‘Little’ giant due to visit town centre
A GIANT puppet was due to visit Rochdale as part of an epic 8000km journey across Europe.
‘Little Amal’, a nine-year-old refugee girl in the form of a 3.5 metre puppet was to arrive on Tuesday, November 2 as part of the public art project ‘The Walk’.
Produced for Good Chance in association with Handspring Puppet Company, ‘The Walk’ aims to represent the journeys taken by millions of people who have been displaced by war or persecution, especially children.
The puppet has travelled from the Syrian border across Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium in search of her mother, stopping at just 65 places on the way, including Rochdale.
At 12.45pm on Tuesday ‘Little Amal’ is due to walk from Cheetham Street down Yorkshire Street in the town centre, pausing at the ‘Better Together’ building - home of ‘Caring and Sharing’ (formerly Marks and Spencer).
She will meet community groups who provide vital help and support to local asylum seekers and refugees.
From there she’ll be greeted by Littleborough folk group Oakenhoof and led to The Esplanade and into Rochdale Memorial Gardens.
In the gardens from approximately 1pm until 1.30pm, Amal will be welcomed by the mayor councillor Aasim Rashid, along with young people from local schools, colleges and other community groups.
Everyone is invited to ensure Amal receives a warm reception, by gathering on Yorkshire Street or in Rochdale Memorial Gardens on The Esplanade near the town hall.
To find out more about Little Amal’s visit to Rochdale visit www. rochdale.gov.uk/events