Germany has presented the Council of Europe with a Buddy Bear to mark the 70th anniversary of its membership. The design of the Buddy Bear is based on the art work "In the Jungle" by graphic and video artist Alfred Ullrich, son of a Holocaust survivor whose roots lie in the Roma community. It was realized by Berlin-based artist Marina Bitter.
One of the main topics of the current German presidency in the Committee of Ministers is youth. It was therefore fitting that the Buddy Bear was ceremoniously unveiled in the garden of the European Youth Center in Strasbourg on April 21, 2021. The presentation was performed by Ambassador Rolf Mafael, Permanent Representative of Germany to the Council of Europe, and Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. The ceremony took place in the presence of Mr. Andreas Nick, Chairman of the German Delegation, and Mr. Frank Schwabe, Chairman of the Social Democrats and the Greens Group in the Parliamentary Assembly.
The Council of Europe and its European Youth Center are delighted to give a home to the Buddy Bear and thank Germany for its symbolic donation. This Buddy Bear will warmly welcome hundreds of young people who come to the European Youth Center to participate in activities that foster our values of democracy, human rights and respect for diversity!
Click here to see a video of the unveiling as well as the ceremonial speeches.