ArdaVision

WELCOME, EVERYONE! 🎉🎤

So, what is this all about?

ArdaVision is a fandom event where we imagined a song contest where Tolkien’s characters take the stage as contestants.

We’ve brought together 13 amazing artists to bring to life Elves, Ainur, Dragons and even Orcs, all singing their hearts out on the Contest stage. Plus, we went all out with a custom corporate style for the competition, added in some "exclusive" interviews with two very special reporters, and created a bunch of fun, behind-the-scenes "photos" that are definitely worth seeing. 👀

Starting November 20, we’ll be sharing all this stuff with you!

Who are we?

We’re a group of Russian-speaking artists, participating in Tolkien character ask project. The idea for this event came to us spontaneously, but we got so excited about it that we literally couldn’t think about anything else 😅 Now, we’re hoping to share at least a little bit of that excitement with you.

Where else the event can be found?

The main hub for the event is our character ask group on VK com, where voting will also take place at the end of the contest. (Please note, the primary language for posts there is Russian) We also have a telegram channel

Who are the artists and what characters are they drawing?

According to Elrond himself, all he wanted was a quiet moment to sit in his dressing room and drink some tea. Just. Drink. Tea.

💣 But then, everything went off the rails! First, glitter started floating in the air (and somehow ended up in the tea too), then "Come on, Dad, there’s a dragon saying something," and before I knew it, my colleague Galadriel walked in and started doing his makeup for the stage... Why? He already looks so elvish and ready for the spotlight!

But what’s his secret? Even through all the chaos, Lord Elrond stayed calm and friendly. I’ll have to ask him about it one day... I really need to learn how to handle things like that!

But that's a story for another time, dear viewers! Now, it’s time to vote for the new contestant pair! And they are...

🌠 Elrond — Epilogue

And

⚡ Aulë — Tenderness

Image text: …And then I swoop in and start blasting everything around! ...It wasn’t exactly like that... Shh, wait, Dad. There’s something really cool here! Huh, where are Elrond, Arwen, and Éowyn headed? Let’s follow them— the girls had such mysterious looks when they called Elrond over to go somewhere and check something out…

Wow, look at this crowd! And hey, Smaug’s dwarven assistant is here, too… Oh, and there’s Smaug himself! After that performance, it looks like he’s earned a pretty appreciative audience!

Well, let him enjoy his moment. Let him brag! Shh, Thúri, it wasn’t exactly like that… What’s the difference? Just let him ramble on.

And now, introducing our next contestant duo…

🐉 Smaug — Blues of the Lonely Worm!

And his opponent…

💍 Celebrimbor — Rings of Fire!

🥰 Good evening, dear viewers! It's me again, Nerven — while my colleague Annatar is cryin... ahem... resting and recovering after the crazy days we’ve had! 😜

We’ve got a new pair of contestants, and they couldn’t be more different! Here’s my bro, Orodret, and, wow... Melkor himself!

Oh, and by the way… Resto, come on over and join us on screen! 🤗 Tell us, what inspired your song?

Artaresto blinks awkwardly.

— Hm? Oh, I thought a lot about my wife... and parts of it are inspired by various books. Maybe you noticed the scarf from The Little Prince in my stage look? And I also thought about our garden at home. There’s a lot going on in there...

— If you had to vote for someone else, who would it be? — Oh… I don’t know. Smiles shyly, rubbing his cheek. Honestly, I was blown away by everyone’s performances! There were moments where I didn’t fully get the style or the imagery, but still, everyone did something amazing! There was something in so many of their songs that really spoke to me. Honestly, I couldn’t choose. What kind of question is that, Nerven? I don’t know... Findë? Itarillé? Gwindor? It’s impossible!

— I noticed there are three Nargothrondians in ArdaVision. Was there a qualifier round in Nargothrond? — If there had been, I wouldn’t be here! Laughs. Honestly, I’d have been way too nervous even before the qualifiers. It was a struggle just to keep from fainting before going on stage! Oh, and by the way, Mandos really helped me with that. I’m so grateful to him. I don’t know how he did it, but somehow, I stopped being terrified of singing in front of such a huge crowd.

— Who’s your favorite sister? The host giggles, watching her brother-contestant blush and pretend to be shocked. — Nerven! Do I have ten of them?! You!

Satisfied, Galadriel nods, even more satisfied as she asks the final question: — Who helped you get ready for the contest? Who picked out your outfit? — My wife! And you. Like you don’t know who spent six hours helping me pick out this scarf... Oh, by the way, these roses are for you, sis. From my garden. Aren’t they beautiful?

🌺 Look at these flowers! And while you’re still trying to get over your jealousy, it’s time to vote for who moves on to the next round!

🌹 Artaresto — with the track "B-612"

Aaaand...

