147 Buddy Bear descend on Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

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The United Buddy Bears were conceived by her to promote peace and international understanding while at the same time raising funds to aid children’s relief organizations in every country they visit. Herlitz came up with the idea after witnessing the New York Cow Parade where painted cows raised USD1.3 million for charities in New York.

Kuala Lumpur is the 23rd stop of the world tour for the 147 life-size painted bears drawn from 143 countries during the tour that originated from Berlin in 2002. Since then, more than 25 million visitors worldwide have seen them and over 1.8 million Euros collected in donations to children’s charities.

Measuring 2m tall each, the bears represent countries recognised by the United Nations. Each Buddy Bear is painted individually by a selected artist from each country and the design represents the country’s culture, history, traditions and characteristics but not its political systems.

For the Malaysian leg, a total of 147 Buddy Bears descended recently onto Kuala Lumpur’s Pavilion Shopping Centre which quickly became the centre of attention for both locals and tourists.

The bears, each representing a country recognised by the United Nations, are painted by artists of that nation.

   Inspired by the painted cows in the New York Parade, Eva Herlitz from Berlin, Germany, came up with the painted bears to convey the message of friendship, tolerance and peace while helping charities.

   The bear was chosen among other animals as it represents Berlin, where Herlitz hails from.

   Created by Herlitz, her husband Dr. Klaus Herlitz and sculptor Roman Strobl, the bears were first conceived in 2002 and have been travelling around the world since 2003.

   The bears arrived in Kuala Lumpur a few days ago from Germany in eight containers and are now standing 'hand in hand' at the main entrance of Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, symbolising the future vision of a peaceful world.

Summary Information:

United Buddy Bears @ Pavilion Kuala Lumpur DEC 2011

The 143 life-sized United Buddy Bears are in KL -- a first for South East Asia. The United Buddy Bears will be exhibited at the entrance of Pavilion KL from 8 December 2011 to 15 February 2012 ,Each bear is about 2m tall, made from fibregrass sculptures originally developed in Berlin, Germany.