Switzerland’s favourite clown opens his own museum

The exhibition recalls different stages of clown Dimitri's career Keystone

One of Switzerland's favourite comic figures, the clown Dimitri, has opened his own museum near Locarno.

A total of 666 objects, close to Dimitri’s heart, are on show at the museum at Verscio, near Locarno. The items on show come largely from his private collection, but there are also objects from Circus Knie and other institutions.

Musical instruments, photographs, masks, costumes, puppets, magician’s tricks and elephants recall different stages of Dimitri’s career. There is also a video library to increase the public’s knowledge of the past, present and future of comic art.

The aim is to provide not only dreams for youngsters and adults alike, but also to encourage young artists.

The museum is also the brainchild of Harald Szeemann, known for many artistic contributions including his organisation of the 1998 Biennale in Venice.

Dimitri, one of Switzerland’s best clowns, is also well known beyond Switzerland’s borders.

At the opening of the museum on Saturday, Szeeman said it was comical that Dimitri’s museum had only four small rooms whereas he had a 15,000 sqaure metre space for the Biennale.

The building housing the new museum also includes a theatre and space used by Dimitri’s company.

swissinfo with agencies