Syrian puppet in ‘festival of art and hope’

Syrian puppet in ‘festival of art and hope’

29 May 2024

A GIANT puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child arrived in Newcastle last week highlighting the issue of human rights.

Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees with her journeys described as “festivals of art and hope” that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story.

Little Amal has travelled to many countries and been welcomed by two million people on the streets and by tens of millions online. 

The manually operated, partly-animatronic giant puppet, which was used as the centrepiece of a performance art project called The Walk in 2021, was met by excited children, residents and community group representatives on Newcastle promenade last Thursday.

With the intention of celebrating human migration and cultural diversity, the puppet was carried during five months from the Syria-Turkey border via Europe to the UK arriving in Down District.

The puppet’s Little Amal persona originated as a character in The Jungle, a play created in the former Calais jungle encampment in 2015. 

The name Amal means “hope” in Arabic, with Little Amal representing a nine-year-old Syrian refugee girl who, in The Walk project, travels alone across Europe to find her mother. 

Dozens of designers and craftspeople combined to create the puppet, which is controlled by at least three puppeteers — two to move the hands and one interior puppeteer who walks on heavily-weighted stilts, and controls the head, eyes and mouth by hand via a mechanism called the harp.

The Walk is a travelling art festival which is a celebration of migration and cultural diversity with excited school children delighted to see its arrival in the resort last week.

Little Amal represents a displaced refugee child fleeing from war and separated from her family, walking across Europe to find her mother and wishing to attend school. 

Her simple message is “don’t forget about us”.

Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler, founders of Handspring Puppet Company, said the story of refugees is so important for the whole world.

“Many countries are on the move because of conflict, climate change and farmers that can’t work anymore through lack of rain. It’s the big story of our time,” they said.

Basil and Adrian said the walk has the potential of bringing people together and highlight the potential of the refugee, not just their dire circumstances.

Little Amal stopped off in Newcastle on her way to Belfast from Dublin.

Amal has travelled to 160 towns and cities in 15 countries and been welcomed by an estimated two million people.

During her visit to the district, she shared symbolic moments with local school children and community groups.

In Newcastle, she received an enthusiastic reception from onlookers whose heartfelt display of support was a testament to the community’s support with spreading the message about human rights and the plight of refugees. 

Pupils from local primary schools were invited to meet with Amal and accompany her on her walk along the promenade with their beautifully crafted posters and welcome banners. 

At the end of ‘The Walk’ members of Newcastle YMCA which provides a safe space for asylum seekers, greeted her.

Thursday morning’s event concluded with the sharing of food and traditional games, symbolising the universal language of play and the simple joys of childhood transcending borders and hardships.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman, Valerie Harte, described Little Amal’s visit to the district as more than just a spectacle.

“It was a powerful reminder of the struggles faced by young refugees and the importance of compassion, understanding and support from communities worldwide,” she said.

“Her journey inspires and brings awareness of human rights, emphasising that every child deserves safety, hope and a chance for a brighter future.”