Havana, January 16 (RHC-PL)-- Actual size bear sculptures are on display in the San Francisco of Asis Plaza in Havana, to send a message of tolerance and comprehension among all the peoples, cultures and religions of the world. Germans Eva and Kalus Herlitz began creating these bears of approximately two meters high in 2001, with the collaboration of the Austrian sculptor Roman Strobl.

From its first exhibition in Berlin in 2002, the bears exhibition has visited Vienna, Cairo, Jerusalem, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Paris, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Tokyo, Sydney, Warsaw and Rio de Janeiro.

Since the bears represent countries, artists of each of these nations have helped to extend the project called United Buddy Bears with diverse styles and particular symbologies.

The sale of some of the pieces has collected funds to support plans for children in need.  In Cuba, the bear that represents the island, a work of Cuban artist Nancy Torres, will be auctioned off following the exhibit.

The promoters of the project are planning to maintain the exhibition of bears in Havana until the beginning of March, when they will be taken to another city of the world.