Little Amal, Giant Puppet of Syrian Refugee, Embarks on Journey Across America to Raise Awareness on Immigration and Migration

Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet representing a Syrian refugee, embarks on a poignant journey across the United States this autumn, visiting significant locations that have shaped America’s history. The purpose of this expedition is to raise awareness about the pressing issues of immigration and migration.

Accompanied by a puppeteer team, Little Amal, depicting a 10-year-old girl, will traverse a route beginning in Boston on September 7 and concluding at the U.S.-Mexico border on November 5. Along the way, the symbolic puppet will grace prominent sites such as the U.S. Capitol, Boston Common, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director, expresses, “There is something transformative in the act of extending hospitality to a stranger. It reshapes our perspective. When we walk into places with a rich, complex, and defining history, we aim to create that transformative experience.”

The itinerary includes stops in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Austin, Houston, San Antonio, El Paso, Los Angeles, and San Diego. The selection of these destinations aligns with specific points in American history that demand acknowledgment. Commencing in Boston and concluding in San Diego further symbolizes the thin divide between the United States and Mexico.

Little Amal serves as a symbol of empathy, embodying the plight of vulnerable and innocent children thrust into unfamiliar surroundings after surviving arduous journeys alone. Zuabi emphasizes, “She represents millions of children. Walking with Amal through the streets, breathing together as a community, carries immense significance.”

Organizers plan to collaborate with local artists and leaders at each of the 35 stops, incorporating more than 100 special events that resonate with the history and communities of these locations. Civil Rights Movement landmarks like Selma, Alabama, and places affected by recent gun violence, such as Uvalde, Texas, will serve as anchors for these events.

Little Amal, a creation of the renowned Handspring Puppet Company from South Africa, demands the efforts of four puppeteers during each visit. Nine puppeteers in total will accompany Little Amal on her coast-to-coast odyssey, with three operating her head and limbs and one collecting items bestowed upon her by people along the way.

Zuabi highlights the significance of engaging in the discussion surrounding refugees, immigrants, and migration, as these topics are deeply shaped and influenced by the American context. The project aims to contribute to this conversation by actively listening and learning.

Last year, Little Amal completed a 17-day circuit across every corner of New York City, participating in various activities such as joining a reading of the book “Julián Is a Mermaid” at the Brooklyn Public Library and partaking in a drum circle in Harlem. Currently, the puppet is set to visit Toronto in June.

Previously, Little Amal embarked on a 5,000-mile trek across Europe in 2021, starting from the Syrian-Turkish border and concluding in northwest England. Throughout this journey, she traversed 12 countries, extending greetings to refugees from Ukraine at a Polish train station and visiting refugee camps in Greece. Notably, she also had the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis.

Enrico Dau Yang Wey, the lead puppeteer and co-associate artistic director, describes Little Amal as a miraculous entity that has the power to unite people, fostering a collective sense of empathy and awe.

“With each encounter, we gain new insights and deepen our understanding. It’s a continuous learning process. I might just need a new pair of walking boots,” Wey remarks, reflecting on the profound impact of this remarkable expedition.