Little Amal, a captivating 12-foot-tall puppet representing a refugee child from Syria, arrives in Nashville this fall as part of an epic 6,000-mile journey across the United States from Boston to San Diego. Amal — whose name means “hope” in Arabic — began her journey at the Syrian border and has visited 13 countries searching for home. She carries a message of hope for displaced people everywhere, especially children who have been separated from their families. Her urgent message is simple — “don’t forget us.”

Celebrated local choreographer Shabaz Ujima and frequent collaborator Thea Jones lead an intergenerational community celebration that depicts Amal’s journey of weathering a storm as she tries to find home. Featuring performers and musicians from throughout the city, the inspiring performance begins on the west side of Centennial Park’s Great Lawn and culminates in a community gathering at Musicians Corner.