The United Buddy Bears are presented on the square Plaza San Francisco de Asis in the centre of Havana from until March 2, 2015. The exhibition is a joint initiative of the German Embassy in Havana and the Federal Foreign Office. The municipal government of Havana supports the exhibition. Dr Eusebio Leal Spengler (Historiador de la ciudad de La Habana) together with Eva Herlitz and Dr Klaus Herlitz (the initiators of the project) launched the exhibition.
Art and Culture: Each Buddy Bear shows the individual design created by different artists on behalf of their native countries. The international artists’ different styles are joined together in one work of art, spreading zest for life. The diverse design of the Buddy Bears – always typical for the respective countries – enables the visitors to experience a journey around the globe.
The Message: The Buddy Bears stand together “hand in hand”, symbolising the future vision of a peaceful world. Each bear stands for the people of the different countries and their culture, yet not for political systems.
Charity: Buddy Bear activities and aid for children in need have formed an inseparable unit. To date, € 2,019,000 Mio. (August 2014) have been raised through donations and auctions in aid of UNICEF and local children’s relief organisations.
Around 140 Buddy Bears (each 2 m tall) represent as many countries recognised by the United Nations.
Since the first exhibition in Berlin in 2002, more than 30 million visitors world-wide have been able to admire the United Buddy Bears.
