The second Tolkien Conference Switzerland, organized by the University of Zurich, the University of Lausanne, and Friedrich Schiller University Jena, will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026, once again at the University of Zurich as a hybrid conference.

The 2026 topic is: 'Leadership in Tolkien's Middle-earth'. We have already confirmed several international high-profile speakers.

As part of the supporting program, the two podcasters from 'Typisch Ravenclaw' will analyze and compare political systems in Middle-earth based on The Economist's Democracy Index in a live podcast (tbc).

The event is sponsored by

Prof. Dr. Christine Lötscher (Populäre Kulturen, ISEK – Institut für Sozialanthropologie und Empirische Kulturwissenschaft, University of Zurich)

Funding: Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences (SAGW).

And Walking Tree Publishers.

Additionally We’re delighted to welcome Lauterbrunnen Tourism as a supporter of the 2026 Tolkien Conference in Zürich. With 72 waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and alpine meadows, the Lauterbrunnental helped shape Tolkien’s vision of Rivendell during his 1911 journey, making it a natural partner for celebrating Middle-earth’s Swiss roots. Read more about why Lauterbrunnen is considered 100% Tolkien here.