Clowns of the World

Clowns of the World is website about the different types of clowns around the world.  Click on the links below to view a description of the various types of clowns and a little bit about their history. For more images of clowns past and present visit www.clownpostcards.com

Russian: The Russian clown emerged in the early 1800s with Vladimir and Anatoly Durov, a brother comedy team. From the poor villages, fighting cold winters and famines, the brothers created a clowning new in form to the Russian culture. The Durovs used as many as 50 animals and over 15 species, including rats and cats together. Their satire, often extremely political, caused them to be out of favor with many officials and frequently thrown out of a country or jailed. In the early 1900s, preceding the 1917 Russian revolution, the avant-garde clown became important to the new movement and was destined to be highly influential in theatrical development due to its political influence during the revolution.

The Soviets later established the "School of Clowns" awarding a college degree. Through the tempest of revolution and in following years, many new clowns developed out of the Durov brothers' tutelage. As in the early court jesters, their satirical attacks on government affected the politics of their day. Their praise for the working class greatly aided the Bolshevik cause, educating the people and exposing the tyranny of the ruling classes.

The Russian clown continued to develop aid after World War II Karandash emerged. His antics are compared to Chaplin, however the Russian character outwitted adversaries, avoiding the abuse that Chaplin often encountered. In the mid 1950s, Popov graduated from the Moscow Circus School. He tutored under Karandash and is established as Russia's premier clown, acclaimed by his contemporaries as a pleasing clown character in command of many circus skills.