A moment of light-heartedness in everyday hospital life
July 30, 2026
5 min
When Klara Sternenstaub and Ina Schnusel wander through the corridors of Zollikerberg Hospital, they bring more with them than just music, magic and red noses. As visiting clowns, they give patients moments of laughter, connection and respite – amidst the often stressful daily routine of hospital life. With great sensitivity, they engage with people in very different life situations, experiencing touching, and sometimes quiet, moments that linger long afterwards. In this interview, they explain how they came to do this special work, what they’ve learnt about people through it, and why a brief moment of light-heartedness can sometimes make such a big difference.
How would you describe your work as a visiting clown?
Our work brings a sense of light-heartedness and distraction to everyday life in hospital. As visiting clowns, we create moments when worries, pain or fears can be pushed into the background for a short while. Through music, humour and imagination, we create space for laughter, wonder and a chance to take a deep breath.
In doing so, we often find that it’s not just patients who benefit. Relatives and staff also find some relief. When laughter suddenly breaks out in a ward, it often changes the atmosphere in the whole room. For a brief moment, something light-hearted and unifying emerges amidst what is often an intense daily routine.
How did you come to be involved in this special work?
It was a combination of a deep-seated desire and a series of happy coincidences that led us both, independently of one another, down this path.
We each discovered the magic of clowning in our own way. What fascinated us both from the very beginning is the nature of the clown: she doesn’t judge, is allowed to fail, lives in the here and now, and can express the full range of emotions. In this way, the clown opens up new avenues for connection.
In this profession, we can draw on all our life experience and put our skills to good use. We’re familiar with everyday hospital life, love genuine encounters with people, and know the art of improvisation. And we have a few other talents that we can put to wonderful use. We’re what you might call ‘door-openers’. Both figuratively and literally. We open the doors to rooms and to hearts.
And that is precisely why we are visiting clowns.
What was it about working as a visiting clown that particularly appealed to you?
That we are able to give people moments when they can simply let go. Because with us clowns, they can laugh, dream, be silly and, for a short while, forget everything around them. Because our very presence is enough to change the atmosphere. We often notice that carers and doctors, too, take a brief breather, pause for a moment or join in the laughter. This creates a shared, relaxed space that brings a moment of relief. To be able to have this effect is simply wonderful.
It’s a job where we never stop learning. The encounters we have on the ground constantly give us fresh inspiration – and allow us to discover unexpected sides to our own clown persona time and again. An endlessly exciting journey.
How do you find your interactions with patients and their relatives?
Very warmly and often surprisingly openly. Many people start off cautiously and then become increasingly engaged in the interaction. It’s particularly lovely when relatives or staff members spontaneously join in. This creates a shared moment that brings people together and makes everyday life a little easier for everyone.
On one occasion, we even used FaceTime to call a patient and their relatives directly into a conflict zone, and managed to amaze them. That was a real goosebumps moment for all of us.
What particularly appealed to you about working as a visiting clown?
The fact that we’re able to give people moments when they can simply let go. Because with us clowns, they’re allowed to laugh, dream and be silly, and for a short while forget everything around them. Because our very presence can change the atmosphere. We often notice that carers or doctors also take a brief breather, pause for a moment or join in the laughter. And this creates a shared, relaxed space that brings a moment of relief. To be able to have that effect is simply wonderful.
It’s a job where we never stop learning. The encounters we have on site constantly give us fresh inspiration – and allow us to discover unexpected sides to our own clown persona time and again. An endlessly exciting journey.
What would you like to share with people during your visits, or leave with them?
Joy, warmth and light-heartedness. We want to show them that visiting clowns are there for everyone, including adults. For us, meeting people on an equal footing and practising mindfulness are key. Through an authentic, dignified interaction, we aim to create beautiful moments with people.
This also means that someone can say no to our visit. They’re then officially allowed to show us the door, which usually brings a smile to everyone’s face. And if that person feels more relaxed or energised after such an encounter, then a great deal has already been achieved.
We’d like to introduce everyone to a still-emerging field of study, humourology, and hope that many will be inspired by it.
Are there any moments or encounters that will stay with you for a long time to come?
Yes, there are many. We particularly remember situations where people suddenly light up again or visibly relax. When a child laughs despite feeling anxious, when relatives can take a deep breath for a moment, or when the staff join in singing with us for a moment, you really feel the power of such encounters. Or, as one relative told us as she left the room, that her daughter had finally laughed again for the first time since she’d been admitted to hospital. What a relief!
What have you learnt about people through this work?
That people really do value genuine encounters and little moments of light-heartedness. Less is more. Often, it doesn’t take much to change the mood. And that everyone has a clown inside them; sometimes all it takes is a little ladybird from Ina or a bit of stardust from Klara to bring it out. Time and again, we see just how unifying humour can be – not only for patients, but also for their relatives and staff, who do so much every day.
Have there been any encounters that have changed you personally?
Yes, definitely. This work shows us just how valuable humanity, time and attention are. It’s particularly moving to see how small gestures can have a huge impact – sometimes on individual people, sometimes on an entire ward.
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