| Chicago's IMAX Theater at Navy Pier to host 'Mystery | | | | as one of the new seven wonders during the |
| of the Mayas' from June 18 to 24 Vote Chichen-Itza! In | | | | week-long showing. Voters will be eligible to win a free |
| the spirit of driving the vote for the archaeological site | | | | trip to Chichen-Itza, including roundtrip airfare and hotel |
| as a new world wonder, the Mexico Tourism Board | | | | accommodations for two. "We are pleased to be |
| will be hosting the film "Mystery of the Mayas" at the | | | | sharing our Mexican culture and history with the |
| IMAX Theater at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago | | | | Chicago community through this film," said Eduardo |
| from June 18 to 24. The film is open to the public and | | | | Chaillo, director of the Strategic Business Unit for the |
| free of charge (subject to availability). Filmed on | | | | US and Canada for the Mexico Tourism Board. |
| location at numerous sacred sites throughout Mexico, | | | | "Residents will be able to appreciate the Mayan culture |
| the film explores the culture, science and history of the | | | | and see why Chichen-Itza is worthy of becoming one |
| Mayan civilization. The story is told through a | | | | of the new seven world wonders," he added. About |
| modern-day archaeologist and a young Mayan | | | | the Mexico Tourism Board The Mexico Tourism Board |
| descendant who explores ruins and legends to unlock | | | | (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and |
| secrets of the past. "Mystery of the Maya" takes the | | | | state governments, municipalities and private |
| audience through a breathtaking trip on Mayan culture | | | | companies to promote Mexico's tourism attractions |
| and history. Dr. Joel Palka, Associate Professor of | | | | and destinations nationally and internationally. Created in |
| Anthropology and Latin American and Latino Studies | | | | 1999, the MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, |
| of the University of Illinois at Chicago will give a special | | | | and its participants include members of both the |
| presentation on the giant IMAX screen highlighting | | | | private and public sectors. The MTB has offices |
| state-of-the art in Maya archeology (recent finds, new | | | | throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Latin |
| directions, etc.) for the VIP audience. Dr. Palka's current | | | | America. About Chichen-Itza, the World Wonder |
| research covers ancient Maya social differentiation, | | | | Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation is revising the |
| settlement archaeology and the collapse of the Maya | | | | original seven ancient wonders of the world, and |
| civilization. Show times are Monday, June 18, at 7:30 | | | | Mexico's Chichen-Itza in Yucatan State is one of 21 |
| p.m.; Tuesday, June 19, at 7:15 p.m.; Wednesday, June | | | | finalists to become a new Seven World Wonder. |
| 20, at 12:15 p.m.; Thursday, June 21, at 5:45 p.m.; Friday, | | | | Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, |
| June 22, at 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, June 23, at 9:45 p.m. | | | | Chichen-Itza is considered to have been one of the |
| and Sunday, June 24, at 3:00 p.m.. For tickets, please | | | | greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan peninsula, and |
| contact Erick Laseca via email at Erick., phone at | | | | today is one of the largest and most impressive |
| 312-228-0517, ext. 14 or fax at 312-312-228-0515. A | | | | archaeological sites in Mexico. To vote for Chichen-Itza |
| voting station at the entrance of IMAX Theater at | | | | as one of the new Seven World Wonders, visit the |
| Navy Pier will enable visitors to vote for Chichen-Itza | | | | "new7wonders" website. |