🫣 Who would've thought it would come to this…

Gwindor was told smoking isn’t allowed on our territory… But, excuse me — who would dare to tell Gwindor no? It's not even Gwindor who reacts to a ban, it’s his crazy friend with… wait, is that a sword?! Who gave him A SWORD?!

Gentlemen, this madness is (almost) driving me insane! First, they poison our lungs with glitter, then with smoke... Ugh! Galadriel, you're hosting the whole program tonight! I’m going to cough release some stress! 🗿

Anyway, before I go… let's welcome our next pair of contestants!

🚕 Gwindor — Far over the Thangorodrim!

And, uh… be careful if you’re wearing anything shiny — he might get distracted and jump on you!

🐉 Ancalagon — Song of the Little Dragonling!

👁️ Well, whatever you did, that's the result you got…

💣 Our next pair of… ahem, participants — the most explosive ones! In every sense of the word! Can you believe how Langon almost blew up after the auditions when he argued with...

[UNINTELLIGIBLE]

— Langon, give me the microphone back! — No! Why does it even matter who I argued with?! Just get to the point! Talk about the music! — I am getting to the point!

Anyway, that argument was actually the reason Langon ended up changing his song the day of the performance, and this whole mess also led to the Glitter Cannon Scandal... But let’s not get stuck on that! Time to meet the contestants.

🐦‍⬛ Langon — Your Choice (A Work of Art)...

✨ …And...The Glitter Cannon!

Place your bets! Who's making it to the next round?!

Headcanons:

• Yep, Langon definitely argued with someone. The song he originally planned for the audition was way less intense (maybe we’ll hear it someday!). But who were all those jabs really aimed at? Want to take a guess?

• "Audire disce, si nescis loqui" — "Learn to listen, if you don’t know how to speak." He said this to the entire room before his performance, but it was definitely meant for one very specific person.

• Thuringwetil helped him sew a new costume. They didn’t sleep a wink, and in the end, Langon was used as a pillow for his friend.

✨ And now, it's time to meet our next contestants... What an intriguing matchup we have this time! But choosing between these two won’t be easy.

🥶 First up, we have Idril — Keep Me Warm.

🦋 And her opponent, Lúthien — Secret Seed.

Well, well. 🌚 What do you think, dear viewers? Which of these ladies will be moving on to the next round?

Hmm... I’ve got an idea. Let’s check in with my colleague, Galadriel, for her thoughts. Wait, where is she? Has anyone seen her?

Image text:

Oh right! My talented little crows are drawing me and Maeglin and asking how long we've been friends. Haha, it's funny! Before all this, we didn’t even know each other… blah blah blah.

But hey, I’m not opposed to doing a joint stream or something like that...

Such is the price of virality! Honestly, I love it when something about me goes viral online! And here we go! Time for the second pair of contestants in the vote! Drumroll, please...

💣 Mauhur (and his trusty Uruk-hai crew!) — The Umbarian Frying Pan!

What a contrast we have here! The orcs are clearly the ones who’ve already made friends with just about everyone... but on the other side, we’ve got a very closed-off and mysterious opponent!

🍃 Maeglin — I don’t feel the pain!

Wait… where’s Maeglin? Maeglin...? No! Maeglin, nooo! 🫣

[CRACK!!!]

So, our first pair of contestants… ♎️ Mandos – (Not) an Avalanche… A-a-and his opponent… How ironic, this is almost too fitting! 🔥 Feanor – From the essence of Being! Oh, and by the way, did you know that Feanor almost left the competition for good during Melkor’s performance? According to our totally trustworthy participant, Thuringvetil, she’s the one who saved the show and Feanor from total disaster. She even kindly shared a photo of how she... chained the elf backstage? ⛓️‍💥 🥰 Anyway, the good news is that both of our contestants are alive and well! So, here we go – the moment of truth! Who will move on to the next round?

🪩 Welcome, dear viewers! The wait is over – the day has finally arrived!

Take a moment to revisit the performances of our amazing participants and relive the emotions they stirred.🎶 Because starting tomorrow, the voting for the winner begins! Our participants have shone like stars! ✨ But now it’s time to find out whose star has truly captured your heart! The voting pairs are now displayed on the screen ✍️.

The first block of ArdaVision is complete! 💎

On quite an unexpected note, I must say! All the participants were incredible in their own way, and honestly, with every new performance, I kept thinking "this one’s the favorite, it can’t get any better than this!"… Oh, the choice will be difficult, in my opinion..! 👀

You might be wondering — who was this mysterious participant, not listed anywhere? Even my colleague Artanis and I don’t know, and he… Disappeared as soon as his performance ended? But we came to the conclusion that his act was more than impressive, so this Mister Mystery will be among the contenders for victory! 🤭🔥

We’d like to inform you, dear viewers, about the voting: the second block will start on December 5th, Friday! The tournament bracket announcement will happen on that very day.

