Pallassos Sense Fronteres "Laughter for Peace"

Pallassos Sense Fronteres

Circus - Catalonia

Laughter for Peace: a tribute to the expedition members of Clowns Without Borders and to the film ‘El 47’ Clowns Without Borders

Circus – Catalunya

Barcelona is a global city , open to the world, supportive, inclusive and caring, which seeks to contribute to building a more just society.

Conflicts around the world are increasing at a dangerous rate, leading to a rise in the number of people forced to flee their home countries. According to the UNHCR, 123.2 million people worldwide have been forced to leave their homes (a figure that would make them the 12th most populous country in the world).

Clowns Without Borders works to bring joy to these communities, providing emotional and psychological support through the healing power of laughter. This vital work is becoming ever more necessary and urgent.

Through Clowns Without Borders, La Mercè celebrates Barcelona's spirit of solidarity and its commitment to international cooperation and global justice. With the show Laughter for Peace : A Tribute to the expedition members of Clowns Without Borders and the Film 'El 47,' the aim is to celebrate the neighbourhood's identity and promote a fairer, more supportive and inclusive Barcelona through laughter in times of uncertainty and sorrow .

At 10.30 am, around twenty clowns will 'hijack' a bus carrying the actors from the film 'El 47'. In a street parade, they will all make their way together to Torre Baró. There, they will be welcomed by the family Batucada of the Associació Educarts, who will accompany them to Parc de l'Aqüeducte. At the same time, another street parade will pass through the neighbourhoods of Vallbona and Torre Baró.

On arrival, they will be welcomed on the main stage by Andreu Buenafuente, Sílvia Abril and Tortell Poltrona , who will introduce the actors and actresses from the film 'El 47'. The aim is to underscore the importance of this initiative in bringing about change in the neighbourhood, as well as the shared commitment to using public resources and spaces for culture, for bringing the whole neighbourhood together, and for expressing solidarity with other communities around the world. By bringing all these elements together, we will celebrate the values of global Barcelona .

There will then be a series of circus, music and clown performances by voluntary artists from Clowns Without Borders. Before each performance, images will be shown presenting the sociopolitical context of the country or region, along with the work of the clowns in that area.

In addition, a range of circus workshops will be available, including juggling, balancing, and group games for children, run by Escola Quina Gràcia .

At 3.30 pm, we will present the show ‘Aquafesta’ by Cia. Més Tumàcat : a performance featuring music, entertainment, stilt walkers, clowns and water that will amuse and refresh the entire audience.

At 4.30 pm, the film 'El 47' will receive its first public screening for the entire Torre Baró community.

We will conclude by thanking all the artists from Clowns Without Borders, the Barcelona City Council, and especially the neighbourhood of Ciutat Meridiana for being such a resilient, committed and supportive community.

Participating artists : Andreu Buenafuente, Silvia Abril, Eduard Fernández, Clara Segura, Tortell Poltrona, Montserrat Trias, Pep Callau, Donald B. Lehn, Luara Mateu, Lluis Pionyot, Anna Montserrat, Pau Segalés, Daniel Foncubierta, Marina Benites, José Luis Pepo Rueda, Gerardo Casali, Escola de Circ Quina Gràcia, Cia. Mabsutins, Raúl Cáceres, Victoria Alcaraz, Natalia Rammsy, Angélica Veintimilla, Ignacio Morán, Maite Esteban, David Herrera, Luis Ignacio González Camarero, Ona Gete, Mercedes Rafart, Maria Dolores Carrasco, Bárbara Granados, Boris Ribas, Cia. Més Tumàcat and Associació Educarts.