The United Buddy Bears are displayed in Vienna in front of the Karlskirche from 1 September 2006 to 7 October 2006. Originating in Berlin, this project for international understanding has won the hearts of people around the world. The more than 140 bears have been touring the world since 2002. They have been shown in Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and many other cities.
A Call for Tolerance and international Understanding
The bears represent the United Nations member states. The individual design of each bear includes a lot of information about the country it represents. The circle they form symbolises love, peace, friendship, tolerance and international understanding. The friendly and likeable figures are excellent messengers for the motto of the project: "We have to get to know each other better, it makes us understand one another better, trust each other more and live together more peacefully" – a message that is readily accepted everywhere.
World Peace Day Event
21 September 2006 has been declared the International Day of Peace by the United Nations. The United Nations wish it to be a day of "global cease-fire, when all countries and all people stop all hostilities for the entire day".
In order to bring the thought of peace to the public on the International Day of Peace, 300 school children brought flowers to the water basin that lies in the centre of the circle of Buddy Bears. The quantity and diversity of the floating flowers and blossoms and the peace songs the young people sung together showed their hope for a peaceful future.
Charity Auction for UNICEF
After each exhibition, bears that are being replaced by newly designed ones are auctioned for the benefit of UNICEF and local organisations helping children in need. So far over EUR 1.1 million have been raised through donations and auctions.
A new "Austria Bear" was presented in Vienna on 1 September 2006. At the next exhibitions in Buenos Aires, Saint Petersburg and Cairo, this new "ambassador", designed by a Viennese artist, Brigitta Eminger, will assume its place in the circle of nations. The bear will represent Austria´s and Vienna´s position as a meeting place and a place of dialogue in the heart of Europe.