Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Westmoot @westmoot.org · 2d

“It’s a good day for long tales, for questions and for answers, so Tom will start the talking.” (JRRT)

#Westmoot isn’t just about the engaging presentations, it’s also about the questions and discussions that follow. You never know what may arise. Cheers to those who ask!

#Westmoot25 #intothewest

A vibrant collage of four individuals asking questions at Westmoot 2025.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 6d

This past summer, #Westmoot26 committee member Ty Harnar wore his Westmoot shirt to DragonCon. There he met many familiar characters (and buildings!) from Tolkien’s legendarium. We love seeing these awesome cosplays!

Get yourself a shirt on our website! www.westmoot.org

#westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot 2026 committee member Ty Harnar, wearing his green Westmoot shirt, stands beside two cosplayers at DragonCon 2025, one portraying Gandalf the Grey and the other portraying the stronghold of Barad-dûr as seen in Peter Jackson’s trilogy, with the Eye of Sauron at the top.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 8d

Janet Brennan Croft and Tim Lenz introduced The Mythopoeic Society to our #Westmoot25 attendees in an engaging presentation. Janet, who serves as chair of the society, introduced Mythlore, their journal of peer-reviewed scholarly articles, only one of their many publications!

#westmoot #intothewest

Two images of two speakers, Tim Lenz and Janet Brennan Croft, addressing the audience through microphones at Westmoot 2025.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 13d

The Hobbits would have loved to hang out with Elizabeth Perico, the Head of Operations and Programming for #Westmoot25, when she visited the Weston Brewing Company!

Where are you wearing your Westmoot shirt? You can still get one on our website!

www.westmoot.org

#westmoot #intothewest

Elizabeth Perico, the Head of Operations and Programming for Westmoot 2025, wearing her green Westmoot shirt, posing in front of the Weston Brewing Company building while traveling.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 16d

At #Westmoot25, Subcommittee member Ed Burley @edburley.bsky.social presented, “There and Back Again: Tolkien’s War from Cannock Chase to the Some and Little Haywood” exploring the historical context of Tolkien’s experiences in the First World War. Thanks, Ed!

#westmoot #intothewest

Ed Burley presenting to an audience, engaging with the group while using visual aids showing actor Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 20d

At #Westmoot25, the Athrabeth podcast presented, “The Unsung Underachievers of Tolkien’s Legendarium” with special guest Knewbettadobetta, each choosing a character from Tolkien’s work who they think did not live up to their potential, the ‘wet noodles’ of Arda.

#westmoot #intothewest

Three individuals, Stef Midlock, Jude Vais, and Willie Jenkins, seated at a table, each with a microphone, engaged in discussion at Westmoot 2025.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 22d

At #Westmoot25, James Tauber gave his presentation, “The State of the Digital Tolkien Project” outlining the goals, recent development, and future plans of the Tolkien Society Award winning Digital Tolkien Project.

#westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot 2025 subcommittee member, James Tauber, in glasses and a black shirt addresses the audience while speaking.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 26d

A week ago, lovely #Westmoot25 attendees and committee members met at #Oxonmoot for a photo. It was a wonderful time in Oxford, and what a pleasure it was to see our Westmoot pals again. It made us excited for #Westmoot26!

Thanks for a great moot, @tolkiensociety.org!

#westmoot #intothewest

A group of Westmoot attendees and committee members (many dressed in green Westmoot shirts) standing in front of an ornate door at Oxonmoot, showcasing camaraderie and enthusiasm.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · 28d

In his #Westmoot25 paper, “What Did Sam Know? Estel, Defiance, and Antidotes to Despair Today,” Marc Mullinax examined the concept of Estel through the lens of selected modern philosophers, and explored how Sam carries hope forward in difficult times.

#westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot 2025 speaker, Marc Mullinax, sitting at a table with his laptop open, engaged in his presentation. Two screens are behind Marc showing the title page of his slides, with a large image of Samwise Gamgee being portrayed by actor Sean Astin. There is a green Rohan textile in the foreground.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Sep 5

Westmoot folks who are attending Oxonmoot this weekend- we’re going to take a Westmoot group photo in front of the dining hall at 11:30! Spread the word! See you soon!

#westmoot #oxonmoot #intothewest

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Sep 5

From all of us at Westmoot, we hope everyone has a great time this weekend at #Oxonmoot, whether you are attending in-person or online!

Pictured here is Frodo Baggins- oops, we meant Zak Francis, carrying the Ring to Mordor and making a quick stop at #Westmoot25.

#westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot 2025 attendee, Zak Francis, dressed as Frodo Baggins in a green waistcoat, is holding Sting and a yellow ring, appearing heroic as he presents the One Ring to the audience.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Sep 2

Our #Westmoot25 subcommittee member, Ian Barnstead, gave his presentation, “Tolkien, Newman, and Conscience” exploring the depths of choice made by Tolkien’s characters through the lens of English Catholic writer, John Henry Newman’s examination of conscience.

#westmoot #intothewest

A man, Westmoot 2025 subcommittee member Ian Barnstead, seated at a table and holding a sheet of paper, confidently delivering his presentation. There are screens behind him with an image of red poppies.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 29

“Beneath the roof of sleeping leaves the dreams of trees unfold…” (JRRT).

Our #Westmoot25 attendees embraced their inner Hobbit and planted trees in Kansas City with Rev. Kelly Demo and local group Bridging the Gap. What a lovely way to honor Tolkien’s love of trees!

