The iconic 3.5-metre-tall puppet Little Amal will make its Australian premiere at the Adelaide Festival, thanks to an additional $2.3 million invested by the Malinauskas Labor Government in the state’s premier arts festival.
The puppet of a 10-year old Syrian refugee girl has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees.
Since 2021, it has travelled to 15 countries, visited 90 cities and been welcomed by two million people on the street and by tens of millions online, drawing attention to the significant numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution globally.
Securing the Australian premiere of such an iconic and globally significant artwork is testament to South Australia’s reputation as the heart of arts and culture in Australia and the Malinauskas Government will continue to invest in cementing that reputation.
The Malinauskas Government recognises the power of the arts in our state – both culturally and economically – with South Australia renowned globally for its extraordinary festivals.
Festivals capture imagination, expose people to new ideas and bring people together to share new experiences.
They also have a significant economic impact and draw people from around the world to our state, with Adelaide Festival contributing an estimated gross expenditure of $57.6 million to the state’s economy in 2023.
That’s why the Government have invested an additional $2.3 million from the state’s Major Events Fund to secure major international events such as the Walk featuring Little Amal as the centrepiece to bolster the Adelaide Festival’s program through to 2026.
Little Amal’s journey at Adelaide Festival will feature three days of free celebrations on the final weekend from Friday 15 March – Sunday 17 March.
For images and vision: Little Amal – Dropbox
As put by Peter Malinauskas
I am delighted to announce the Australian premiere of a world star in Little Amal and extend a warm welcome to her to Adelaide.
As the grandson of Lithuanian and Hungarian refugees, I understand the profound impact when the Australian nation opens its collective heart to the plight of refugees and migrants.
Little Amal’s symbolic journey is not only a celebration of art but also a powerful catalyst for positive change within our community and economic prosperity in our state.
As both locals and visitors converge for the three-day celebration with Little Amal, we embrace the opportunity to unite in the spirit of compassion and shared humanity.
As put by Andrea Michaels
Securing the Australian premiere of Little Amal is a win for South Australia and it will be the jewel in the crown of this year’s Adelaide Festival.
It is testament to South Australia’s reputation as the heart of the arts in Australia and the Malinauskas Government will continue to invest in cementing that legacy.
My family became refugees following the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974 and Little Amal’s journey symbolises not only a shared human experience of millions of people across the globe but also the way that artists and festivals can help change society for the better, inspire us all and bring us together as a community.
As put by Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Ruth Mackenzie CBE
Little Amal’s remarkable journey brings into focus the heartbreaking stories of children escaping the horrors of war, violence, and persecution.
In welcoming her to Adelaide Festival, we celebrate not just transformative art but also recognise its potential as a force for positive change.
As put by Artistic Director of The Walk Amir Nizar Zuabi
There is something in the act of welcoming a stranger; it redefines not only them but also us and we eagerly anticipate sharing this experience with Adelaide during Amal’s inaugural visit to Australia.
I think that’s part of what we’re trying to create when walking into places that have a beautiful, complicated, defining history.
Amal, a symbol of millions of children, transforms a simple walk into a deeply meaningful act. As a community breathes together and walks alongside Amal on the streets, it becomes an expression of unity and shared humanity.
