Meet the award-winning clown transforming young lives in Norrland

Picture this. It’s 10am on a weekday at Paolo's. The place is pretty quiet - just a few people having fika, chatting softly, maybe scrolling on their phones. And there, sitting calmly like it’s the most normal thing in the world, is Marina Georgescu. Dressed as a full-on circus clown.

Sipping her coffee.

Bright colours, big shoes, plastic nose - the whole look. But here’s the weirdest part:

No one even looks twice. Like this happens every Friday.

Marina Georgescu photographed at Paolos.

Foto: Donna Richmond

I’m here to meet Marina to talk about her work with Clowns Without Borders (Clowner utan Gränser), an international organisation that brings joy and hope to people in need. In June, she was nominated for their Outstanding Contribution Award, and she won!

Marina was recognised for the amazing work she’s done with kids and teens in the Skellefteå and Boliden areas. Her projects have made a big difference, not just in those communities, but also within the whole organisation.

– I cried when I got the news. I have met some of these kids every week. I have seen them grow up. I met some of the kids in Jörn when they were nine years old, and then seeing them grow up to be teenagers, knowing that in some way I have contributed to that development, says Marina.

Marina Georgescu photographed at Paolos.

Foto: Donna Richmond

Marina first got involved with Clowns Without Borders in Guatemala back in 2002. She had already been working with circus skills since 1994, so she had a lot of experience. She explains that at the start of every class, the kids sign an imaginary “circus contract.” It’s a fun way to remind everyone to be kind and respectful to each other.

Marina worked with the kids in Guatemala for several months. After practising and learning new skills, they went to different schools and performed in front of the other students. It was a big deal for the kids and helped them feel proud and confident.

Marina with the street kids at the transition house, Guatamala, 2002.

Foto: Marina Georgescu

– These kids were street kids that didn't have parents. They have so much life experience because some of these kids have killed people, sold their body for money or done drugs. There was a seven-year-old that would come to the class and talk like an old man because the drugs had destroyed his vocal cords, says Marina sadly.

She emphasises the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for the kids, and how circus can be used to develop social skills and help build trust.

– I remember in my first class, some of my things got stolen. In the second class something else went missing. I told the group, “this is not cool. I want to come here, and I know you guys want me to come too, but we have to feel safe”, recalls Marina.

Guatamala, 2002. A performance at a local school. The story was about the good guys and the bad guys in a western setting. The bad guys would come in and rob the bank, and then the good guys would come and then a fight would start. A bar fight, with cardboard bottles and cardboard poker cards. We asked the performers, what do you want to do? Some of the educators were like, “shouldn't we do a fairy tale?” And I responded saying, “but this is what they want. This is their environment because they are street kids.”Guatamala, 2002.

Foto: Marina Georgescu

She goes on to tell me the stolen items suddenly reappeared and never again did the kids touch anything.

Here in Sweden, Marina wanted to focus on community work through social circus, but there were some challenges.

– During covid-19, it was really hard for clowns to do their usual work because of travel restrictions. On top of that, there were problems with budget, Marina says.

Things started to look better after the pandemic. Around the same time, Malin Åberg created a project for Clowns Without Borders Sweden, that made it possible for kids in Skellefteå and Boliden to get involved.

Another performance photo. All the props were made from cardboard. Guatamala, 2002.

Foto: Marina Georgescu

– I was teaching circus in some of the community schools and I noticed there were more international people at Tuböleskolan and Boliden. The proposal was for those two areas, says Marina.

The project was well received. The schoolchildren had an activity every week making it feel more like a community centre where the children would hang out with the parents.

– We empowered the older kids to work with the smaller kids. There are kids at school who are ostracised because of behavioural problems, but in our classes they behave differently. They take it seriously. Social circus is all about empowering kids. We’re not expecting them to be skilled jugglers, we just want them to take small steps and achieve small goals. If they can go from “I can’t do this” to “this is fantastic” that is empowerment and a positive mind shift, says Marina.

Marina Georgescu photographed at Paolos.

Foto: Donna Richmond

Clowns Without Borders typically travel to war zones, where children are affected by conflict and crisis. Although there's no catastrophe in Boliden, Marina firmly believes that there continues to be a need for the kids to have a space where they can be themselves and connect with each other with no judgement.

The project was funded for a number of years and has now been taken to other parts of Sweden. But sponsors and supporters are always needed

– It's not possible to do this by myself if we don't have committed people. As clowns, we are often seen as light-hearted - not to be taken seriously, Marina says.

– But as Clowns Without Borders performers or social circus artists, we have witnessed some of the harshest realities of our world: war zones, disaster areas, refugee camps, and communities burdened by hardships. We bring laughter and joy to places where hope feels distant.