Day 1:
We arrived at King’s Cross Station at 7:30—Peniel, Valentina, Ellena, and me. After Dr. Papworth briefed us on Flanders Fields, we passed through passport control and boarded the Eurostar. The train journey was a mix of on-and-off WiFi, games, and fleeting views of greenery. Arriving in Brussels, we met with other teachers and students, then navigated through trains, shops, and streets to reach the European Parliament. The Parliament’s modern, symmetrical architecture felt imposing. Inside, after security checks, we enjoyed a unique European meal and attended a lecture on European political history. A guide introduced us to the Hemicycle, where I was briefly “President.” Inspired by the visit, we boarded a coach for a long, tiring 3-hour ride to Ypres. Ypres greeted us with pure air and tranquil, historic streets. Our hostel, Salient, matched the city’s WWI legacy. After meeting our roommates, we had spaghetti at a nearby pub and admired the untouched beauty of Ypres. Icebreakers followed, and we turned in early.

Day 2:
An early breakfast prepared us for a tour of Flanders Fields. Ypres, transformed by daylight, looked like a mediaeval fairy tale. We passed the Menin Gate to meet our guide, whose engaging stories brought WWI history to life. We visited John McCrae’s memorial, cemeteries with both marked and unmarked graves, and learned about the youngest casualty, a 14-year-old. At each site, the gravity of the war’s losses deepened our respect for its history. After an exploration of parts of Ypres and buying chocolates, we delivered presentations with other schools. Dinner was chicken and chips at a restaurant, followed by the moving “Last Post” ceremony at Menin Gate, a daily tribute honouring fallen soldiers. A scavenger hunt ended the day, and though we placed second, we went to bed fulfilled and exhausted.

Day 3:
An early morning farewell to roommates marked the end of our trip. After breakfast, we took a bus to Brussels, eat chocolate waffles and boarded the train back to London. Chatting with fellow students from Oxford made the return journey lively.

Anthony Constantine Fedorenko’s reflections on one of his experiences on this trip:

On Day 2 when we went to see John Crae’s memorial – it had his famous poem written on it. I decided to do some research on the poem.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

It would be impossible to give the poem justice here without writing too much so I have focussed on the idea that readers at the time of the war would have interpreted it very differently from how we might now, after the Great War knowing what we do about the great loss of life.

It is an interesting idea that John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields could be interpreted differently by someone today compared to someone from The Great War. There has also been a controversial discussion among translators about the last word of the first line in the first stanza. In the original handwritten version, the line appears to read: “In Flanders Fields the poppies grow.” In my opinion, one could argue that the word “blow” is another way of describing flowers blooming, as in the poppies opening their petals, referred to as “blowing.” Additionally, one could argue this represents an aspect of the war e.g. bombs blow up things or was used to contrast it to this use of blow. On the other hand, “grow” might be more suitable, as poppies gain nourishment from the blood of the fallen. Upon further research, the poem was originally published in the London magazine Punch on December 8th, with the line “In Flanders Fields the poppies grow.” However, there is evidence that McCrae later gave permission for the line to be changed to “blow.” According to some sources, McCrae used the two words interchangeably when making handwritten copies for friends and family. Both versions were published, which sparked the controversy. Returning to my original point, I wonder if our post-war perspectives have demilitarized the poem. Is it a pro-war poem? This question is particularly relevant when considering the last stanza. This stanza has also been debated, with some interpreting it as a call to arms and others as a plea against the continuation of war. From my research, it does seem that the poem was used to promote recruitment into the army and war. However, from my perspective, I believe the poem does not promote the continuation of war. It was written by a soldier who had seen the horrors of the battlefield, though it does contain patriotic sentiments about the Allies winning the war.

The line “Take up our quarrel with the foe” could be interpreted as a call to stop fighting with the enemy, reflecting the idea of “Love Thy Neighbour.” However, “Take up” could also mean to seize the opportunity, and the phrase might instead encourage continuing the fight against the enemy. Similarly, “The torch; be yours to hold it high” might symbolize a call to arms, urging the Allies to strive for victory. “The torch” could represent triumph, and the phrase suggests that it is the Allies’ duty to achieve victory and take pride in it. Finally, the closing lines, “We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields,” could symbolize perseverance and patriotism. As mentioned earlier, poppies gain nourishment from the blood of the fallen. By writing, “We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,” McCrae may be saying that even in death, the fallen will not rest because their sacrifice might still be needed. This sentiment is supported by the line in the second stanza, “We are the dead.” McCrae acknowledges that he and his comrades may not survive the war, if not dead already, yet he still writes, “We shall not sleep, though poppies grow / In Flanders fields.” In conclusion, it is unclear whether post-war interpretations have altered the original intent of the poem. It was common for WWI soldiers to feel patriotic for their country and their cause. However, in my opinion, In Flanders Fields portrays the experience of someone who loves their country and the ideals of freedom, while understanding the sacrifice required for the greater good.