The town of Monte San Giusto (Marche), which styles itself the Town of Smiles, is soon to launch the VII edition of its highly successful Clown & Clownť Festival of clowning and volunteer work.

The Festival emphasizes the importance of clown therapy in hospitals.

Special guest this year will be American Michael Christensen, the first clown doctor, who co-founded the Big Apple Clown Care organization in New York in 1986, based on his belief in the healing power of humour.

The Festival runs for eight days, from 25 September till the 2 October 2011, with a packed programme of street entertainment, open air circus and various events, all free of charge.

With performances by historic Italian clown families Colombaioni and Takimiri, English clown Jhonny Melville and Ulik Khalert from Germany scheduled, laughs galore are guaranteed.

Throughout the event, the church steeple of Monte San Giusto will be decorated with a gigantic red nose that will light up at night, while 25,000 red noses will be distributed to visitors throughout the Festival.

The Festival sets out to celebrate not only the work of the clown doctors, who endeavour to cheer up sick children in hospital, but also the precious contribution of thousands of volunteers who lend a hand in this department.

For information: www.clowneclown.org