The Mayas are Coming to the Windy City

Released on = June 17, 2007, 12:19 pm

Press Release Author = Erick Laseca

Industry = Education

Press Release Summary = Chicago's IMAX Theater at Navy Pier to host 'Mystery of the
Mayas' from June 18 to 24

Press Release Body = Vote Chichen-Itza! In the spirit of driving the vote for the
archaeological site as a new world wonder, the Mexico Tourism Board will be hosting
the film \"Mystery of the Mayas\" at the IMAX Theater at Navy Pier in downtown Chicago
from June 18 to 24. The film is open to the public and free of charge (subject to
availability).

Filmed on location at numerous sacred sites throughout Mexico, the film explores the
culture, science and history of the Mayan civilization. The story is told through a
modern-day archaeologist and a young Mayan descendant who explores ruins and legends
to unlock secrets of the past. "Mystery of the Maya" takes the audience through a
breathtaking trip on Mayan culture and history.

Dr. Joel Palka, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Latin American and Latino
Studies of the University of Illinois at Chicago will give a special presentation on
the giant IMAX screen highlighting state-of-the art in Maya archeology (recent
finds, new directions, etc.) for the VIP audience. Dr. Palka's current research
covers ancient Maya social differentiation, settlement archaeology and the collapse
of the Maya civilization.

Show times are Monday, June 18, at 7:30 p.m.; Tuesday, June 19, at 7:15 p.m.;
Wednesday, June 20, at 12:15 p.m.; Thursday, June 21, at 5:45 p.m.; Friday, June 22,
at 9:45 p.m.; Saturday, June 23, at 9:45 p.m. and Sunday, June 24, at 3:00 p.m..
For tickets, please contact Erick Laseca via email at Erick.Laseca@bm.com, phone at
312-228-0517, ext. 14 or fax at 312-312-228-0515.

A voting station at the entrance of IMAX Theater at Navy Pier will enable visitors
to vote for Chichen-Itza as one of the new seven wonders during the week-long
showing. Voters will be eligible to win a free trip to Chichen-Itza, including
roundtrip airfare and hotel accommodations for two.

"We are pleased to be sharing our Mexican culture and history with the Chicago
community through this film," said Eduardo Chaillo, director of the Strategic
Business Unit for the US and Canada for the Mexico Tourism Board. "Residents will be
able to appreciate the Mayan culture and see why Chichen-Itza is worthy of becoming
one of the new seven world wonders," he added.

About the Mexico Tourism Board
The Mexico Tourism Board (MTB) brings together the resources of federal and state
governments, municipalities and private companies to promote Mexico\'s tourism
attractions and destinations nationally and internationally. Created in 1999, the
MTB is Mexico's tourism promotion agency, and its participants include members of
both the private and public sectors. The MTB has offices throughout North America,
Europe, Asia and Latin America.

About Chichen-Itza, the World Wonder
Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation is revising the original seven ancient wonders of
the world, and Mexico's Chichen-Itza in Yucatan State is one of 21 finalists to
become a new Seven World Wonder. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998,
Chichen-Itza is considered to have been one of the greatest Mayan centers of the
Yucatan peninsula, and today is one of the largest and most impressive
archaeological sites in Mexico. To vote for Chichen-Itza as one of the new Seven
World Wonders, visit the "new7wonders" website.

# # #

Erick Laseca
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517 ext14
erick.laseca@bm.com


Web Site = http://www.visitmexico.com

Contact Details = Erick Laseca
Mexico Tourism Board
312-228-0517 ext14
erick.laseca@bm.com

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