The Living Texts research group hosts Mauritian author Priya Hein for an online seminar celebrating her new novel Tamarin (The Indigo Press, 2025). Hein will read from the book and discuss her work with Dr Amaleena Damlé, followed by an audience Q&A.

On 24 August, Dr Vika Ivleva explored how Pushkin and Gogol used clothing and sartorial codes to shape identity and convey aesthetic and political messages. The lecture, part of the Russian and Ukrainian Summer School at Murray Edwards College, Cambridge, drew around 60 participants and sparked lively discussion on literature, art, and historical culture.

Dr Rosi Song, Professor of Hispanic Studies at Durham University, is currently touring the United States with “Lost in Plain Sight: The Life and Legacy of Gaspar Cassadó” — a project that blends performance and research to rediscover the music and cultural impact of the Catalan composer. Don’t miss the final two events at Yale University (6 October) and Russell Library (7 October).

We’re hosting a new exhibition marking the centenary of China’s prestigious Palace Museum.

An event organised by Italian Studies in the School of Modern Languages and Cultures. Screening and discussion of Fred Kuwornu’s film uncovering the hidden histories of Black Africans in Renaissance Europe. Part of Black History Month, sponsored by the Durham EDI Fund.

Hispanic Studies colleagues Penelope Johnson and Lara Escudero-Baztan have been shortlisted for the Blended & Presence Learning Award at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025 for their project Empowering Students: Integrating Online Language Exchanges into Higher Education.

Durham scholar Professor H. Rosi Song, PI of the RELISH project, will deliver a lecture titled “Writing Catalan Culinary Identity” on October 1, 2025, at the Student Union Ballroom, UMass Amherst.

A new publication from our department: “’Uyun Teta: Blindness, sightedness and the stories in-between” by Professor Abir Hamdar, in the journal Medical Humanities.

Modern Languages and Cultures Research Showcased in New Bigas Luna Blu-ray Collection

Congratulations to French finalist Maisy Hicks, awarded runner-up in the Brian Darling Memorial Essay Prize by the ASMCF!

The episode discusses explore the life, legend and legacy of Molière

The podcast is part of Durham's Decolonising the Curriculum initiative