Professional entertainers in full makeup and bright red noses took their concerns to the streets of Bolivia’s capital city Monday, rallying against a new educational policy that threatens to eliminate their primary source of income.
The colorfully dressed performers assembled outside La Paz’s Ministry of Education building to voice opposition to regulations implemented in February. The new rules require educational institutions to dedicate 200 full days annually to academic instruction, essentially prohibiting the special celebrations and events where these entertainers typically find work.
Wilder Ramírez, who represents the local performers’ union and performs under the stage name Zapallito, expressed concerns about the financial impact. “This decree will economically affect all of us who work with children,” Ramírez told reporters. He emphasized that “children need to laugh” while fellow performers questioned whether Bolivia’s Education Minister had experienced a proper childhood.
These professional entertainers regularly provide services at educational institutions throughout Bolivia, performing during school celebrations and special occasions that break up the regular academic routine. An important upcoming celebration is the nation’s Children’s Day observance on April 12.
The policy comes from recently elected President Rodrigo Paz’s administration, which states that festive activities will no longer receive approval during regular academic hours, though schools may choose to organize such events on weekends. Administrative officials indicated they would consider the entertainers’ concerns when developing policies for the 2027 academic year.
However, these future promises offered little comfort to Monday’s demonstrators.
“This decree will diminish our income, and with the economic crisis the country is going through, our future looks increasingly gloomy,” stated Elías Gutiérrez, representing the Confederation of Artisanal Workers of Bolivia.
The South American nation faces severe economic challenges as natural gas revenues continue declining due to reduced production levels, while U.S. currency shortages drive up import costs for the landlocked country.
The demonstration included additional workers whose livelihoods depend on school events, including seamstresses who create costumes for children’s performances and photographers who document educational celebrations.
The coalition of affected workers paraded through downtown La Paz, using whistles and small pyrotechnics to draw attention to their cause.
One demonstrator displayed a sign accusing government officials of “taking away smiles, and taking work away.”
