Get your best jokes ready: today is all about giggles and smiles.
July 13th has been declared the official Day of Laughter by Mayor Gregor Robertson for the city of Vancouver.
The day is meant to honour the Chinese artist Yue Minjun who is currently in town. The gentlemen is the master behind the 14 laughing, bronze statues in English Bay, all of which bear a striking resemblance to his likeness.
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The installation was created in 2009 and is called A-maze-ing Laughter, part of the Vancouver Biennale temporary public art exhibition that featured an array of sculptures, performances, and media from emergencing artists from around the globe.
The statues are a favorite of locals and visitors to the city alike, standing at over three metres tall and weighing an impressive 250 kilograms. They were meant to leave the city in 2011, but have remained in the city after being purchased by Chip Wilson, the founder of Lululemon.
This is the first time that Yue Minjin has visited the city, and he is in for a real treat. In addition to proclaiming July 13 the official day of laughter, the city has included a noon-hour laughing yoga class in the sunshine in commemoration of his work.