Little Amal, the internationally celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will be welcomed by dozens of prominent artists, cultural institutions, elected officials, and humanitarian organizations as she makes her journey to and across the U.S.-Mexico border. From Oct. 25 through Nov. 6, Amal will participate in events of welcome on both sides of the border, including curated events in Texas, Arizona, San Diego, and Tijuana, Mexico.
During her 1,200-mile-plus journey across the U.S.-Mexico border, Amal will experience firsthand a region that has shaped the very fabric of both the countries it touches. At the border, Amal will meet with local officials, artistic and community leaders, groups of indigenous people, and newly arrived children and migrants to better understand how their own unique stories and experiences contribute to and define a region that has once again emerged in the national spotlight.
Some of the events welcoming Amal in communities along the border include:
On Nov. 3-5 in San Diego, Amal will celebrate the city’s rich cultural diversity and contemplate the millions of refugee children across the world, who, like her, are searching for a better life.
On Nov. 6-7 in Tijuana, Mexico, Amal will visit Chaparral Square and Friendship Park and will deliver a message to migrant families before continuing her journey through Mexico.
Further information about the events along the U.S.-Mexico border and the rest of Amal’s journey across America can be found at: https://www.walkwithamal.org/events/.
“Amal is visiting the U.S.-Mexico border to better understand the on-the-ground realities of a region that is frequently defined by migration,” said The Walk Productions artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi. “The essential mission of Little Amal is to spur conversations in communities around the important role of refugees, and visiting the U.S.-Mexico border is an absolutely integral part of ‘Amal Walks Across America.’ We hope to help change the narrative that has emerged at the border, shifting the misconceived notion of a ‘crisis’ at the border to instead one of opportunity.”
Little Amal is more than halfway through her walk across the United States. The nationwide journey began in Boston on Sept. 7 and will culminate on Nov. 5 in San Diego. Along the 6,000-mile journey, she is joining more than 1,000 artists at more than 100 artistic events in 40 towns and cities. She’s scheduled to visit Texas from Oct. 19-26; Arizona from Oct. 27-28; and California, including Los Angeles, from Oct. 29-Nov. 5. Additional details, including cities, events, and participating organizations, are available at walkwithamal.org/events/.
The Walk Productions is led by David Lan and Tracey Seaward. Playwright/director Amir Nizar Zuabi serves as artistic director, and Sarah Loader is the executive producer.
“From the start of Amal’s epic journey across the U.S., she has been headed for the border region,” said The Walk Productions producer David Lan. “The focus of so much reaction to the realities of immigration in the US has been on the challenges the people of this region face. We hope the visit of 10-year-old Amal will offer new insights and perspectives on this complex and ever-changing human situation.”
Amal was designed and built by the Handspring Puppet Company of South Africa, creators of the award-winning puppets for the hit show War Horse.
Since the beginning of her journey, Amal has been welcomed in communities across the globe at various artistic-led events that are authentic and meaningful to the local people she meets. During her travels through Europe, Amal participated in events hosted by prominent cultural organizations and changemakers, including at an installation in Turkey that paid tribute to those who lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean in search of refuge and an appearance at Glastonbury alongside the Refugee Choir Citizens of the World Choir and global rock superstars Elbow. In New York City in 2022, and during her current U.S. walk, she has been welcomed at events hosted by world-renowned education, cultural, artistic, and community institutions.
Amal is inspired by a character in Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson’s play “The Jungle,” about a refugee camp in Calais, France. The Walk 2021 was a co-production with Good Chance Theatre.
Amal’s journey is not unique. Half of all refugees are children and half of all school-age refugee children have lost their opportunity to have a formal education. To try to help, The Walk has established The Amal Fund with the nonprofit Choose Love 501 (c)(3). By donating to The Amal Fund with Choose Love, you are helping to provide education, food, shelter, emergency medical care, legal assistance, and much more to these children in need.
