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Each year on May 25th, Peru celebrates the Peruvian Clown Day in honor of José Alvarez Vélez, better known as Tony Perejil, a popular clown who died on that day in 1987. To this day, many citizens of Lima remember the humble, benevolent, and entertaining clown who made people laugh even in the worst situations. With nostalgia and, perhaps as well, with a little regret.
A good friend of mine who went through clown school, once told me, “The best clowns are those who have experienced a lot of hardship and pain. Because without having felt that, you cannot really touch people deeply and bring them humour and laughter.”
Because life is hard for all of us. So, we’ll find ourselves in that laughter that comes bubbling up from deep within. We can relate, with a sad yet merry twinkle in our eyes.
After two years of cancellations due to the Covid-19 pandemic, on Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, hundreds of clowns celebrated the Peruvian Clown Day once more in the streets of Peru, Lima.
The participants of the festive clown parade dressed in colourful costumes, wigs and face paint. They marched through the streets of central Lima on that day, just as they had done every year before the Covid-19 pandemic had shut everything down.
The Peruvian Clown Day celebration was founded in 2006, in honour of José Alvarez Vélez, better known as Tony Perejil, a beloved Peruvian clown who died on 25 May 1987.
José Alvarez Vélez, also known as the ‘Clown of the Poor’, set up his multi-coloured circus tent in impoverished neighbourhoods in Lima during the 1970s and 80s.
He was well known for bringing happiness and laughter to the children and adults living there, as well as donating the little money he earnt to charity.
Ironically, the person who made other people’s lives brighter and made them laugh, died alone in a hospital on May 25, 1987. However, he is still remembered fondly.
Although more than three decades have passed since his death, many residents of Lima still remember the entertaining, benevolent, and humble clown with nostalgia and commemorate his death anniversary by attending the annual clown parade.
Hundreds of clown enthusiasts from all over the country dress up and parade through the streets of Lima, holding shows and circus performances throughout the day.
But the main highlight of this colorful and inspiring day is the traditional parade, featuring thousands of professional clowns from all over the country. They march through the historical center of Lima, spreading joy and happiness wherever they go.
This year, one band of merry-makers carried the ashes of one of their fellow clowns, Jorge Contreras – known as Copetin – who died of pancreatic cancer during the pandemic.
“Today we break our mourning and let him to rest in peace while we return to our colorful suits,” said Lerner Diaz, dressed as the clown known as Little Shadow.
Clown Day in Peru on AnyDayGuide.com
Clowns Without Borders – Bringing Laughter to Where it is Needed
Clowns – a Brief Look Into their History and Mythology
Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
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