2023
The French Revolution and the intellectual origins of the Terror
A 4th year MML undergraduate from Gonville & Caius visited Paris. They report:
Having had the privilege to receive the Ann Duncan Award, I was delighted to be able to spend time in Paris. As an MML graduate with the intention of making a switch to history for the MPhil in political thought, I wanted to use this valuable time in the cultural heartland of France to dive deep into my research topic. I knew my area of interest was the French Revolution and the intellectual origins of the Terror, so I made use of the vast collections of archival material and copious secondary commentaries that were housed in the Bibliothèque Nationale de France as well as in my Erasmus placement university, École Normale Supérieure.
It was a pleasure to sift through these precious documents and acquaint myself with the primary and secondary sources that would be integral to writing a thorough research proposal and eventually the thesis itself. Though I could well have accessed many of the books online or perhaps in Cambridge libraries, being in France to consult material (some of which really was only located in Paris) actually allowed me to discuss my work and interests with those working in the libraries. Striking up conversations with academics, students and others interested in 18th century France hugely enhanced my experience, allowing me to go beyond my initial thoughts, change my mind about aspects of the proposal and of course practice my French!
All these experiences were invaluable not only to my future academic endeavours but greatly improved my linguistic confidence too. These are takeaways that I hope will give me a solid grounding for my MPhil and beyond and I cannot thank the Ann Duncan Memorial Fund enough for allowing this trip to materialise.
The Meaning of Difference in Thirteenth Century Iberia
A 3rd year MML undergraduate from Selwyn College visited Spain. They report:
My trip lasted from 1st to 9th of August. Staying in Zaragoza and Huesca, I was able to visit cultural and military sites which indicate the social changes of medieval Aragon.
In Zaragoza, the minaret of the former great mosque adorns the city’s Seo, a testament to the ever-present tension of conflict, cultural borrowing and pragmatism which conditioned medieval Iberian attitudes to differences of faith.
The former church of San Pedro el Viejo in Huesca was, along with the city’s gothic cathedral, another crucial site in my trip. The monastery was originally a Visigothic church and during the period of Islamic rule it remained a place where Christian (mozárabe) worship was permitted to take place. The current monastery was built after the city passed under Christian control in 1096. The cathedral, however, is built on the site of the city’s former great mosque. In this sense, Huesca displays the hardening of Christian attitudes to religious alterity as political dominance was consolidated.
From Huesca, I travelled to the city of Jaca and, more specifically, to its cathedral, one of the oldest examples of Romanesque architecture in Spain. The nearby monastery of San Juan de la Peña, built high up into a cliff was another point of interest. Containing the Aragonese royal pantheon and a crucial part of the Camino de Santiago in Aragon, this monastery revealed the role of Church in legitimising and strengthening the political structures which formed outside of Islamic control. Also significant was the Castle of Loarre, which was constructed to limit the expansion of Islamic forces beyond the city of Huesca. Particularly striking are the two Romanesque churches contained within its walls which suggest a vision of the Christian faith as under threat.
My journey finished further south, in Teruel, where I was able to witness the lingering presence of Islamic art under Christian rule in the later Middle Ages. The three mudéjar towers which line the city’s walls reveal the fluidity with which various cultural traditions converged and fused together.
Postcolonial Paris
A 2nd year MML undergraduate from Queens’ College visited Paris. They report:
In mid July 2023 I travelled to Paris with the generous support of the Ann Duncan Memorial Fund. This was a very kind donation without which I would not have been able to go on a fantastic trip to France, which I hope had a purpose that would have interested Ann, who sounds like a highly courageous and inspiring woman.
Over the past academic year I developed an interest in exploring the role of Paris as a post-colonial city and considering the ongoing issues with racial exclusion and marginalisation there. The work of Laila Amine particularly inspired me to consider the ways in which Paris is conceived in the global imagination and who is included or not in popular ways of thinking about this city and its contemporary and historic inhabitants. In order to explore these questions further, I visited Paris for three days to add real experiences and encounters in the city to what I have been able to discover through literature.
