After a thirteen years tour to countries on several continents, the traveling exhibition United Buddy Bears, initiative created in Berlin to promote tolerance, peaceful coexistence and unity among peoples, was inaugurated Plaza de San Francisco de Asis in Havana with the auspices of the United Nations, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and the Office of the City Historian.
The bears, animals that have represented since ancient times the force of nature and are used as pet and toys in playgrounds, become with United Buddy Bears a hymn to tolerance and understanding between peoples, from the interpretation of each of bears placed "hand in hand" were painted by artists from 140 countries, representing the cultures that make the peaceful world we dream of. Hence the motto of the sample: 'We have to know each other better, to understand ourselves better, to trust more in each other, and live better. "
"Every Buddy Bear- as the organizers declare -has been individually created by an artist to his homeland. The different styles of international artists come together in fellowship to create a comprehensive artwork that conveys joy of living. The diverse design of the Buddy Bears, representing the most typical of each country, makes live the visitors a journey around the globe. "
Through donations and auctions of Friendly Bears it have been able to raise up to December 2014 a total of 2,050,733 euros for UNICEF and local organizations to help children. At the opening in Havana, Dr. Peter Scholz, German Ambassador in Cuba, said that the message of tolerance and friendship among the peoples that parts of the theme of the exhibition should not be missed in the distance without being heard, and that he hopes that bears provide great pleasure and joy to people and Cuban children.
About BEAR AND SALMON
We gather around a quadrangle formed by dozens of creatures from ancient times that have been part of the imaginary of the ancient peoples of Europe and Asia. In our America some creatures of that family also lived in ancient times. I’m glad to imagine that now, revived with the colors with which each artist sees the world, are here in the heart of the Historic Center, World Heritage, giving meaning to the vision of openness and, as mentioned, tolerance.
Tolerance is very important, but I personally believe in something greater: I do not want to be tolerated, I want to be respected. That's why the symbol is the base of the structure on which has to be built up a sign of human society, a symbol of peace and harmony, so indispensable in the hearts, in the spirit of nations and people, and also a nice invitation to come now to Havana from all over the world.
There is an old legend, is that the bear hug is mortal. In this case, immobilized by art, they are peaceful and gathered, summoning us to shake hands and take us pictures with them, and that these images of Havana fly all over the world. (...)
And that is Havana. Havana is a state of mind. It is also a city that in some ways seems frozen in time, but is capable of shaking hands to modernity without fear, and brings today, to the heart of classical and historical city, an exhibition as beautiful as this one.
I thank the sponsors, especially you, that with special friendship and affection have done this. I am grateful to the Cuban artist who far from home and returning periodically she chooses warm Cuba symbols to dress the little Cuban bear. And I thank especially the Ambassador and his distinguished wife for presenting to us the idea. And also the staff of the German mission in Havana, who gently came to say: "Would it be possible? We would like to bring ... "and my answer was:" Immediately ".
May the Bears come and become announcements of better time, now that salmon they like so much are coming jumping on the river currents.
(Fragments of words by Dr Eusebio Leal Spengler, Historian of the City, at the opening in Havana of the traveling exhibition of the project United Buddy Bears).
SIBONEY, CUBAN TEDDY
Born in Berlin, Siboney made of acrylic and collage, honors the first Cuban Indians who greeted Christopher Columbus in the land of tobacco.
Therefore, its manager, Nancy Torres, drafted it by hand and with love, incorporating symbols of Cuba, such as the tobacco and national flag.
Regarding the auction, she praised the idea that the result of the sale is intended to benefit the Cuban children.
The artist expressed her satisfaction that the Cubans finally appreciate her work and even more in a context of peace and tolerance among peoples.
Without tolerance there will be no peace on Earth. Therefore, to understand eachother, we hoisted the message in the exhibition, which was released for the first time in 2002 in Berlin, she said.
(Taken from The Nation and Emigration).
