Clownlabor Schweiz

The association ‘Clownlabor Schweiz’ (Clown Laboratory Switzerland) explores the political and social potential of clowns outside the circus or theatre stage. The focus is on their ability to creatively address and transform social developments. Political clowning is a pacifist, satirical art form inspired by various traditions of political theatre, such as the ‘Theatre of the Oppressed’ and ‘CIRCA’ (clandestine insurgent rebel clown army).

One focus is on extracurricular youth work: in regular biweekly training sessions in Bern, day workshops and week-long workshops such as the Rebel Clown Academy, teenagers and young adults explore self-efficacy, creativity and democratic participation. Through collective artistic processes, non-formal learning settings and public performances, they connect personal issues with social questions, make democratic principles tangible and expand their decision-making and action-taking skills. The ongoing training sessions offer opportunities to develop new characters, methods and performances that are incorporated into public actions, festivals or artistic collaborations, thus promoting sustainable networking and solidarity-based engagement.