The author discusses the story of the Polish translations of The Lord of the Rings, the first of which was published in early 1960s. He also looks for an answer to the question of how it was possible at all for the book to be published so early in a country governed by communists.

This is an article about the history of Tolkien fandom in Poland and about the people who created it and keep it alive, including the various Internet fan sites devoted to J.R.R. Tolkien. The author also discusses past and present tolkienist fanzines and the new possibilities opening before the Polish readers of Tolkien.

The influence of The Kalevala, the national Finnish epic, on Tolkien's writings is unquestionable. It is found in Quenya borrowings from Finnish grammar and vocabulary, and in Tolkien's indebtedness to Finnish literary plots. In some cases it is very clear, e.g. Túrin's story is unmistakably based on that of Kullervo and the Silmarils are modelled on Sampo - both the artifact and the symbol; in other cases similarities are less visible, like in the song contest between Sauron and Felagund, where one can find traces of the duel between Väinämöinen and Joukahainen. The author discusses also The Kalevala itself.

Not only myths and legends inspired Tolkien to create an appealing vision of Middle-earth. Also nature was a source of constant inspiration for him. The author presents Tolkien as a writer and lover of nature and walks, and she discusses the places which could have influenced him and his creation the most. She also analyses the role of nature in the world of Tolkien and the special function of the animated nature in his legendarium.

When Tolkien's works are discussed, it is usually the problem of evil which attracts the most of the writers' attention. The author of this essay decided to pay hers to the problem of good, analysing its foundations and nature, and the choices made by Tolkien's characters. She poses the question of why good, although so often perceived as boring in Tolkien's works, can at the same time be so attractive to the readers.

In this essay the author deals with the problem of the place of the "Round Arda" concept in Tolkien's legendarium. Was it just a deviation or a legitimate part of Tolkien's artificial mythology? The author tries to show that the latter is the case. According to him the "Round Arda" concept became a permanent element of Tolkien's legendarium. He argues that the problem of compatibility of the "Round Arda" with the rest of the legendarium arises from the fact that we unconsciously and mistakenly accept the published Silmarillion as Tolkien's final word on his legendarium, which is not the case.

Tadeusz A. Olszański discusses the most popular complaints against Tolkien's work - that the protagonists of The Lord of the Rings are psychologically unbelievable and morally unequivocal. He analyses the complaints (coming from the conviction that human psychology is based on gender and that evil is more interesting than good) and shows examples of interesting characters and moral dilemmas in the book (e.g. Faramir's conflict of conscience regarding Frodo and Sam). He points out that Tolkien presents his characters as doers and not thinkers. This is both conscious literary convention and a manifestation of the conviction that it is deeds that show a man's worth.

Drawing on her own childhood memories, the Author tries to answer some questions touching on the problem of child versus Tolkien's books, e.g. if the fact that The Lord of the Rings is not addressed to children means that they should not be acquainted with it or what is the best form of the first contact with Tolkien's books.

Maedhros announces to his brothers his decision to renounce the crown.

About Boromir having trouble with Orc gangs in Ithilien, Faramir trying to help him and both of them getting to Minas Morgul.

Dealing with Finrod's musings over an anonymous Adan's grave.

A selection of poetry in Quenya and Sindarin by Dominika Kurek 'Elanor' and Anna Adamczyk 'Nifrodel'