Digital Tolkien Symposium attracts 1,500 participants

On Saturday, May 16th, Pembroke College’s annual Tolkien Lecture on Fantasy Literature convened its first-ever virtual symposium, titled ‘Fantasy in Times of Crisis.’ Six of the lecture series’ past and upcoming speakers participated in this symposium: Kij Johnson (2013), Adam Roberts (2014), Lev Grossman (2015), Terri Windling (2016), V.E. Schwab (2018), and R.F. Kuang (postponed, 2021). The panel was hosted via Zoom and streamed concurrently on YouTube Live. The Tolkien Lecture committee raised £860 for the Society of Authors’ Covid-19 Emergency Fund, surpassing its fundraising goal of £500.

The panel discussion was led by Tolkien Lecture co-founder and committee member Gabriel Schenk (DPhil English, 2010). Some of the topics discussed included how global crisis has affected these authors’ creative processes, the importance of writing in community, and the role of fantasy in providing messages of hope to readers in difficult times.  

The broadcast was attended by nearly 1500 viewers from around the world, who engaged in the conversation by submitting questions to the panelists online. A team of past and present Pembroke students helped put the event together, and moderated the live comments: Ariana Zlioba (MPhil Politics, 2018); Lindsey Cohick (MPhil International Relations, 2016); Will Brockbank (DPhil Medieval English, 2015); Will Badger (DPhil English, 2011); Louis Morris (DPhil History, 2017). 

The Tolkien Lecture Committee would like to thank Pembroke College, each of our panelists, and all the viewers for making this event such a success. You can find a recording of the panel discussion, past lectures, and more information about the lecture series at tolkienlecture.org.