String operations

The purpose of the talk is to motivate some basic constructions in string topology. I will start with Goldman's construction of a bracket on loops on surfaces, and also Turaev's construction of a cobracket. These elementary constructions fit in Chas-Sullivan's general string topology program. I will explain how this works and then, by means of simple examples, show how these extend to orbifolds. If you can draw a loop on a surface you will be able to follow the talk!