Russia invaded by unarmed clowns

By Justin Lifflander

11 November 2016

Patch attempting to entice passersby to join him in his giant underwear

Lyosha the official  taxi dispatcher was ready to give discounts to clowns

Patch managed to stuff 5 passersby and clowns into his giant underwear

Clowns contemplating how to retrieve lost luggage

Clowns mixing with locals at Sheremetyevo

Photos: Natalia Lifflander

A platoon of amateur clowns descended on Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport Sunday to kick off the 32nd annual Patch Adams humanitarian clowning tour of Russia.

The group, consisting of volunteers ranging in age from 19 to 76 and representing 9 different countries, will be joined by a squad of Russian volunteers from the Moscow-based non-profit Maria’s Children Arts Center. The combined unit will spend two weeks seeking out and eliminating loneliness, sorrow and solemnity at a range of targets in Moscow and St. Petersburg — including orphanages, hospitals, veterans’ homes and homeless shelters.

(Read the full text)