I do agree that we need a set of New Seven Wonders of the World because the original list of the Seven Wonders of the World was compiled way back in the 2nd century BC. Out of the seven structures, only one, the Great Pyramid of Giza, still exists in the present day, while the existence of others such as the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is disputable.
Furthermore, the structures in the list were all centered around the Mediterranean rim because it was compiled by a Greek in ancient time when there were no such things as aeroplanes, satellites, or space shuttles. So it wasn't really a good representative of the wonders of the world, as the world to the ancient Greeks probably didn't extend out of the Mediterranean at all.
The New 7 Wonders foundation had shortlisted 21 architectures around the world for everyone to vote for the new Seven Wonders of the World, which will be announced in 2007. The 21 finalists are:
- Acropolis (Athens, Greece)
- Alhambra (Granada, Spain)
- Angkor (Cambodia)
- Chichen Itza (Yucatán, Mexico)
- Christ Redeemer (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
- Colosseum (Rome, Italy)
- Easter Island Statues (Chile)
- Eiffel Tower (Paris, France)
- Great Wall (China)
- Hagia Sophia (Istanbul, Turkey)
- Kremlin (Moscow, Russia)
- Kyomizu Temple (Kyoto, Japan)
- Machu Picchu (Peru)
- Neuschwanstein Castle (Füssen, Germany)
- Petra (Jordan)
- Pyramids of Giza (Egypt)
- Statue of Liberty (New York, United States)
- Stonehenge (Amesbury, United Kingdom)
- Sydney Opera House (Australia)
- Taj Mahal (Agra, India)
- Timbuktu (Mali)
When i looked through the list, i was taken aback by some of the selections...
Eiffel Tower? Statue of Liberty?? Sydney Opera House???
Huh? Huh?? HUH???
Are we talking about the WONDERS of the world or the most visited tourist attractions in the world???
I'm not trying to insult these structures which are the national pride of the respective countries. In fact, i think these architectures are really remarkable and beautiful in their own rights. But to compete in the same category as the Pyramids, Great Wall, and Angkor for the title of the Wonders of the World?! Hmmmm...
To me, the architecture that is worthy of the title should not only be a marvel. It should be a symbol of civilization, a display of the brilliance of human race, and probably with unsurpassed magnificence.
If an iron tower that is not even in the top ten of the tallest structures in the world is considered wonderous, then our Petronas Twin Towers are equally impressive.
If a copper statue that was built by the French as a gift to the American is considered wonderous, then i think the Terracotta Army that was built thousands years ago and hidden under the ground is equally awe-inspiring.
If a performing arts venue with roofs shaped like shells is considered wonderous, then i think the Esplanade that shaped like a fruit with prickly rind is equally amazing.
Anyway, if i were to pick from the list, here's my selection (in alphabetical order):
- Acropolis (Athens, Greece)
- Angkor (Cambodia)
- Chichen Itza (Yucatán, Mexico)
- Colosseum (Rome, Italy)
- Great Wall (China)
- Machu Picchu (Peru)
- Pyramids of Giza (Egypt)
Labels: opinion
