It's panda-monium! 1,600 bears win the hearts of Hongkongers at city's landmarks
They’ve checked in at the airport and have already visited a few of the city’s landmarks – and everywhere, the papier mâché pandas have won the hearts of Hongkongers.
They’ve checked in at the airport and have already visited a few of the city’s landmarks.
And everywhere, the papier mâché pandas have won the hearts of Hongkongers.
They are the creation of French sculptor Paulo Grangeon, who says the aim of the “flash mob” events is to raise awareness of conservation and how people can support WWF, the conservation charity that organised the tour.
He has created 1,600 of them, one for every panda left in the wild.
“I don’t want to make this event only about taking photos,” Grangeon said. “I hope 10 per cent think [about conservation], and 5 per cent become new [WWF] members.”
Watch: 1600 paper pandas begin their tour in Hong Kong
Made from recycled paper, rice and environment-friendly paint, Grangeon’s has already won hearts and minds in Taiwan and Europe. The pandas come in six designs and sizes.
The pandas will go on display at the former police married quarters in Central from June 25 to July 17.
Four special panda designs will also be on show at PMQ.
They will then be sold for an “adoption fee” of between HK$200 and HK$450 per head to raise money for WWF Hong Kong.
PMQ will also host workshops from June 28 to July 17 at which people can learn how to make their own papier-mâché panda. The fee, which also goes to WWF, is HK$188, and online registration starts on June 16.
