The German Embassy in the Dominican Republic and the Santo Domingo City Hall jointly unveiled a colorful, life-sized Buddy Bear sculpture on the Malecón (Av. George Washington), the popular Caribbean Sea waterfront boulevard. This installation serves as a symbol of the enduring friendship between the two nations.
The Buddy Bear, located at the intersection of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington avenues, was made possible through the support of Marítima Dominicana, an integrated logistics services company.
Santo Domingo Mayor Carolina Mejía expressed her gratitude for the initiative, stating: “This will be a meeting point, a place where we can take photos and celebrate the wonderful relationship we have with our German friends. It’s a beautiful gesture, and I want to thank the ambassador wholeheartedly for her efforts in making this project a reality.”
The German Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Maike Friedrichsen, echoed the mayor’s sentiments, saying, “My dear Carolina, I am thrilled to present this Buddy Bear to you on behalf of all the citizens of this wonderful city. Today, it becomes another bridge between two nations that have maintained friendly and cooperative relations for decades.”
A local artist, Francisco Martínez “Pache,” was selected through a competition to design the colorful bear. Pache’s design incorporates elements of Dominican and German culture, including music, monuments, clothing, sports, and cuisine.
The Buddy Bear tradition originated in Berlin, Germany, where the sculptures promote tolerance, peace, and sustainability.
Read more:
N Digital
Buddy Baer
27 January 2025