A huge doll walks around New York: what is this action and what does it have to do with immigrants
'14.09.2022'
Nadezhda Verbitskaya
Little Amal, a 3,5-meter doll of a 10-year-old refugee girl from Syria, has been traveling the world since July 2021. And now she first came to New York, reports Secret nyc.
From September 14 to October 2, Little Amal will walk through all five boroughs of the city, starting from Kennedy Airport. The symbol doll has already traveled a total of 9000 km across 12 countries and 85 cities. She represents all children fleeing war, violence, and persecution and sends an urgent message to the world: “Don't forget about us!”
The doll was created by the Handspring Puppet Company. Made from durable yet lightweight materials such as cane and carbon fiber, their creation easily withstands traveling such long distances.
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It takes a whole team of four puppeteers to control Little Amal. Two puppeteers hold her hands, one walks on stilts to support her back. And the latter controls the “harp”, which revives the face, head and eyes of Little Amal with the help of many strings.
Her New York Walk will be partnered with St. Ann's Warehouse, a performing arts theater in Brooklyn. Little Amal Walks NYC will be one of the largest public art festivals in New York history. There will be 55 events in total, spanning 17 days. Throughout her journey, Little Amal will be accompanied by artists, community leaders and famous faces.
Little Amal landed at Kennedy Airport at 11:00 a.m. on September 14 and was greeted by the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Children's Choir
She will now set off to explore Manhattan, starting in the main hall of Grand Central on September 15th. Her travels will take her to iconic landmarks such as Times Square, Central Park, Lincoln Center and AMNH. While in Brooklyn, Little Amal will wander the Coney Island waterfront, Brooklyn Bridge Park, and Williamsburg. After a trip to Mott Haven and High Bridge in the Bronx, she will visit Snug Harbor and St. George in Staten Island.
You can view the entire calendar of events with time here.
“The purpose of the Walk is to highlight the potential of refugees, not just their dire circumstances. Little Amal is 3,5 meters tall. We want the world to be big enough to welcome her. We want her to inspire us to think big and act big,” said Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director of The Walk.
