Little Amal is a 10-year-old refugee from war-torn Syria. She is also a 12-foot puppet who has traveled 5,000 miles across Turkey and Europe to the UK in search of her mother. On her journey, she’s been welcomed by almost a million adults and children. Now, she comes to New York City in search of her Uncle Samir. She will be welcomed by hundreds of artists, cultural organizations, community groups, schools, and colleges in all 5 boroughs. The whole city is invited to take part in her 17-day traveling festival of art and hope.
On September 30, Amal finds herself surrounded by a huge cloud of butterflies that lead her through Snug Harbor, where she is welcomed with a collaborative parade including the Staten Island community and performers from the Porch Plays Project and La Isla Bonita Festival in a celebration of creativity and community co-curated by Melissa West of Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden and Lina Montoya of La Isla Bonita Festival.
WHEN: September 30 | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
5:00 PM: Crafts and welcoming Little Amal
6:00 PM: Amal arrives! Follow her across Snug Harbor
WHERE: Connie Gretz Secret Garden at Snug Harbor, between Cottage Row and South Meadow
ADMISSION: Free! RSVP here.
If you are visiting between 4 – 7 PM on September 30, 2022, we encourage you to park off campus or take alternative transportation (S40 or S44 buses, walk, bicycle). The West Gate at Snug Harbor Road will be closed at 4:45 PM, and Chapel Road will be closed to through-traffic as well, for the safety of visitors and children who are here to celebrate Little Amal’s walk through Snug Harbor. For questions, please contact mwest@snug-harbor.org.
Little Amal Walks NYC is a co-production between The Walk Productions and St. Ann’s Warehouse in association with Handspring Puppet Company. Between September 14 – October 2, Amal will be welcomed at 55 events across the five boroughs of New York City.
A little girl on a BIG journey, Little Amal is the giant puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee girl, at the heart of The Walk. Since July 2021 she has travelled over 9,000km across 12 countries representing all children fleeing war, violence and persecution and each with their own story, Little Amal’s urgent message to the world is “Don’t forget about us”. She has become an international symbol of compassion and of human rights. She carries a message of hope for displaced people everywhere, especially children who have been separated from their families.
“Little Butterfly, don’t be afraid” is made possible in part with the generous support of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, with additional support from the Samuel I. Newhouse Foundation. The Noble Maritime Collection is an event partner.