On the first day of my trip I completed a tour with the group Entrée to Black Paris which is a company run by the writer Monique Y. Wells aiming to take real action to expand reductive popular narratives which exclude racial minorities when thinking about the history of the city. The tour was led by Wells’ husband and was diverting and full of surprises, taking us through and around the Jardin du Luxembourg and the cafés in the Saint-Germain area such as le Petit Journal and Les Deux Magots, where James Baldwin went to write. The tour took us through the history of other figures such as Richard Wright and Chester Himes. I had the chance to chat with a group of African-American women visiting Paris who were also on the tour and it was compelling to hear their thoughts on these authors and on attitudes and awareness around racism in Paris today. After the tour I had the opportunity to take a stroll with Well’s husband, who talked with me about how and why they set up the tour company almost 30 years ago.
On the second day of my trip I visited the Musée nationale de l’histoire de l’immigration. I am fascinated by the ways that museums create overviews of history that shape our ways of remembering the past in specific ways that inevitably always leave out many important aspects. The museum is in a beautiful part of the city (Port Dorée) and the permanent exhibition takes you through 11 key dates for understanding the history of immigration in France, aiming to make these dates more central in ways of remembering national history overall and encourage reflection and awareness. Beginning in 1685, it guides the visitor through questions of citizenship, key migratory movements and their social and cultural aspects and consequences.
Overall I had a productive and exciting trip to Paris which has surely inspired more reading and consideration in this field during the continuation of my French studies at Cambridge. I would like to thank the Ann Duncan Memorial Fund again for making this trip possible.
Exploring Culture and the Celtomania movement in the heart of Brittany
A 3rd year MML undergraduate from Magdalene College visited Brittany. They report:
With the generous support of the Ann Duncan Travel grant, I undertook a fulfilling and academically enriching journey to Brittany, France, aimed at deepening my understanding of Breton culture, language, literature, and traditions. This report details the diverse range of activities undertaken on this educational endeavour and outlines the profound impact it has had on my academic pursuits and cultural awareness.
Rennes: Art and History Unveiled – Arriving first in Rennes, the capital of Brittany, my visit commenced with an exploration of the Musée des Beaux Arts, providing insight into the historical and artistic nuances of Breton culture in art form. An additional visit to the Parc du Thabor nearby exposed me to another exceptional modern art exhibition by a local artist, offering a nuanced perspective on the influences of natural imagery and Breton landscapes shaping artistic expression and abstract art.
Quimper: A Cultural Odyssey – I spent most of my time staying with a French host family, whose children were fluent in Breton, situated in the Quimper countryside. Under their cultural guidance, Quimper offered a multifaceted experience, from attending a traditional Breton wedding with authentic music and dancing to exploring the cultural treasures house in Le Musée de la Faïence. Here, I learnt much about Quimper’s famous pottery and ceramics tradition and how this trade influenced the history and growth of the town whilst attracting many fine artists and potters from across the country. The library and Médiathèque de Quimper facilitated an in-depth examination of Breton literature and the historical evolution of language teaching in the local region.
Pont-Aven: Artistic Endeavours and Craftmanship – In Pont-Aven, famous for its particular light which has attracted artists across the centuries, is renowned for its art scene. I engaged with Breton culture by visiting various art exhibitions and attending a glass-blowing workshop which provided a first-hand experience of traditional Breton craft.
Concarneau: Tradition at the Filets Bleus Festival – The vibrant Festival des Filets Bleus consisted of an array of performances by several musical artists and folk groups. We also visited the marital exhibition and walked round the historical core of Concarneau, ‘La Ville Close’.
Lorient: Interceltic Festival – This was one of the highlights of my trip and was a week-long festival celebrating Celtic culture. This annual festival takes place in the heart of the city every August and is dedicated to the cultural traditions of the Celtic nations (pays celtes in Brittany), highlighting Celtic music and dance, and also including other arts such as painting, photography, theatre, sculpture, traditional artisan as well as sport and gastronomy. Participants come from Brittany, Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, Wales, Cumbria, the Isle of Man, Cape Breton Island, Galicia, Asturias, Acadia, and the entire Celtic diaspora. I even learnt to Breton dance!
