Yesterday in Lisbon, the New 7 Wonders Foundation announced the winners of a global vote on the New 7 Wonders of the World at the official declaration ceremony. Do read a bit about the history of the project.
Millions voted to create a list of 77 candidates. At the beginning of 2007, a panel of experts created a short list of 21 candidates. Since then, more than 100 million votes have been cast worldwide. The winners, listed alphabetically, are:
The sites not chosen included:- Chichén Itzá, Mexico
- Christ the Redeemer Statue, Brazil
- Colosseum, Italy
- Great Wall of China
- Machu Picchu, Peru
- Petra, Jordan
- Taj Mahal, India
- Acropolis, Greece
- Alhambra, Spain
- Angkor, Cambodia
- Easter Island Statues, Chile
- Eiffel Tower, France
- Hagia Sophia, Turkey
- Kiyomizu Temple, Japan
- Kremlin/St. Basil, Russia
- Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
- Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
- Statue of Liberty, USA
- Stonehenge, United Kingdom
- Sydney Opera House, Australia
- Timbuktu, Mali
I'm a bit disappointed that the Pyramids did not make the list. Yes, I know they are still on the list of 7 Ancient Wonders of the World, but the fact that they are all that remains of the original seven is a testament to the ingenuity of those responsible for designing and building them. And really, aren't they the symbols that come into your mind when you think of Egypt? I wasn't impressed by the inclusion of the Statue of Liberty or the Christ the Redeemer statues on the short list. In this category, I am moved more by architecture than art. I also wonder why Christ the Redeemer made the short list and not the Tian Tan Buddha. A bit more religious equity would have been nice. Having just recently visited China and Tibet, I am also puzzled as to why the Forbidden City and Potala Palace weren't on the short list. I am thrilled that Petra made the list of 7, and really wish that the Hagia Sophia or Timbuktu had made the final cut. What do you think?
What's next for the Foundation? Why it's a contest for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Go now and nominate sites for consideration.
What's next for the Foundation? Why it's a contest for the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Go now and nominate sites for consideration.
Tricia,
ReplyDeleteHave you read Lynn Curlee's book SEVEN WONDERS OF THE ANCIENT WORLD?
Curlee--who wrote and illustrated the book--was educated as an art historian.