bear also represents the city of Berlin. Each bear represents a particular country and painted on by an artist. The Philippine bear which had a monkey-eating eagle painted on it was designed and done by artist Pierre Patricio. The bears are sold at auctions in aid of child relief projects from time to time. In Berlin, the proceeds from the next auction will be in aid of the United Nations Children´s Funds project "Schools for Africa" enabling children of Africa to receive school education and leading to a future free of poverty. The "Buddy Bears" are therefore not only a work of art but they are also a symbol of the unity of humanity and the rich diversity of cultures and traditions, and they convey a political message.
At the opening ceremony, Minister for Development Policy and Economic Cooperation Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul stressed that the exhibit of the "Buddy Bears" is at a special historical site in Berlin. It was the site where the Nazis attempted, on 10 May 1933, to symbolically obliterate the thinking of various writers, politicians, artists and philosophers forever by burning their books. The place is also one of the landmarks for the Berlin World Cup.
The "Buddy Bears" are on exhibition in Berlin until 31 July, and will travel to Vienna, Jerusalem, Cairo, Beijing, Cape Town, Buenos Aires, and St. Petersberg.