Land of the Korrigan: Culinary and Cultural Immersion – The hospitality of a Breton-French bilingual family was an invaluable experience I shall never forget. Helping to prepare Breton dishes and sampling local specialities, such as the Kouign-amann, added an authentic touch to my cultural immersion. One day, we embarked on a hike through the Breton countryside to the land of the Korrigan, but sadly did not see him this time!
Audierne and Le Faourët – I went to Audierne to explore the local culture and aquarium which featured Bretagne-specific species, providing insights into the region’s marine biodiversity and culture. In Le Faouët, an art museum showcasing a Breton collection of local artists and a visit to a chapel built by a legendary knight deepened my appreciation for Breton art and its cultural significance.
Overall, this Breton expedition has significantly enhanced my academic knowledge, language proficiency, and cultural awareness. The diverse experiences, from artistic endeavours, speaking to locals and attending family gatherings to traditional festivities and music, have broadened my understanding of Breton identity and its relationship with the wider French Hexagon. Talking to locals has also provided invaluable perspectives on language identity and cultural preservation efforts throughout Brittany which have proved somewhat effective, particularly in the younger generation.
I express profound gratitude to the Ann Duncan Travel Grant for facilitating this opportunity. The immersive exploration of Breton culture has not only enriched my academic life but has also left an indelible mark on my personal and cultural awareness. I have forged relationship and have had encounters with people that I will never forget. This experience will undoubtedly contribute to my general education and serve as a wellspring of inspiration for future academic endeavours so thank you.
Coastal activities and English classes for disadvantaged children in Colombia
A 4th year MML undergraduate from St Catharine’s College visited Colombia. They report:
I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Ann Duncan Travel Award 2023 by Newnham College, University of Cambridge. I was awarded the grant in order to travel to Latin America both personally to learn and to improve my sporting and surfing skills, as well as teaching English to the local community.
I found this incredible hybrid sporting/education organisation through the website Workaway.com, an incredible initiative through which organisations and charities can get in contact with volunteers keen to travel and make a difference. It is not only a way for especially young people to travel in a financially viable way (board is free in exchange for some casual work with the organisation), but also to travel in a way which fits with their social conscience.
My organisation teaches surfing skills to both tourists and locals on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, as well as working with the local community to use the often English-speaking ‘Workawayers’ which they receive to help improve the foreign language skills of the ‘costeno’ (coastal Colombian) community. Being able to both help the local community, as well as hone my own skills (which can be difficult as someone with dyspraxia!) is something I never would have been able to do otherwise – something able to contribute to my own confidence greatly, as well as that of my peers in the local community.
Like Ann, my subject area was MML, and as an MML-er, my studies were first-hand affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. My year abroad plans were changed so as not to be able to travel to Latin America, as I had planned, and the Ann Duncan Travel Grant was an incredible opportunity to be able to travel to this part of the world.
My specialism in the final year of my degree was the literature and film of Latin America, and the chance to travel to the part of the world about which I had spent so many hours in the library studying simply would not be possible without this generous grant.
I thank Newnham College and the Ann Duncan Memorial Fund for their incredibly generous and inspiring commitment to helping students of all backgrounds pursue social and intellectual challenges abroad.
Volunteering at a youth support programme in Portugal
A 3rd year undergraduate from Emmanuel College travelled to Lisbon. They report:
Thank you for awarding me a grant for my trip to Lisbon, Portugal. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and has opened my eyes to the potential NGOs possess to make profound, local-level impact where it is needed most.
I spent two weeks volunteering at Orientar, an NGO supporting the homeless community in Lisbon. They provide a space that ‘simulates autonomy’, requiring their beneficiaries to maintain the space and follow certain rules so that they can find jobs and be re-integrated into society. Offering psychological and career support, the organisation also owns some accommodation to house those who need it. Orientar prides itself on its sustainability, boasting a wood workshop where donated household items are restored and repurposed to be sold on to help fund the organisation.
