An Internet sensation was touched off this week by Russian photographer Vadim Makhorov and a group of his friends — the group ignored regulations prohibiting the public from climbing on the Pyramids at Giza, Egypt, and came away with spectacular photos.
‘Childhood dream come alive’
The photos have incited reactions ranging from envy and awe to indignation and concern for the preservation of the ancient wonders. In an email to CNN, Makhorov now explains his reasons for flouting the regulations, and issues an apology to Egypt and the world.
“I’ve always been drawn to Egypt. For as long as I can remember my dream was to get to the top of the Great Pyramid of Giza… No words can express the fascination I felt when seeing my childhood dream come alive. Probably this very feeling made us climb onto the top of the Pyramid and see the the panorama of the whole complex, the desert and Cairo itself.
‘Magnificent panorama’
“It was already pitch black and nobody paid us any attention. We started climbing as fast and as soundless as we could. You have to be quite strong and agile to climb onto a meter-high block covered with dust… What we saw from up there was the seventh wonder of the world. We tried to capture the beauty of the scenery in the photos, so that the others could also see this magnificent panorama…
“That’s why I would like to apologize for this ascension. We didn’t want to insult anyone. We were just following the dream.”
What is your opinion about illegally climbing the Egyptian pyramids — is it a crime worthy of punishment or an act of curiosity worthy or awe? And what do you think about the photos they snapped?
Source: Frances Cha, CNN
Image: Architizer
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