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Cosmic Africa—a sneak preview of an extraordinary story, January 7, 2003, Washington, D.C.

On Thursday evening, January 16, the Carnegie Institution will host a sneak preview of the highly acclaimed documentary film, Cosmic Africa. This special, high-definition screening comes from South Africa’s Åland Pictures and Cosmos Studios of New York for its U.S. debut.

Cosmic Africa is a true story of one extraordinary man’s journey into the rich and surprising history of African astronomy. Thebe Medupe, narrator, astronomer, and central figure, built his first telescope at age 13 in a remote African village. As an astrophysicist today, Thebe leads the audience through the breathtaking landscapes of the Sahara, Namibia, and Mali as he explores the deep connections the indigenous cultures have with the cosmos.

“Scientifically based Western people feel that their world-view is more relevant than these African mythologies,” reflected filmmakers Craig and Damon Foster. “We really believe that both world-views have equal relevance.” With the High-Definition format developed by George Lucas for Star Wars, and the Dolby digital soundtrack recorded by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, Cosmic Africa will change the way you look at the sky.

Special guests for this screening will include Thebe Medupe, Ann Druyan, CEO of Cosmos Studios and co-writer with Carl Sagan of TV’s Cosmos series, and Dr. Mamphela Ramphele, managing director at The World Bank, former vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town, and widow of Stephen Biko. Renowned Carnegie astronomer, Vera Rubin, will host the evening.

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Cosmic Africa

Thursday, January 16, 2003, 6:30 p.m.

Carnegie Institution, 1530 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005

Free Admission, seating on a first-come basis.

For more information contact

Ellen Carpenter at (202) 939-1121 or e-mail at ecarpenter@ciw.edu , or go to www.CarnegieInstitution.org