'Little Amal' Puppet in Belfast.

Celebrations filled with performances and symbolic moments took place as Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child, arrived in Belfast on the evening of 16 May 2024. 

Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. 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”.

16th to 19 May Amal arrived in Belfast along the River Lagan with a spectacle theatre performance at Custom House Square to start her journey around our city. She visited the peace walls, share food at a Big Lunch picnic at City Hall, find sanctuary at a special music concert in St Anne’s Cathedral and explore our streets as she found her place in Belfast. Finally leaving to venture on a walk southward to Dublin. 

The event was produced by Belfast City Council and ArtsEkta in partnership with The Walk Productions, in association with Handspring Puppet Company.  (Photos by LARG member James)