Jackie had seen these Buddy Bears in Berlin while making "Around the World In 80 Days". Little did he know at the time, that these Buddy Bears he wrote about in his online diary on his official website would create such worldwide interest in them and that proceeds from auctions of these Buddy Bears go to organizations supporting children in need including UNICEF which Jackie has recently become a Goodwill Ambassador for.
From United Buddy Bears:
Great opening of the circle of "United Buddy Bears" in Hong Kong
On May 15th, the circle of “United Buddy Bears“ was opened with a festive ceremony. Hot-air balloons were carrying the message of the “United Buddy Bears“ into the sky of Hong Kong. 3,000 invited guests of honour from the world of politics, business, art and culture were welcoming the “United Buddy Bears“ on their world tour in the Victoria Park in Hong Kong. Among the guests was the patron of the Hong Kong exhibition, the world famous actor Jackie Chan, who was recently nominated UNICEF ambassador extraordinary.
The exhibition with its large framework programme is jointly organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong, the Home Affairs Department and the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. It is assisted by the Tourism Commission, the Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Hong Kong.
The presentation of the circle of “United Buddy Bears“ was on the one hand made possible by Alexandra Oetker’s great commitment. Through her initiative, the shipping company Hamburg Sued – a company of the Oetker Group – sponsored the shipping from Germany to Hong Kong.
And thanks to Jackie Chan’s great support, 13 local major sponsors plus 54 individual sponsors could be won in Hong Kong.
All funds raised in Hong Kong will go to the Hong Kong Committee for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Community Chest of Hong Kong and the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. The proceeds are in aid of children in need.
On the day of the opening of the circle of “United Buddy Bears”, these 3 organisations received cheques in the total amount of HKD 4.14 Million (=EUR 447,000).
Message of greeting by the Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit
The Buddy Bears are more than a colourful, tangible part of Berlin. They express people’s longing for peace, freedom and international understanding. That is a message that is sent around the world from Berlin, the city that was once divided.
Last year the 125 Buddy Bears formed a circle next to the Brandenburg Gate – a location that, unlike any other, stands as much for the division of Germany as for its peaceful and free reunification.
Thousands of Berlin visitors fell under the spell of the bear-circle. One of these visitors was the film star Jackie Chan, who was filming in Berlin at the time. We are very grateful that he and my Hong Kong counterpart, Tung Chee-hwa, have agreed to be the patrons for the Buddy Bears’ journey to Hong Kong.
The Buddy Bears of Berlin are not only ambassadors for a tolerant and cosmopolitan metropolis; they also serve another good cause. Whoever falls under the spell of the bears can buy one at an auction. The proceeds from that auction are in aid of Unicef and other organizations supporting children in need.
I wish the people of Hong Kong happy, but also thoughtful times with the Buddy Bears from Berlin.
Please click here for more information on what United Buddy Bears are, their worlwide peaceful purpose to help those in need, and Jackie Chan's connection to them.
Be sure to visit the Jackie's Kids Corner website to see the WONDERFUL job that Katharine Mysak, the webmaster of that site, has done to create such a very informative and comprehensive United Buddy Bears page along with Holly Hecht's fun cartoon artwork that can be seen thoughout that website. This special part of her site includes photos of Jackie Chan in the factory where United Buddy Bears are made and many photos with and often ON these bears while he was in Berlin and also for promotional photos to annouce the arrival of the United Budy Bears in Hong Kong.