Ekaterina Shulman and Andrei Strotsev about J.R.R. Tolkien 22 December 2024

On December 22, political scientist Ekaterina Shulman and anthropologist Andrei Strotsev will discuss the last chapters of The Lord of the Rings, which were not included in the film adaptation known to all: the return of the heroes to the occupied and crushed home, which is yet to be liberated and restored.

The focus of the meeting is the paradoxical ending of the Lord of the Rings novel. When the hobbits return home after defeating Sauron, they realize that it is far from over - their home has been invaded by another enemy. What did this episode mean to Tolkien himself? How was it understood in different times and in different countries? What does the absence of this plot in almost all adaptations tell us?

Andrei Strotsev will describe how Tolkien created the last chapters of his novel, not knowing until the last moment what would happen to the main characters. Andrei will also discuss different reader's interpretations of the episode of the "sweep of the Shire".

Ekaterina Shulman will talk about how the finale of The Lord of the Rings reflects, on the one hand, episodes of the author's biography and the history of 20th century Europe, and on the other hand, the poetics of Scandinavian and Celtic mythology, in which victory is only a prologue to the final defeat. What is homecoming in Tolkien's world? Where is true home and is it possible to return there? Why are some journeys a "there and back" journey, while others the road takes them away from their homelands forever?

In the second part of the meeting, the speakers will answer questions from the audience.

You can purchase a parterre or balcony ticket. Seating is free on each level. If you want to support the Echo, you can choose a more expensive ticket.