Zakopane will wait for his white teddy bear. However, the mascot will not be “made in Podhale”

Due to delays in the procedure of the contractor's selection and lack of applications from local producers, the first batch of the urban mascot of Zakopane – the White Meda – will not go on sale in September – Mateusz Pajek from the Department of Culture and Social Communication of the City of Zakopane informed PAP. Initially, the plush was to appear in the holiday season.

– We expressed such hope that the stuffed animal would be released during the holidays, but the realities of preparation, negotiations and overwhelming details of cooperation are a process. We also did not want to suggest a rush that could cause loss of quality – explained Pajek and said that the delivery date of the first batch was planned for September.

As the City Hall assures, The white teddy bear prototype is currently being prepared. After its approval, the production of the first batch of mascot inspired by the iconic white teddy bear from Krupówka is to start, which has been posing for photos with tourists for over 100 years. It will be a thousand pieces, and the mascot can be bought at selected urban points. According to the original assumptions, the “official” stuffed plush from Giewont was to promote local artists and handicrafts and create a unique souvenir related to the culture of the region and the promotion of the iconic teddy bear from Krupówki. However, no local manufacturer came to the production of the mascot.

– Due to the lack of offers of local manufacturers, the commissioning of its implementation was recommended a Polish factory dealing with mascot production. We conducted proceedings for the production of a mascot, but none of the local creators presented the offer. It should also be remembered that in the case of more production, here 1000 pcs, manual production may not be possible – Pajek told PAP and added:

Since there are no producers of souvenirs operating on a massive scale in Podhale, we referred the offer more widely – to companies from all over Poland.

Mascots are to reach only outlets of sales led by the municipal unit, i.e. the Zakopane Culture Center. Sales will also be carried out in the city's online store, but there is no sale at stalls at Krupówki. So far, the City Hall has not consulted with local sellers and producers of souvenirs on the introduction of this mascot. According to the so -called Cultural Park, handicrafts and souvenirs produced in the region to protect local cultural heritage can be sold on stalls within Krupówki.

– The bear is supposed to be an unobvious and unique souvenir from Zakopane. At the current stage of implementation, we did not conduct talks with local sellers, but – as always – we remain open to cooperation in ordering more sales parties and in no case we close ourselves to potential partnership in Souvenir distribution – emphasized Pajka.

Officials do not rule out that after the production of production, the white bear may become the motive of the city's promotional campaign. For now, however, the project is developing slower than originally planned. (PAP)

SZB/ DRAG/