Lifesize herd of puppet animals begins climate action journey from Africa to Arctic Circle
Hundreds of life-size animal puppets have begun a 20,000km (12,400 mile) journey from central Africa to the Arctic Circle as part of an ambitious project created by the team behind Little Amal, the giant puppet of a Syrian girl that travelled across the world.
The public art initiative called The Herds, which has already visited Kinshasa and Lagos, will travel to 20 cities over four months to raise awareness of the climate crisis.
It is the second major project from The Walk Productions, which introduced Little Amal, a 12-foot puppet, to the world in Gaziantep, near the Turkey-Syria border, in 2021. The award-winning project, co-founded by the Palestinian playwright and director Amir Nizar Zuabi, reached 2 million people in 17 countries as she travelled from Turkey to the UK.
The Herds' journey began in Kinshasa's Botanical Gardens on 10 April, kicking off four days of events. It moved on to Lagos, Nigeria, the following week, where up to 5,000 people attended events performed by more than 60 puppeteers.
On Friday the streets of Dakar in Senegal will be filled with more than 40 puppet zebras, wildebeest, monkeys, giraffes and baboons as they run through Médina, one of the busiest neighbourhoods, where they will encounter a creation by Fabrice Monteiro, a Belgium-born artist who lives in Senegal, and is known for his large-scale sculptures. On Saturday the puppets will be part of an event in the fishing village of Ngor.
The first set of animal puppets was created by Ukwanda Puppetry and Designs Art Collective in Cape Town using recycled materials, but in each location local volunteers are taught how to make their own animals using prototypes provided by Ukwanda. The project has already attracted huge interest from people keen to get involved. In Dakar more than 300 artists applied for 80 roles as artists and puppet guides. About 2,000 people will be trained to make the puppets over the duration of the project.
'The idea is that we're migrating with an ever-evolving, growing group of animals,' Zuabi told the Guardian last year.
Zuabi has spoken of The Herds as a continuation of Little Amal's journey, which was inspired by refugees, who often cite climate disaster as a trigger for forced migration. The Herds will put the environmental emergency centre stage, and will encourage communities to launch their own events to discuss the significance of the project and get involved in climate activism.
'The idea is to put in front of people that there is an emergency – not with scientific facts, but with emotions,' said The Herds' Senegal producer, Sarah Desbois.
She expects thousands of people to view the four events being staged over the weekend. 'We don't have a tradition of puppetry in Senegal. As soon as the project started, when people were shown pictures of the puppets, they were going crazy.'
Growing as it moves, The Herds will make its way from Dakar to Morocco, then into Europe, including London and Paris, arriving in the Arctic Circle in early August.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Christopher Eccleston has been filming in Newport
While residents of Newport may see a film crew swarming landmarks in Newport and immediately think of Doctor Who, this production is entirely different. Welsh production company Hello Deer are currently filming in John Frost Square Newport Central Library, producing a new feature film titled 'About a Bell'. 'About a Bell' is an independent film about Sami, a Syrian refugee, and Bryony, a young librarian, who embark on a highly personal quest to preserve a bell from a demolished church. Listings on IMDB detail that Sami is played by comedian Omid Djalili, and Bryony will be played by Eleanor Worthington-Cox. This main duo will be joined by some giants of British acting including Doctor Who star and Emmy Award Winner Christopher Eccleston, Jonathan Rhodes and Scot Williams. Though the public may not be allowed into the library today, it would be safe to assume that it has been entirely taken over by cameras and crew. This stellar cast will be directed by BAFTA nominee and star of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' Simon Callow, who is making his first foray into directing since the 1990s. Unlike most other film crews this one is very small and only employs around 40 people, but staff on set feel that this is the best way to operate. Location assistant Matthew Marais, 25, said: 'I think they want to film in Newport as it's a city that's been developed. 'These independent films are the best kind of jobs because everyone cares so much more. If its someone's passion project, like this, then everybody wants to try harder to bring it to life.' Rehearsals for the film began last week in Newport, inside the company's production office on the other side of the river from today's filming location. In a cryptic post on Instagram, viewers were shown two of Newport's infamous bridges that any dedicated resident would recognise. Filming will take place around Newport and Cardiff, before the production moves to Belgium to complete filming in a few weeks. The production itself is set in Newport, so residents are sure to see parts of the much-loved city they call home throughout the film when it is released. There is no release date announced for the production yet.
