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Syrian refugees

Syrian children have faced war and famine. A giant puppet named Little Amal is telling their story.

Actor Jude Law walks with Little Amal on Folkestone Pier on October 19, 2021 in Folkestone, United Kingdom.
Associated Press

LONDON — A giant puppet of a Syrian refugee child created to symbolize millions of displaced children landed Tuesday on the coast of southeast England on the last leg of a 5,000-mile journey across Europe from the border of Syria.

The 11.5-foot puppet named Little Amal – a name meaning “hope” in Arabic – was greeted by actor Jude Law on the Folkestone seafront.

The puppet, operated by three people, has travelled through much of Europe after setting off from the Turkish-Syrian border in July and has been greeted by thousands of people along the way, including Pope Francis in Rome.

“Little Amal is (11.5 feet) tall because we want the world to grow big enough to greet her,” said Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of project. “We want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger.”

'Little Amal' begins her walk from the historical streets of Gaziantep en route to the United Kingdom, Gaziantep, Turkey on July 27, 2021.

Little Amal was created by Handspring, the company that made the equine puppets for hit West End and Broadway theater show “War Horse." The puppet was designed as part of The Walk, a traveling festival of art and hope to raise awareness of the problems faced by young migrants.

The idea of Little Amal's journey in search of her brother evolved from “The Jungle,” a play about migration and displacement produced by Good Chance Theatre, set in a camp in northern France where migrants gather hoping to reach Britain.

Migrants from around the world have long used northern France as a launching point to reach Britain, either by stowing away in trucks or in dinghies and small boats organized by smugglers. About 20,000 people have crossed the Channel to England by boat so far this year.

Little Amal's journey will continue to Dover, London and Coventry in England before ending in Manchester, northwest England, on Nov. 3.

In London, Little Amal will celebrate her 10th birthday at the V&A Museum on Sunday alongside children from across the British capital who have been invited to join in musical performances and workshops.

The 25-person puppet entourage will travel to other attractions in London including the National Theatre, Somerset House and Trafalgar Square and will also walk the streets of Oxford alongside a giant puppet of Alice in Wonderland.

'Little Amal' continues her walk in Eleusis district of Athens, Greece on September 1, 2021.
"Little Amal", a giant puppet depicting a young refugee girl, is given Ariadne's Thread to her find her way, as it is paraded through the streets of Athens on September 2, 2021.
Members of the public approach Little Amal outside the Municipal Theatre of Piraeus on September 4, 2021 in Piraeus, Greece.
People gather as "Little Amal", a giant puppet depicting a young refugee girl, parades at Saint Peter's square in the Vatican on September 10, 2021.
Little Amal arrives at St. Peter's square in the Vatican, on September 10, 2021.
Little Amal walks near dinner guests on September 12, 2021 in Rome, Italy.
"Little Amal" arrives by boat at Marseille harbour in France on September 22, 2021.
"Little Amal" is carried inside the Mucem museum in Marseille, on September 22, 2021.
Little Amal walks in support of refugees in front of the European headquarters of the United Nation, in Geneva, Switzerland, Sept. 28, 2021.
Little Amal walks with the help of technicians through the Place des Nations on September 28, 2021 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Little Amal arrives in Parc de la Villette of Paris, France on October 13, 2021.
'Little Amal' walks on Place de la Republique in Paris, October 14, 2021.
People attend the "Little Amal" show at Trocadero in front of the Eiffel Tower Paris, France, Friday, October 15, 2021.
'Little Amal' walks on a road in Calais, France on October 17, 2021 before heading to Great Britain.
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