MEXICO: Clowns bring smiles to Mexico City during annual convention

More than 500 clowns whooped it up in Mexico City on Wednesday (October 17) during the 12th Annual International Clown Convention, aimed at gaining support and respect for their art. Clowns from Peru, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, U.S. and Mexico gathered to showcase their talents, swap ideas and pick up new skills. Clowns performed in a theatre to an audience of clowns dressed in tall blue hats, big red noses and colourfully painted faces. Seminars and workshops were also on offer - enabling clowns to stock up on the latest and best costumes, shoes, make-up, magic tricks and wigs available in the industry. Clowns are very important to Mexican culture and life. Thousands pop up on traffic intersections and perform all kinds of tricks to earn a few pesos. It's a tough life for them, but this convention tries to maintain high standards of clowning. Costa Rican clown, Goofy, told Reuters that people in Costa Rica preferred to pay for alcohol rather than spending money to entertain their children and put smiles on their faces. "Well, the life of the clown in Costa Rica is not similar to what it's like in other countries. They don't value us and it hurts people to pay yet it doesn't hurt them to pay for the alcohol they consume - like tequila. But for the clowns, for the children and for the events it does hurt them. Life for the clown over there is a bit difficult." Ozzie from Belize, said that the Mexico convention was the best he'd ever been to. "From what I've gathered, for me personally I think that the Mexican clowns are the greatest clowns, because they really know how to do a little of everything and the way they do it is very spectacular, so I appreciate them a lot. Not to say that I am biased about the other clowns from different countries, but I prefer the Mexican clowns. I've attended conventions in other countries but nothing is compared to this." Mexican clown Mimo Payaso Paulita Tulancingo De Alba, said the convention was essential for clowns everywhere. "I think that the school of the clown should be like this, because he we come to learn how to dress, put make-up on, how to act. There is no place like this one." The participants paraded and clowned through Mexico City's streets, their strange costumes and surreal make-up thrilling children who looked on with amazement and delight. According to the Latin-American Clown Association there are some 10,000 professional clowns in Mexico, of which 3,000 are women.

ITN Source | October 22, 2007

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