A team of volunteer clowns traveled on an expedition to the Biobío region of Chile. At the beginning of 2026, the area was devastated by wildfires that destroyed homes, schools, and the lives of local communities. Through this expedition, our artists experienced how, despite the thousands of kilometres that separate us, some distances can feel surprisingly short. This is a glimpse into an expedition of red noses, whose mission was to plant smiles where there had once been only ashes.
Expedition to Chile (2026). Photo credit: Zelva Producciones.
The expedition team, made up of Natalia Rammsy (Chile), Pancho Varela (Chile), Bastián Loyola (Chile), Lula Celeste (Argentina), and José Antonio González (Spain), formed an incredible human team to perform for children affected by the wildfires.
I mentioned earlier that some distances can feel short because, despite the thousands of kilometres that separate us in our everyday lives, and despite the fact that we had never met or worked together before, the moment we met at the airport and shared our first hug, we became one big clown family. It was the kind of closeness that makes you instantly feel at ease and trust that, together, everything will be all right.
We arrived in a land that had been deeply damaged and scarred. Devastated by the wildfires that swept through the communities of Penco, Lirquén, and Punta Parra in January. Hundreds of hectares of forest were reduced to ashes during the wildfires that struck the region at the beginning of the year, in the Chilean summer. Homes, schools, animals, and human lives were also lost to the flames.
The wildfires left behind a deep sense of loss, along with suspicions that they had been deliberately started, fuelled by concerns over competing interests in the region’s natural resources. According to the teachers and school principals we met during our performances, these lands have long attracted competing development interests, many of which are at odds with their environmental preservation.
Expedition to Chile (2026). Photo credit: Zelva Producciones.
Over the course of 16 performances, we reached more than 2,000 children, filling the air with laughter so contagious that many of them literally fell backwards laughing. They clapped along with us throughout the shows, and after each performance, we could see a healing transformation in their faces—a glimpse of their childhood innocence returning.
Bastián, through his clown character Guachis Norris, is a virtuoso of the Cyr wheel and juggling. Lula is exceptional at engaging the audience, with her hula hoops and comic gags. Pancho and his clown character Moñito brought colour and energy through his acrobatics, while Natalia, with her clown character Pataleta—gentle and full of tenderness—connected with the children through her musical bells. As for me, through my clown character Yusepo, I sparked a sense of wonder with magic tricks. Together, we all performed through the unique clown that lives within each of us.
We became listeners and witnesses to countless stories. As artists, we received the testimonies of people who had lived through that devastating disaster, hearing their experiences of fear and frustration. Many told us that, with us, they felt a sense of safety and trust they had not experienced in a long time.
Expedition to Chile (2026). Photo credit: Zelva Producciones.
We felt the full weight of what had happened most deeply during our performance at the Geo Chile sports ground. This place became a refuge for many families who fled the flames and found safety there. Today, it has been transformed into a community space—a place where people come together to share laughter, music, and dance. It is striking that the same place could hold two such contrasting realities, and that it now serves as a space for emotional healing.
One of the many moments we experienced stands out in particular. After one performance at a school, a girl of about ten years old approached us with a question, full of curiosity. The teacher standing beside her reacted with astonishment, which immediately caught our attention. She explained that the girl had never spoken before. It was the first time she had ever heard her voice, asking questions about the performance she had just seen. It was a powerful reminder of the extraordinary impact that laughter can have.
At times, we are not fully aware of the profound impact our performances can have on both children and adults. This time, however, Chile and its people taught us invaluable lessons in rebuilding, resilience, and courage, giving us one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives.
José Antonio Gonzalez
**Volunteer clown with Clowns Without Borders**
