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C. S. Lewis: A Centenary Celebration

The Lewis Legacy-Issue 75, Winter 1998 The C. S. Lewis Foundation for Truth in Publishing

Time : July 15-20, 1998 Location: Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL

The C. S. Lewis Centenary Celebration is sponsored by the Mythopoeic Society, an international nonprofit educational organization devoted to the study, discussion and enjoyment of myth and fantasy literature, especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis and Charles Williams. (The Society publishes three magazines and sponsors local discussion groups and annual Mythopoeic Conferences.) For 5 days we’ll enjoy papers, panels, speakers, drama, exhibits, concerts, and more, all designed to bring together scholars and fans in a celebration of C. S. Lewis and his work.

INFORMATION: Please contact the C. S. Lewis Centenary Celebration (Mythcon XXIX), c/o Lynn Maudlin, P.O. Box 394, Altadena, CA 91003. E-mail maudlinlynn@earthlink.net

BEFORE THE CONFERENCE: A three day workshop for 50 participants on Monday, July 13 through Wednesday, July 15. For details, contact Dr. Bruce Edwards, Telephone: (419) 372-7541, E-mail: edwards@bgnet.bgsu.edu, Fax: 419-372-0333

LOCATION: The college’s Marion E. Wade Center houses the largest collection of papers, letters, manuscripts and books by and about J.R.R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Charles Williams, George MacDonald, Dorothy L. Sayers, G.K. Chesterton, and Owen Barfield, and more than 11,000 volumes. Other holdings include audio and video tapes, artwork, dissertations, periodicals, photographs, and related materials. Any of these resources may be studied in the quiet surroundings of the Kilby Reading Room. C. S. Lewis’s wardrobe, dining table and writing desk are on display, as are Charles Williams’s bookcases, J.R.R. Tolkien’s desk, Pauline Baynes’s original map of Narnia, and a tapestry from Dorothy L. Sayers’s home. Glass-front bookcases contain more than 2,000 volumes from C. S. Lewis’s personal library. Conference participants are warmly invited to visit the Wade Center to see the special exhibit commemorating C. S. Lewis and other Wade Center authors. Because of possible crowding during the conference, researchers should plan to arrive early or stay late. Please contact the Wade Center directly to make reservations for study, which will be taken on a first-come basis. Phone: (630) 752-5855, E-mail: Marjorie.L.Mead@wheaton.edu Fax: (630) 752-5908

PROGRAM: Programming will be full from morning to night. Daytime programming will feature scholarly papers as well as several panels discussing the conference theme and other mythopoeic topics. Workshops will focus on creative writing, publishing scholarly work, and costume design. We are planning a track of childrens’ programming. And in the dorm lounges each evening we’ll treat you to Bedtime Stories! Many dramatic and musical presentations will be sprinkled throughout the days and evenings of the conference. We expect they will surprise and delight you.

OPENING PROCESSION: Following a Mythcon tradition, Thursday morning’s festivities begin with a Procession from the dormitory to the Graham Center where the day’s events take place. Early birds gather under the heraldic banners of the Society and its discussion groups. All attendees are welcome to participate by wearing medieval, Renaissance, or ethnic garb, and by carrying banners of their own design.

SPECIAL GUEST: Paul F. Ford, author of A Companion to Narnia, Professor of Theology and Liturgy at St. John’s College in California, and officer of the C. S. Lewis Foundation.

MASQUERADE: The Masquerade, the traditional costume competition, is one of the highlights of the conference. Costumes related to any aspect of myth and fantasy are eligible. Effort, ingenuity, and craftsmanship will be recognized with appropriate prizes.

BANQUET: The Banquet will be a highlight of the conference. A festive dinner is followed by the guest of honor’s speech and the presentation of the Mythopoeic Society’s awards, including the lion statuettes given for Mythopoeic scholarship and Mythopoeic fiction.

MUSIC: Bring your harps and guitars. A Bardic Circle is planned, and people create other informal opportunities for making music. A special concert featuring Irish music is also planned.

DRAMA: Plans are under way for several special drama presentations.

SOCIETY AUCTION: Pick up a book, a poster, a painting or some other priceless treasure at the Mythopoeic Society Auction. Here’s your chance to bid on rare and out-of-print items of interest to scholars and fantasy readers. Donors receive 60 percent of the selling price or donate the entire proceeds to defray expenses of the Society. For details, contact Glen GoodKnight, 245-F S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754. E-mail: ggoodkni@lausd.k12.ca.us

DEALERS ROOM: Books both rare and new, hard-to-find copies of Mythopoeic Society publications, racks of fantasy attire and merchandise will be displayed for sale in the dealers room. For more information on reserving dealers’ tables, write to the C. S. Lewis Centenary Celebration at the main address.

ART SHOW: The Art Show has been assigned to a large, bright room adjacent to the Dealers Room. All forms of original art (painting, drawing, ceramics, calligraphy, jewelry, weaving, sculpture, etc.) are welcome. Write for details.

CHAIR: Diana Pavlac Glyer. Phone: (818) 355-3090. E-mail: dglyer@apu.edu

PAPERS: Charles A. Huttar, English Dept., Hope College, Holland, MI 49423. E-mail: huttar@hope.cit.hope.edu

PROGRAMMING: Joe R. Christopher, Tarleton State Univ., English Dept, Stephenville, TX 76402. E-mail: jchristopher@tarleton.edu

This will be the Mythopoeic Society’s 29th summer convention, and it promises to be a memorable event.