Atlanta Beltline to Host Giant 12-Foot Puppet and Global Refuge Advocate “Little Amal” for Parade featuring Aerial Artists, Live Band and 100 Butterfly Puppets

Featured artists include Chantelle Rytter and The Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective and Liquid Sky

Sunday, October 8th | 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. | Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail

Atlanta Beltline, along with Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons, Liquid Sky, and Mausiki Scales & the Common Ground Collective, will welcome the touring, internationally-acclaimed performance art project Little Amal to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail on Sunday, October 8.

Little Amal, a 12-foot-tall puppet symbolizing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl, will stroll the trail from Ponce City Market to Historic Fourth Ward Park among monarch butterfly puppets, designed by Beltline Lantern Parade creator Chantelle Rytter, and accompanied by live performances from Mausiki Scales & the Common Ground Collective and Liquid Sky.

The free, public event is part of her 6,000-mile journey across the United States spreading her message of hope and advocating for human and refugee rights. This event is a presentation of the 2023 Art on the Atlanta Beltline exhibition.

WHEN: Sunday, October 8th, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: Eastside Beltline Trail (map below)

• Starting Point: The Bear Statue at Ponce City Market

• Ending Point: Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park

• Media Check-In Location: Beltline Bridge, Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, 30308

WHY: Since the beginning of her journey, Little Amal has been welcomed in communities across the globe at various artistic-led events that are authentic and meaningful to the local people she meets. While spreading her message of hope and exploring the beating heart of America, Little Amal will visit 35 U.S. cities and towns, participating in over 100 events on her way to Mexico.

Spectators will get a chance to watch and meet Little Amal as she follows monarch butterfly puppet lanterns made by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons. The procession symbolizes monarch butterflies’ migration through Atlanta on their 2000-mile journey to Mexico.

“We’re truly honored to welcome Little Amal to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail, as she carries her message of unity, hope, and resilience,” says Miranda Kyle, Arts and Culture Program Manager at Atlanta Beltline. “This remarkable puppet embodies the indomitable spirit of our foreign-born neighbors, the inherent right of human and animal migration, and the transformative power of art to unite and uplift communities. It’s an extraordinary chance for all of Atlanta to come together to experience this remarkable journey and to be inspired by the profound impact of compassion and creativity.

“Amal stands for unity and hope, and we couldn’t impart this message without the hundreds of partners, large and small, coming together to support us as we embark on this journey,” said The Walk Productions Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi. “Each artist, organization and institution has a story to tell about their unique slice of American history and culture, and is inviting Amal and all Americans to learn about what makes this country’s heart beat.”

**MEDIA NOTE – PRE-EVENT INTERVIEWS:
**The following spokespeople will be available in advance of Sunday’s event for virtual and in-person interviews:

• Atlanta Beltline’s Arts & Culture Program Manager Miranda Kyle

• Little Amal Artistic Director: Amir Nizar Zuabi (The Walk Productions)

• Local Partners:

  • Chantelle Rytter and The Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons (Monarch Butterfly Puppeteers**)**

  • Marilyn Chen and Liquid Sky

  • Mausiki Scales & the Common Ground Collective

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: For more information on Atlanta Beltline’s Little Amal event, “Walking with the Monarchs,” including ways to participate, visit art.beltline.org.

• More information on Little Amal’s cross-country tour can be found at walkwithamal.org.

• To access the full Little Amal press kit with images, videos and more, visit here.