Activities
Something about the activities of The Finnish Tolkien Society.
Meetings
We organize four official meetings each year:
The Annual Fest on the third of January is a celebration of the founding of the Finnish Tolkien Society and naturally also the birthday of Tolkien himself. Out of all of our meetings it is by far the most formal and academic one - but not at the expence of merriness. The official program includes dining, speeches and a toast to J.R.R. Tolkien as well as some music usually performed by our members.
The official matters of the past year are handled, the previous year's accounts formally approved as well and the commettee discharged from liability at the spring meeting. The rest of the program, however, is less formal.
The summer meeting, sometimes known as a "hobbit picnic", is traditionally held in Suomenlinna, an old island fort near Helsinki. At the summer meeting, the barbeque is at the center of everything. There are light activities as well, in which everyone present may participate.
A new Committee is elected at the election meeting, which is held in the autumn. Regular monthly meetings are held in Helsinki. Similar activities exist (or at least have existed) in Turku as well.
Smials
Most of the activities of the Finnish Tolkien Society, however, take place in Smials, or local "hobby-clubs". (The word 'smial' means the holes the Hobbits live in.) Members of the Smials play various games, such as roleplaying games, fantasy-related board and card games and so onm as well as discuss the works of Tolkien and his incredibly rich world and stories. Some go on outings to woods, cook hobbit-style (i.e. a lot and often), watch videos, or participate in various events, such as RopeCon, the largest roleplayers' convention in Finland, or meetings of the Finnish Tolkien Society. In short, Smials do what ever they can think of to entertain themselves.
Most Smials participate in the Smial-competition organized by the Society. The Smials report on their activities and are awarded points for doing "Tolkien-related" activities. The most active Smial of the year is rewarded.
To get information about the Smials please contact our Smial Official. To start your own smial you need at least to people, at least one of whom must be a member of the Finnish Tolkien Society.
The contact information of the Smial Official is
Miikka Uotila
Finninmäenkatu 4 A 2
33710 Tampere
Finland
micin_ (at) msn.com
Other activities
Other activities of the Finnish Tolkien Society include participating in various literature and fantasy related events, keeping in touch with other Tolkien societies around the world, and cooperation with various parties concerning various projects related to the works of J.R.R.Tolkien. The Society also has an archive, under the care of Mikael Ahlström.