The UN's United Buddy Bears, The Art of Tolerance, have come to Stuttgart

[lebkuchen]

The bears were created by artists from countries recognized by the UN, around 144. Their purpose is to promote peace and tolerance. They've been touring since 2002, but they haven't made it to the U.S. yet, unfortunately.

They are arranged in ABC order, and they are quite beautiful. This site shows examples of the bears by country:

http://www.digitour.de/galerien/ausstellungen/united-buddy-bears/





There are four silver bears ouside the circle of bears, promoting respect for all life, the Golden Rule, the global ethic of peaceful co-existence, and "Einstein's Bear."

http://www.buddy-baer.com/united-buddy-bears/idea/special-bears.html

The U.S.'s bear is an uninspiring replica of the Statue of Liberty. Considering the loss of American liberties under Bush and the disaster he's made of Iraq and Afghanistan, America's bear is, sad to say, unimpressive.

Cuba's bear was beautiful, and was smoking a cigar. France's bear was particularly intricate, with a textured gold medalian on the bear's chest highlighting the Eiffel Tower and other French "well-knowns."

http://www.stuttgart-tourist.de/downloads/united_buddy_bears.pdf

I would love to see Obama bring Buddy Bears to the U.S. after he wins the presidency.


http://www.buddy-baer.com/united-buddy-bears/world-tour/overview.html


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Buddy_Bears

Entry to the exhibitions is always free. This makes it possible for many school classes to visit the exhibitions in the morning - as part of their lessons - to explore and learn a lot about the culture, history, landscape, economy and music of all five continents in a playful manner.

Stations since 2004:

Kitzbuehel, Austria (2004), Hong Kong - Victoria Park (2004), Istanbul - Beyoglu (2004), Tokyo - Roppongi Hills (2005), Seoul - Olympic Park (2005), Sydney - Opera (2006), Berlin - Bebelplatz (2006), Vienna - Karlsplatz (2006), Cairo - Zamalek (2007), Jerusalem - Safra Square (2007), Warsaw - Castle Square (2008), Stuttgart - Schlossplatz (2008).

In every metropolis, the United Buddy Bears exhibitions are supported by the government, the foreign ministries, the mayors and the UNICEF organisations.

Heads of state - for example the Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, the German Federal President, Horst Köhler and First Lady of Egypt, Suzanne Mubarak as well as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors such as Sir Peter Ustinov, Jackie Chan, Christiane Hörbiger, Mia Farrow, Iris Berben and Ken Done have opened these exhibitions all over the world.