In 2025, something extraordinary will thunder across continents — not just a procession of creatures, but a monumental journey of hope, resistance, and renewal. THE HERDS is not only a groundbreaking public art project — it is an urgent call to action, a continent-spanning performance, and a bold new way of seeing our place in the natural world.
What is THE HERDS?
THE HERDS is a large-scale, participatory public art and climate initiative unlike anything the world has seen before. Between April and August 2025, life-size puppet animals — designed with stunning artistry and theatrical precision — will migrate 20,000 kilometers from the Congo Basin to the Arctic Circle. These symbolic migrations represent real-world truths: animals and people are being displaced as ecosystems collapse and climate instability grows.
But THE HERDS is more than a spectacle. At each step of their journey, world-class artists and performers will respond with immersive events — blending theater, music, science, and storytelling. The project is a sweeping fusion of culture and climate, turning city streets into stages and civic spaces into classrooms. From Kinshasa to Copenhagen, from Lagos to London, these performances will remind us of what’s at stake — and what still can be saved.
The Route
The journey begins in Africa’s heart — the Congo Basin — one of the world’s most vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots, yet under constant threat from deforestation and exploitation. From there, the herds will travel northward through Kinshasa, Lagos, Dakar, Marrakesh, Casablanca, and across the Mediterranean into Europe. Major cultural hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, Marseille, Paris, Manchester, and Venice will host events. The journey ends in the Arctic Circle — a region on the frontline of the climate emergency.
Every stop is a site of climate relevance and cultural vibrancy, chosen to provoke reflection and activate local communities.
The Mission
THE HERDS exists to inspire. By collaborating with African and European artists, environmental scientists, and community leaders, the project creates world-class events that challenge perceptions and incite action. Whether through street performances, school programs, or civic dialogue, THE HERDS is about awakening a shared responsibility — reminding us that the climate crisis is not a future possibility, but a present emergency.
It is a mobile metaphor, a roaming reminder that nature is on the move — and so must we be, too.
The Team Behind THE HERDS
The project is presented by The Walk Productions, the company behind the globally acclaimed journey of Little Amal — the 12-foot puppet of a refugee child who walked across borders and into the hearts of millions. Building on that legacy, THE HERDS is led by a visionary team:
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David Lan and Tracey Seaward, producers with a track record of transforming cultural ideas into global events.
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Amir Nizar Zuabi, Artistic Director, known for creating profound theatrical experiences that connect people across cultures.
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Sarah Loader, Executive Producer, ensuring the seamless realization of this ambitious project.
Together with local creatives, educators, and environmental experts along the route, THE HERDS is being shaped into a living, breathing journey of resistance and renewal.
Why It Matters
In a time of overwhelming climate grief, THE HERDS offers a rare combination of beauty, urgency, and collective spirit. It reminds us that climate action isn’t just the work of scientists and politicians — it’s also the realm of artists, dreamers, and citizens.
We are invited not just to watch, but to walk alongside. To listen. To act.
This is more than public art. This is public awakening.