For the first time, China will be unveiling the creations of Arab philosopher Ibn Al-Haytham to the world on its biggest national Science Festival on July 17 until August 2 at the Beijing Exhibition Center. 

Through a partnership with the award-winning UK-based committee, 1001 Inventions, and in association with international partners including UAE-based production house, Blink Studios, they will feature "1001 Inventions and the World of Ibn Al-Haytham," as its anchor attraction. 

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"Linking the Chinese legacy in early optics with the seminal achievements of Ibn Al-Haytham on light and vision theories, offers insights to the significant accumulation of scientific knowledge through the contributions of different civilizations," 1001 Inventions' producer and director Ahmed Salim said.

"Such historical collective learning, by people of different languages, faiths and cultures, has laid the foundation for modern science, helping to this day shape our understanding of the universe and impacting our day-to-day lives," he added. 

In celebration of the United Nations proclaimed International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies (IYL 2015), China Science Festival 2015 has chosen "Light and Color" as its theme, Novus Light has learned. In line with this year's theme, Ibn Al-Haytham was unveiled as its official mascot and guest of honor. 

The 11^th century Middle Eastern scholar made critical commitments to the standards of optics, astronomy, mathematics, meteorology, visual perception and the scientific method. Honored as "Ptolemy the Second" (Ptolemaeus Secundus) or "The Physicist," he lived most of his life near the court of the Caliphate in Cairo and earned his living composing different treatises and coaching individuals from the nobilities.

At the China Science Festival, the Ibn Al-Haytham-themed zone will be part of a larger global campaign and a series of media preparations including a 12-minute short film about the life story of Ibn Al-Haytham's journey to discover the nature of light and vision. According to Gulf Today, the animated narrative is laced with a live-action back story featuring legendary Oscar-nominated actor Omar Sharif, who leads the mission of discovering Ibn Al-Haytham's quest to comprehend the principles of light and optical theories.

Aside from the short film, the China Science Festival will also include a giant fully functioning camera obscura, theatrical science performances and hands-on demonstrations. The instructive encounters intend to draw in general society in lauding the 1,000-year commemoration of Ibn Al-Haytham's fundamental work optics Kitab al-Manazir (The Book of Optics) and raise awareness of light science and its answers for mankind.

Meanwhile, the short film will first be shown at science festivals around the world before its full release to the public next year, Gulf News noted. And since it's the first time that China has celebrated an Arab figure, the short animated film on Al-Haytham will be touring eight Chinese cities.

TagsScience, National Chinese Science Festival, 1001 Inventions