MIF25: THE HERDS
Creative Tourist
MIF’s opening events seem to be gathering momentum with every festival. We’ve seen civically minded catwalks, the whole of Deansgate turned into a moving seascape and Mayfield Park transformed into a meditative journey for water and human connection. It is unsurprising then, that this year’s festival looks set to start with a thought-provoking bang. THE HERDS will be migrating through Manchester, Rochdale and Wigan as they flee habitats destroyed by the climate crisis.
From the creators of the globally popular Little Amal, THE HERDS is a collection of over 70 life-sized animal puppets, who are taking an epic 20,000km journey across Africa and Europe, starting in the Congo and travelling towards the Arctic Circle. It’s a very literal representation of what will happen to animals and wildlife as their natural habitats become unlivable.
To reduce the work’s impact on the planet, all of the puppets are made from cardboard. They are both spectacular in aesthetic and engineering. However, the puppets are truly brought to life by the brilliant puppeteers; in each city THE HERD passes through, local participants and volunteers are welcomed into the world of puppetry as they learn how to become their animal.
Witness an escaped giraffe on Market Street and a hungry baboon on Exchange Square. Each displaced animal has been left searching for a new home, with nowhere to stay. While passing through Manchester City Centre, THE HERD will be soundtracked by Musicians from Manchester Camerata. Expect a nuanced take on migration with a beautiful sound as this orchestra has proven to provide time and time again.
Although the message behind the piece can have a bleak and stark interpretation, there is a real emphasis on the collective effort needed to fight the climate crisis. It is a real moment for collective reflection as well as a sobering reminder of the scale of the crisis we all face.
Created by The Walk Productions and led by visionary Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zubai.
