MIF21: The Walk

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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The Walk - Venue TBC

4 July 2021

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Manchester International Festival: The Walk
Image courtesy of Bevan Ross/ MIF21.
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From the Turkish-Syrian border all the way to Manchester, The Walk looks to be one of the most inventive and adventurous public artworks ever attempted.

Manchester International Festival have announced their first event for the 2021 festival, which runs from 1 July to 18 July. The Walk is a vibrant and extraordinary travelling artwork that will reach its powerful conclusion in Manchester during the first weekend of MIF21.

One of the most inventive and adventurous public artworks ever attempted.

At the heart of the event is Little Amal, a giant walking artwork of a nine-year-old refugee girl. The 3.5 metre puppet will set out on her journey to the UK from the Syria-Turkey border at the start of April before reaching Manchester on 4 July – a city that has long embraced diversity and offered a proud home to many communities of refugees and migrants.

The Walk is the result of an exciting collaboration between theatre company Good Chance – makers of critically acclaimed The Jungle (which premiered at the Young Vic, London, 2017) – and Handspring Puppet Company – the acclaimed creators of War Horse. Travelling 8,000km across Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and the UK in search of her mother, Little Amal stands as a symbol of the millions of displaced refugee children separated from their families.

Bringing together artists, cultural institutions, community groups and humanitarian organisations, Little Amal will be welcomed by over 70 cities, towns and villages for street parades, city-wide performances and intimate community events.

Performance like this has the power to transcend language barriers, borders and politics.

We love that performance like this has the power to transcend language barriers, borders and politics. Theatre that brings communities together in a shared and celebratory experience – wherever they are in the world – gets our vote every time.

This major free outdoor event in Manchester will see the city burst into colour and activity with an extensive programme of events. We’ll bring you the full lowdown – as soon as we find out more.

Where to go near MIF21: The Walk

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Leeds Beckett SU
Leeds
Restaurant
Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
Leeds
Cinema
Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

Restaurant 2
Leeds
Café or Coffee Shop
Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

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