‘Golden era’ of Arab sciences going on show

By Peter Townson

Total general manager Philippe Guys, Katara general manager Marcio Barbosa and French Ambassador Gilles Bonnaud launching the ‘Golden Age of Arab Science’ Exhibition at Katara yesterday

An exhibition detailing the technological developments and advancements discovered during the "golden era” of ancient Arab civilisation will open this weekend at Katara Cultural Village.
The ‘Golden Age of Arab Sciences Exhibition’ has been brought to Qatar after being shown at the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris since 2005, and was yesterday launched by the French Ambassador, Gilles Bonnaud; the general manager of Katara, Marcio Barbosa; and general manager of Total, Philippe Guys.
Detailing the developments that took place between the 8th and 15th centuries in the Arab world, the exhibition contains pieces depicting the history of Arab astrology, mathematics, astronomy, geography, medicine, chemistry, mechanics and many other areas.
The exhibition officially opens tomorrow in building number 12 of Katara. It will run until April 20, and is open daily from 3pm-8pm and on Saturdays from 10am until 8pm. Admission is free.
Katara’s general manager, Marcio Barbosa, said that the exhibition, the first to be hosted at the cultural village, represented a major part of its aim not only to present major international events, but to showcase the most significant cultural aspects of the Arab world.
"Katara, as part of its mission, aims to promote the awareness on the importance of the contributions of every culture and civilisation to the world’s development.”
"This very successful exhibition, already shown to thousands of people in Europe, intends to present and to remind all, particularly the youth, the huge contribution of the Arab scientists to the development of humanity,” he added.
Ambassador Bonnaud said that since arriving in Qatar two years ago, he had been aiming to develop cultural relations between France and Qatar, and claimed that the exhibition was a "great example” of the common ground between the two cultures.
He commented: "The Institut du Monde Arabe has played a key role in promoting culture, language and Arab history for many years.” 
"I am very proud that the embassy is supporting the exhibition along with Katara, which is playing a great role in encouraging cultural events in the country, and Total, which is historically the first French company to have been established in Qatar,” he added.
Managing director of Total in Qatar Philippe Guys said that his company, after 75 years of working within Qatar, felt a strong affiliation with the Arab world, and wanted to be part of the initiative, promoting the cultural and social development of the country.
"Science is at the heart of our day-to-day efforts to bring further progress to the world through enhanced technology and continuous investment in research,” he said, adding "we already have a strong commitment to Qatar in this respect through our presence in the Qatar Science and Technology Park where the Total Research Center Qatar aims at making new discoveries for the future.”
"This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to link this future with the heritage of the past, going back to the roots of Arab sciences at a time when they were already at the forefront of science together,” he added.