Mexico, the first Latin American country, to visit Little Amal

After touring 14 countries, the 3.6-meter-high puppet that represents refugee girls and boys will continue its journey around the world.

Between November 6 and 26 she will travel to seven Mexican cities, from Tijuana to Tapachula, to meet with various communities, public figures and artistic groups in thirty activities organized to welcome her.

Her walk carries a message of hope, tolerance and solidarity towards thousands of people who have been forced to leave their homes and families due to wars, violence and persecution.

Amal has become a global symbol of human rights, especially children's rights. Her key message is: "Don't forget about us."

Since July 2021, Little Amal - whose image embodies a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl - has traveled to 14 countries in Europe and North America carrying a message of peace. In November it will be her turn to Mexico, the first Latin American, as well as Spanish-speaking, country that she will visit.

Amal's Journey through Mexico will take place from November 6 to 26 in seven cities: Tijuana, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico City, Oaxaca and Tapachula. It has been produced by The Walk Productions -based in the United Kingdom-, in association with the Handspring Puppet Company -in South Africa- and is directed by producer Romain Greco.

Amal's puppet - inspired by the Mexican mojigangas, according to its designers - has captivated more than a million people in more than 120 cities since it began its march in Turkey, where thousands of inhabitants of Syria have taken refuge, due to the civil war that began in 2012. He is currently in the United States, on a two-month trip that will end on November 5 in San Diego to arrive in Tijuana the next day.

From the northern border to the southern border of Mexico, she will meet with girls, boys, youth, migrants and refugees of all ages; in addition to groups, which seek to raise awareness among society about the difficult times experienced by people - especially minors - who are forced to leave their place of origin. “Mexico, like the United States, is a country that has been shaped and impacted by a history of migration. In both cases, it is a story of promise and challenge,” says The Walk Productions artistic director Amir Nizar Zuabi.

“It is also a story that weaves across its borders, as all immigrants know. In Mexico, Little Amal will share her message of hope with the Mexican people, as well as with migrants currently crossing the country, or with those of previous generations who have traveled across the border, in both directions.

Amal has been received by public figures from different fields, for example, Pope Francis; Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), the actors Jude Law and Benedict Cumberbatch and the fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, as well as mayors, parliamentarians of the United Kingdom and members of the European Council, during their walk worldwide close to 18,000 kilometers.

Their Mexican journey also has the support of different UN agencies, including the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the International Organization for Migration ( IOM/UN Migration) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

According to UN-Mexico, Little Amal represents the lives of millions of displaced girls, boys and adolescents in Mexico and the world. We hope that Amal's walk through the country serves to remind us that the rights of children and adolescents must be respected wherever they are, and unites us in celebration of cultural diversity and international solidarity.

The Mexican walk Amal - whose meaning is hope in Arabic - will enter Mexico, from the United States, the second country in America that it travels, behind Canada. His goal is to walk about 5,000 km. around the country, where there will be about 30 activities to celebrate their arrival.