Accompanied by resounding drumbeats and a jubilant welcoming atmosphere, Little Amal, whose name means “hope” in Arabic, kicked off her 6,000-mile tour across the United States Thursday afternoon in Boston in Dewey Square. The 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl has become a global symbol of human rights, spreading hope to displaced populations worldwide.
Amal, designed and built by Handstring Puppet Company, has embarked on an over two-year long trip through 15 countries to raise awareness of immigration issues. Throughout the journey, she conveyed a message on behalf of refugees and displaced people across the world—“Don’t forget about us.”
“The story of the United States has been shaped by a complex history of migration and movement that touches every corner of the globe,” said Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of The Walk Productions. “But the myriad challenges of today’s interconnected world are forcing many to revisit America’s status as the land of opportunity.”
Down the Rose Kennedy Greenway, stretching from Dewey Square to the Chinatown gate, hundreds of people enthusiastically joined Amal during the sun-drenched afternoon, cheering the artists’ performances that adorned their path. Through a collaborative effort with local organizations including ArtsEmerson, The Walk featured a multitude of community artists collectively showcasing Boston’s past and present.
Later that night, Amal arrived in Harvard Yard and was welcomed by awaiting students, faculty, staff and local residents. Spanning more than 35 cities and towns with stops including Philadelphia, Chicago and Atlanta, Amal will conclude her two-month trek on Nov. 5 at the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego.
“Our hope for Amal is that she can spur conversations in communities across the country around the important role of refugees and newcomers in writing the ongoing story of the United States,” said Zuabi.
