Roman Association of Tolkien Studies (ArsT)
The ArsT, Associazione Romana Studi Tolkieniani (Roman Association of Tolkien Studies), is an Italian association promoting the study, discussion, and enjoyment of fantastic and mythopoeic literature through books and periodicals, annual lectures, discussion groups, and more. We are mainly interested in the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, but also of other prominent members of the informal Oxford literary circle known as the “Inklings” (1930s-1950s): Owen Barfield, C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. We are a non-profit association linked to the English Tolkien Society.
The Associazione Romana Studi Tolkieniani was constituted on 13th November 2005 by a group of enthusiasts, after taking part in the Rive dell’Anduin, a lecture and art event that had taken place in Rome the previous June at the Arciliuto Theatre. From the very beginning the Society’s mission was to bring together Italian Tolkien fans and scholars of like minds, by organising meetings, both formal and informal, throughout the year. The Association is based in Rome, but has members all over the country.
One of the key projects the Association is involved in is the publication of Tolkien scholars’ essays and books, to fulfil which purpose it has collaborated from its very beginning in the book series Tolkien e dintorni edited by Italian publisher Marietti 1820. The Association also co-ordinates a Study Group about Tolkien, in collaboration with the Istituto Filosofico di Studi Tomistici (Philosophical Institute of Thomistic Studies) of Modena. As the Association developed, it became more and more scholarly in character, and Seminars have become a good tradition. Since 2010 the Association (ideally) runs at least a Seminar a year. There are two kinds of Seminars: Lucca Comics Seminar and Tolkien Seminar.
The Tolkien Seminar is an international interdisciplinary lecture that takes place in Modena in collaboration with the Istituto Filosofico di Studi Tomistici. Keynote lecturers and guest international scholars will focus on J.R.R. Tolkien’s life and works. An Italian scholar is usually invited to focus on different but interdisciplinary topics. During Tolkien Seminars there is a meeting on Friday evening, often followed the day after by a trip to a nearby place of interest to let attendees make a week-end of it. Although open to all interested listeners, the event is focused on a specialistic audience.
Reports and information on previous seminars can be read in our web site.
Lucca Comics Seminars take place in Lucca at the end of October during the Lucca Comics and Games convention, each Seminar consisting of five or six talks all centred on a Tolkien-related theme. Themes are launched early in the year with Calls for Papers circulated as widely as possible within the Association, and any member who wishes to can submit a paper. The event is open to all interested listeners, but enrolment is required. At the end, listeners will obtain a certificate of attendance. Reports and information on previous seminars can be read on our web site. Please note that this site is primarily aimed at an Italian audience. Although we do have a few translated ones, taken mostly from other web sites, most articles are written by Italian people.
For more information, contact us at our e-mail.
