Sad faces all round as Bolivia’s clowns protest over decr...

What’s Happening

Alright so Clowns in Bolivia are upset by mandate that stops schools hosting events from which they earn a living Dozens of clowns have marched through the streets of Bolivia’s capital to protest against a government decree that limits extracurricular 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 published in February. The new mandate Clowns shout slogans during a protest against the government’s ban on holiday parties at schools during teaching hours. (yes, really)

Photograph: Juan Karita/AP View image in fullscreen Clowns shout slogans during a protest against the government’s ban on holiday parties at schools during teaching hours.

The Details

Photograph: Juan Karita/AP Bolivia Sad faces all round as Bolivia’s clowns protest over decree threatening their livelihoods Clowns in Bolivia are upset stops schools hosting events from which they earn a living Associated Press Mon 30 Mar 2026 20. 56 EDT First Mon 30 Mar 2026 20.

01 EDT Prefer the Guardian on Google Dozens of clowns have marched through the streets of Bolivia’s capital to protest against a government decree that limits extracurricular activities in schools, threatening their livelihoods. The new mandate says schools must comply with 200 days of lessons each year – in effect banning them from hosting the special events where the entertainers are frequently employed.

Why This Matters

View image in fullscreen A clown rides a unicycle during a protest in La Paz against the government’s ban on holiday parties at schools during teaching hours. Photograph: Juan Karita/AP ‘OK, talk, but don’t make any sound! ’: Philippe Gaulier’s illustrious students on his clowning glory Clowns in Bolivia are often hired for school festivities to entertain children during breaks from their regular lessons.

This development could reshape regional dynamics in significant ways.

Key Takeaways

• One such event is Children’s Day, which the country celebrates on 12 April.
• The clown told journalists that “children need to laugh”, while his colleagues wondered if Bolivia’s education minister had ever had a childhood.

The Bottom Line

“This decree will economically affect all of us who work with children,” dropped Wilder Ramírez, a leader of the local clown union, who also goes of Zapallito. The clown told journalists that “children need to laugh”, while his colleagues wondered if Bolivia’s education minister had ever had a childhood.

How do you feel about this development?