From the organizers: Little Amal is the 12 foot puppet of a 10 year old Syrian refugee child at the heart of The Walk. She has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Between Sept. 7 and Nov. 26 2023, Amal is journeying 11,000 miles across the United States and Mexico in one of the largest free public festivals ever created. Join Blindspot Collective and ArtPower at South Mission Beach for Washed Ashore Amal is yearning to play with other children at the beach when she discovers the remnants of cherished belongings that have been washed ashore. As she listens to the sea, she thinks about the millions of refugee children across the world, who, like her, are searching for a better life. Audiences will be greeted by food trucks and an invitation to sit with us for a family-style picnic, before being joined by Little Amal herself as we explore the hope that she has shared across the world and her continued search for peace and belonging. Ways Get Involved: Join – the picnic at Mission Beach Make – Participate in a free community puppetry workshop at the UC San Diego Craft Center to make puppets that will be part of the performance. Materials, instructions, and refreshments provided. | RSVP Here > Sunday, Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 6–8:30 p.m. Perform – All opportunities at: https://www.blindspotcollective.org/amal About Little Amal: Since July 2021, Amal has travelled over 6,000 miles to 15 countries, and been welcomed by more than a million people on the street, including hundreds of artists and civil society and faith leaders, as well as by tens of millions online. The puppet of Little Amal was designed and built by Handspring Puppet Company. Everywhere Amal goes she is greeted with events that are authentic and meaningful to the local people she meets. This could be a parade through a city centre, playground games with children at schools, a visit to a place of worship, an outdoor theatre or dance performance, a musical concert, a whole-city art installation, intimate encounters with children and families or ceremonies of welcome led by city mayors or other senior civic officials. Since she began her journey in July 2021 Amal has been welcomed at more than 270 unique events in 97 cities, towns and villages. Related links: ArtPower website | Instagram | Facebook
