Meet Little Amal. She is a 3.5-metre puppet of a nine-year-old refugee girl, who is walking from the Syria-Turkey border, through 65 cities, towns and villages, all the way to Manchester. Since July she has been welcomed by artists and communities at over 120 events in a remarkable journey across Europe that culminates with this powerful finale.

Little Amal’s long search for a new place to call home has led her to Manchester, a city with a proud history of embracing migrants and refugees. Together with local communities and artists, join us in giving her the warmest of Manchester welcomes with a celebration of song, dance, live music and puppetry… And some special surprises along the way.

Directed by internationally acclaimed theatre and film director, Simon Stone (The Dig, Yerma) When the Birds Land concludes The Walk – the travelling festival of art and hope in support of refugees, created with renowned theatre company Good Chance (The Jungle) in collaboration with Handspring Puppet Company (War Horse), with artistic direction from award-winning Amir Nizar Zuabi.

When the Birds Land

Director Simon Stone

Designer Lizzie Clachan

Choreographer Yandass Ndlovu

Music Director Daniel McDwyer

Assistant Director Robin Ormond

Advisory Group Shamim Afshan, Marzia Babakarkail, Fidaa Bashir, Sophie Gardinner, Rahwa Beyene Gebretzhios, Nicky Iginla, Sofia Kalu, Summara Kanwal, Amina Khoulani, Kathy Lebadou, Tandrima Mazumdar, Philomene Ndaya Mujinga, Moaz El Sayed, Mariatu Sesay

The Walk

Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi

Puppet Design & Build Handspring Puppet Company

Puppetry Directors Craig Leo and Enrico Dau Yang Wey

The Walk is produced by The Walk Productions, Good Chance, Stephen Daldry, David Lan and Tracey Seaward in association with Handspring Puppet Company, and is produced and presented in Manchester by Manchester International Festival

Where Else Can I See Little Amal?

Whilst in Manchester Little Amal will visit Wigan on Sunday 31 October, where she will be welcomed by performances from local communities and artists. Then on Tuesday 2 November, she will meet schools and community groups in Rochdale, and be welcomed with activities on Yorkshire Street and at Rochdale Memorial Gardens.

To find about more about the Wigan event, please follow @WiganCouncil Facebook and Twitter, and for details on the Rochdale event visit Rochdale Council's website.

Ahead of her arrival at Castlefield Bowl for The Walk: When The Birds Land on Wednesday 3 November, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of Little Amal outside the Great Northern Warehouse in Manchester city centre at approximately 7.15pm, as she makes her way to the finale event. If you missed out in tickets for the event then you can come along and see her, however a pre-booked ticket is required for admission to Castlefield Bowl.

Family and School activities

Little Amal represents the millions of displaced children who, just like her, have been separated from their families and are more vulnerable than ever during the pandemic. According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, around half of the 26 million refugees around the world are under 18. The Walk is an extraordinary artistic response: a cultural odyssey transcending borders, politics and language to tell a new story of shared humanity.

At its heart The Walk is an educational journey that promotes an understanding of the experiences of refugees. Families and schools can join in by downloading The Walk’s Activity and Resource pack themed around Little Amal’s journey, where you can make, explore and learn more about the refugee crisis.

If you’re looking for things to do with the kids this half term, then why not take part in Make with Amal – a programme of art activities inspired by Amal’s journey. To welcome her home, we are creating a flock of birds to symbolise freedom and Little Amal’s potential to do anything. Join in with the Manchester celebrations by creating your own paper bird at home, and then share your creations online using #actsofwelcome