Little Amal visited Birmingham on Wednesday, October 11 with one event in the evening and on Thursday, October 12 with two events in the morning. The three Birmingham events were:
(1) October 11, 2023 at 6 pm at City Walk Park, 901 25th Street N - This event is called "When Children Gather." It was a site-specific dance performance inspired by the 1963 Children’s Crusade. Together with musician Lonnie Holley, Amal explored the City Walk BHAM and helped raise up the voices of young people. In partnership with Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre (YSDT), Create Birmingham, Lonnie Holley and Alabama School of Fine Arts.
(2) October 12, 2023 at 9 am at Sloss Furnace, 20 32nd Street N. This event is called "Melting Pot." Sparks fly and iron glows as Amal took part in a ferocious iron pour at the historic Sloss Furnaces. A pulsing drum beat rings through the air. In partnership with Create Birmingham, Sloss Metal Arts, Sahi On Ko Djony and Carey Fountain.
(3) October 12, 2023 at 10 am at Birmingham Civil Rights Institute 520 16th Street N. This event is called "March On!" As Amal said goodbye to Birmingham, Alabama Poet Laureate Ashley Jones wished Amal a safe onward journey. Together, they join a children’s march from Birmingham Civil Rights Institute to Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where they paid their respects to the children who died in the 1963 tragedy. In partnership with Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, National Park Service, 16th Street Baptist Church, Carlton Reese Memorial Unity Choir and Create Birmingham.
Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl who has traveled across 13 countries meeting more than a million people. She will journey 6,000 miles across the United States in one of the largest free public festivals ever created. She has become a symbol for human rights. Check outmore at this link.
Since July 2021, Amal has travelled over 9,000km to 97 towns and cities in 15 countries and been welcomed by more than a million people on the street, including hundreds of artists and civil society and faith leaders, as well as by tens of millions online. Her journeys are festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story. Her urgent message to the world is “Don’t forget about us”. She carries a message of hope for displaced people everywhere especially children who have been separated from their families. Between September 7 and November 5. 2023, Amal will journey 6,000 miles across the United States. More than 35 towns and cities from Boston to San Diego and 1,000+ artists and arts organizations will create 100+ free public events to welcome her.
