‘Harry Potter’ 25th Anniversary Plans Announced By Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury, U.K. publishers of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, has announced its plans for a year-long celebration to mark the 25th anniversary of the release of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2022.

The first book in the series had an initial run of just 500 copies, with J.K. Rowling’s series having sold over 500 million copies, and being translated in over 80 languages. Celebrations of 25 years of the first book will extend to Harry Potter’s birthday (July 31st) and onward to Back to Hogwarts celebrations on September 1st. First up will be a re-vamp of the Johnny Duddle illustrated editions of the first book, which will be updated with silver foil in January 2022 to celebrate the book’s silver anniversary year.

In February 2022, Bloomsbury will celebrate the annual Harry Potter Book Night with a “Magical Journeys” themed celebration. In addition to this, Bloomsbury will also release the Hogwarts House Editions Box Sets, four Hogwarts house-themed box sets of the entire Harry Potter book series in paperback, with covers and illustrations by Levi Pinfold.

Publishing director and international editor, Rebecca McNally, said on the launch of the special edition: “The re-release of the original 1997 cover illustration by Thomas Taylor is sure to excite fans whose original copies may have been snaffled by Nifflers or siblings, and there’s plenty more to come in the second half of 2022, just keep an eye on the tea leaves.”

March 3rd 2022 marks World Book Day, and Bloomsbury will be partnering and promoting to encourage readers of all ages, no doubt with the usual Harry Potter themed marketing. March will also see the launch of a paperback edition of spinoff book The Tales of Beedle the Bard, with illustrations by Chris Riddell, featuring a new cover and an art print of the Golden Trio.

Fans will be able to get their hands on a commemorative hardback edition of the first book June 9th 2022, with the original cover design by Thomas Taylor and new bonus material included inside – available for one year only. In an FAQ about the edition, Bloomsbury divulged that the back cover of the book will feature Professor Albus Dumbledore (illustrated by Thomas Taylor), rather than the original feature of Robertus Tallius – a random wizard created by Taylor upon the original publication of the book to decorate the back cover – this was later updated to the more recognisable figure of Albus Dumbledore in 1999.

The Bookseller also reports that Bloomsbury will launch a large outdoor installation in 2022, with video campaigns involving fans to be announced. July 2022 will also see the release of Fantastic Beasts 3, which currently has no official title, so celebrations of the Wizarding World will likely take place throughout the year with Warner Bros. to gear up for the release of the third movie, which has seen multiple issues and delays thus far.

Fans have been divided on matters of how to celebrate their love of the Wizarding World since J.K. Rowling published an essay on her opinions on the lives of transgender people. Many (including those involved in the Harry Potter franchise) have since spoken out on the author’s opinions. Whilst celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Harry Potter may have previously been a globally celebratory affair, it will be interesting to see how Harry Potter fans continue discussions of how best to support the trans community in 2022 and make the fan community an inclusive space, and how official celebrations might be impacted as a result.