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A Buddy Bear statue unveiled in Tuvi Park as a sign of friendship between Germany and Estonia

A Buddy Bear statue unveiled in Tuvi Park as a sign of friendship between Germany and Estonia

This year, Germany and Estonia are celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of the restoration of these relations, and on this occasion the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany presented the city of Tallinn with a Buddy Bear, designed by artist Julia Valtanen.

The Buddy Bear statue was unveiled today, 31 August in Tuvi Park by Christiane Hohmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Estonia, Mihhail Kõlvart, Mayor of Tallinn, Monika Haukanõmm, Head of Tallinn City Centre Administration and Andre Pung, Director General at Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to Christiane Hohmann, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Buddy Bears are symbols of tolerance and understanding between nations. “The Estonian Buddy Bear was designed by the artist Julia Valtanen and its main message is to create happiness and optimism. I am very glad to be able to present this bear to the city of Tallinn on the anniversary of the friendly relations between our two countries.”

Tallinn Mayor Mihhail Kõlvart was pleased that Tuvi Park, which has recently been rejuvenated, has now received an eye-catching addition. “Tallinn is now one of the many cities in the world whose urban space is decorated by the Buddy Bear to delight the eyes of the townspeople and city visitors. Besides being a nice new object in the urban space, the meaning of this bear as a symbol is even more important - it is a tangible sign to remind us that, in this changing world, we have friends and allies,” said Kõlvart.

"Year after year, Tuvi Park has become more and more beautiful and popular. In winter, ice sculptures of a temporary nature were presented here, which, especially when illuminated in the evening, gave much joy to the people nearby,” said Monika Haukanõmm, the Head of City Centre Administration. "I am glad that a nice and colourful creature has now moved to this park permanently and I hope that it will be received as kindly by the city residents. But even more important is the bear as a symbol of friendship.”

Tuvi Park is located in the City Centre between Veetorni, Tõnismäe, Toomkuninga and Suur‑Ameerika Streets. See more: /eng/Tuvi-Pigeon-Park