Foreign Trade and Tourism Minister Desilu Leon attended the premiere of "Paddington in Peru," the third installment of the movie series about the spectacled bear, a species native to Peru, and a beloved icon of children's literature in the United Kingdom.
The film will showcase iconic Peruvian destinations such as Cusco, Lima, and the Amazon. The Cabinet member emphasized the global reach anticipated from this new release.
"According to a study by a tourism-specialized agency, for every 10 people who watch a movie featuring specific locations, one decides to visit the destination. This movie is projected to reach 27 million people. Let's prepare to welcome all tourists who will want to visit Peru," Leon stated.
"I had the opportunity to be in the United Kingdom during the premiere (in November 2024); as a Peruvian, it was truly emotional to see how throughout the entire city of London the image of this movie and, above all, of Peru, was present. It is the first time in my memory that a movie of this type features Peru in its title and honors the country's beauty," the minister remarked.
Paddington: A Bridge between Nations
UK Ambassador to Peru, Gavin Cook, praised Paddington for serving as a bridge that strengthens the friendship between the two nations, which are celebrating 200 years of bilateral relations.
"He (Paddington) is a true ambassador who reminds us of the importance of values such as friendship, curiosity, and kindness. I hope this film brings new tourists to Peru and builds bridges between our countries," the British diplomat added.
"We see Paddington as a Peruvian child. This movie, much like the character's life story, promotes the importance of a childhood that is protected, loved, and upheld with rights," he said.
The premiere —held on January 11 at Cineplanet Mall del Sur in Lima's San Juan de Miraflores district— also featured PromPeru interim Executive-President Ricardo Limo, as well as renowned Peruvian actors such as Carlos Carlin, Ana Cecilia Natteri, and Adriana Campos-Salazar.
Paddington Returns to Peru
The third Paddington film will premiere in Peruvian theaters on January 16, 2025.
In this sequel, the character returns to Peru to search for his Aunt Lucy and embarks on a new adventure in iconic locations like Cusco, Lima, and the Amazon rainforest.
Paddington was created in 1956 by English author Michael Bond, inspired by a teddy bear he saw at a store window near London's Paddington Station during Christmas season. Two years later, in 1958, Bond published "A Bear Called Paddington," introducing the spectacled bear as the protagonist.
The spectacled bear, also known as the Andean bear (ukamari in Quechua), is a unique species native to South America, with the largest population found in Peru.
According to the story, Paddington was sent to England by his Aunt Lucy and discovered at Paddington Station by the Brown family, who decided to adopt him and name him after the place where they found him.
(END) NDP/MCA/MVB
Published: 1/13/2025