Peru: Theatre, Peace and Tolerance

The agents of Peace from AMISRAEL Peru carried out a drama activity aiming to spread a message of tolerance to the audience, through means of art, on November 16th, the International Day for Tolerance, in the city of Arequipa.

The international drama group “PAZCLOWN”, who is part of the agents of peace program, was responsible for the activities. They work with the “clown” technique, which relies on improvisation, when the actor submerges in his own identity letting out aspects of himself not usually totally accepted; it is not a well thought of character, like we see in regular theater.

The clown, who executes this technique, tries to reach attitudes of innocence and spontaneity. They are the only ones to wear a white nose and they seek to spread a message of peace, non-violence and values at the end of each presentation. In this event, they presented the play “Tolerance”.

The presentation started with interviews around the streets, which raised expectations about the “impro”, or the parody improvisation which enable them to catch the audience’s attention and interest them on the play. The actors showed their talent and their capacity in the workshops of the “PAZCLOWN” technique, promoted by AMISRAEL.

The presentation ended up being integrated by new actors who played the first scene “Intolerance” creating hilarious reactions in the audience once they recognized their own attitude reflected in the performers. During the second scene, the positive aspects of exercising tolerance be it racial, social, economic and age or sexual option related were highlighted.

It’s important to remember that on the International Day for Tolerance, the governors reinstate their commitment to implement activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public. The creation of this day was a initiative of both the UN and UNESCO, who agreed upon it and have been celebrating it for over a decade.
Some crucial point must be highlighted here:

What is tolerance?
It’s accepting that human beings are naturally diverse and characterized by the diversity of aspects, situations, means of self expression, behavior and values, and that they have the right to live in peace and be the way they are. It’s the recognition of the universal human rights and the fundamental liberties of others. It’s the harmony in the difference.

What is intolerance?
It’s despise for the differences.

Why is tolerance important?
Tolerance is important for peace and the social and economic development of people.

How can we spread tolerance?
Tolerance can be spread through knowledge, openness of ideas, communication and freedom of consciousness.

What is the relation between tolerance and peace?
Without tolerance, there cannot be peace, and without peace there cannot be development and democracy. Tolerance is a virtue which makes peace possible and it enables the replacement of the war culture for the peace culture.

Text: AMISRAEL Peru
Edition:Gabriela Lara
English Version: Patricia Mamede

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