Clowns from across the world met in Germany Friday to pitch laughter as a way to survive the economic crisis. Organisers of the "Parliament of Clowns," performing in a theatre in the eastern city of Dresden, hope to prop up people's spirits, saying the health benefits of laughter are proven. "Fear can be laughed away, even in economically tough times," said clown Antoschka, who spent two decades with the Moscow State Circus and launched the event under the slogan "Clowns of the World Unite."
One performer scheduled to join the red nose and face paint troupe is U.S. physician and professional clown Patch Adams, whose belief in the healing power of laughter reached a global audience when actor Robin Williams portrayed him in a movie. The clowns say their two-hour show will remind people there are alternative ways to respond to bad news after a U.S. study showed anger posed health risks.
"When a balloon bursts, you can either cry or laugh. We clowns are laughing," Antoschka said.
Swiss clown Olli Hauenstein had some advice for the troubled financial sector. "Don't lose courage and happiness in life just because you have been foolish before," he told German radio station Deutschlandfunk. The clowns plan to meet twice a year and have set up a foundation to finance projects to bring laughter to children.
(Reporting by Franziska Scheven)
(c) Reuters 2009.
