such as New Zealand, Malaysia, Japan and the United States."

There will be a shuttle bus to Pontrhydfendigaid from Aberystwyth railway station, which is some 13 miles (22 km) away. Bus and festival tickets are available from the Royal Belle Vue Hotel on Aberystwyth seafront.