Scotsman
4 hours ago
- Scotsman
Kneecap at Glastonbury 2025: will Kneecap's set be on TV?
Kneecap's Glastonbury 2025 set should be broadcast - like it would be for any other act 🚨 Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Kneecap are on the line-up for Glastonbury 2025. The hip-hop trio are due to perform on Saturday afternoon. But can you watch at home - and why is it important that people can tune in? Kneecap are set to perform perhaps the most talked about set of the weekend at Glastonbury Festival. The Prime Minister of our country seemed to feel like it is such a pressing concern that he has weighed in on it - amid a heatwave and the continued cost-of-living crisis. The hip-hop trio from Belfast are due to take to one of the main stages at Worthy Farm in the coming days. A regular foe of the group, Kemi Badenoch, has even called for the set to be censored by the BBC - perhaps in a desperate attempt to stay relevant amid plummeting polling. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If you are wanting to know what all the fuss is about - or want to support Kneecap from home, you might be wondering if it will be available to watch. Here's all you need to know - as of Monday, June 23. Will Kneecap's Glastonbury Festival set be on TV? Kneecap are due to perform at Glastonbury 2025 | HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images Throughout the weekend, the BBC will be providing plenty of live coverage from Worthy Farm. It will be split across terrestrial TV and iPlayer - with it also being on the radio as well. Kneecap are due to perform on the West Holts stage on Saturday (June 28) at 4pm. This is one of the five stages that will have dedicated live streams on the Beeb's streaming platform. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The hip-hop trio's set is due to last for an hour and will finish at 5pm, just before the BBC's terrestrial TV coverage begins on BBC Two. It means that if you want to watch, make sure you have Why Kneecap's set needs to be televised in 2025 If we turned the clocks back a year, you probably were not aware of Kneecap at all - however they have become increasingly controversial and the subject of much media interest. Ironically, of course, that does include this article. Over the weekend figures from across the political spectrum have weighed in on the group's upcoming slot at Glastonbury. The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer told The Sun that it was 'not appropriate' for the trio to appear while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch urged the BBC not to show their set. The band's vocal support for the Palestinian cause has seen them embroiled in a media whirlwind. Comments made during a concert allegedly in support of Hezbollah - a proscribed group in the UK - saw member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (who performs under the stage name Mo Chara) charged, although he had been released under conditional bail after a court appearance this month. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Whether you enjoy Kneecap's music or agree with their views, it feels like a dangerous president for the Prime Minister trying to influence the line-up of one of the country's biggest music festivals. If you don't want to watch Kneecap this weekend, then don't go to the iPlayer app and find the live stream. But the trio undoubtedly have a message that many people want to listen to and they deserve to be heard - if all of the other acts on the West Holts stage will be as well. You control the buttons you press after all - and you can simply put on one of the four other live streams during their set. I hope the BBC don't give into political pressure, because censoring Kneecap would be a deeply embarrassing moment and set a dangerous precedent.
