Giving a smile to those who have lost everything and returning joy to a child tried by situations much larger than him: this is the mission that brought Clown Without Borders USA to the Greek island of Lesbos. Here, the landing place of thousands of migrants, the professionals of the organization performed from October 26 to November 10, entertaining a total of over 6000 people, adults and children fleeing wars and violence.
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Give a smile to those who have lost everything and restore joy to a child tried by situations much larger than him: this is the mission that brought Clown Without Borders USA to the Greek island of Lesbos. Here, the landing point of thousands of migrants, the professionals of the organization they performed from October 26th to November 10th, entertaining a total of over 6000 people, adults and children fleeing wars and violence.
Lesbos is an island in the Aegean sea located a few kilometers from the Turkish coast and has jumped to the news, in recent months, for becoming landing place for thousands of men, women and children from the Middle East, and in particular from Syria. The refugees, who have survived dramatic crossings, live in three specially set up camps and other temporary accommodations scattered throughout the island, waiting to know their fate and hoping to be able to continue their journey to other European countries.
On the island the situation is dramatic, with continuous landings, shipwrecks, destroyed families and poor and precarious living conditions. For this reason, hoping to alleviate the pain of migrants and, above all, to give laughter and fun to the little ones, Clown Without Borders USA dedicated over two weeks of entertainment to Lesbos, thanks to four professionals - Sabine Choucair, Luz Gaxiola, Clay Mazing and Molly Levine - who performed in refugee camps and improvised shows along the streets, on the beach or in the harbor.
The performances, made of witty sketches, able to overcome cultural and linguistic barriers, have brought joy and good humor to the island, including music, hula hoops, magic hats, whistles, big noses, bright clothes and false teeth. In many cases, the clowns have managed to actively involve the spectators themselves, young and old, involving them in entertaining dances and performances.
The visit of the clowns was, for many, a liberating moment, a way to forget, at least for a moment, personal tragedies and fears.
"As a clown, with our bright costumes and big open faces, we are approachable." - Tell him about it Light Gaxiola - “We are open with people, so people are open with us. They immediately feel that we are there to have fun with them. In our presence, people feel free to play and dance without fear of being considered stupid, because we are clowns and we are much more stupid than they will ever be. "
The blog of the two weeks spent in Lesbos also reports that the clowns found themselves facing an emergency situation when a boat carrying about four hundred people overturned not far from the island and the four of them, having given up their colorful stage clothes, collaborated with volunteers and police forces to provide first aid to the survivors.
"I sit exhausted next to three little brothers and their mother." - he writes Clay Mazing after recounting the most dramatic moments of the rescue operations - “A Dutch woman tries to deliver some emergency crackers to the older girl, but she shakes her head. The woman insists and so the girl grabs them, but she continues to look at them with disinterest. So I wear the fake smile I bought in the US for fifty cents, and when she looks up, I show it to her, not knowing what reaction she will have. She looks me in her eyes for a second, and then she smiles. So she calls her her brother to show him false teeth too, which she laughs. Another little girl comes to see what is happening. Before I know it, I'm playing with my nose, false teeth and some magic tricks, even letting the children play my charango, in a show for a few close friends. "
The adventure of Clowns without Borders begins in Barcelona in 1993. The founder of the organization is a professional clown, Tortell Armchair, which matures the idea of use his art to give a little joy to children who live in dramatic situations after being invited to perform in a Croatian refugee camp during the Balkan war.
In subsequent years, the desire to bring a smile and a little fun to places affected by natural disasters or where wars and conflicts rage it involves a growing number of professionals, so much so that today the organization has ramifications in 12 countries, counting numerous affiliates and volunteers.
A network of men and women who fight pain and injustice with the power of a smile.
Lisa Vagnozzi
Photo Credits: Clowns Withouth Borders USA
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