In a staggering display of creativity and community, theater director Amir Nizar Zuabi introduces “The Walk”: a theatrical journey following a nine-year-old refugee girl named Amal (represented by a giant, lifelike puppet) as she makes her way from Turkey to England. Zuabi shares the bold vision behind this cultural odyssey aimed at spreading hope and celebrating the refugee experience — and joins us live from Turkey as Amal passes through a village.
Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.
The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.
Become a TED Member:
Follow TED on Twitter:
Like TED on Facebook:
Subscribe to our channel:
TED’s videos may be used for non-commercial purposes under a Creative Commons License, Attribution–Non Commercial–No Derivatives (or the CC BY – NC – ND 4.0 International) and in accordance with our TED Talks Usage Policy (). For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), please submit a Media Request at
I’m Amir Nizar Zuabi.
I was born in East Jerusalem,
in a tough part of town
between Beit Hanina neighborhood
and the Shu’fat refugee camp.
I’m a mixed child,
that means my mother is Jewish
and my father is Palestinian.
So the refugee experience runs
very deep in the DNA of the family.
When my Jewish grandparents were fleeing
Europe because of World War II,
they came to Palestine
and drove the other part
of my family into exile.
When I was 14,
I stumbled by accident
into a theater show
in this rough part of town,
and I fell in love.
I fell in love with a reality
that was being created in front of me,
a reality that was full of possibilities,
that was wilder, that was free,
a reality that was an opposite contrast
of the harsh reality we were living in.
And I became a theater practitioner.
Becoming a theater
practitioner in Palestine
is like conjuring water in the desert.
We don’t have the infrastructure,
we don’t have the big
artistic institutions.
What we do have is a need
and something to say
about the world we live in.
Taking my shows to communities
and refugee camps in Palestine,
I was always struck
by the immediacy of the encounter
and that became a very powerful
experience for me.
In 2015, at the height
of the refugee crisis,
when hundreds of thousands of people
were walking across Europe,
with all the pain and
the anguish that we saw,
I started thinking that maybe we need
to create a new model of theater.
Maybe we need to take our theater
out of the theaters and into the streets,
the streets where these
people were walking.
And I started working
with Good Chance theater company,
a company that creates theater
about the refugee experience.
Together, we created “The Walk.”
“The Walk” is a rolling arts festival
that will cross 8,000 kilometers,
65 cities, towns and villages in its way,
and we will create 120 events of welcome.
“The Walk” is led
by a nine-year-old Syrian girl,
an unaccompanied minor called Amal.
And Amal in Arabic means hope.
(Music)
Amal is a 3.5-meter puppet
created by Handspring Puppet Company,
the renowned puppet company
from South Africa.
“The Walk” will start
in the border of Syria-Turkey,
in a city called Gaziantep.
We will make our way
through Turkey and into Greece,
then from Greece to Italy,
from Italy to southern France,
then through Switzerland
to Germany, Belgium,
and back to northern France,
across the English Channel
and then from Dover
all the way up to Manchester.
In order for Amal to make her journey,
Amal has three sets
of puppeteers to walk her,
and each team is trained
to give her gesture and nuance,
which is what brings Amal to life.
Together, there’s 12 people
in the company,
12 people that come
from diverse backgrounds.
Together, they will walk Amal
all the way from Gaziantep to Manchester,
giving her life.
“The Walk” is a very ambitious project.
It’s a huge logistical feat
with all the territory
that we need to cover.
And it wouldn’t be possible
without the network
of partnerships that we have.
We are working with 250
partners along the route
and thousands of participants.
We’re working with a very diverse
group of partnerships
with humanitarian groups,
with civic society,
with the mayors of the cities
that we’re going to visit,
with faith leaders,
with grassroots refugee organizations,
and with the leading institutions
and refugee artists in Turkey and Europe.
And to all of them,
we asked one simple question.
We said, Amal is a nine-year-old girl
that will pass through your city.
She’s alone, she’s afraid,
she’s vulnerable.
How would you like to welcome her?
What would you learn from her
and what will you teach her?
And this small proposition harvested
an unbelievable amount of generosity
and creativity from our partners.
Now, after two years of planning,
“The Walk” has started.
“The Walk” is a huge play
set on an 8,000-kilometer stage.
The events that will meet Amal on her way
are events created by our partners,
and they are big city-scale installations,
participatory performances in the cities,
precise meetings with communities
or with an artistic work
across the journey.
We hope that these events will become
the rich tapestry of Amal’s experiences
on her epic odyssey.
It’s important to say
that “The Walk” is not a walk of misery.
This is a walk of pride.
We want to challenge the perception
about the refugees.
We want to talk about them
not as an issue, not as a problem,
but to talk about
the potential they bring,
about the cultural riches they come from
and to honor their experience.