#westmoot #intothewest

A collage of three images showing Westmoot 2025 attendees planting trees in a sunny outdoor setting in Kansas City.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 26

For our #Westmoot25 attendees with “…the Elvish appetite for music and poetry and tales” (JRRT), composer Paul Corfield Godfrey gave an introduction to his upcoming project, “Musical Chapters from The Lord of the Rings after the mythology of J. R. R. Tolkien.”

#westmoot #intothewest

Westmoot 2025 special guest, Paul Corfield Godfrey, stands confidently at a lectern, addressing the audience.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 22

Artist Yifan Jia shows off her beautiful work at #Westmoot25, including her gorgeous, gold leafed portrait of Finrod. We were so fortunate to have many talented artists inspired by the work of JRR Tolkien join us in the art show last year.

#westmoot #intothewest

Artist Yifan Jia stands behind a table filled with her artwork at Westmoot 2025. Numerous portraits can be seen of characters from the Professor’s legendarium, showcasing Yifan’s connection to the work of JRR Tolkien.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 20

Tolkien scholar and author Nicholas Birns presented his paper, “Freedom From History in Tolkien” at #westmoot25 in which he explored three thematic locales that could be argued are set apart from history in Middle-earth.

#westmoot #intothewest

Presenter Nicholas Birns in a suit, addresses a group of attentive listeners at Westmoot 2025.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 15

Before the start of the #westmoot25 weekend, the Tolkien Society of Kansas City and the National WWI Museum & Monument hosted a fun Tolkien Trivia Night! Many of our attendees tested their knowledge of the Professor’s legendarium and took part in a costume contest.

#westmoot #intothewest

A collage image showing a festive gathering of individuals at a Tolkien Trivia Night before Westmoot 2025 began. Hosts Elizabeth Perico and James Tauber smile with a projector screen illuminating the scene with engaging content; people engaged in a costume contest; a group of people at a table giving high-fives to celebrate a correct answer and a group photo of the Tolkien Society of Kansas City.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 13

In his #westmoot25 keynote address “Vulnerability and Compassion,” famed artist Donato Giancola discussed his portrayal of moments of empathy and compassion, bonding his subjects in acts of friendship- traits that were key to the success in the quest to destroy the One Ring.

#westmoot #intothewest

Artist Donato Giancola stands at a lectern, speaking confidently to the audience during his Keynote presentation at Westmoot 2025.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 9

“Then at last his gaze was held: wall upon wall, battlement upon battlement, black, immeasurably strong, mountain of iron, gate of steel, tower of adamant, he saw it: Barad-dûr, Fortress of Sauron.” (JRR Tolkien)

Gaze upon Rowan Mahajan's stunning “Atelier Barad-dûr” at #Westmoot25!

#westmoot

Attendee Rowan Mahajan, dressed in a black gown and gloves, captivates the audience from the stage of the Westmoot 2025 Opening Night Masquerade, exuding elegance and confidence. The bespoke gown is crafted to look like the tower of Barad-dûr, with the great Eye of Sauron on Rowan’s chest.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 8

At #Westmoot25, Dr. Katherine Wyma presented, ’We are too closely akin, in many ways besides blood’: Familial Relationships and Camaraderie in the Time-travel Writings of JRR Tolkien and Connie Willis“ exploring the use of dreams as an indicator of familial and relational belonging.

#westmoot

A woman, Dr. Katherine Cooper Wyma, wearing a green Westmoot shirt addresses an audience at Westmoot 2025 while holding a microphone.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 7

In the words of Bilbo, we wish to make an announcement! (JRR Tolkien)

Westmoot will return in 2026!

More information will be available in the coming months, so keep your eyes on this space! We hope to see you there!

#westmoot #westmoot26 #intothewest

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Aug 1

Robert Au @jankybarns.bsky.social, #westmoot25 attendee and co-organizer of the Carrock Smial, wore his #Westmoot shirt while berry picking in Northern California!

You’ll look -berry- snazzy in a #Westmoot shirt too, grab one below and tag us when you wear it!
www.westmoot.org

#intothewest

A person, Robert Au, wearing a hat and green Westmoot shirt holds a bucket in a sunny outdoor setting. His right hand is extended toward the viewer and is filled with fresh berries. Berry bushes can be seen behind him full of red berries.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Jul 29

The Blue Wizards may have gone east in Middle-earth, but we’re glad they came back west for #westmoot!

We are inspired by these beautiful raiments created by Donna and Robert Miller, embodying #Tolkien’s Ithryn Luin (Blue Wizards) during the #westmoot25 Opening Night Masquerade.

#intothewest

A stage scene featuring two performers, Donna and Robert Miller, in elaborate costumes, captivating the audience with their theatrical display as J. R. R. Tolkien’s Blue Wizards during Westmoot 2025 Opening Night Masquerade.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Jul 25

Let’s give it up again for our amazing #westmoot25 special guest and opening night MC, @knewbettadobetta.bsky.social! A Tolkien scholar, educator, and content creator, KnewBettaDoBetta’s passion for the Professor's works is electric. It was a pleasure to work with him.

#westmoot #intothewest

KnewBettaDoBetta, wearing a green Westmoot shirt stands confidently at a lectern, addressing the audience at the opening night celebrations at Westmoot 2025.

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Westmoot @westmoot.org · Jul 22

Professor emeritus Marc Mullinax gives his presentation at #westmoot25, “What Did Sam Know? Estel, Defiance, and Antidotes to Despair Today” exploring the rejuvenation of Estel (hope) today through the lens of Tolkien's words and works of modern philosophers.

#westmoot #tolkien #intothewest

A man, presenter Marc Mullinax, wearing a grey shirt that says “Ranger”, reading from a laptop while sitting at a table, engaged in his presentation at Westmoot 2025.

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