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Clowns Without Borders was founded in 1993. Best to say it in the words of the Clowns themselves: “We bring laughter where it is needed most. Clowns Without Borders offers joy and laughter to relieve the suffering of all persons, especially children, who live in areas of crisis including refugee camps, conflict zones and territories in situations of emergency.”
Clowns Without Borders works in alignment with the United Nations Declaration of The Rights of the Child which states that all children deserve safety, self-expression, and joy.
The creative organisation strives for a world in which this is true for all people.
Amazingly, the children in Barcelona got the idea from their refugee pen pals, who said, “We miss laughter.” Wanting to give them what they were missing, the Barcelona children went into action and succeeded.
Due to their tireless collecting of funds, the project in Croatia was set in motion. And, as the children in Barcelona had hoped, the presence of a colorful, enthusiastic clown brought happiness to their pen pals who were stranded in Croatian refugee camps.
Poltrona brought them laughter. And moments during which the oppressing fences of the refugee camp disappeared to give way to a land of imagination. A land of possibility.
This first project in Croatia unexpectedly attracted audiences of more than 4’000 children. Which proved to Poltrona without a doubt that there is a great need for clowns and entertainment in crisis situations.
His aim was to continue to offer humor as a means of psychological support for communities that have suffered trauma.
In May of 1993, two more clowns, Boni & Caroli joined the newly founded organisation. They accompanied Poltrona. Together, they continued to travel and perform in Croatian refugee camps.
Soon after, Clowns Without Borders organizations sprang up in France and Sweden as well. Thus, the Clowns Without Borders model expanded into other areas of conflict around the globe.
Since 1993, Clowns Without Borders chapters have completed 127,500 projects in 123 countries around the world.
After a 1987 trip to perform in Guatemalan refugee camps in Chiapas, Mexico, and another trip in 1991 to perform in South African township schools, the internationally renowned teacher and performing artist Moshe Cohen joined Clowns Without Borders for a 1994 tour to Croatia.
In 2006, the US organization incorporated as a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Clowns Without Borders chapters operate across the world thanks to the professional clowns and administrative/organizational volunteers who all donate their time and energy without asking for financial compensation.
Nowadays, at the time of publication of this article, Clowns Without Borders exists in fifteen countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Together these fifteen groups form Clowns Without Borders International.
All Clowns Without Borders chapters share the same vision: to create a world where all people can experience laughter, play, and feel hope, no matter what tragedies life throws at them.
The organisation’s aim continues to be to tour humanitarian crisis areas. To lend a helping hand and lighten people’s load by means of laughter and the magic of the moment.
Clowns Without Borders means to inspire hope and a sense of community.
or as an administrative/organizational volunteer
Official website of Clowns without Borders.
Find interesting stories on their blog.
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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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