THE LAST WORD
By Pat Coughlan
Growing up, my teddy was more than just stuffing and stitches — it was my sidekick, confidant, and mate through my young life’s wee hiccups. Facing up to shadows in the night or exploring the wild jungles of my imagination, my teddy had my back. It was like having a trusty pal who never let you down. As an adult, I’ve realised that teddy wasn’t just a soft toy; it was a comforting presence in turbulent times. Now, it’s a lovely reminder of simpler days, a soft embrace of nostalgia when life gets a little too serious. Yes, teddy’s still working its magic!
Who would’ve thought of teddy bear restorers? Welcome to the magical world of Amanda Middleditch and Julie Tatchell, the ‘Bear Ladies’ on the BBC’s The Repair Shop. They transform bedraggled teddies, giving them a new lease on life. It’s not just sewing holes or replacing eyes; it’s about restoring cherished memories. Many of us can recall that one cuddly toy. For some, their beloved stuffed companion has endured battles — tattered ears, threadbare bellies. The Bear Ladies expertly restore these emotional threads.
Have you ever thought of teddy bears as agents of diplomacy rather than just cosy companions? During my childhood my teddy could do anything but that was in my imagination. What about the real world? A peculiar idea, isn’t it? These comforting bundles, adored since childhood, might have more influence than we think. Across cultures, they’ve quietly witnessed political affairs and served as covert peacemakers.
In 2009, during a visit to Russia, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gifted a teddy bear to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as a goodwill gesture. Similarly, during tense Japan-China relations in 2014, Japan presented a limited-edition teddy, symbolising cultural appreciation. Such instances show teddy bears can promote friendship and ease tensions, hinting at their diplomatic influence.
Surprisingly, teddy bears have appeared at serious political gatherings. For example, during a Geneva peace summit, plush toys on the negotiation table diffused tension, encouraging relaxed dialogue or so claimed an article (2019) entitled ‘Diplomatic Détente: The Unexpected Role of Soft Toys in Tranquil Dialogues’ published by the International Journal of Peace Studies.
According to an article entitled ‘The Soft Power of Plush: How Stuffed Animals Soothe Savage Talks’, published in the Journal Of Diplomatic History, at a bilateral trade meeting between adversarial nations, exchanging a small stuffed animal softened the atmosphere among delegates. Their presence conveys, “Let’s swap smiles instead of frowns, shall we?” Research shows gifts, like plush toys, can ease tensions and promote goodwill. All of this was told to me by my teddy bear. It could be true I’m not that well-read.
President Obama received a teddy bear from a Malaysian girl during a diplomatic visit, facilitating goodwill. Clearly, soft and cuddly, plush toys hold a unique power in international diplomacy, proving more significant than they appear.
So, are they just cuddly pacifists or sneaky plush propagandists? From what I’ve gathered, these fluffy fellas have a knack for softening the hardest of hearts, whether it’s in a playroom or a peace summit.
Who knew a simple teddy could wield such influence? I did. We all did. Our Teddy Bear could be anything we wanted it to be…
