Since the beginning of her journey in 2021, Little Amal has travelled through over 70 cities and been welcomed at more than 160 unique events, reaching 875,000 people in the 12 countries she visited, and millions more online. Made by the Handspring Puppet Company, who previously worked on War Horse, Little Amal will travel to 10 towns and cities across England in a bid to “rewrite the narrative” about refugees.
Between June 19-27, Little Amal will take part in World Refugee Week by travelling across the country meeting old friends and making new ones. As always, Amal will be sharing her message of resilience and hope with anyone who has been forced to leave their homes.
Little Amal made an early entrance over Bristol’s Clifton Suspension Bridge this morning (June 24) and from 4.30pm she will walk through the historic Old City, starting at Bristol Old Vic on King Street. The giant puppet will then head to Bristol’s famous St Nicholas Market on Corn Street – hearing music and watching performances by local artists and meeting local communities – before leaving the city at the Harbour.
Tom Morris, Artistic Director at Bristol Old Vic, said: “We are excited to welcome Little Amal to Bristol to meet the community, to see our beautiful city and to find out more about Bristol’s status as a City of Sanctuary. Amal travels everywhere with a spirit of curiosity. By welcoming her to Bristol we will also learn from her, understanding more about our own complicated past and our dream of being a fairer and more welcoming city in the future.”
There will be a host of activities taking place across the city to welcome Little Amal to Bristol such as late night market stalls on Corn Street run by refugee support organisations. music from Syrian musicians and a free workshop at Bristol Old Vic where children can make their own bird puppet to fly alongside Little Amal as she walks through our city. Discover the full list of activities here.
Little Amal’s story began in Good Chance Theatre‘s award-winning play, The Jungle, where she opened as a character who represented the hundreds of unaccompanied minors in the Calais camp who were separated from their families. Now, after critical acclaim, Little Amal will be continuing to spread her message in support of young refugees.
Find out more about Little Amal’s journey here.