nonsense…
January 28, 2007 | Category: Around the world, Art & Culture, People & Places, Uncategorized
“Egypt is scoffing at a global contest to name the new seven wonders of the world, saying it’s a disgrace that the Pyramids of Giza - the only surviving structure from the original list of architectural marvels - must compete for a spot.Egypt is scoffing at a global contest to name the new seven wonders of the world, saying it’s a disgrace that the Pyramids of Giza - the only surviving structure from the original list of architectural marvels - must compete for a spot.”
The head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Zahi Hawass, recently said the “New 7 Wonders of the World” campaign had “no scientific or official stature.”
The pyramids are “living in the hearts of people around the globe, and don’t need a vote to be among the world wonders,” Hawass said.
Doesn’t this sound familiar?
not only that but Egyptian officials refused to meet with Swiss adventurer Bernard Weber who started the “New 7 Wonders of the World” in 1999 who, as part of the campaign, was visiting each of the 21 sites. “They have not allowed us any kind of dialogue,” said contest spokeswoman Tia B. Viering. “We think it’s about ego, and we don’t know why the hostility is there.”
Egypt’s Culture Minister Farouk Hosni called the competition “nonsense,” saying it was “meaningless to vote on the pyramids” because they are the most important and most ancient wonder.
What’s nonsense and embarrassing in the Egyptians’ reaction to all this. I don’t understand their childish reaction! Like mentioned, the objective of this contest is “not about taking something away, it’s about moving something into modern times.” [Source]
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Qwaider قويدر
on January 28th, 2007Unfortunately Iman, with all due respect, I totally agree with Egypt’s position on this. This should have been the Jordanian response too
I’m not in the mood to get into another debate about this matter … I was going to post about it few days ago and say that this is the proper response
eltapatio
on January 28th, 2007Iman,
I agree with Qwaider. Firstly, Egypt’s tourism is the bread and butter for that country. Seconndly, to equate the pyramids with the statue od libirty IS total none-sense. Dubai is building a replica of Eifel Tower thaths going to be even bigger than the original. but does that qualify it to be a world wonder? hell no. if, at the time of building the pyramids, the egyptians had what’s available these days, who knows what they could have done?
Rihab
on January 29th, 2007The Egyptian culture minister is right to regard it as nonsense, and it is true that the Pyramids and the Egyptian civilization in its entirety is greater than this contest… but at the same time that’s what makes their reaction kinda pathetic. I don’t think that this contest will ultimately matter because regardless of the outcome, the Pyramids will remain as one of the greatest, if not thE, greatest man-made structure of all time. I think the Egyptians should have just went along with it for the sake of showing good spirits; it’s practically guaranteed that the Pyramids will end up as one of the 7 greatest wonders because they really do dwarf the competition.
Kerr
on January 29th, 2007Why are you duplicating the first paragraph? :P
Maha
on January 30th, 2007Yes the pyramids are the greatest, and yes having the Eifel tower, statue of liberty, and Sydny opra house as nominees is quite insulting, but they should at least play along in good humor, the way they presented their position is lame and pathetic.
If i was the minister of Egyptian tourism i would have totally milked the event to Egypt’s benefit by cooperating and even insist on having the announcment ceremony of the new 7 wonders in egypt on 7/7/2007 ….the 7000 year old civilization welcomes the new wonders, make it classy, make it larger than life like the pyramids !! It’s not like there is any doubt about the pyramids winning this !!