If Only Clowns Ruled the World
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/e4/i313462_At a reception for clowns, Ukrainian and Russian vodka living side by side in peace, credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
At a reception for clowns, Ukrainian and Russian vodka living side by side in peace.
For the 22nd time, Patch Adams and a gaggle of 40 clowns from 12 countries came to Russia for their annual tour. Most of their time was spent in homes for veterans and the elderly, in hospitals and orphanages, and in homeless shelters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Along the way they met with the director of Maria's Children and pretended that they were attending a fancy-dress ball. But they also found time to stroll along the Old Arbat and gather for a portrait in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No international incident was reported.
Read the full story: Got a Diplomatic Dilemma? Send in the Clowns
For the 22nd time, Patch Adams and a gaggle of 40 clowns from 12 countries came to Russia for their annual tour. Most of their time was spent in homes for veterans and the elderly, in hospitals and orphanages, and in homeless shelters in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Along the way they met with the director of Maria's Children and pretended that they were attending a fancy-dress ball. But they also found time to stroll along the Old Arbat and gather for a portrait in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. No international incident was reported.
Read the full story: Got a Diplomatic Dilemma? Send in the Clowns
Ralph Robbins / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/01/i313463_Cees and other clowns trading stories with a WWII veteran, credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
Cees and other clowns trading stories with a WWII veteran.
Ralph Robbins / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/53/i313464_Cheering up hospital patients, credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
Cheering up hospital patients.
Ralph Robbins / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/c0/i313465_Clowns contemplating the Foreign Affairs Ministry, credit Asya Segalovich.jpg)
Clowns contemplating the Foreign Ministry in Moscow.
Asya Segalovich / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/57/i313466_Clowns in front of Foreign Affairs Ministry, credit Asya Segalovich.jpg)
Asya Segalovich / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/8f/i313467_Clowns invading the Arbat, credit Asya Segalovich.png)
Clowns invading the Arbat.
Asya Segalovich / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/69/i313468_Jilly Bean shares her glasses, credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
Jilly Bean shares her glasses.
Ralph Robbins / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/3b/i313469_Maria Eliseeva and Patch Adams dressed for St. Petersburg, credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
Maria Yeliseyeva and Patch Adams dressed for St. Petersburg.
Ralph Robbins / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/5e/i313470_Patch and Maria clowning with locals at Catherine the Great palace in St. Petersburg, credit Marina Shusterman.jpg)
Patch and Maria clowning with locals at Catherine the Great palace in St. Petersburg.
Marina Shusterman / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/b6/i313472_Patch clowning with a child in a hospital in St. Petersburg, credit Marina Shusterman.jpg)
Patch clowning with a child in a hospital in St. Petersburg.
Marina Shusterman / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/35/i313473_Patch hugging a child , credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
Patch hugging a child.
Ralph Robbins / For MT
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image_archive/1360/b2/i313474_Zhorik the clown making use of a free prop, credit Ralph Robbins.jpg)
Zhorik the clown making use of a free prop.
Ralph Robbins / For MT