We want to turn this into a celebration
of shared humanity and hope.
We hope that “The Walk”
will leave in its wake,
all the way from the edge
of Turkey to Manchester,
a network of thousands
of people of good will,
a wide corridor of friendship,
and a new way of thinking
about what it means to be a refugee
in today’s world.
Everybody can follow Amal
along her journey
through the continuous updates
on our website and on our social media.
And I invite every one of you
to welcome Amal in your own way.
(Music)
Thank you.
(Applause)
Chris Anderson: How special is that.
I’m hoping we have a live
connection now to Nizar.
Wow.
(Cheering and applause)
Nizar, I hope you can see
already the extraordinary reaction
to this project you’ve done.
Can you tell us how is “The Walk” going?
ANZ: Well, I’m a babysitter
of a very demanding nine-year-old,
and she’s very big and demanding,
but it’s really exciting and the responses
have been unbelievable.
CA: In your talk, you talk
about the soft power of the arts
to change minds.
Are you seeing evidence of that
right now that this is working?
ANZ: I hope so.
We are meeting communities
and children and adults and they meet her.
And I hope she inspires the refugee
children that she meets to think big.
I hope she inspires the adults
to feel compassion.
She is very exciting to everybody
who meets her, that’s for sure.
What will last after we pass through
these cities, I hope,
is a curiosity towards the other,
towards somebody that you don’t know
and you want to know more about.
CA: So how is she doing?
May we possibly meet her?
ANZ: With the amount of noise outside,
I think she is here.
(Cheering)
She’s coming our way.
CA: So there are people walking with her
every step of the way,
including people who have had
their own refugee experience, correct?
ANZ: Yeah, we’re meeting
a lot of refugee community
that are involved in planning
the activities,
and they also walk with us
when we need them.
So that’s very exciting.
CA: Wow.
(Laughs)
Nizar, tell us more about this
extraordinary artistic vision,
this creation, this little girl.
ANZ: She is very,
very warmly received everywhere.
And the events try to capture
the hardship of her experiences.
Some of the events are very sad in a way,
but very honest to the refugee experience.
And some events are like today,
a bit more jubilant and joyful,
and involve the community
gathering around her and welcoming her.
So it’s a mixture of the hardship,
but also the welcome
and the warm reception
some communities give to refugees.
CA: Well, it’s been
an extraordinary privilege for us
to eavesdrop on “The Walk” there.
This is an amazing project.
It’s a deeply inspiring project.
And it must be extraordinary
for you to see years of vision for this
come into reality.
So thank you for it.
We thank you so much for this.
Thank you.
ANZ: Thank you so much. Thank you.
(Applause)
Science & Technology5 years ago
CNET5 years ago
People & Blogs3 years ago
Wired6 years ago
Wired6 years ago
Wired6 years ago
Wired6 years ago
CNET5 years ago
Kiddu TV Hindi Stories
September 22, 2021 at 3:02 pm
Awsm video here
Demetri Panici - Productivity Apps / Minimalism
September 22, 2021 at 3:03 pm
I’ve always found the refugee crisis of the past few years crazy. It has to be quite traumatic
True Crime Queen TV
September 22, 2021 at 3:05 pm
Love your content. Everybody stay safe out there ❤️❤️
nhung đặng
September 22, 2021 at 3:05 pm
Meaningful story. Forever love TED. Hope TED will have more
Milon Roys
September 22, 2021 at 3:08 pm
You are very cute
A B
September 22, 2021 at 4:15 pm
@Milon Roys
Ah someone has just started creeping !!!
D Jackson
September 22, 2021 at 3:12 pm
Its a really beautiful and poetic idea, but we aren’t actually getting information or experiencing what a refugee goes through.
“‘In a staggering display of creativity”‘ is a bit much… I’m not judging his theater performances (haven’t seen them), just this.
To be blunt it is just a puppet with a positive message walking in a parade. Seems to be a symbol, and only that. I support them escaping their plights, and want to learn much more.
Documenting their accounts with interviews or filming them would be greatly informative and gives people a window to empathize with what they go through.
Md Julhas
September 22, 2021 at 3:17 pm
Bengali CC added
M. Sy
September 22, 2021 at 3:20 pm
What an imagination and powerful message to the world. There are over 100 millions refugees in the world, but with the climate crisis and the wars, we are all potential refugees. Go ask people from Haiti, Canary Islanders, Afghans…Kudos!
Andrea Dea
September 22, 2021 at 3:21 pm
Wonderfullll!!!!! Namastê!!!!
Andrea Dea
September 22, 2021 at 3:23 pm
We are all one with God!!Namastê!!!
Der Kogen
September 22, 2021 at 3:26 pm
dont give a fk
Bo 2. 4 U
September 22, 2021 at 3:35 pm
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!! DREAM BIG !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHANGE THE WORLD!!!!!!!! BEAUTIFUL 😍 😘 😍 😘 😍
Veronica
September 22, 2021 at 4:07 pm
I like the images, but don’t understand the message. The message might need to be about the never ending conflicts in Muslim countries, producing the refugees. Are you anti-Zionist? If not, what is the purpose of describing your half Jewish origins? Lots of money and effort in a very confusing, and possibly misinformed message.
A B
September 22, 2021 at 4:14 pm
Do you follow your Jewish mother’s beliefs or your father’s ?!!
MultiBorsch
September 22, 2021 at 4:16 pm
Or, or, a crazy idea, make your own country awesome to live in.
Yeeyee
September 22, 2021 at 4:54 pm
Anyone old enough to remember when Ted talks where about interesting science and innovation?
Harshit Jain
September 22, 2021 at 5:42 pm
It’s all about ideological hackery today.
Alex
September 22, 2021 at 8:27 pm
I used to look forward to new videos from Ted, now I groan and roll my eyes at every upload.
I wont be unsubscribing though, it’s like watching an awful train wreck I cant turn away from.
Rogelio Camargo
September 22, 2021 at 9:40 pm
Miss them days.
sachamm
September 22, 2021 at 10:27 pm
Anyone old enough to remember when YouTube wasn’t lousy with bigots and right-wing chuds?
Thomas De Quincey
September 23, 2021 at 2:42 am
I know, right. Unless you care about Identity politics or spiritual bullsh*t you might as well unsubscribe. I would’ve by now if I didn’t like being tortured by hope.
Alex
September 23, 2021 at 5:11 am
@sachamm I’m not right wing, or a bigot. I just cant stand evangelical progressive nonsense.
As others have said, Ted used to be about innovation, technology and new ideas, presented by captivativating public speakers. Now every other video might as well be called “everyone is racist, here’s why”.
sachamm
September 23, 2021 at 6:16 am
@AlexI’ll admit to loving the techno-optimism of TEDtalks in the early years, but this _is_ a new idea, an idea tackling one of the big problems of the day. I’ll also admit there are some videos like what you’re describing, but it’s a tiny fraction (and even those videos often had a bigger point). In any case, this video isn’t like what you’re describing at all and is right in TED’s wheelhouse. If you don’t think ideas like this are important, you’re not paying attention.
Alex
September 23, 2021 at 6:41 am
@sachamm it’s pushing a political narrative, while framing it as a new idea. This is all Ted seems to do these days. Wokeness destroys everything it touches.
To put it another way, mass immigration destroys the social fabric of the poorest and most vulnerable communities in the countries effected by it. People displaced by war should be looked after as close as possible their countries, rather than dumping the problem elsewhere, so that they are best placed to rebuild when things settle down.
The above could also be framed as a “new idea” – but you will NEVER see a Ted talk about it, because it’s also a political position. The “wrong” political position.
sachamm
September 23, 2021 at 7:21 am
@Alex Your alarmism about the consequences of mass immigration is exactly opposite the truth. Germany took in 1.7 million refugees 2015-19. In that time their unemployment rate fell, their crime rate fell. Your “new idea” is not new, it’s the old way and the very reason we need new ideas like this one — because the old way doesn’t work! Immigration — even mass immigration — is the literal backbone of ALL western nations, especially the US.
Yeeyee
September 24, 2021 at 4:51 am
@sachamm I am pro migration. The USA a big country with a ton of empty land. However, there is Zero logic into US illegal migration. The government is letting in millions of illegals from Central and South America and not letting in Haitians and Cubans.
Alex
September 24, 2021 at 5:15 am
@sachamm oh come the F on dude! Way to completely miss my point, holy crap.
I dont even disagree with what you’re saying. My point, which I thought was obvious, is that there are two sides to the debate. You will only find one side on Ted, however, revealing the obvious political bias myslf and others are complaining about.
Alex
September 24, 2021 at 5:18 am
@sachamm the idea presented in this video is NOT new. I could just as easily come up with a ‘refugee camp of the future’ or something, and present the other side of the debate as new and innovative. You would never see it on Ted though, because they’ve become corrupted by an idealogy within which such an idea would be heretical.
sachamm
September 24, 2021 at 5:47 am
@Alex Your idea of helping refugees closer to their country of origin isn’t on the other side of the “debate” either. I’ll go one further: we should help people IN their country of origin. Here’s the problem: that either hasn’t worked or it hasn’t been done. You might have won the Noble Peace prize in 1946 with your ideas, but since those ideas didn’t work and/or weren’t implemented, what now?
sachamm
September 24, 2021 at 5:53 am
@Yeeyee I don’t believe the US is “letting in” millions of brown people, but if you don’t see the logic of stopping darker-skinned people, congratulations, it’s probably because you’re not a bigot. The US was founded on white supremacy.
Yithmaster
September 25, 2021 at 1:48 am
@sachamm interesting he didn’t mention skin color he mention nationality. But you did it’s almost like your entire identity is wrapped up in the color of people’s skin
sachamm
September 25, 2021 at 4:13 am
@Yithmaster Ah yes, the classic “he who smelt it, dealt it” theory. Holds about as much water now as it did in 2nd grade.
Yeeyee
September 25, 2021 at 4:23 am
@sachamm And without all that drama I wouldn’t be my multiple racial self. You didn’t address Cubans. They are starving. Nobody cares
Adrian
September 25, 2021 at 11:06 am
Me, had tons of interesting talks by tech and startups back then.
Malaki SFL
September 22, 2021 at 5:42 pm
When I first read this video title I was like how can you theoretically experience something like this lol before I realised it was theatrical 😂
Henriette7
September 22, 2021 at 6:03 pm
That’s great.
Nuhin fill Alamin
September 23, 2021 at 5:21 am
Hi hi
ALeto3
September 22, 2021 at 9:28 pm
When you travel through 7 countries to get to your final destination, you’re not a “refugee” you’re a social paràsite
Alex1979AAA
September 22, 2021 at 10:32 pm
Did your father hit your mother?
A. A.
September 23, 2021 at 4:39 am
Beautiful!!!
vanyrilius
September 23, 2021 at 11:23 am
TED encouraging illegal activity
What’s new?
Moni Cast
September 23, 2021 at 1:09 pm
“The main thing is to be moved, to love, to hope, to tremble, to live.” – Auguste Rodin
Prisca Hil
September 23, 2021 at 1:16 pm
The philosophy of the rich and the poor is this: the rich invest their money and spend what is left. The poor spend their money and invest what is left”
Lucas Anderson
September 23, 2021 at 1:25 pm
@naomi john People are really scared of investing in commodities because of the rate of unprofessionals today, but this is awesome just made a few research about him, and I’m shocked to see that he is a top notch.
Benjamin Cowen 𝒴ℴ𝓊𝒯𝓊𝒷ℯ
September 23, 2021 at 1:25 pm
I’m happy to see Mr Donald Wilson mentioned here, he is recognized in the society, My wife recommended him to me after investing £4000 and he has really helped us in times of this bad pandemic crisis
gloria yakubu
September 23, 2021 at 1:26 pm
Exactly, money is always eager and ready to work for anyone who is ready to employ it, I was able to withdraw my profit of $17,000 after investing $3,500 on Mr Donald Wilson platform some days ago
Bruno Hideki Sakai
September 23, 2021 at 1:27 pm
@gloria yakubu Please do you mind sharing any means of reaching out to him easily? I’m really interested I believe this is genuine.
Aminu Umar
September 23, 2021 at 1:28 pm
I Was able to see that he is a registered trader, cause to be sincere I don’t believe anything I see online but I’m definitely shocked that he is real. Please do you mind sharing any means of reaching out to him easily?.
Joseph Turner
September 24, 2021 at 4:41 am
this sucks
待つ。 もうゅー
September 23, 2021 at 5:45 pm
God Jesus Christ loving you red holy bible it wel help you Jesus Christ coming soon God bles you 🙏🏼🙏🏻🙏🏼
James Humphrey
September 23, 2021 at 7:45 pm
Funny how these “refugees” always decide to move all the way to Western Europe instead of moving into the first safe country
요주아키미히
September 24, 2021 at 8:58 am
On the one hand, I hope that lovely girl settles somewhere and has happy life, but on the other hand, i hope she walks to other continents, regions, and countries so that the inspiration spreads more. We all need that kind of inspiration.
hidden
September 24, 2021 at 9:31 am
Remember the days when TED used to show thoughth provoking intellectual and useful content now it’s just filled with over-sensitive people trying to change World in their mind
chas in lakewood
September 25, 2021 at 8:19 pm
Gotcha. You stay in the cave and we’ll improve the world without you.
Social Justice Warriors complain. You are complaining. Ergo…
HappyTappingChannel
September 25, 2021 at 6:45 am
Love this video, want to know more. Inspiring.
Knowwhere
September 26, 2021 at 6:33 am
Why do we never hear of minorities, refugees in middle east..
Chiro- NYC
September 26, 2021 at 8:31 pm
Refugee experience? Spare me, in the USA we call them illegal
煽り運転の犯人を探してます
September 28, 2021 at 11:06 pm
I am looking for criminals in Japan. See my playlist for more details. Should I consult the police? I want your opinion.
4