Little Amal to take sanctuary in Belfast Cathedral

Wednesday May 15th 2024

On Friday evening, May 17, Little Amal, a 12-foot tall puppet representing a 10-year-old Syrian refugee child, will make her way into Belfast Cathedral to find her place of rest and sanctuary.

She will arrive at St Anne’s having spent the day travelling to various key locations throughout Belfast.

Little Amal has become a global symbol of human rights, especially those of refugees. Her journeys are festivals of art and hope that draw attention to the huge numbers of children fleeing war, violence and persecution, each with their own story. Her urgent message to the world is ‘Don’t forget about us.’

Since July 2021, Little Amal has travelled to 15 countries and been welcomed by two million people on the street and by tens of millions online.

She will arrive along the River Lagan in Belfast with a theatre performance at Custom House Square to start her journey around the city. She will visit the peace walls, share food at a Big Lunch picnic at City Hall, and explore the streets, before finding sanctuary in St Anne’s Cathedral.

Before Amal arrives in the Cathedral, there will be a spectacular community concert, starting at 8pm and held in the open space of the Nave. This will include music by artists such as: Beauty Sleep, Winne Ama, Hex hue, Huartan, Laytha, Garrett Laurie, and the Sanctuary Choir.

This ticketed event is organised by Belfast City Council as part of their Belfast 2024 programme of arts and cultural. Order free tickets HERE.

Little Amal’s journey will then continue on a walk southward to Dublin.