UBB Ljubljana 2024

President of the State Assembly of Slovenia Urska Klakočar Zupančič and the Mayor of the City of Ljubljana Zoran Janković assume patronage / Free exhibition from May 29 to July 17, 2024

The United Buddy Bears exhibition has come to Ljubljana, Slovenia. With almost 150 individually designed bears from different nations, each created by an artist for their home country, the exhibition symbolizes the diversity of the global community as it stands together in freedom and peace. The opening ceremony will take place on 29 May 2024 at 6 pm on Trg republike; it is organized by the City of Ljubljana, the German Embassy Ljubljana and Buddy Bear Berlin.

Impressions of the opening

The Opening Ceremony

Klaus Herlitz, founder of Buddy Bear Berlin in his opening speech: "In the face of challenges and conflicts worldwide, the global community longs to unite and stand together for freedom and peace. The United Buddy Bears show people how peaceful coexistence between religions and cultures can succeed. Ljubljana offers a wonderful setting for this project that brings people together." In his speech, Klaus Herlitz also paid tribute to the artist of the former Slovenian bear, which will be exhibited and auctioned off during the exhibition in the town hall. The proceeds will be donated to a youth organization.

Ambassador Kauther: "We are very pleased that we can make Germany even more visible in Ljubljana with the United Buddy Bears exhibition in such a friendly, colorful and diverse way - with the great support of German companies on site! Just like the UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany, with which we want to set an example for diversity and cohesion, the 150 bears embody tolerance and understanding."

The patron, the President of the State Assembly of Slovenia, Ms. Urska Klakočar Zupančič, and the deputy Mayor of Ljubljana, Rok Žnidaršič, held opening speeches as well. A special highlight of the event was the unveiling of the newly designed Slovenian bear, created by artist Luka Rep from the public institute "Young Dragons", whose design concept won an artist competition.

The United Buddy Bears are known worldwide for their message of international understanding, peace and freedom. Each bear tells its own story about its homeland and offers visitors the opportunity to experience other cultures through the eyes of the artists. Since their first exhibition in Berlin in 2002, well over 45 million visitors worldwide have admired the bears and their message on all five continents.

For the first time, the exhibition also focuses on sustainability. Transportation from Berlin to Ljubljana takes place by rail. The transport is supported by logistics partners DB Schenker, MAN and Adria Kombi. Since 2023, Buddy Bear Berlin has been certified as a Sustainable Partner of visitBerlin, the official tourism organisation of the city of Berlin, which follows the strict criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). The concrete slabs are made from recycled building materials.

Visitors are very welcome and are expected with pleasure. The exhibition is free for everyone and can be visited until July 17, 2024.

All the United Buddy Bears can be seen here.

Miniatures can be purchased here.

Set up of the exhibition

The emergence of the new Slovenian bear

Organizers

The exhibition owes its origin and the possibility to be visited all over the world completely free of charge to the committed work of many institutions, organisations, administrative bodies, companies and individuals.

Special thanks go also to the insitutions that organized the exhibition: