top cx logo
cx logo
Explorearrow down
search icon
Explore
arrow down

Buddy Bears rule Champ de Mars

Mini United Nations under the Eiffel Tower as giant friendship mascots go on display for a month

A MINI United Nations has taken over the Champ de Mars under the Eiffel Tower as the friendship mascots United Buddy Bears go on display for the next month.

The bears - 140 fibreglass sculptures, two-metres high and painted in the colours of different countries - are to mark 25 years of the twinning of Paris and Berlin, the bears' home. They also celebrate 50 years of the Elysée Treaty signed by Charles de Gaulle and Konrad Adenauer to seal the reconciliation between France and Germany.

Standing hand in hand, they represent all the countries recognised by the United Nations and since first going on display in Berlin in 2002 have been seen in 25 countries.

Created 10 years ago by Eva and Klaus Herlitz, their motto is: "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."

Individually painted in national colours and costume by artists from all over they world, they make up a vast artwork that stuns parents and delights children. Donations and auctions of bears have helped raise nearly €2million for Unicef and other world children's charities.

German ambassador Dr Susanne Wasum-Rainer will open the exhibition this morning and it runs until November 18.
Photo: Mairie de Paris/Sophie Robichon

Resident or second-home owner in France?
Benefit from our daily digest of headlines and how-to's to help you make the most of life in France
By joining the newsletter, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy
See more popular articles
The Connexion Help Guides
featured helpguide
Income Tax in France 2023 (for 2022 income)*
Featured Help Guide
- Primarily aimed at Britons, covers pensions, rent, ISAs, shares, savings and interest - but also contains significant general information pertinent to readers of other nationalities - Overview of online declarations + step-by-step guide to the French printed forms - Includes updates given automatically after this year's site opened
Get news, views and information from France