Saturday 15 December – Mountain Bears

Austria

Artist: Berrenice Darrer

Austria's terrain is highly mountainous due to the presence of the Alps; only 32% of the country is below 500 metres (1,640 ft), and its highest point is 3,798 metres (12,461 ft). The majority of the population speak local Austro-Bavarian dialects of German as their native language, and German in its standard form is the country's official language. (from Wikipedia)

 

Norway

Artists: Laila Holm & Vivianne H. Nustad

“We wanted to capture the moods and the light of the dramatic mountains and fjord landscapes of the West coast of Norway.

In this environment people often seem very small. The scenery hasn't be touched for thousands and thousands of years.

Two original Norwegian rock carvings have been painted on the bear.

The Buddy Bear is a sort of artefact and a symbol of ancient history, wild landscapes and a joint, new future.”

 

 

 

North Korea

Artists: Chang Bok Rim + Ik Hyon Kim

“The North Korean bear shows a reunited Korean landscape, thus expressing the desire for reunification. --- The top part of the bear shows the Paektu Mountain in the North of Korea, whereas the bottom part shows the Hallasan Mountain in South Korea. Joining the two mountains symbolises the unity of the Korean people.”