International Day of Play is a day to celebrate the power of play. The theme for this year’s International Day of Play is “Protect play, protect childhood”.
For 30 years, Clowns Without Borders Sweden has worked in some of the world’s most challenging environments, including war-torn communities, refugee camps, evacuation centres, and socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Through performances and workshops, they create spaces for play and creativity, where children can express themselves freely and regain a sense of hope even in the most difficult circumstances.
– Peace is not just the absence of war and conflict, but also the presence of harmony, solidarity and faith in the future; says Katinka Igelberg, representing the organization. Clowns Without Borders’ work is based on professional artists who can transform a place filled with fear and uncertainty – into an exuberant fantasy world where the air feels easier to breathe, gazes meet in wonder and contagious laughter begins to bubble in the belly, she adds.
where people have fled the violence between Congolese forces and the M23 rebels. Photo: Clowns Without Borders Sweden
Established in 13 countries
Clowns without borders Sweden advocate for children’s rights and highlight how laughter and art can be powerful tools for change and resilience. This includes awareness campaigns, such as promoting the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, with a special focus on Article 31, which emphasizes every child’s right to rest, play, and participate in cultural life.
Clowns Without Borders Sweden was founded in 1996 after the Swedish artist Nalle Laanela toured Sarajevo to perform street performances shortly after the war. During one of the performances, a group of Spanish clowns suddenly arrived and joined in the antics. After the show, they explained that they were from Payasos Sin Fronteras – Clowns Without Borders. Nalle immediately understood what he had to do.
When he was back in Sweden, he gathered his artist friends, and they founded the organization Clowns Without Borders Sweden. Clowns Without Borders Sweden is the third organization to be founded, after Spain and France. Today, Clowns Without Borders operates in 13 countries. After all these years the main message remains the same. Laughter and play is a right for every child.
Local collaborations
– We strengthen the psychosocial health of the children we meet through performances, weekly activities, camps and workshops. We bring hope to life where hope is at risk of being extinguished – because we know that laughter can change the world, Katinka Igelberg adds. We meet children in particular vulnerability, in war and conflict areas, in refugee camps, in areas affected by poverty, exclusion, and climate disasters.
Clowns without borders Sweden also train staff and volunteers from other humanitarian organizations in their creative methods “laughter and play”, to show how to use play and creativity in challenging humanitarian contexts. Through close collaborations with local artists, they are able to establish and continue their work in countries affected by war, occupation, and other crises.
– In this way, we reach the children who truly need us most, and who otherwise would not have access to play or culture. When theaters and circus venues have been bombed to pieces, we have met the children on beaches, in tents or inside refugee camps, Katinka Igelberg says. Every day, we see how laughter and play are vital tools for connection and trauma relief for children growing up in war-torn areas such as Ukraine, Palestine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The clown as an antihero
Simultaneously the organization says the situation for children in Sweden has also become more difficult. Today, an increasing number of children in Sweden are growing up further and further from their rights. Katinka Igelberg says the situation for newly arrived children living in asylum centers, and those in repatriation centers has worsened, and the organization is placing an ever-greater focus on reaching these children.
The social-economical differences are also deepening, as more children in Sweden are struggling to access play and recreational activities. Weekly activities in underserved areas, special groups for newly arrived children, and home visits to families awaiting deportation are some of the ways Clowns Without Borders Sweden are addressing this issue.
– The clown is one of the central characters in our performances and activities. The clown is an emotional and empathetic antihero whose greatest skill is turning failures and problems into success and triumph. Children play to develop, communicate, and understand the world around them. Play is the child’s language!
Why is play so important?
Play builds creativity, resilience, and social skills, laying the groundwork for lifelong learning and well-being. In too many communities, children’s access to free, unstructured play is shrinking as public spaces become unsafe, and only accessible for some – particularly in humanitarian contexts. Without safe spaces – affordable and accessible for everyone – play risks becoming a privilege, and a cultural marker.
What is the International Day of Play?
International Day of Play takes place each year on 11 June. Play is considered to have a positive impact on promoting tolerance, resilience, and facilitating social inclusion, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. In recognition of this, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child has enshrined play as a fundamental right of every child under Article 31. On behalf of the United Nations, UNICEF and UNESCO facilitate the annual observance to raise awareness about the importance of play.