8 March 2006 – 8 April 2006
The Löwenbräu Keller has announced their involvement as a Bronze Sponsor in the United Buddy Bears for UNICEF initiative and was the first Australian company to have purchased a bear.
Designed by Sydney artist, Hugh Oliveiro, the Buddy Bear has been named 'Lowie,' and was officially unveiled on Wednesday, 8th March at the exhibition opening after party at überbar in The Rocks.||Hugh Oliveiro was given an 'artistic licence' to interpret traditional Bavarian-style costume on 'Lowie' bear, who remains on display outside the Löwenbräu Keller until further notice. 'Lowie' bear will help promote the UN message of "peaceful coexistence, tolerance and international understanding."
Following the display outside the Lowenbrau Keller he will leave his post for a tour around Sydney to the Bavarian Bier Cafés. Sydney's award-winning most authentic Bavarian restaurant, best known for its Pure Bier, live entertainment and Bavarian fun embraces the core values shared by UNICEF and United Buddy Bears.
Through participating in United Buddy Bears, the "Löwenbräu Keller hopes to raise awareness for this charitable project, being the starting point for other Australian companies to embrace multiculturalism and the values of the UN and join the initiative in future years," said John Szangolies, Managing Director, Bavarian Hospitality Group (Löwenbräu Keller).
The "United Buddy Bears" each weigh 50 kilograms and stand two metres tall, hand-in-hand in harmony to represent the 125 member states of the UN. The idea for this exhibition was created in 2002 in Berlin by the inventors of the Buddy Bears Eva and Klaus Herlitz. The exhibition has already attracted crowds in Berlin, Kitzbühl, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo and Seoul, having raised in excess of AUD$1.5 million for UNICEF.
About the artist:
Hugh Oliveiro arrived in Australia from Singapore to study in the late 1960's, where he went on to work as an art director, stage designer, sculptor, fabric designer, jeweller, ceramic artist and painter with many solo exhibitions. Hugh's work combines a mixture of eastern and western motifs, set within a surreal stage of exotic textures and detail. Hugh is a great believer that a work of art eventually speaks for itself and the love of art is a very special experience.
About Löwenbräu Keller:
Winner of the 2005 'Best European Restaurant' and the 2004/2005 title for the 'Best Metropolitan Entertainment Restaurant,' the Löwenbräu Keller has been the most authentic Bavarian restaurant in Sydney for the past 29 years, offering traditional cooking and biers in a Bavarian atmosphere. The Löwenbräu prides itself on authentic cuisine and Pure Bavarian Fun - right in the heart of the Rocks!
The Löwenbräu Keller is open 7 days from 9am till late, with live entertainment every night of the week from 7pm. For more information on the Löwenbräu Keller, call 02 9247 7785 or visit www.lowenbrau.com.au.
For more information on the United Buddy Bears Sydney 2006 visit www.united-buddy-bears-sydney.com.