An enormous walking, dancing puppet will walk through the city centre next summer as part of the opening weekend of Manchester International Festival.
The giant artwork, called Little Amal, has been created by the same team behind the world-famous War Horse puppet.
It's the first event to be announced for MIF21, and comes with a powerful message.
Little Amal's arrival to the city is part of a work called The Walk, which follows the journey of a nine-year-old refugee girl from the Turkish-Syrian border to Manchester.
The 3.5 metre tall puppet will travel 8,000km during The Walk, covering Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, before arriving in Manchester on July 4.
A large-scale free public event will take place in the heart of Greater Manchester, as part of MIF21's opening weekend.
The Walk comes from theatre company Good Chance and the Handspring Puppet Company, who have created Little Amal as an emblem of the millions of displaced refugee children separated from their families and loved ones.
John McGrath, artistic director and chief executive of Manchester International Festival said: "We’re delighted to be a major partner on The Walk, our first event to be unveiled as we plan for MIF21, and to welcome Little Amal to Manchester for the conclusion of her extraordinary journey.
"At MIF, we have a proud history of creating large-scale participatory events that bring the city together. As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, a project like this feels more important than ever – encapsulating everything that the arts can do; crossing borders, starting important conversations, and bringing communities together.
"We hope that families, communities, schools, friends and neighbours - everyone who calls Greater Manchester their home, will help us welcome Little Amal."
Amir Nizar Zuabi, artistic director of The Walk said: "It is because the attention of the world is elsewhere right now that it is more important than ever to reignite the conversation about the refugee crisis and change the narrative around it.
"Yes, refugees need food and blankets, but they also need dignity and a voice.
"The purpose of The Walk is to highlight the potential of the refugee, not just their dire circumstances.
"Little Amal is 3.5 metres tall because we want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger."
