Dozens of clowns have marched through the streets of Bolivia’s capital to protest versus a government decree that limits after-school activities in schools, threatening their livelihoods.Wearing full face paint and
their signature red noses, the clowns gathered on Monday in front of the ministry of education in La Paz to oppose a decree released in February. The brand-new mandate says schools must comply with 200 days of lessons each year– in impact banning them from hosting the special occasions where the performers are regularly employed.A clown trips a unicycle during a protest in La Paz against the federal government’s ban on vacation celebrations at schools during teaching hours. Picture: Juan Karita/AP Clowns in Bolivia are often hired for school celebrations to amuse children
throughout breaks from their regular lessons. One such event is Kid’s Day, which the nation celebrates on 12 April. “This decree will financially affect all of us who deal with kids, “said Wilder
Ramírez, a leader of the local clown union, who also goes by the name of Zapallito. The clown told journalists that “children require to laugh”, while his associates questioned if Bolivia’s education minister had ever had a childhood.The decree provided by the federal government of the just recently elected president, Rodrigo Paz, says events will no longer be authorised during
regular school days, though they can be held voluntarily on weekends. Federal government authorities stated they would take the clowns’ reviews into account when they make a decree for the 2027 school year.But those guarantees supplied little relief to the clowns opposing on Monday.The decree by President Rodrigo Paz says events will no longer be authorised during routine school days,
though they can be held willingly on weekends. Picture: Luis Gandarillas/EPA “This decree will lessen our earnings, and with the economic crisis the nation is going through, our future looks increasingly dismal, “stated Elías Gutiérrez, a spokesperson for the Confederation of Artisanal Workers of Bolivia.Bolivia is facing its worst economic crisis in decades. Incomes from gas are plummeting after a sustained decline in production, and United States dollars are ending up being limited, making imports more costly in the
landlocked nation.Clowns, photographers and outfit makers marched through the centre of La Paz, blowing whistles and triggering little fireworks. Picture: Luis Gandarillas/EPA Tailors who work with clowns and make gowns for children for cultural events and photographers who usually cover school celebrations joined Monday’s protest.Clowns, professional photographers and costume makers marched through the centre of La Paz, blowing whistles and triggering little fireworks.One of the clowns brought an indication that blamed the government for “removing smiles, and taking work away “.