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow road closures for Lana Kendrick and Chris Brown gigs
American singer Lana Del Rey will perform in the stadium on June 26. The New York-born artist, who has ancestral roots in Lanarkshire, once said: 'I don't have [a permanent home]... but when I have any time, I go to Glasgow. That's where I'm happiest.' READ MORE: Urgent warning ahead of Lana Del Rey's Glasgow concert The Glasgow Times previously reported that ScotRail has urged concert-goers travelling by rail to buy their return train tickets in advance. They have also warned music fans that queuing systems will be in place at Glasgow Central before the show and at Mount Florida, the nearest station to Hampden, after the gig. Meanwhile, the travel operator has also revealed that extra carriages and additional services between Glasgow Central and Mount Florida will be in place for the concert. Chris Brown, known for hits like Forever, will take the stage on July 1 as part of his Breezy Bowl XX Tour. Supporting him will be three-time Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum artist Bryson Tiller, best known for Exchange and Don't. READ MORE: Chris Brown to be remanded in custody until June We reported that there was concern about whether the stars' gig would go ahead after he was remanded in custody over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub two years ago. However, he was later freed on bail, allowing him to continue his scheduled international tour. Hip-hop legend Kendrick Lamar and R&B star SZA will perform at Hampden Park on July 8 as part of their Grand National Tour. The Glasgow Times revealed the Glasgow gig after the rap star announced the show following his appearance at this year's Super Bowl halftime show. READ MORE: Kendrick Lamar and SZA to host Glasgow gig after Super Bowl Lamar, 37, is celebrated for tracks such as Not Like Us, Luther, Squabble Up, and All the Stars. He has won 22 Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Song for Like That at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in 2025. SZA, real name Solána Imani Rowe, is a 35-year-old singer-songwriter known for hits like BMF, Kill Bill, and Snooze. Due to the series of massive gigs set to take place, Glasgow City Council has put in place a series of road restrictions in the southside. All restrictions apply to all vehicles, except emergency service vehicles involved in emergency response and those with prior approval from Glasgow City Council's events section. Lana Del Rey – June 25–26, 2025 (Image: Newsquest) Prohibition of waiting, loading, and unloading From 6pm on June 25 until 11.59pm on June 26 Calder Street between Polmadie Road and Aitkenhead Road Polmadie Road between Aitkenhead Road and Siding Lane Polmadie Street between Aitkenhead Road and Polmadie Street Prohibition of waiting, loading, unloading and vehicle movements From 10am until 11.59pm on June 26 Prospecthill Drive for its full length Hangingshaw Place for its full length Sommerville Drive for its full length Boliver Lane for its full length Boliver Terrace between Stanmore Road and Sommerville Drive Lindores Street between Cumming Drive and Sommerville Dr Kinghorn Drive between Mount Annan Drive and Hampden Park Hampden Park access road off of Carmunock Road Prohibition of vehicle movements only From 5pm on June 26 until 1am on June 27 Cathkinview Road for its full length Clincart Road for its full length Bolton Drive for its full length Florida Street for its full length Florida Drive for its full length McLennan Street for its full length Chris Brown – June 30–July 1, 2025 (Image: Newsquest) Prohibition of waiting, loading, and unloading From 6pm on June 30 until 11.59pm on July 1 Calder Street between Polmadie Road and Aitkenhead Road Polmadie Road between Aitkenhead Road and Siding Lane Polmadie Street between Aitkenhead Road and Polmadie Street Prohibition of waiting, loading, unloading and vehicle movements From 10am until 11.59pm on July 1 Prospecthill Drive for its full length Hangingshaw Place for its full length Sommerville Drive for its full length Boliver Lane for its full length Boliver Terrace between Stanmore Road and Sommerville Drive Lindores Street between Cumming Drive and Sommerville Dr Kinghorn Drive between Mount Annan Drive and Hampden Park Hampden Park access road off of Carmunock Road Prohibition of vehicle movements From 5pm on July 1 until 1am on July 2 Cathkinview Road for its full length Clincart Road for its full length Bolton Drive for its full length Florida Street for its full length Florida Drive for its full length McLennan Street for its full length Kendrick Lamar and SZA – July 7–8, 2025 (Image: Newsquest) Prohibition of waiting, loading, and unloading From 6pm on July 7 until 11.59pm on July 8 Calder Street between Polmadie Road and Aitkenhead Road Polmadie Road between Aitkenhead Road and Siding Lane Polmadie Street between Aitkenhead Road and Polmadie Street Prohibition of waiting, loading, unloading and vehicle movements From 10am until 11.59pm on July 8 Prospecthill Drive for its full length Hangingshaw Place for its full length Sommerville Drive for its full length Boliver Lane for its full length Boliver Terrace between Stanmore Road and Sommerville Drive Lindores Street between Cumming Drive and Sommerville Dr Kinghorn Drive between Mount Annan Drive and Hampden Park Hampden Park access road off of Carmunock Road Prohibition of vehicle movements only From 5pm on July 8 until 1am on July 9 Cathkinview Road for its full length Clincart Road for its full length Bolton Drive for its full length Florida Street for its full length Florida Drive for its full length McLennan Street for its full length These restrictions are in place to ensure the safety of the crowds of fans attending the gigs as well as other road users.
