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Why a giant puppet has been travelling across Europe

Little Amal the puppet is actually not so little at all.
At three-and-a-half metres tall, the puppet, which was made to depict a Syrian refugee girl, stands to symbolise millions of displaced children.
"Little Amal is 3.5-metres tall because we want the world to grow big enough to greet her," Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of project, told the Associated Press.
Little Amal processes through Cantebury in England, followed by hundreds of members of the public and school children.
Little Amal processes through Canterbury in England, followed by hundreds of members of the public and school children. (Getty)
"We want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger," Mr Zuabi said.
Little Amal is travelling across Europe to raise awareness about the problems young migrants experience.
It is estimated that about 12,500 people crossed the English Channel this year in search of asylum, according to the BBC.
People attend the "Little Amal" show at Trocadero in front of the Eiffel Tower Paris, France, Friday, October 15, 2021.
People attend the Little Amal show at Trocadero in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (AP)
Many fleeing war zones and tyrannical rule have hidden in trucks or on small boats arranged by people smugglers in a desperate search for safety in another country.
The concept behind Little Amal's trek is that she is looking for her brother.
Little Amal in Cantebury, England.
Little Amal in Canterbury, England. (Getty)
The idea is based on a play called The Jungle, which is about migration and displacement.
Little Amal, whose name means "hope" in Arabic, is operated by three people.
She was created by Handspring, which is a puppetry and performance design company that made the horse puppets for the West End and Broadway productions of War Horse.
Little Amal has nearly completed its 8,000km journey across Europe.
Little Amal has nearly completed its 8000km journey across Europe. (Getty)
The puppet is part of a travelling festival of art called The Walk.
She began her journey from the Turkish-Syrian border in July and was greeted by thousands of people along the way.
Little Amal even made a stop at the Vatican, where she met Pope Francis.
Actor Jude Law, right, meets  Little Amal.
Actor Jude Law meets Little Amal. (AP)
She arrived in the British port town of Folkestone on the south-east coast on Tuesday, where she was greeted by actor Jude Law.
Little Amal is on the last leg of her 8000-kilometre passage.
She is next travelling to Dover, London and Coventry and is set to end her journey in Manchester on November 3.
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