She is nine years old, over 3.5 meters tall and is looking for her mother. This is Amal. A doll refugee from Syria who is preparing to start her long journey.
On July 27, starting from its borders Syria, will cross Turkey, to come to Greece and continue in Europe to the United Kingdom in search of her mother. This is the “journey” of little Amal. The doll will “walk” 8,000 kilometers in order to “illuminate” the stories of millions of refugee children.
“Journey” is the first major production of the Good Chance Theater after the internationally successful play “The Jungle” (2017) and the first project led by the new artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi. From July 7 to November 3, 2021, in every village, region or city that will be visited, little Amal will be welcomed with new artistic creations, community activities throughout the city, but also with separate meetings.
All events as broadcast by the Athens News Agency have free admission and have been designed jointly with the partners of “Travel” in each area in order to create one of the most ambitious public art works of all time. Viewers will have the opportunity to follow the path of little Amal via the internet and social media, as well as to actively participate in the events that will take place in their areas.
Little Amal’s trip to Greece starts on Chios on 9/8. The intermediate stations are Ioannina on 27/8 & 28/8, Kalampaka and Trikala on 29/8, Larissa on 31/8 and Elefsina on 1/9. Of all the capitals of Europe that little Amal will meet on her long journey, Athens will be first on September 2nd and 3rd. There, for fear of losing her way, she will tie a thread of bright red thread to a lamppost, leaving traces of her course as she walks through the city. She will face the mythical Minotaur, with whom she will become friends. On September 4 and 5 she will be in Piraeus shortly before leaving for Italy where she will continue her journey.
The “Journey” will bring together distinguished artists, important cultural institutions, community groups and humanitarian organizations, as well as municipalities, non-governmental organizations, faith representatives and schools.
Some special moments of the 100 events:
- Little Amal’s journey begins in Gaziantep with an outdoor lighting installation. Slowly, one lantern at a time, the city is illuminated and a path of light is revealed, what Amal will follow.
- In Cesme, little Amal will follow a path of shoes that will lead her to the sea. This art installation – created by the K2 Contemporary Arts Center – represents the thousands of people who have lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of refuge.
- In Bari, a huge doll in the form of an Italian Nonna (Grandma) welcomes little Amal and shares with her tips on how to overcome the obstacles she may have to face the rest of her journey.
- When little Amal arrives in Rome, her lost homeland comes to life again. Memories of the war rise to the surface, while paintings by Syrian artist Tammam Azzam are displayed in the buildings surrounding little Amal.
- After a walk in the port and on the bridges of Marseille, the Syrian cinematographer and visual artist Ammar al-Beik will give Amal a cardigan, under the mirror dome of the Vieux Port Pavilion.
- In Paris, a refugee camp facility will be set up outside the Institut du Monde Arabe, and Amal will explore the refugee tents in search of traces of her homeland. In each scene he will see and hear stage theater actions and soundscapes representing the many countries of origin of the refugees.
- In Brussels, parkour and circus dancers and artists will join forces with some of the city’s internationally renowned choreographers to create a dance event that examines Amal’s traumatic memories of her homeland.
- As part of the Ruhfestspiele Festival, the Recklinghausen community creates a “welcome path” that crosses the city, with painted pebbles depicting messages of welcome and hope for Amal.
- In London, Amal turns 10 years old. Her birthday begins with a morning performance by the Royal Opera Choir, and continues with a birthday party at the V&A Museum with children from all over London. Her big day ends with a walk in central London where she will receive greeting messages from the many friends she has met on her trip.
- Amal’s arrival in Manchester marks the end of her epic wanderings. The Manchester International Festival will feature a special exhibition on childhood, the creation of local schools in collaboration with refugee communities. As Amal explores the exhibition, she will realize that she is ready to embark on a new, even longer journey: To build a new life in her new homeland.
Little Amal represents the millions of displaced refugee children who have been separated from their families. Its urgent message to the whole world is “Do not forget us”.
Amal’s operation requires three operators: one on stilts that also enlivens her face, and one in each arm. A team of ten pilots has been staffed, including two with personal displacement experiences who have made the trip themselves. The doll is made of specially shaped rod and carbon fiber.
The Educational Program of Travel
Travel has developed an educational program that will bring together young people from refugee and host communities, creating strong bonds of friendship.
The program includes:
- A handbook with more than 70 pages of Educational Activities and Notes for Teachers in six languages ​​illustrated by Syrian artist Diala Brisly. You can download this material from walkwithamal.org.
- A series of online educational events provided completely free of charge to teachers.
- “Make Something with Amal” – an interactive online initiative dedicated to artistic creations inspired by Amal’s journey.
The full program is available on the “Travel” website.
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