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The New7Wonders of the World were announced tonight in a star-studded ceremony featuring a fanfare of musical performances and a parade of world dignitaries. All came together for one night to highlight the world's cultural gems and shared heritage.

The New7Wonders of the World, in random order, are: The Great Wall of China, Petra, Chichйn Itzб , the Statue of Christ Redeemer, the Colosseum, Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal. More than 100 million votes were cast worldwide.

Actresses Hilary Swank and Bipasha Basu and actor Ben Kingsley hosted the ceremonies, which transformed the Benfica Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal and contrasted the more than 2,000-year-old Ancient Wonders, presented to the audience from a giant book, with the New7Wonders candidate finalists framed by a giant laptop computer.

Bernard Weber, who launched the New7Wonders Foundation to unite the world by honoring our common heritage, announced the organization's next project: The New7Wonders of Nature.

Among highlights of the evening were performances by Jennifer Lopez and Jose Carreras, as well as Dulce Pontes, Chaka Khan, Alessandro Safina and Joaquнn Cortйs. Special guests were Neil Armstrong, Bertrand Piccard, Frederico Mayor and Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal's homegrown football star.

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Mr. Bernard Weber President of New 7 Wonders, Mrs. Mercedes Arбoz Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism of Peru,  Mr. Edgard Miranda Mayor of Machu Picchu and
Mr. Jose Koechlin President of Inkaterra receiving the candidacy certificate

Zurich / Switzerland, February 20, 2007— Continuing its worldwide call to action, the New 7 Wonders World Tour will visit Machu Picchu in the Peruvian Andes today as the 19th of the 21 finalists in the campaign to choose the New 7 Wonders of the World. The moving ceremony will feature several Inca pututus, a horn made out of a shell or animal horn, echoing through the ancient city and the surrounding mountain peaks. Local children dressed in bright, colorful traditional costumes will join New 7 Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber as he hands the official certificate of candidacy to local and national officials.

 

On July 7, 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal, the winning monuments will be announced during the gala Official Declaration of the New 7 Wonders of the World, broadcast live across the planet. The event will highlight the rich cultures represented by the finalists.

 

The World Tour launched at the Acropolis on Sept. 5, 2006 in a tribute to the ancient Greek origin of the Wonders of the World concept. Since the campaign’s launch, more than 25 million votes have been cast—testimony to the powerful appeal of this first-ever global vote.

 

 

The ancient city of Machu Picchu is a symbol of community and dedication.
Bernard Weber notes that, “Machu Picchu is a testament to the incredible vision and engineering prowess of the Incas. Even though I expected to be impressed, when I saw the first terraces and houses sprawling majestically on the side of this incredibly high, steep mountain (and I thought we had steep mountains in Switzerland!), I was speechless. The whole New7Wonders team was moved by the sight. The well-preserved houses, courtyards and, of course, the only Intihuatana still standing, show how sophisticated the Inca society was, with their knowledge of astronomy, agriculture and engineering.”

 

New 7 Wonders thanks its hotel partner in Peru, the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel

 

 

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World Tour - Day 19 - February 20, 2007

The sound of several Inca pututus, instruments made from shell or animal horn, echoed through the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu and the surrounding Peruvian Andes as the New7Wonders team made the 19th of 21 stops on the World Tour.

Local children, dressed in colorful traditional costumes, were on hand as Mercedes Araoz, Peru’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, and Machu Picchu Pueblo Mayor Edgar Miranda accepted the official certificate of candidacy from New7Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber.

The New7Wonders team marveled at the site’s impressive mix of well-preserved houses, courtyards and terraces sprawled majestically on the side of the incredibly steep mountain. The building techniques of the Incas, combined with their knowledge of astronomy, agriculture and engineering, are a tribute to the sophistication of the society.

 

Source: New7Wonders