Extraordinary moments on Saturday, October 17th, in Zarnesti? Many people, from all around the world, personalities from various activity fields, important guests from other countries have come to the Bear Sanctuary from Zarnesti, the biggest brown bear reservation in Europe, in order to celebrate a decade from the opening of Libearty Bear Sanctuary. On 69 hectares and 80 bears, the bear sanctuary provides the animals with the best conditions, as the most important project in the field of animals? protection and welfare in Romania.
Association ,,Millions of Friends"
The project results from the action of the Association "Millions of Friends", also set up 10 years ago by spouses Cristina and Roger Lapis, helped by people who are passionate about animals, both from the country and from abroad, such as the representatives of the World Society for the Protection of Animals, with head office in London or ,, Brigitte Bardot Foundation". On this occasion, the Association "Millions of Friends" has organized a special event, with participants such as: His Excellency, Paul Brumell - the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Bucharest, Hella Brice, the wife of actor Pierre Brice (who played the famous role Winnetou), and who participated in the opening of the Bear Sanctuary in 2005 or the famous Irish actress Evanna Linch (who played in the equally famous film Harry Potter).
Welcomed with bread and salt
The guests were welcomed in the Romanian style with bread and salt by the Mayor of town Zarnesti, Dorel Barladeanu. Among the events organized on this occasion, there were a Te deum in the chapel from the Bear Sanctuary, a visit to the Bear Sanctuary and the presentation of a documentary film with the chronology of setting up this Bear Sanctuary from the first excavation of land, up to the release of the first brown bear in the Sanctuary. The 80 bears were saved by this project from inappropriate places where they were captured in conditions one can hardly imagine. The most important moment was the opening of the first Teddy bear Museum in Romania, where there are the two giant bears offered by the Royal House of the United Kingdom.
The bear symbol
,,It was an important meeting for all those who have contributed to the opening of the Bear Sanctuary 10 years ago, our dear partners in the country and from abroad. The museum is attractive because the Teddy bear is the most sold toy in the world, preferred by all children. We thought that here, in this wonderful area, where there are so many real bears, this should be a symbol for children?s toys and for childhood itself, and the adults should also remember that, while children, they loved the bears and they should love them now as well, while they are real." declared Cristina Lapis, the President of the Association for Animals? Protection "Millions of Friends".
Dorin Dusa
