Walking with Amal: When Nights are Dark
At the Castle of Gaziantep (Turkey), the 3.5-meter-tall Little Amal was welcomed by an enchanting light installation, led by Artist Ali M. Demirel, with music by Nefes Music School’s Orchestra. Amal is created by Handspring Puppet Company, who have been invaluable in advancing community arts projects and education in South Africa through their decade-long collaboration with the Centre for Humanities Research. In preparation for The Walk, Little Amal was filmed in 2020 in the orchards of Boschendal, Cape Town, guided by puppeteers from Ukwanda Puppets and Designs Art Collective of the CHR.
Lost in the darkness Amal is unable to see a way through the city of Gaziantep. Slowly, one lantern at a time, the city becomes illuminated revealing a path of light. This extraordinary light installation led by artist Ali M. Demirel will be followed by a joyful music event by Nefes Music School’s Orchestra. At the end of the concert, students of Karam House will give her a suitcase of gadgets they designed to help her along the journey … (walkwithamal.org)
Watch Amal’s exuberant reception in the Syrian part of Gaziantep:
Visit the link below for upcoming events and to hear theatre director David Lan interviewed live from Gaziantep for BBC Radio 4. The Walk will continue with events of welcome for Amal until she reaches the end of her journey in Manchester, UK, in Nov 2021.
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The CHR is delighted to celebrate and support the journey of young refugee and 3.5-meter puppet Little Amal as she walks 8000 km from Turkey to Manchester, UK.
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As South Africa celebrated Heritage Day this year, Boschendal Estate in Franschhoek provided an ideal backdrop for the first steps of Little Amal, a three-metre puppet created by the Handspring Puppet Company from South Africa to represent the plight of a refugee child.
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