«Pallassos sensa fronteres» bring a smile of comfort to refugees

Peace Times 11

From South America to Africa, a troupe of actors bring laughter
to those who have lost everything through war. In 5 years,
shows in 100 camps

The last sound that one might expect to hear in a refugee camp is that of laughter. But, since five year, in more than one hundred sites of gathering for those escaping from war or natural disasters, it is possible to hear laughter. Laughter from the heart.

This miracle has been made possible thanks to Tortell Poltrona, founder and president of «Pallassos sensa fronteres», which means clowns without frontiers, a non-governmental association with its seat in Barcelona (Spain) and branches in nine countries, born with the precise aim of alleviating the suffering of refugees caused by war and violence.

The principles, clear and simple, are expressed in the statute of the non-profit organisation run by volunteers: «Humane, in the idea to help people in difficulty, for peace and human respect. Impartial, because no distinctions of race, sex, nationality, religion, political or social position are made. Neutral, therefore no position is taken in conflicts. Independent, in the way in which each affiliated association is structured. Universal, in the rights and duties of the members of PSF». Poltrona says: «We go into the refugee camps to create moments of happiness in a situation made of anxiety and desperation. We bring smiles to war zones, but we also put a lot of effort into sensibilising our society to these problems».

The necessary funds for the «show-time» organisation (the cast is formed of between five to ten people at the maximum) are collected thanks to the sales of PSF merchandise, but above all through the self-taxation of its members.

«The language of clowns is universal, there is no need for any special structure, we have no need of a stage or a large production: for this reason we are capable of arriving and performing in any place» affirms a proud Poltrona.

From South America to Africa, the artists of smile that parade themselves in front of the refugees are clowns but also street performers, actors, musicians, dancers... «You return changed - warns Poltrona - it is emotionally challenging but profoundly enriching. When a professional performs in front of an audience of people with these types of problems, it is difficult to get the first smile but, step by step, the laughter grows, arriving at the level of participation, not such a difficult assumption in a normal situation».

After five years of «repeat performances», the Pallassos Sensa Fronteres have woven a sharp network of collaborators including humanitarian organisations, medical units and hospitals, through which they manage to bring smiles to any corner of the Earth overcome with war and violence: a laugh to bring hope for peace.

Roberta Passerini