❓ Wait, what’s going on here? The stage is bathed in eerie orange light, and in complete silence, a mysterious performer steps out. But… wasn’t the schedule all set? There aren’t any more performances planned, are there? No, right? Without much thought, the mysterious performer starts singing and… WAIT. Is that real fire?🔥 What if something catches on fire? This is so against the rules! Who even approved this? And where did my colleague Annatar go? He’s never around when you need him! 😤

💎SONG LYRICS💎 Rise

Verse: If you let go of admiration, The world is just a math equation. Precision guides me to the end, But what will break, and what transcend?

In perfect lines I see it all, No errors trace, no cracks, no fall, Each step and note in perfect pace, And one to bind it all in place.

Pre-Chorus: The chaos houls and spins and sways, A fractured world in endless maze. It stirs within, but I stand still — It bends my heart, but not my will.

Chorus: But where no shape can form or trace, Where silence claims its rightful space, No stars disturb the empty skies, No chaos stands, and I can rise.

But where no shape can form or trace, Where silence claims its rightful space, No stars disturb the empty skies, No chaos stands, and I can rise.

Bridge: In silence, I remain, I wait, In gaps, I linger, challenge fate. Control, my precious, fleeting lie — And yet, beneath, I still defy

Chorus: But where no shape can form or trace, Where silence claims its rightful space, No stars disturb the empty skies, No chaos stands, and I can rise.

✨ Oh, Elrond — the final one of the performances. He truly brings a sense of closure to the entire competition. While the voting for the winner is still ahead of us, there's time to reflect on the song of the Lord of Rivendell! After all, there’s some wisdom hidden in it, isn’t there? And let’s not forget to appreciate our contestant’s outfit once again! Such refinement is impossible to ignore, don’t you think?

🥹✨ Well, here’s the epilogue of ArdaVision... But don’t go anywhere! — This marks the end of the first block, but it’s far from the end of the show! The show must go on!

💎SONG LYRICS💎(translated from russian)

Epilogue

Countless roads have been traveled in life, Twists, turns, bends, and ditches. The veil of many secrets has been lifted. Answers to questions are now known. Memories of years long past Have woven lace into my soul And like a dance of yellowed leaves, I’ll carry them with me through the ages.

An era has been replaced by another, In the intersection of smoke and steel, Terrible battles roared, raging. We fell, then rose again. The heroes played their parts, And each day, there are more of them. Kings ascended the ancient throne. But this tale is not yet finished.

Harps pour out their songs; The echo of darkness fades afar, Birds laugh in the heavens, We step across the threshold. We waited long behind the door, Guarding life and light. The hour has come, like a spring waterstream, The path runs for many leagues.

Beyond the sea’s white foam, Far from our stars, Meetings and changes await us, We need only cross the last bridge. We leave like mists, And like the blue of night, Leaving behind us here The grains of magic.

From sunset to dawn, And from night to day, We whisper softly to the leaves, the wind: I’m leaving. Forgive me. Separation pours over my heart, A mist that will not fade in the distance. But without doubt and fear, From the harbor of home, The last ships sail beyond the horizon...

💖I’ve seen… I mean, I’ve heard so much about it — these lovely ladies had to ask the most gallant gentlemen present to help hold up the trains of their concert dresses!

Oh, the Evening Star of the Elves and the Spring Morning of the Rohirrim… so different, yet so beautifully matched on stage!

It’s like something right out of those love-at-first-sight doramas… 👀 Note from the artist: The English text is mine, but the Korean translation was done with Google :D. I truly hope I didn’t accidentally offend anyone! 💎SONG LYRICS💎

Sun & Moon (태양과 달)

햇살 가득한 아침, 눈부신 시작 새로운 꿈을 품고, 떠오르는 태양 내 마음에 피어나는 희망의 빛 오늘도 너와 함께, 밝게 빛나리 Bright morning sun, a dazzling start Holding new dreams, the rising light Hope blooms softly in my heart With you today, I shine so bright…

조용한 밤하늘, 은은한 달빛 그대와 나, 별이 되어 흩어지네 이슬 맺힌 마음은 조용히 말해 서로의 꿈을 지켜줄게, 영원히 Silent night sky, gentle moonlight You and I, becoming stars My dew-filled heart quietly speaks I’ll protect our dreams!..

그대와 나, 빛과 그림자처럼 서로를 비춰, 모두 다 이뤄지길 We’ll meet again at dawn, I promise This moment will last forever

태양과 달, 함께 노래해 (Sun & Moon, sing together) 아침과 저녁, 우리의 꿈 (Morning and Evening, our dreams) 빛과 그림자, 하나 된 마음 (Light and shadow, united hearts) 영원히 이어질 이 사랑을 (Forever, this love will stay)

Sun & Moon, singing together Morning & Evening, our dreams forever Light and shadow, hearts as one This love will shine on long after dawn!

