Menchu deplores commercial hype on doomsday

Rigoberta Menchu, the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner, is unhappy about the commercial hype over the supposed ancient Maya predictions of an end of the world on December 21.

The date marks the end of an era that lasted over 5000 years, according to the Mayan "Long Count" calendar. Some believe that the date, which coincides with the December solstice, marks the end of the world as foretold by Mayan hieroglyphs - an idea ridiculed by scholars.

Nevertheless, millions of tourists are expected to flock to Mexico and Central America for celebrations that will include fireworks and concerts held at more than three dozen archaeological sites.

Source: AAP