Ukrainian Embassy in Germany to Receive its Own 'Berlin Bear'
Date: 2023-11-06 Author: Dima Zakharov Categories: COMMUNITY
As part of the "Week of Science" in Berlin, a ceremony titled "Colors of Unity: Live Sculpting of Buddy Bear for Ukraine" took place on November 5th. The event was attended by representatives from the Senate of the German capital, Berlin Science Week, the leadership of the Falling Walls Foundation, the Buddy Bear Berlin society, and the Ukrainian Embassy in Germany.
"When the work on this art piece is completed, in about a week or two, we will officially present this wonderful symbol to the Embassy," stated Andreas Kosmider, Managing Director of the Falling Walls Foundation. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksiy Makeyev assured that the Buddy Bear will become a new member of the Embassy's "family" and receive an "artistic diplomatic passport."
"After February 24, 2022, we experienced a range of emotions: fear, anger, but also unity and solidarity. I sincerely hope that this Berlin bear will be another sign of Germany's understanding and solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainians... We all in Europe must together triumph in this barbaric war and protect peace from Lisbon to Luhansk," said the ambassador.
Artist Ute Faber, specializing in painting bears, shared with Ukrinform that she developed a concept combining ornaments, symbols of Ukraine, and modern street art. Faber has created many figures, but considers this current work particularly special, "very touching in the context of the terrible war." She has been interested in Ukraine, its culture, and history for a long time, as she has a Ukrainian friend, but has never visited our country.
According to Faber, painting one bear takes at least a week.
Ceremony guests had the opportunity to observe the artist's work and contribute to the design.
Over its more than 20-year history, the "Berlin Bears" have become a symbol of peaceful coexistence among people of different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. The cosmopolitan "friendly ambassadors" of Berlin embody tolerance and international understanding through various projects, and now they can be found all over the world.
This gift from the city of Berlin, the Falling Walls Foundation, and Buddy Bear Berlin expresses admiration for the resilience of Ukrainian science and solidarity with Ukraine, emphasized the event organizers.
The event took place within the framework of the international scientific festival Berlin Science Week, in which a delegation from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine will also participate.
"When the work on this art piece is completed, in about a week or two, we will officially present this wonderful symbol to the Embassy," stated Andreas Kosmider, Managing Director of the Falling Walls Foundation. Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksiy Makeyev assured that the Buddy Bear will become a new member of the Embassy's "family" and receive an "artistic diplomatic passport."
"After February 24, 2022, we experienced a range of emotions: fear, anger, but also unity and solidarity. I sincerely hope that this Berlin bear will be another sign of Germany's understanding and solidarity with Ukraine and Ukrainians... We all in Europe must together triumph in this barbaric war and protect peace from Lisbon to Luhansk," said the ambassador.
Artist Ute Faber, specializing in painting bears, shared with Ukrinform that she developed a concept combining ornaments, symbols of Ukraine, and modern street art. Faber has created many figures, but considers this current work particularly special, "very touching in the context of the terrible war." She has been interested in Ukraine, its culture, and history for a long time, as she has a Ukrainian friend, but has never visited our country.
According to Faber, painting one bear takes at least a week.
Ceremony guests had the opportunity to observe the artist's work and contribute to the design.
Over its more than 20-year history, the "Berlin Bears" have become a symbol of peaceful coexistence among people of different backgrounds, cultures, and religions. The cosmopolitan "friendly ambassadors" of Berlin embody tolerance and international understanding through various projects, and now they can be found all over the world.
This gift from the city of Berlin, the Falling Walls Foundation, and Buddy Bear Berlin expresses admiration for the resilience of Ukrainian science and solidarity with Ukraine, emphasized the event organizers.
The event took place within the framework of the international scientific festival Berlin Science Week, in which a delegation from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine will also participate.
