Hobbit Day
September 22 is Hobbit Day! Hobbits are fictional characters created by writer J.R.R. Tolkien for his Middle Earth Cycle Books, better known as The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings.
Hobbit Day is commemorated on the birthday of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, two hobbits, and the heroes of each of Tolkien's books. Hobbits are celebrated on this day for their immeasurable courage and the great feats that they achieve.
Fans of Tolkien gather on this day and throw great celebrations that combine the best of other holidays. There is dressing up in costumes, feasts, gifts and greeting cards, picnics, and fireworks. It is meant to be a commemoration as merry and indulgent as Hobbits are.
Hobbit Day Origin
Hobbit Day was created alongside Tolkien Week by the American Tolkien Society in 1978, to honor Tolkien's great legacy. The holiday remains unofficial but has seen an increase in popularity with the global success of the film adaptations.
The Hobbit was first published in September of 1937 and received critical praise all over. It has remained a classic to this day, as has the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which was published between 1937 and 1949. All four books have been made into huge box office hits, which have allowed Tolkien's stories and characters to reach a much wider, and younger, audience.
"I am in fact a Hobbit in all but size. I like gardens, trees, and unmechanized farmlands; I smoke a pipe, and like good plain food (unrefrigerated), but detest French cooking.
I like, and even dare to wear in these dull days, ornamental waistcoats. I am fond of mushrooms (out of a field); have a very simple sense of humor (which even my appreciative critics find tiresome); I go to bed late and get up late (when possible). I do not travel much."
- J.R.R Tolkien
Hobbits have won the hearts of Tolkien fans all around the world, and are a great role model for children because of their many positive characteristics. Hobbits are extremely loyal creatures, and nothing is more important to them than love and friendship, as shown by Frodo's lifelong friend Samwise Gamgee.
Despite their small stature (standing between two to four feet tall), Hobbits are great adventurers and never shy away from a challenge, proving to be a crucial element in the quests of Middle Earth. Above all, Hobbits are fundamentally good creatures that believe that kindness will always prevail, which allows them to always stay positive in the face of adversity.
How to celebrate Hobbit Day
As evidenced by Bilbo Baggins's birthday party in the opening passages of The Fellowship of the Ring, Hobbit parties are large events filled with food, joy, dancing, and fireworks.
Tolkien fans try to recreate this environment when celebrating Hobbit Day, by throwing great feasts (often with seven meals) and sharing the joy and merriment of being with people that have the same interests.
In honor of the Hobbits' favorite choice of footwear, many fans also spend this day barefoot.
Many places also organize marathon viewings of movies and literary discussions of the books on this day.
Interesting Facts
- Homo Floresiensis, also known as Hobbits, are actually real creatures that existed around 50,000 to 100,000 years ago on Earth. Archeological evidence suggests that it had a striking resemblance to Tolkien's Hobbits.
- Tolkien's book ' The Hobbit' has over 150 million copies sold to date.
- Tauriel, a female warrior in The Hobbit, was actually an additional character in the film and not a part of Tolkien's books. Her character was apparently created to include a strong female presence in a story dominated by men.
- If you want to experience the beauty of the trilogy movies firsthand, you can visit the beautiful islands in New Zealand where it was filmed.
- The University of California has a Middle Earth-themed housing community for its student to foster their interests.
