Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a Syrian refugee girl, comes to Pittsburgh
This week, Pittsburgh welcomes Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, with a series of free events.
The public festival is part of Little Amal’s 6,000-mile journey across the country, one organizers are calling “a celebration of art, hope and shared humanity that aims to unite communities and refocus attention on the urgent needs of refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers, and to highlight the rich cultures and contributions immigrants bring with them.”
Read more on the project, including info on the Handspring Puppet Company, in this Pittsburgh City Paper article by Sean Beauford, then check out the full schedule below:
Wednesday, September 20
Take the “Jitney” train
12 p.m.
From Pittsburgh Public Theater (621 Penn Ave., Downtown) to August Wilson African American Cultural Center (980 Liberty Ave., Downtown)
Event description: The streets of Downtown Pittsburgh come alive for Amal, through the music of Billy Strayhorn and the words of August Wilson.
In partnership with August Wilson African American Cultural Center, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust
Ghosts in the Furnace
7 p.m.
Carrie Blast Furnaces
801 Carrie Furnace Blvd., Rankin
Event description: As the sun sets, Amal stumbles upon Carrie Furnace, a hulking remnant of Pittsburgh's steel-forging past. There are spirits here. Are they frightening or friendly?
In partnership with RealTime Arts
Thursday, September 21
I hereby declare that I’m only 10
10 a.m.
Pittsburgh City-County Building
414 Grant St., Downtown
Event description: Amal celebrates with brand new U.S. citizens as they complete their Naturalization Ceremony.
In partnership with City of Pittsburgh Mayor’s Office (Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affair), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh, St. Edmund's Academy, Immigrant Services and Connections, and City of Pittsburgh Human Resources and Civil Services
Play in peace
12 p.m.
From the Great Lawn (North Shore Riverfront Park, North Side) to the Watersteps (North Shore Riverfront Park, North Side)
Event description: As she walks across the North Shore’s Great Lawn, Amal sees a group of children gathered together for World Peace Day. She wants to join in but, as she approaches the group, bureaucrats rush in to stop her …
In partnership with Office for Public Art, Cheryl Capezzuti, Kellee Van Aken, Attack Theatre, Colonel Eagleburger’s Highstepping Goodtime Band, 4th and 5th grade students and teachers from Falk Laboratory School at the University of Pittsburgh, The Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, Suz Pisano, and Puppets for Pittsburgh
Imagination is my playground
5 p.m.
Whitney Park
915 Wilkins Ave., Wilkinsburg
Event description: Amal wants to play with kids in a playground in Wilkinsburg, but none of the equipment is her size. But that doesn’t stop her from inventing her own games …
In partnership with Casey Droege Cultural Productions and Hatch Arts Collective
For more information on Little Amal, visit walkwithamal.org