Laughter is a weapon of mass construction

The NGO of the performing arts

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing joy and emotional support to those most needed in times of crisis. Since 1993, artists and performing arts professionals have come together with one purpose: to bring smiles and hope to the most vulnerable people.

We accompany communities affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters, providing shows that alleviate trauma and strengthen resilience. We act in refugee camps and emergency zones because we believe in the transformative power of laughter: a weapon of mass construction that unites, heals, and restores dignity.

Laughter as a tool

The transformative power of laughter

Laughter and fun are essential for emotional resilience and mental health. Through them, we bring hope to children around the world, helping them overcome trauma and find hope in difficult situations.

Laughter and resilience

Laughter creates connections and strengthens the ability to face adversity.

Healing fun

"Clowning" transcends entertainment, generating connection, well-being, and hope.

Since 1993

More than 30 years sharing laughter

Clowns Without Borders was born in 1993 with a clear purpose: to bring joy to those who need it most. In the midst of wars, crises, and natural disasters, we have discovered that laughter is a refuge, a universal language that unites, heals, and restores hope. Since then, we have travelled the world to remind every child that, no matter what happens, their right to laugh will never go away.

HOW DID IT ALL START?

During Christmas of 1992, Tortell Poltrona received a call from children at the Projecte School in Barcelona where they proposed to bring his show to the Yugoslav war for the children in a refugee camp with whom they communicated through a pioneering telematic network.

They proposed to celebrate a simultaneous Peace Day in schools connected to the network and wanted to send joy to the Balkan war. The children had raised money for the travel expenses.

The first trip to Yugoslavia

On February 26, 1993, Tortell Poltrona, together with his partner Montserrat Trias and his son, Blai Mateu, performed the first show in the refugee camp of Veli Joze in Savudrija, present-day Croatia.  In this performance, the different families confronted by the war laughed together, turning laughter into a song to peace and resilience; evidencing the usefulness of circus arts as a weapon of mass construction and social transformation.

Clowns Without Borders Foundation

It was decided to make a second trip two months later with a group of jugglers (Boni and Caroli). This trip laid the foundations for the creation of an organization that would help artists to repeat these experiences; doing shows for people suffering from crisis situations, especially for children, free of charge, as the children of the Projecte school had initially requested.

International expansion

In 1994, there were 19 expeditions. In the following years, respecting the same ethical standards with which the Spanish organization was founded, new organizations were created in Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Sweden, and the USA. Currently, there are 15 member countries.

The Spanish section develops its activities both nationally in favor of the most disadvantaged children in Spain, and internationally for refugee and displaced children affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters. It has carried out more than 500 expeditions that have benefited millions of children worldwide.

Culture of Peace

Laughter is a universal language

We are pacifists, and we believe in the power of respect, tolerance, and dialogue to build a better future. In refugee camps, where people of different backgrounds and religions live together, we use humour to unite and strengthen the community. Beyond borders and beliefs, we foster a culture of peace, remembering that laughter is a universal language that connects all human beings.

“They have brought us everything: books, toys, computers.... But no one had ever brought us life.”

Sri Lankan school principal
who survived the 2006 tsunami