Little Amal, the internationally-celebrated 12-foot-tall puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will be arriving in Marfa on October 24 as part of her epic 6,000-mile journey across the United States this fall. Throughout the two-month trek, which will span more than 35 U.S. cities and towns for 100+ events, some of the country’s most influential cultural institutions and artists will come together to greet Amal and add their unique color to the rich tapestry of America’s story.
During her stop in Marfa, Bi-national Cultural Council, Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, Marfa, Chamber of Commerce, and Concierge Marfa will create a series of theatrical “events of welcome” for Amal.
All events along the route are an open invitation to the people of the towns and cities Amal is visiting. Some of the organizations and institutions that will share their unique vantage point of the U.S. narrative and take part in the journey include: national and local cultural institutions, theaters, community groups, government bodies, arts, civic society, faith groups and humanitarian organizations. All participating partners are outlined at WalkWithAmal.org/Friends/United-States.
Amal Walks Across America is produced by The Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company, which also guided Amal’s journey through her initial 5,000-mile walk across Europe in 2021 and through all five boroughs of New York City in 2022 in partnership with St. Ann’s Warehouse.
Since the beginning of her journey, Amal has been welcomed in communities across the globe at various artistic-led events that are authentic and meaningful to the local people she meets. During her travels through Europe, Amal participated in events hosted by prominent cultural organizations and changemakers, including at an installation in Turkey that paid tribute to those who lost their lives crossing the Mediterranean in search of refuge and an appearance at Glastonbury alongside the Refugee Choir Citizens of the World Choir and global rock superstars Elbow. In New York City, she was welcomed at events hosted by world-renowned cultural institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
The current schedule will trace Amal’s journey across the United States at the following planned stops:
- Chattanooga, TN: October 7
- Atlanta, GA: October 8, 10
- Birmingham, AL: October 11-12
- Montgomery, AL: October 12-13
- Selma, AL: October 13
- New Orleans, LA: October 14-15
- Lafayette, LA: October 18
- Houston, TX: October 19
- Austin, TX: October 20
- San Antonio, TX: October 21-22
- Uvalde, TX: October 24
- Marfa, TX: October 24
- El Paso, TX: October 25-26
- Nogales, AZ: October 27
- Tucson, AZ: October 28
- Joshua Tree, CA: October 29
- Los Angeles, CA: October 31 – November 3
- San Diego, CA: November 3-5
