How is it that the Acropolis, with its magnificent Parthenon, was not voted one of the 7 new wonders of the world???? Maybe we were spending too much time on Yahoo Answers, and not enough time sending in our votes. I am truly disappointed in the winners.....not even Agia Sofia made it. Please comment.
2007-07-08 06:02:09 · 18 answers · asked by dvatwork 7 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Greece
This is a perfect example of "Greek tragedy".
2007-07-08 06:12:09 · update #1
I just went back...and looked at all the nominations for the 7 wonders. I am not saying this because I am Greek, I say this because I have a discerning eye: With the exception of the Taj Mahal, none of the winners comes anywhere CLOSE to Acropolis and Agia Sofia in magnificence. The wall of China for example, is certainly an astounding feat, but aesthetically, it does not even compare.
2007-07-08 11:50:14 · update #2
Hello Domna,
Maybe they considered that it is the same as other greek temples there are in Southern Italy, i dont know...With all the respect, the Brazilian monument is recent, and to tell you the truth, Acropolis is a symbol of civilisation for many nations...
Aghia Sofia also...Concerning Aghai Sofia, it is something else to describe it, and something else to be inside...It is something that the human mind can not immagine...
It was unfair, yes...
2007-07-08 06:16:23 · answer #1 · answered by Leonarda 7 · 9⤊ 1⤋
Let's be honest. The bigger the population of the country, the more votes they got. How can some of these so called "new wonders" even compare to the acropolis. Does the statue of Jesus in Brazil really deserve it? I don't think so. But at the end of the day it is a marketing stunt, maybe planned to increase tourism and publicity in certain of these places. The Acropolis and to a lesser extent the Agia Sofia don't need these sort of publicity stunts. They are known around the world for being something the 7 new wonders of the world can never be without advertising; awe inspiring.
2007-07-09 05:37:16 · answer #2 · answered by I think therefore I am 2210 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is tryly socking if that it is true in London's Metro on Friday Acropolis was in the shortlist as well as Agia Sofia (I am currently studying in London). I am afraid also that situations like this would be used by the historians of the future as points marking the decadence of the Western Civilisation. Treble Rome, for the barbarians are coming!...
2007-07-09 06:40:12 · answer #3 · answered by chrisvoulg1 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are soooo freakin' right... I mean, what does the Statue of Liberty have to do with the magnificence, and history of the Parthenon and Ayia Sofia?
I totally agree it is symbolic, but it is cannot be compared with the art and magnificence of those greek monuments...
It was disappointing indeed...
Whose idea was to make a voting on the "new" 7 wonders of the world anyway?
2007-07-09 13:45:42 · answer #4 · answered by AM1706 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
THE ENTIRE CONCEPT OF "the modern 7 wonders" IS A COMMERCIAL TRICK!!!
It is a ridiculous idea created by a Helvetian businessman Bernard Weber who launched the project in September 1999. He created a foundation to support his personal view AND GAIN MONEY!!!.
He advertised it and people assume that this was an official international organization!!! In reality UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has clearly stated that the "7 modern wonders" is a private and NOT an international institution!
In a press release on June 20, 2007 reaffirmed that it has no link with the initiative, :" In order to avoid any damaging confusion, UNESCO wishes to reaffirm that there is no link whatsoever between UNESCO’s World Heritage programme, which aims to protect world heritage, and the current campaign concerning “The New 7 Wonders of the World”".
which it says would reflect "only the opinions of those with access to the internet".
A paragraph from the press release reads "There is no comparison between Mr Weber’s mediatised campaign and the scientific and educational work resulting from the inscription of sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The list of the 7 New Wonders of the World will be the result of a private undertaking, reflecting only the opinions of those with access to the internet and not the entire world. This initiative cannot, in any significant and sustainable manner, contribute to the preservation of sites elected by this public."
The list of the "modern wonders" was incredible!!!! They included the great Pyramid which already IS the only surviving ancient wonder, they included almost every important monument in the world (so that everyone should be happy!) with the majority of them ancient and not really modern!
But more incredible is the following!!
In addition to free votes, votes could be bought from by any individual, organization or government. In its Terms and Conditions, NOWC "reserves the right at its absolute discretion to exclude [any] votes" that are cast.
Get it know?? A commercial trick to gain money and certainly not internationally accepted!!!!
2007-07-09 04:54:42 · answer #5 · answered by ragzeus 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am from Asia and I've voted for Acropolis too and very disappointed that it was not one of the new 7 wonders of the world!
Still, I am coming to visit in September as I find your Acropolis really AWESOME!!!!
Way to go.......
2007-07-09 04:08:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
This only shows the cultural level of people who vote, by touristic criteria. If they had any education of art history (I don't mean experts, I only mean the art history any cultured person should know), they would realize what the Parthenon and HAghia Sophia mean, for world art, not by nationalist criteria. Anyway, the fact that anyone could vote makes this vote not really valid, because as you realize you can't control people's criteria, that can be nationalist, ignorant, or just random (since you don't know who has access and how many people will bother to vote).
2007-07-09 03:10:40 · answer #7 · answered by cpinatsi 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello dear Domna!
Well, I was expecting such results! Art, Sciences, etc., are not appreciated by majority! If there would include the Coca Cola bottle, it would get more votes than Acropolis and Parthenon! Who knows that Parthenon is a Pyramid? Who knows that there is no straight line on Parthenon? Well, most voters did not know most of the places!
I was expecting such results!
2007-07-08 17:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by soubassakis 6 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I voted both for Parthenon and Agia Sofia and feel dissapointed too.
2007-07-08 13:06:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
Guys, that was a commercial trick that made a lot of money for the people who thought of it.
In our hearts Parthenon and Aghia Sophia are the best wonder achievements of the past and no one can change that fact.
But in the same way feel Chinese for the Wall. Indians for Taj-Mahal. Americans for the Liberty statue and so on and so on.
It's a matter of numbers. We are a few millions short!
2007-07-08 14:59:58 · answer #10 · answered by Airpole. 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