As Little Amal walked through the tranquil orchards of the Boschendal Estate, guided by puppeteers from Ukwanda Puppetry and Design Collective of the Centre for Humanities Research (CHR) at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), she took the first steps of what promised to be a spectacular international event in the global search for hope in our troubled times.Little Amal was created by Handspring Puppet Company with whom the CHR has had many creative partnerships. Some of the first steps Amal has taken in preparation for her amazing feat were through the tranquil orchards of the Boschendal Estate in Cape Town, where she was guided by puppeteers from Ukwanda Puppet and Design Company of UWC’s  Centre for Humanities Research. Now the CHR is delighted to celebrate and support the journey of the young refugee 3.5-meter puppet as she walks 8000 km from Turkey to Manchester, UK.

Little Amal is at the heart of The Walk – a travelling festival of art and hope presented by Good Chance, Stephen Daldry, David Lan, and Tracey Seaward, and with artistic direction from Amir Nizar Zuabi. Calling attention to the urgent needs of young refugees, Little Amal is, in the words of Good Chance, “Too BIG to ignore”.

The Walk, set to take place from July to November 2021, promises to be a spectacular international event in the global search for hope in our troubled times.

The CHR are proud friends of Little Amal and call on the greater university community to be friends of Little Amal too.

This article was first published on Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes,  here: https://www.chrflagship.uwc.ac.za/the-walk-uwc-boschendal-wish-little-amal-safe-travels/