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In Times Square, a 12-foot-tall Syrian 'immigrant' named Little Amal receives a warm welcome

By

Alexandra Starr

Published Sep 20, 2022

Modified Sep 20, 2022

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Commissioner Laurie Cumbo welcomes Little Amal to New York City.

 

Zakiyyah Woods for Gothamist

By

Alexandra Starr

Published Sep 20, 2022

Modified Sep 20, 2022

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Immigrants to the U.S. haven’t been particularly welcomed lately.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis seized headlines last week when he flew migrants who had recently arrived in Texas to Martha’s Vineyard. The move recalled Texas Gov. Greg Abbott sending buses of migrants to Washington, D.C. and New York City.

But here in New York, a 10-year-old Syrian girl is getting a different reception.

Her name is Little Amal — and she’s a 12-foot puppet who’s supposed to represent a refugee looking for her mother. Her name, Amal*,* means "hope" in Arabic.

A group of English theater and film directors and producers came up with the idea for Amal as a way to put a human face on the global refugee crisis. The puppet traversed Europe last year, journeying some 5,000 miles from the Syrian-Turkish border to Manchester, England. Her trip to New York, which started with her arrival at JFK Airport on Sept. 14, will continue through Oct. 2.

“To me, Little Amal coming to New York is Little Amal coming to the biggest stage on earth,” said Yazmany Arboleda, the New York City Artist in Residence and creative producer of "Little Amal Walks New York*.*" “She is transforming all of our streets, our plaza, our parks, into theater.”

Students from the Pan American International High School in Queens awaiting Little Amal's arrival in Times Square.

Zakiyyah Woods for Gothamist

Last Friday, Little Amal trekked straight to the epicenter of New York theater, Times Square. There, Broadway performers, tourists, and school children were on hand to greet her.

“I really have been thinking about all the kids who don’t get a warm welcome like Amal is,” said Isabel Ramirez, a junior at Repertory Company High School for Theatre Arts.

Ramirez and her classmates were part of a sing-along to welcome Amal. “I think it is really important to welcome everyone that we can,” she added. “But not everyone gets that.”

Drums heralded Amal’s arrival, and when she appeared at West 47th Street, she seemed somehow lifelike. Operated by three people, the puppet walked tentatively. She looked at the enormous lit-up billboards, and her big eyes blinked.

“She’s scared!” an audience member yelled out, her voice edged with concern.

Amal’s shyness didn’t last long, though. The performers and students began singing “Brand New Day” from the musical "The Wiz*.*" Amal swayed and danced a bit.

A student from PS 51 reaches out to Little Amal during her walk in Times Square.

Zakiyyah Woods for Gothamist

Katherine Almirañez captured it on her phone. Born in the Philippines, Almirañez came to the U.S. when she was 8. She felt a personal connection to what Amal represents.

“Part of why I wanted to come was I’m a formerly an undocumented person,” Almirañez explained. She took heart from the big turnout: “People might be coming for the fun of it, but there is a flier going around, conversations happening, and I think that’s really what we want. For people to be talking.”

By the time the crowd broke into “Seasons of Love” from "Rent*,"* some of the performers were crying. Jennifer Malenke has starred in several Broadway productions. When she received the invitation for the Times Square event, she thought that interacting with a giant puppet might feel weird.

“But then you see it and you’re like, I get this. I get it,” Malenke said. “I think anyone who saw that would be moved.”

Paul Kreppel, who performs in the Broadway revival of "Into the Woods," didn’t sing, but observed raptly. “Those moments just touch the child in you, and expand you, and open your heart,” he said.

Little Amal exploring Times Square during her visit to New York City.

Zakiyyah Woods for Gothamist

Arboleda, the producer of Amal’s 17-day swing through New York, beamed as he surveyed the crowd. In addition to putting on a good show, he wanted people to think about a deeper message.

“How do we take care of each other?” he asked. “How do we embody, with these gestures and with this artwork, the truth about how we should be reacting to all of the human beings who are seeking a safe place to live? If this is possible in the city of New York, what else is possible?”

Little Amal’s Times Square visit was just one part of her New York itinerary. She is scheduled to listen to hip-hop in the Bronx and walk across the Brooklyn Bridge. She’ll also visit the Statue of Liberty, and join a Syrian wedding procession in Bay Ridge.

And, Arboleda says, organizers are planning for her to continue her U.S. journey next year.

Supporters of Little Amal's journey to New York patiently wait for a hug.

Zakiyyah Woods for Gothamist

Here's where you can meet Little Amal during the rest of her visit:

Wednesday, Sept. 21

Thursday, Sept. 22

Friday, Sept. 23

Saturday, Sept. 24

Sunday, Sept. 25

Monday, Sept. 26

Wednesday, Sept. 28

Thursday, Sept. 29

Friday, Sept. 30

Saturday, Oct. 1

Sunday, Oct. 2

For complete details concerning Little Amal’s visit to New York City, go to walkwithamal.org.

Tagged

Times Square

refugees

theater

puppet

Immigrant

Alexandra Starr

Alexandra Starr is a Senior Editor at Foreign Affairs. She writes articles and produces radio stories, mostly about immigration, poverty, and the arts.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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