Mountain Leopard Press signs companion book to The Walk artwork

Mountain Leopard Press and Good Chance Theatre are publishing the official companion book to public artwork “The Walk”.

From July to November, Little Amal, a 3.5-metre puppet representing all displaced children, is travelling 8,000km from the Syria-Turkey border through Europe to the UK. More than 100 events in 65 cities along the route will bring together artists, cultural institutions, community groups and humanitarian organisations in “one of the largest and most innovative public artworks ever attempted”. 

“The Walk” will travel the UK where, on 24th October, London events include Little Amal’s 10th birthday celebrations at the Royal Opera House, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Roundhouse. On 3rd November, her journey comes to an end with a grand finale at the Manchester International Festival.

Featuring an introduction by Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of Good Chance, and an afterword by producer David Lan, The Long Walk with Little Amal is documented by photojournalist André Liohn and Afghan refugee photographer Abdul Saboor. Contributing authors include PEN International Writer of Courage Samar Yazbek from Syria and Turkish-Kurdish novelist and new president of PEN International Burhan Sönmez. 

The book will be published by Mountain Leopard Press on December 9 2021 after the publisher signed world rights. Royalties from the sale of the book will be donated to charity for the education of refugee children. 

Christopher MacLehose, publisher of Mountain Leopard Press, said: “This book is a tribute to the miracle of David Lan’s, Stephen Daldry’s and Nizar Zuabi’s conception and a salute to every one of the hundreds of those who made Little Amal’s journey not only possible but also such a joy to every one of the crowds of young and old who met her on the way. It is a salute to the millions who have been forced to attempt Little Amal’s journey, to everyone who has made them welcome and will be moved to go on making welcome all who follow in her footsteps.

Lan said: “We've long believed that artists, grass roots communities and civic society leaders should come together to make art that matters in the real world. “The Walk” is that coming together. I’m delighted to be working with Christopher MacLehose and Mountain Leopard Press on this magnificent book which I hope will be a lasting record as well as an educational tool for children and families around the world.”