CHRISIE MICKAEL

"We have to get to know each other better ...
... it makes us understand one another better,
trust each other more, and live together more peacefully."

Under this motto, the UNITED BUDDY BEARS promote living together in peace and harmony on their global tour. Around 140 Buddy Bears (each 2 m tall) represent as many countries recognized by the United Nations.

Since the first exhibition in Berlin in 2002, more than 25 million visitors world-wide have been able to admire the United Buddy Bears.

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”, symbolizing 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.

All 143 Buddy Bears are in town at Pavilion KL, the United Buddy Bears had made its way to the 23rd stop of the world tour in Malaysia as the 19th city visited and traveled by the Buddy Bears; over five continents where more than 25 million people around the world had the opportunity to admire the bears. And yesterday, one more bear - the Malaysian Bear is officially lunched.From 08th December 2011 until the 15th February 2012 the United Buddy Bears exhibition are launched in the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, under the patronage of the Sultan of Selangor. 143 bears are presented downtown on Jalan Bukit Bintag.

The Mayor of Kuala Lumpur, Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, supports the exhibition and the overall focus is on aid for children in need. Numerous charity activities are planned to take place during the weeks of the exhibition.

The programmed of activities for the exhibition will include visits of children from various homes and schoolchildren, coloring activities for children as well as an auction of some of the life-size Buddy Bears at the end of the exhibition to raise funds for Malaysian children charities.

Spot the Special Bears in silver. There are 4 special bears, I'm able to spot two of them over the crowds.

The Respect for All Life Bear is a symbol for respecting all life, whether human or animal. It also acts as a role model for the concept for rescuing cruelly tortured bears - the Moon Bear Rescue, a project of the Asia Foundation.

Einstein Bear with the quote from Albert Einstein, "Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding"

The other two special bears are the Golden Rule Bear and Global Ethic Bear.

Close up of some of the bears, the United Buddy Bears will be in Pavilion from now till February 15th, 2012. Don't miss out your chance to meet the bears and be amazed.

Strolling outside Pavilion while looking at lovely cute and artistic bears around the world. Could you imagine these bears had traveled way more countries than most of us had?