- Title: VARIOUS: Celebrations as new Seven Wonders of the World announced
- Date: 8th July 2007
- Summary: (BN17) RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (FILE - JUNE 15, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHRIST REDEEMER STATUE FROM THE AIR
- Embargoed: 23rd July 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA1L2ZCYLP37GWWJ4WZUWVG95UA
- Story Text: The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue, Peru's Machu Picchu, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India are the new Seven Wonders of the World. The Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan and Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer are among the modern-day Seven Wonders of the World chosen in a poll of 100 million online voters.
The other four are Peru's Machu Picchu, the mountain settlement that symbolises the Incan empire, Mexico's Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza, the Colosseum in Rome and the Taj Mahal in India.
The seven winners were announced at a glitzy show at Portugal's Benfica stadium. Manchester United and Portuguese soccer star Christiano Ronaldo announced the inclusion of the Mayan ruins in Mexico.
"Never before in history have so many people participated in a global decision," said actress Hilary Swank at the presentation.
The New 7 Wonders of the World organizers say the contest was a chance to level the global cultural playing field and recognise the achievements of societies outside Europe and the Middle East.
The traditional Seven Wonders of the World all existed more than 2,000 years ago and were all in the Mediterranean region. Only one remains standing today -- the Pyramids of Giza.
The Great Wall of China, which can be seen from space, looked at one stage as though it may miss out on a place in the top seven. But the Great Wall Society of China, an organization promoting the study and protection of the Great Wall, spent the last few weeks canvassing support.
The morning after the announcement it was business as usual on the Wall - thousands of tourists snapping away with their cameras.
One young Chinese visitor said it was something all Chinese should be proud of.
There were fireworks in the Jordanian capital Amman as hundreds poured onto the streets to celebrate Petra's inclusion in the list. Cars beeped their horns, flags were waved, and there was a real sense of national pride.
"Jordan has now become one of the greatest countries in the world" said one man.
And a young woman was almost lost for words. "I cannot say how I feel... this is a wonderful feeling, a joy".
In Petra itself there were celebrations. There was singing and dancing. And the ancient city was lit up.
Petra, which means rock, is a rose - red city carved in stone and was the capital of the Nabateans who inhabited the area in the third century BC for around 500 years. It was discovered by a Swiss explorer in 1812 who became the first westerner to see it.
In Peru, Machu Picchu is now officially one of the Seven Wonders. It's a complex of homes, prisons and ceremonial centres set in the green mountains of the Urubamba river valley in Cuzco, some 1,100 kilometres southwest of Lima.
Calculations have shown that the structures were built around 1460 by the Incas and were abandoned after the Spanish conquest, when they were covered by thick forests, until their discovery in 1911 by U.S. archaeologist Hiram Bingham.
Peruvian President Alan Garcia joined the celebrations decked out in indigenous Cuzco dress.
He told a cheering crowd the recognition would return Machu Picchu and the Andean civilization of the Incas to a place where it is regarded as one of the leading civilizations of human history.
Celebrations too in the Mexican state of Yucatan.
Chichen Itza, considered the most important Mayan capital at the end of the classic period (750 to 1200 A.D.), was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The city is home to several buildings that are remarkable both for their architectural design and their religious and scientific significance, being one of the most remarkable the Kukulcan's pyramid.
Hundreds gathered at the ruins to await the Seven Wonders announcement.
There were traditional dances and a concert. And jubilation when Chichen Itza's named was called out.
In Mexico City customers in restaurants and bars watched on television.
"We all know how marvellous it is" said one woman, "it deserves this high recognition".
The Colosseum in Rome is the only European site to be picked as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.
Built during the Roman Empire, it was once a place for brutal executions and fights between the Roman warriors, the gladiators.
It is now the most visited Italian archaeological site, with three-million tourists every year.
Romans were not altogether surprised their ancient arena made it into the top seven.
'What's new? It has always been one of the wonders of the world, it is the most beautiful monument in the world', said a Roman "warrior", one of the many men who pose for tourists' photographs dressed as centurions.
And last but not least, to India and Agra city, home of the Taj Mahal.
The onion-domed monument, about four hours drive south of New Delhi, was built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving labour.
The monument was completed in 1648 after 17 years of construction by 20,000 workers.
Talak Umari, an artist dressed as Shahjahan, said the inclusion of the Taj in the Seven Wonders proved the power of love.
In India, like Petra, Peru and Mexico there are hopes the new award will boost tourism and the local economy.
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