Amal, whose name means “Hope” in Arabic, is a 12-ft tall puppet of a 10-year-old Muslim girl and Syrian refugee, who, last fall, captivated the world by walking 5,000 miles across Europe, from the Syrian border in Turkey to the UK in search of her mother. On her five-month journey, Amal crossed eight countries and was welcomed by sixty-five villages, towns, and cities, and millions of people.

Now an international symbol of human rights, especially the plight of refugees, Amal comes to New York City this September in search of her Uncle Samir and the America idealized by the Statue of Liberty. In a massive communal undertaking—part street festival, part public art initiative—she will cross bridges and take ferries, traveling through all five boroughs, while being greeted by local communities with celebratory performances and acts of welcome.

Join on September 24: 

Amal is in a mischievous mood as she chases pigeons through Brooklyn Bridge Park.

She comes across a gathering of children and families all making their own pigeon puppets.  Musicians start to gather and before she knows it, she is surrounded by a flock of pigeons. Together they lead her across the Brooklyn Bridge towards Manhattan.

A participatory family event led by St. Ann’s Warehouse, Robin Frohardt and Fogo Azul in collaboration with Students Rebuild, a program of the Bezos Family Foundation.

10:00am – join in with a puppet making workshop before Amal’s arrival (RSVP to attend here)
11:00am – Amal arrives

All of Amal’s events are suitable for children and families.