The Buddy bear Berlin Show started in June 2001 in the city of Berlin as a public art event, comparable to the Cow Parades of Chicago in 1999 and New York in 2000. The city of Berlin is fortunate to possess a bear as a heraldic figure, an animal which is loved by children and adults alike! Thus, the bear-sculptures, having been specially created by sculptors and individually hand-painted for this city event, were soon taken into the hearts of Berliners and tourists alike as they give enjoyment to all passers-bye who encounter them on the streets and squares of Berlin. They are being photographed all the time and children tirelessly use them as their playing partners. Child care organizations will be beneficiairies when a majority of the buddy bears will be auctioned off in the year 2002.
In the meantime, the buddy bear-initiative continues to evolve and the buddy bears have become good ambassadors for Berlin. For example, city officials have presented buddy bears as gifts to the mayors of Rome and Prague. Also in the United States, the city of Houston/Texas features a buddy bear from Berlin since October 2001.
A buddy bear hand painted by a well-known Berlin artist will be presented to the City of New York as an expression of friendship and gratitude felt by the Berliners towards the American people and as a symbol of our solidarity.
In the spring of 2002, the operation "United Buddy Bears" will create a special symbol for friendship and tolerance when 184 buddy bears holding hands in a big circle will be displayed in a public square of Berlin each representing one of the foreign embassies accredited in Germany.
The initiative is being financed by companies and private individuals who identify themselves with the goals of the Buddy Bear Show, which on the one hand are to make Berlin a happier and more colourful place and to enjoy Berliners and tourists alike, and on the other hand aims to provide a symbol of peaceful cohabitation, tolerance and understanding between the people through the "United Buddy Bears" action scheduled for the year 2002.
Friedrichstrasse 200
Checkpoint Charlie
D-10117 Berlin
Tel. +49(0) 30/22 33-32 07
Fax +49(0) 30/22 33-35 70
www.buddy-bear.com
info@buddy-bear.com
