Magic School: Hogwarts Curriculum Lectures

The British Library is turning into Hogwarts with a series of lectures and courses on magical subjects to run alongside its exhibition Harry Potter: A History of Magic, which opens on 20 October. The classes cover potions, charms, divination and the history of magic from a variety of perspectives. Here is a list of the Hogwarts Curriculum Lectures coming up:

• Astronomy with Maggie Aderin-Pocock: Sun 29 Oct 2017, 2pm-3.15pm
• Herbology With Anna Pavord: Sun 12 Nov 2017, 2pm-3.15pm
• Potions with Jane Pettigrew: Sun 26 Nov 2017, 2pm-3.15pm
• Care of Magical Creatures with Patrick Aryee: Sun 3 Dec 2017, 2pm-3.15pm
• Alchemy with the Science Museum: Tue 12 Dec 2017, 7pm - 8.15pm
• History of Magic with Irving Finkel: Sat 13 Jan 2018, 2pm-3.15pm
• Defence Against The Dark Arts with Christopher Frayling: Mon 22 Jan 2018, 7pm - 8.15pm
• Charms with David Halpern: Thu 25 Jan 2018, 7pm - 8.15pm
• Divination with Marc Salem: Thu 15 Feb 2018, 7pm - 8.15pm

Full price tickets for the talks are £15, member, student and registered unemployed tickets are £10. The talks take place in the British Library Knowledge Centre. For more details visit https://www.bl.uk/events/hogwarts-curriculum-lectures? or call 01937 546546

The library is also running longer courses on the art and history of magic:

• Picturing Magic: starting Sat 21 Oct 2017
• Medieval Magic and Astrology starting Tue 24 Oct 2017
• Witchcraft in Medieval and Early Modern Europe: starting Wed 1 Nov 2017

Fees are from £295 full price, £250 for students and members. The courses run at the Harry M Weinrebe Learning Centre, The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB. Visit https://www.bl.uk/events/

The pictures show the potions class set at the Harry Potter Studio Tour, the Ripley alchemical scroll and the British Library doors.