A journey in reconciliation: an exploration of the friendship of CS Lewis with JRR Tolkien (Monday 20 May at 7.30pm)

As part of Community Relations Week, Contemporary Christianity are hosting a talk by Rev Mercia Malcolm - a Church of Ireland vicar in Carnmoney - exploring the friendship of two of the Inklings, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien.

As a fourth or fifth former, I remember re-reading Humphrey Carpenter's biography of Tolkien in order that I could be interviewed in character as Tolkien as part of an exercise in Mr Duffy's English class.

Tolkien was a devout Catholic and his faith was significant in Lewis' conversion to Christianity and the Church of England. Lewis described the friendship between the two writers as one which

"marked the breakdown of two old prejudices."

Find out more on Monday evening (20 May) at 7.30pm up on the third floor of 21 Ormeau Avanue, Belfast, BT2 8HD (just past the BBC). There's always tea and coffee and a warm welcome. The talk will be followed by questions and discussion.

2013 is the fiftieth anniversary of the death of Belfast-born author. CS Lewis Tours run every Sunday afternoon from June to September, leaving the front of the Linen Hall Library at 2pm.