Life Onboard LAST UPDATE  October 1, 2010
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July 25, 2010 Entertainers for Peace – The Martin Brothers
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Javier and Fernando Martin said that their goal is to bring happiness to people around the world, especially those who are struggling to live amidst extreme poverty.

The wild and fascinating Martin Brothers joined Peace Boat for six weeks to teach people how performance can be used to promote peace. During this time they mesmerised audiences with frenetic plays, wacky slapstick routines, and exhilarating clowning acts. Javier and Fernando Martin began using their skills as entertainers more than seven years ago to bring smiles to those suffering from extreme hardship in remote communities. They learnt from one of the best clowning families in Italy before uniting their skills and embarking on a journey that has taken them to far-flung areas around the world.
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Javier Martin dazzled the audience with a surreal performance that included a metaphorical representation of how the world is threatened by nuclear weapons.

The pair left their home in the Canary Islands and eventually found themselves performing in Nepal and India for two years. Javier Martin said bringing laughter to street children was one of the most incredible experiences of his life. "They had never seen juggling, mime and acrobatics before," he said. "The children and even the adults were so curious and eager to play with us and learn about what we were doing." The brothers perform many of their acts for free on the street, so that they can be enjoyed by everyone, even the most destitute. "On the street, everybody is equal and you don't need to have money or power to see a performance like ours," Javier said.
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Fernando Martin coordinated many clowning games and activities with participants which helped them gain the necessary skills to be able to perform in front of crowds.

The pair attracted a wide following of Peace Boat participants who were eager to learn performance techniques. Daily workshops were held to teach a range of skills including clowning, mime, acrobatics and African-influenced dancing. "Clowning is about making people understand the wide range of emotions that people feel," Javier said during one of the workshops. "When the clown is sad, it is not merely sad, but extremely upset and its heart looks like it will break," his brother Fernando explained. "The same as when the clown is happy, it is a sensation that is more powerful than being in love with the most beautiful person on earth," he said. By exaggerating these emotions during their routines, the brothers are able to overcome language barriers and communicate with people from all around the world.
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Participants played a central role in the Martin Brothers performances. They were quick to develop their abilities thanks to continuous guidance from their clowning teachers.

The brothers performed numerous acts for locals at each port. Their work was particularly important in Latin America, where many people suffer from economic hardship. The 69th Voyage stopped at four countries in the region including Guatemala and Mexico. In these countries, there is a strong divide between the rich and poor, meaning that those who are wealthy are usually the only ones who can afford to watch international performers. But through their street performances, the Martin Brothers provided joy to anyone passing by, irrelevant of their social status. Participants travelled with the brothers at each port, relishing the opportunity to practice what they had been learning.
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Fernando impressed crowds with his highly skilled juggling ability. The performances of the brothers are inclusive to everyone in the audience because they carry meaning without dialogue.

There is also a serious side to the seemingly light-hearted work of the Martin Brothers. They have worked with a range of non-governmental organisations including Clowns without Borders and Caritas in Spain. Their work has promoted the elimination of discrimination against African and Middle Eastern immigrants in Europe and an end to violence against women. They use recycled material to create items such as juggling balls, which which is a way to encourage young people to think about sustainability and improve their awareness of environmental issues. The physical demands of the workshops held by the brothers also improve fitness, especially for the elderly who often suffer from diminishing coordination and mobility.
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Javier celebrated with other participants as Peace Boat left the Mexican port of Ensenada and began its long voyage back to Yokohama in Japan.

The impact of the Martin Brothers time onboard was demonstrated during a circus-styled event which was run by the participants working with them. Many had never been in an organised performance before and had spent only a few weeks learning acrobatics, mine and juggling. Despite this, they wowed a crowd of hundreds of people with a dazzling routine. Peace Boat staff member Rosalva Welsch was the coordinator for the Martin Brothers onboard and helped facilitate some of their workshops. She said that seeing the group of participants performing as stars of the show was an incredible event. "They really came together and created something unique," she said. "It was a wonderful experience and one of the highlights of this voyage."