Amal Walks Across America

AMAL WALKS ACROSS AMERICA
The Walk Productions in association with Handspring Puppet Company
Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director
David Lan and Tracey Seaward, producers

A global symbol of compassion and human rights, Little Amal is the 12-foot puppet portraying a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child who has traveled through 13 countries and been welcomed by more than a million people on the streets since 2021. Her immersive walking journeys highlight the cross-cultural experiences of the millions of refugee children fleeing war, violence, and persecution globally, each with their own story. Accompanied in Washington, D.C., by outdoor music performances curated by Washington Performing Arts and featuring Mars Arts D.C. artists, Amal’s walking journeys are festivals of hope, showcasing the power of compassionate welcome as strangers build stable homes in new lands, and the contributions and potential they carry within them that enhances communities as they do so.

On September 17, the hour-long interactive walk from Black Lives Matter Plaza to Franklin Park features live bands, go-go music by the Blacc Print Experience, the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, Eastern High School marching band, James Murphy, and other Mars Arts D.C. artists. You also will hear performances by The ADAMS Beat Chorus—a Muslim children’s choir curated by our partners at the Shakespeare Theatre Company—and experience a festival-like atmosphere at Franklin Park with activity stations, food vendors, free passes to explore Planet Word, and more.

Presented in collaboration with DowntownDC BID, Events DC, Franklin Park, Golden Triangle BID, Planet Word, and Shakespeare Theatre Company.