Story by Deborah Egan. Photo by Good Chance Theatre Company.
In 2021 from the Syria-Turkey border Little Amal (a 3.5 metre tall puppet representing a 9 year old Syrian refugee girl) will begin her 8000 kilometre walk through Europe ending in Sheffield and Manchester
Amal’s Walk highlights the perilous journey thousands of children have made to the UK escaping from desperate situations. She represents all displaced children forced to leave their homes, and the many separated from their families.
Amal will travel through eight countries, Turkey , Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and the UK, to be welcomed by hundreds of cultural events in towns, villages and cities along the route.
Little Amal’s story began in Good Chance Theatre Company’s award winning play ‘The Jungle’ created in 2015 in the refugee camp in Calais, but now it has become an 8000 kilometre epic brought to life by a giant puppet – its porportions as big as the issues it raises.
At each stage of Little Amal’s journey she will be welcomed by the communities she visits. In In half term on Friday 29th of October, Amal will arrive in Sheffield by boat!
She will walk from Victoria Quays to Fitzalan Square , then to Tudor Square where, during the afternoon, there will be celebrations including music, performances and workshops to welcome her to our city. Amal will later make an appearance at sunset in Sheffield Amphitheatre behind Sheffield Midland station, before she leaves on her long walk to Manchester. Many local organisations will be taking part, the event including ASSIST, Globalmama, Sheffield City of Sanctuary, Sheffield Theatres and DINA.
This is an invitation to come along and welcome Amal and celebrate the contribution all our refugee families have made to our city, it’s a FREE event and families and children are welcome. (See posters in schools and community centres, local press or visit our websites at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk or www.dinavenue.com for the full timetable and details nearer the date !
For more about Amal’s walk visit www.walkwithamal.org
