Seven free ways to feed your mind this week

ANNE FRANK’S EUROPE: BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER HER DIARY

While we still can’t visit historic European sites, there are plenty of chances to see them virtually. This tour from the History Tour Programme is a perfect example, exploring places in Europe associated with Anne

Frank, above. A historian will guide you on her life through the places in Germany, the Netherlands and Poland with the chance to ask questions.

April 11 from 4pm. Free.

INAUGURAL DAVID COOPER LECTURE: DR ANTHONY FAUCI

A year on from the first lockdown, as we continue to muddle towards the light at the end of the tunnel, this lecture from US presidential adviser Dr Fauci will discuss the past year and what we’ve learned. This live lecture sees Fauci sit down with Tegan Taylor of ABC’s Coronacast to talk about the past, present and what our post-Covid future may look like.

April 14 from 9.30am. Free.

HARRIET TUBMAN AND MARYLAND’S UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Another historical exploration, this time in the US. Exploring the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad sites in Maryland, learn about how she successfully escaped from slavery and led others to freedom. Not only is this an educational opportunity to learn more about a crucial piece of American history, it is also a chance to see parts of a country you may have never seen otherwise.

April 17 from 4pm. Free.

THE POET’S TALE: GEOFFREY CHAUCER AND THE CANTERBURY TALES

Geoffrey Chaucer, a poet whose stories and character have been brought to life on film, on the stage and in popular fiction, is arguably one of the greatest poets in the English language and this talk from Chaucer enthusiasts Euan Roger and Henry Eliot discusses the people and places that inspired his work, and explores the poet’s experiences in England’s capital and the other locations, people and stories that feature in the Canterbury Tales. April 16 from 2pm. Free.

WASPS: SO MUCH TO LOVE ABOUT THEM

If you’ve ever been stung by one, I’m sure you’ll disagree with the title of this talk but Dr Gavin Broad, head of the insect collection at London’s Natural History Museum, thinks he can change your mind. Despite the bad press that wasps receive, Broad is adamant that they deserve our admiration and will be addressing this in his live lecture.

April 14 from 7pm. Free.

CONTEMPORARY ART AT THE LOUVRE

Back to Europe and one of the world’s most well known museums, this virtual talk and tour of the Louvre guides you through the museum’s galleries, highlighting some of the permanent contemporary artworks in the Paris display.

April 14 from 5pm. Free.

ONLINE ASTRONOMY TALK: THE DISCOVERY OF GRAVITATIONAL WAVES

Science is ever-changing, and there’s a lot more to gravity than simply Isaac Newton getting smacked on the head by an apple. This talk from the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh will explore the detection of gravitational waves, the story behind the discovery and how Glasgow fits into the mystery. April 12. Free.