Moravian town hosts unique exhibition of teddy bears

Hranice, North Moravia, May 7 (CTK) - A unique exhibition of about a thousand teddy bears of various sizes, all from a local resident's collection, was opened in the local House of Children and Youth Monday.

Svatava Ryparova, who lives in a nearby village, has gathered almost 2000 teddy bears so far. The exhibition of a part of her collection also marks the 110th anniversary of teddy bear's "birth," Blanka Sturalova, head of the organising institution, told CTK.

The exhibition will run through June 29.

The biggest teddy bear in Ryparova's collection is of man's size, the smallest is about 3 cm tall.

The oldest piece in her collection dates back to 1930.

The exhibition also presents teddy bears riding motorbikes and horses. Apart from teddy bears made of plush, there are some made of clothes and also knitted ones.

Ryparova's collection also includes chocolate and marzipan bears.

The bears on display are divided into several groups.

"There are Christmas bears, for example, and a separate group of pandas, which draw the biggest attention, Pooh bears and others," said Sturalova.

The exhibition also highlights teddy bear as the first toy designed for both boys and girls.

The first teddy bear was produced in a toy factory in Giengen, Germany, in 1902.