Manchester International Festival

From the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle, THE HERDS is on the move. Here is all you need to know about one of the largest public art projects ever attempted.

Public art meets climate action in THE HERDS – a mass movement of life-sized puppets roaming through cities in West Africa and Europe. Coming to Greater Manchester for MIF25, THE HERDS is a visual dramatisation of the climate crisis and a stark warning of what may come if animals are forced to flee their natural habitats.

THE HERDS is brought to life by the international team behind Little Amal, created by The Walk Productions and led by Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi.

Little Amal was a nine-year-old refugee girl in the form of a 3.5 metre puppet, who drew crowds across Asia and Europe on her epic 8000km journey from the Turkish Syrian border to Manchester.

Now THE HERDS takes on an even greater route: 20,000km across Africa and Europe, from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle.

For the best chance of seeing THE HERDS we suggest visiting Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, Corporation Street and the Arndale Centre’s Exchange Court between 6pm – 7.15pm.

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