‘Little Amal’ walks right into Chicago’s hearts

Chicago welcomed ‘The Walk with Little Amal’ to Navy Pier in front of the Chicago Shakespeare Theater on Sept. 28. ‘Little Amal,' the 12-foot-tall puppet that represents a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child, has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Her trip to the Windy City was wide-ranging and she attracted crowds wherever she went.

Her first stop at the Pier included a performance by Uniting Voices (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir), along with appearances by A.B.L.E. (Artists Breaking Limits and Expectations), who taught her sign language, and the Syrian Community Network, that presented her with a barazek cookie and tea as well as a performance by a zaffeh band.

As she arrived in Chicago, Amal asked, “What city, friends, is this?”—echoing Shakespeare’s poignant line from Twelfth Night. She “explored belonging in a new place through the vibrancy and joy of art and expression.”

'Little Amal' continued her journey across the city visiting the Chicago Riverwalk, from Wolf Point to Lake Shore Drive, into Margate Park and then into Maggie Daley Park. In Amal’s final stop back at the Pier, 90 members from Uniting Voices’ choral programs performed their original song “We All Live Here” in Polk Bros Park.

As Amal bowed to the crowds, they bowed in return. Although, on some social media sites, attendees speculated that she might “scare little kids,” her visit to the Windy City seemed to be filled with love and good wishes for Amal as she continues her journey.

Since July 2021, Amal’s “Walk Across America” has traveled over 5,500 miles to nearly 100 towns and cities in 15 countries and has 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.

Her journeys are described as “festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story.”