When Hong Kong actor Jackie Chan was in Berlin, Germany, filming Around the World in 80 Days, he discovered the United Buddy Bears. At that time, the Buddy Bears were all over the city. Mesmerised by them, Chan wanted to find out more about the colourful bears. And he did.
The bears were the brainchild of a German couple, Dr Klaus Herlitz and his wife, Eva. They got the idea for the Buddy Bears during a visit to New York several years ago. The painted cows in the New York City Cow Parade, which raised US$1.3mil (RM4.9mil) for charity, delighted them.
As bears were universally loved and seen as friendly and cuddly, the Herlitzs came up with the idea of creating Buddy Bears as a symbol of understanding and peace among nations.
The bears were first displayed in Berlin in 2002 and attracted more than 1.5 million visitors. Some 71 artists from four continents – Europe, Africa, America and Asia – were in Berlin from January until May 2002 to design their country’s bear.
The bears which represent the 120 United Nations member states, stand hand-in-hand in a giant circle to symbolise solidarity and understanding among nations.
The idea of bringing the bears to Hong Kong was mooted by Chan, the founder of the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. After learning that the bears carry the message of global peace and tolerance, which is close to his heart, Chan wanted to bring the exhibition to Hong Kong and forwarded his proposal to the Hong Kong Government.
In May last year, Chan visited a workshop where the Buddy Bears were being painted and was given a tour by the Buddy Bear creators, Eva and Klaus Herlitz.
In his online diary (www.jackiechankids. com), Chan talked about the Buddy Bear project promoting love, peace and unity.
“I think it’s a really good thing; I even recorded some promotional footage for them. I hope to do something like this in Hong Kong too.”
On May 15, Chan’s dream came true. He launched the month-long United Buddy Bears Exhibition featuring over 120 life-size fibreglass bears at Victoria Park, Hong Kong.
“The Buddy Bears Exhibition is for charity,” Chan told the foreign media during his visit to the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong’s latest tourist attraction, on the waterfront promenade of Tsim Sha Tsui.
“Young people need to know about love and friendship, especially in Asia where so many countries need love and unity.”
Apart from spreading the message of love, peace and solidarity, the exhibition also aims to promote public art.
The Hong Kong exhibition and a number of related activities, ranging from Buddy Bear story-telling competitions to clay bear workshops, will raise funds for the Community Chest of Hong Kong, Hong Kong United Nations Children’s Fund and Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation.
The exhibition is viewed as a cultural exchange between artists from different countries. Visitors can get a better understanding of the different cultures and the artists’ message of peace.
Upon completion of the world tour, the Buddy Bears will be auctioned off in Berlin and the proceeds will go to Unicef.
MAJORIE CHIEW