I was tasked with coordinating activities, which included teaching English, creating and presenting a Latin America quiz, and supporting a mental health workshop. With beneficiaries from Venezuela, Guinea, Nepal, and Malawi, amongst others, many could not speak either Portuguese or English. In this sense, I found myself to be useful, translating between English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French as necessary. I was warmly welcomed across the organisation, and I feel that I built genuine connections with both the beneficiaries and workers across Orientar. With his consent, I interviewed one of the beneficiaries, and plan to write an article covering his story and how the organisation has helped him. I was baked a cake on my final day, and in return I thanked them and congratulated them for their remarkable positivity and generosity.
So, I would like to thank you once more for making this experience possible. I hope you believe Ann would have approved. There is no doubt that I will carry what I have learnt forwards as I approach the entrance to the working world. I will be looking for ways that I can contribute to concrete change.
Renaissance literature in Paris
A 1st year undergraduate from St John’s College visited Paris. They report:
Firstly, I would like to thank the Ann Duncan Memorial Fund for this generous benefaction. It was an incredible opportunity to discover new cultural horizons within the francophonie, and has endowed me with a veritable insight into the Ronsardian renaissance of Petrarchism within France (in the early-modern period).
During my trip to Paris, I took time to not only visit the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysees, but moreover, an eclectic range of French museums which widened my understanding of France’s art history (specifically linking this to the rise of the Bacchic and the Beloved within early-modern literature). This included the Musée Carnavalet, where postRonsardian artefacts (of the reign of King Louis XIV) are stored. I seemed to notice certain paintings of the female body were inspired by Petrarchan mythologization and the ‘inaccessibilité’ that Ronsard elected for in writing of, and to, his beloved Marie de Fonseque. Whilst I did not get to visit The Louvre, I nevertheless managed to take in the artistic charm of the city. This has been especially useful in reflection on 19th century texts such as Le Pere Goriot and their depictions of Paris as a former cultural hub, bubbling with both beauty and conflict. Overall, my study of Fr4: Rethinking the Human for this year has been immeasurably aided by this cultural excursion.
In Paris, I also had the opportunity to practise my French with locals and foreigners alike. I remarked the difference in base semantic production amongst non-native French speakers, with foreign speakers often omitting the definite article in reference to an established proper noun (for instance, la société contracting to société). Both this amelioration of my core language skills, and my newfound ear for linguistic variation amongst French speakers has greatly improved my comprehension of theoretical linguistics (specifically French orientated). This has been of immense educational benefit since I eventually intend to pursue an MPhil in this very discipline [Theoretical Linguistics].
Ultimately, I had an amazing and life-changing trip to Paris. I have learnt so much about the cultural movements that stalk(ed) the city, and seen for myself how its customs have influenced some of my favourite writers of all time.
Volunteering at a support centre for refugees and asylum seekers in Paris
A 3rd year undergraduate from Corpus Christi College visited Paris. They report:
As a recipient of the Ann Duncan fund, I had the opportunity to return to France after completing my year abroad there, and volunteer for Le CEDRE, a self-help centre dedicated to asylum seekers. Based in Paris, this voluntary work involved assisting with applications for housing support, running socio-cultural activities, and helping with English language classes. I believe this experience was mutually enriching, for both me and the charity. As a native English speaker with professional proficiency in French and Spanish, I was able to offer my language skills and time to these services for asylum-seekers which, in this moment of mass migration, is invaluable. And for me, this experience informed me about a field in which I am interested in working in the future. It also allowed me to bear witness to a post-colonial reality which I have thus far only witnessed in the context of my studies.
As well as this voluntary experience, my time spent in Paris allowed me to have cultural and academic experiences of which I have felt the benefit coming into my final year. For example, I visited an exhibition about feminism in surrealist art, I purchased books in a shop dedicated to works from Francophone countries beyond the metropole, and I visited the national library to borrow books for my Year Abroad Project, books only available in France. Overall, I found this experience enriching, beneficial, and intellectually stimulating and I am grateful for the Ann Duncan fund for providing me with the means to further develop my language skills and use them for a socio-economic purpose, one that is intertwined with the themes and concepts I am studying this year.