THIS EVENT IS COMPLETED
Karlstad, 30th August 2013: HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden officially launched the award-winning 1001 Inventions exhibition, at the renowned Värmlands Museum in Karlstad, today.
The Scandinavian premiere of 1001 Inventions took place in the historic city, which also serves as the capital of the Värmland county, in the west of Sweden, and the exhibition will be open to the public seven days a week through to the 19th of January 2014.
Opening Hours – Admission – Location (Map)
Värmlands Museum, Sweden (source)
At a lavish opening ceremony, the Prince was joined by representatives from the Board of Värmlands Museum as well as foreign Ambassadors, local Academics and senior politicians, including:
- Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth, Sweden’s Minister of Culture
- Kenneth Johansson, Governor of Värmland county
- Per-Samuel Nisser, Mayor of Karlstad
- Margot Wallström, United Nations Special Representative
- Catarina Segersten Larsson, Värmland County Council
The 1001 Inventions exhibitions, which highlight the scientific and cultural accomplishments the world inherited from Muslim Civilisation, have already attracted more than three million visitors since a 2010 debut at the London Science Museum.
The exhibitions have visited New York, Istanbul, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Abu Dhabi, Dhahran and Doha prior to the Swedish residency, and 2013 will see further openings in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, and the Middle East.
Speaking on behalf of 1001 Inventions, producer and director Ahmed Salim said:
“We are delighted that Karlstad is hosting our Scandinavian premiere, and we are thrilled to be working with the prestigious Värmlands Museum. 1001 Inventions is honoured by the support we have received from HRH Prince Carl Philip, the Board of Värmlands Museum and the educational and political figures who have joined us here today. We look forward to the 1001 Inventions residency in Karlstad being as popular and successful as we have enjoyed in other host cities around the world.”
Åsa Hallén, Director of Värmlands Museum said:
“1001 Inventions is an entertaining, fun and educational experience for children and adults alike. It complements the western writing of history and accentuates some of the many amazing treasures of the cultural and scientific history of the Muslim civilization. It shows us how indeed we share a cultural global heritage and points at a very important precondition for development: the openness to input and influences from other cultures.”
A voyage to the past
The exhibition includes more than 60 interactive exhibits across seven zones. Visitors will meet men and women that they may have never even heard of but whose discoveries are the basis of a great deal of everyday life we take for granted today.
For instance, the visitors will learn about Fatima Al-Fihri, who founded the world’s first modern university complex in Fez, Al-Jazari, who invented the crankshaft which led to modern engines and pumps, Ibn al-Haytham, who explains the workings of the human eye which led to the invention of the camera obscura, and Al-Zahrawi who invented hundreds of surgical instruments, many of which are still used in hospitals today.
Building a better future
1001 Inventions aims to arouse people’s interest in the history of science and technology and inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Värmlands Museum, in Karlstad, has announced that every schoolchild in the county of Värmland aged between 6 and 18 will enjoy a field trip to see the exhibition. Many companies and societies, both local and national, are collaborating with the exhibition host to ensure that 1001 Inventions will be widely promoted and receives as many visitors as possible.
Whilst the exhibition is in Karlstad, the Värmlands Museum will also arrange special activities such as lectures and educational events in different subjects related to the 1001 Inventions.
About 1001 Inventions
1001 Inventions is a leading and award-winning international science and cultural heritage brand reaching over 70 million people.
The 1001 Inventions brand has received recognition from industry leaders, statesmen and academics worldwide. In 2011, 1001 Inventions was declared the World’s Best Touring Exhibition by the Museums and Heritage Awards in London. The exhibition’s introductory film “Library of Secrets”, starring Sir Ben Kinglsey, has been downloaded more than 20 million times and won more than 20 industry awards including “Best Film” recognition in Cannes, Los Angeles and at the New York Film Festival. In 2010, 1001 Inventions was presented with the Google-sponsored Science and Technology Award by HRH Princess Badiya bint El Hassan at the Mosaic Talent Awards.
- The brand reaches over 70 million people worldwide
- Award-winning films were seen by over 33 million viewers
- Blockbuster exhibitions visited by over 3.3 million people
- Over 200,000 worldwide book sales
- Over 16.5 million website visitors.
- Over 2,5 million registered member fan base
- Media Coverage in 78 countries
- 27 International Awards
To date, the interactive 1001 Inventions exhibition has attracted more than three million visitors during its blockbusters residencies in London, Istanbul, New York, Los Angeles, Abu Dhabi, Dhahran, Doha and Washington DC. The exhibition’s best-selling companion book, now in it’s third edition, has sold more than 200,000 copies and has been translated into Arabic and Turkish.
1001 Inventions is supported by the UK-based Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC), an international network of academic experts, as its Global Knowledge Partner. Additional support comes from the Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives, the philanthropic arm of the ALJ Group of companies, which serves as the Global Strategic Partner of 1001 Inventions.
1001 Inventions is based on two decades of research by more than a hundred leading academics and educationalists from around the world. The content of the 1001 Inventions exhibition was reviewed and approved by an independent panel of academics from the London Science Museum and was also reviewed by academic experts retained by California Science Center. Further information is available from the official website: www.1001inventions.com/references
Opening Hours
Monday 10am to 6pm
Tuesday 10am to 6pm
Wednesday 10am to 6pm
Thursday 10am to 6pm
Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 11am to 4pm
Sunday 11am to 4pm
Admission
Admission to the 1001 Inventions exhibition is included in Museum admission:
- Adults – 60 SEK
- Young people under 25 – free
Värmlands Museum, Sweden