Welcoming Little Amal to the Atlanta Beltline

Little Amal has traveled more than 6,000 miles around the globe over the last two years in search of a new home. Standing 12 feet tall, this puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian child celebrates the stories of refugees, immigrants, and displaced people, along with the communities that welcome them. Her journey has become a festival of art and hope.

We’re excited to welcome Amal as she makes her way across the United States and show her a corridor where everyone – regardless of their background – feels welcome when she visits the Atlanta Beltline in October.

Amal will travel along the Eastside Trail, where she’ll encounter 100 illuminated monarch butterflies (representing the 2,000-mile monarch butterfly migration that will be passing through Atlanta at the same time).

The monarch butterflies will be presented by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons. Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective will provide music for the parade, and Liquid Sky will perform a mid-processional dance and create a monarch “sanctuary” at the end of the route.

**How to Watch
**Little Amal’s Beltline journey will take place on October 8 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. She’ll begin her walk behind Ponce City Market on the Eastside Trail and make her way south to the field at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark, stopping on the North Avenue Bridge and at the plaza at 760 Ralph McGill for surprise performances.

If you want to watch her visit, we recommend you to stake a spot at one of the designated viewing areas along the route. Do you want to watch the full experience? Feel free to follow behind the processional to the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark field for the finale (roughly 0.7 miles). Please keep in mind the Beltline trail will remain open, so keep the free lane open.

How to Get Involved
While all volunteer spots for the event have been filled, you can still join in on the fun by creating your own monarch butterfly to welcome Amal. Limited complimentary kits can be picked up on September 29th from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at 1070 White St. SW (30310) as part of the Atlanta Arts Alliance Open Studio. You can also download a free PDF of the pattern and make your own monarch at home by clicking here.  Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their monarch butterfly to the butterfly sanctuary for the finale.

To learn more about the event, click here.

Little Amal’s visit is a collaboration between Art on the Beltline, Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, Liquid Sky, and Mausiki Scales & Common Ground Collective.