Teddy bears are also popping up at the National Taichung Theater in Taiwan — 24 “hidden edition” ones will appear in December

 ▲ The Teddy Bear Taichung Lifestyle Carnival will open this Saturday (the 15th). (Photo provided by the Taiwan Teddy Bear Association of the Republic of China. Please do not reproduce without permission.)

Reported by Tsai Wen-jun / Taipei

The highly anticipated “2014 Teddy Bear Taichung Lifestyle Carnival” is set to kick off this Saturday (the 15th) on the streets of Taichung. Organizers have designed 200 teddy bears in 100 different themed displays this year under a concept of “big bear with little bear,” but only 88 family-themed bear pairs will be on display on the 15th. The other 12 “hidden edition” bears won’t be unveiled until early December.

This year’s teddy bear carnival is themed around “love,” with parent-and-child bear duos representing various local industries and cultural characteristics across Taiwan. The heights of the teddy bears have also been slightly adjusted — the big bears are now 167 cm tall, while the small ones are 125 cm, making it easier for visitors to take photos that capture both the bears and the cityscape of Taichung.

In addition to previously announced exhibition sites such as the Autumn Valley and Calligraphy Greenway, the newly completed National Taichung Theater has also been added as an exhibition area this year. Organizers said three of the teddy bears placed hereare themed around famous musicals — La Traviata, The Phantom of the Opera, and Madame Butterfly — and each pair features two 167 cm “big bears.”This is one of the major highlights of the exhibition.

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To boost interaction between the public and these art installations, this year’s teddy bears also feature high-tech elements. Visitors can download a dedicated app and scan the AR codes on the pedestals of 50 out of the 88 family bear pairs to engage in interactive experiences with 3D teddy bears and take photos. There are also multiple bear-themed photo frames to choose from, adding more fun to the experience.

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The world’s only “Teddy Bear Hot Air Balloon” installed at the Civic Square is another must-see attraction. Organizers explained that although the six teddy bear-shaped hot air balloons cannot be ridden, they will rise into the sky once the exhibition begins. Additionally, to celebrate the opening of the exhibition, there will be light and music shows every evening starting at 7 PM from the 15th to the 23rd, though these may be canceled in case of bad weather.

Given the incidents of teddy bears being damaged or having their decorations removed by visitors during last year’s event, the organizers have issued a plea on the event’s Facebook page:Please do not pull on the teddy bears’ accessories, climb onto or stand on the pedestals, or touch the artworks.They hope the public will show civic responsibility and help preserve these unique and adorable installations.

“2014 Teddy Bear Taichung Lifestyle Carnival”

When the bears will appear:November 15 to January 11, 2015
Where the bears will appear:Autumn Valley, Calligraphy Greenway, National Taichung Theater
※ Six teddy bear hot air balloons are set up at Civic Square

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