이 순간이 멈추길 바래 (I wish this moment would stop) 별과 태양, 우리를 감싸네 (Stars and Sun surround us) 끝없는 하늘 속, 약속해 (In the endless sky, I promise) 영원히 너와 함께할게 (Forever, I’ll be with you)

I wish this moment would pause Stars and Sun embrace us In the endless sky, I promise Forever, I’ll be with you

👀 Do you hear the heavy footsteps echoing in the shadows?

A trio of true Uruk-hai makes their dramatic entrance. Meet Mauhur and his companions, Darg and Wung. But are those really their names? After all, rumors say they've been living among humans — humans who were once fiercely loyal to the White Hand.

What’s it like for Uruk-hai to live in a foreign land? What new sights have they encountered, and how have they changed along the way? Do they still long for the homeland of Isengard? Let’s hear their story and find out!

💎SONG LYRICS💎(translated from russian) Umbarian Frying Pan

I used to chase freaks in battle, Now I stand among the Umbarians. I’ve turned my yatagan into a shovel, Exchanged my armor for frying pans. I’ve turned my yatagan into a shovel, Exchanged my armor for frying pans.

I live in a village amidst green fields, You wouldn't believe it: among honest folks. Now, Isengard is far away, And the White Hand doesn't mark my face. Now, Isengard is far away, And the White Hand doesn't mark my face.

Rangers are eyeing me sideways, well, brother, They’re asking for a fight, well, I’m happy. Overall, it’s quiet here... and fine... Even plenty of food, everything’s in order. Overall, it’s quiet here... and fine... Even plenty of food, everything’s in order.

The people here are quiet and a bit small, Or maybe I’ve just grown too old? But overall, everything’s calm and normal, Probably just how it should be for me. But overall, everything’s calm and normal, Probably just how it should be for me.

💎 Oh, and this song... It feels like something completely unexpected for a master-blacksmith.

What is tenderness, really? Hmm, I think I need to try singing something like this... to someone, it doesn't matter who. It's my choice, who I sing for!

By the way, interesting outfit choice... Did Namo's wife, Vaire, have a hand in picking it out? Maybe it was similar with Aulë? Or does the master blacksmith have skills outside the forge? 💎SONG LYRICS💎(translated from russian)

Tenderness

You come in without knocking, to the house where shadows are sleeping, You bring moonlit sand in your pockets, And sit by the fireplace made of quiet light, Where two little flames dance. You draw on the glass the constellation of the Deer, Grazing in gardens made of dew, And I sew you a cloak from pre-dawn mist, So your mittens won’t get cold.

Oh tenderness — the forest falling asleep on our shoulders, The whisper of the river that flows between our palms. You give me a handful of silence, I give you laughter, That rings like a waterstream, and flies beyond the nights. We slowly drink ivy and dew from the cup, The taste of what is called "to love."

We’ve planted little moons in the garden, They shine at us with a blue flame. You found a feather of the Firebird on the roof for me, I wove it into your braid. We read together an old book of winds, Where the story flows like warm honey, And outside, the fairies twist in the snowstorm, Falling asleep on scarves made of flowers.

Oh tenderness — the forest falling asleep on our shoulders, The whisper of the river that flows between our palms. You give me a handful of silence, I give you laughter, That rings like a waterstream, and flies beyond the nights. We slowly drink ivy and dew from the cup, The taste of what is called "to love."

And let the giants of thunder Knock their fists on the roof outside, We are two fireflies in our fortress made of blankets and words, And we’re not afraid of them. We’ll light lanterns made of firefly dreams, And shelter ourselves in a tent made of forgotten poems.

We don’t know what inspired one of the elder dragons whose fire can melt almost anything to participate in such an event. And now we’re worryi… wondering: what does he want to show the gathered audience? The stage is covered in gold, with an egg resting at the center of the shimmering pile. A rather expected decor, except someone from the fearless audience has stolen a coin and claims that it’s chocolate! Wrapped in holographic foil. 🪩 Oh! Look, what’s this?! The egg… is it cracking? 🐣 💎SONG LYRICS💎(translated from russian) Song of the little dragonling

I hatched, I’m ready To spread fire and evil all around! My dad gave me a mighty name! They call me Ancalagon!

I want a heap of shiny coins! I’ll grow big and strong! And my fire will be so hot! All the treasures will be mine!

I’ve got wings — I fly! While you are down below, on the ground. But in the sky, it’s so lonely, There’s no one to play with me up there.

Bats are a funny family, Fluffy, squeaky, and loud. It’s fun for us to fly at night, And Thuri spins with me.

A wicked werewolf bit my tail, Sauron doesn’t like me. But I’ll tell my dad everything — He’ll punish them for this!