MIF25: The Herds
Creative Tourist
Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off with an awe-inspiring outdoor spectacle as The Herds take to the streets of Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan. Created by The Walk Productions and led by visionary Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zubai, this ambitious public artwork brings life-sized puppet animals to the city, powerfully highlighting the urgency of the climate crisis.
As part of an epic 20,000km journey across Africa and Europe, these magnificent migrating creatures will be accompanied by hundreds of local participants, turning the urban landscape into a breathtaking, moving masterpiece.
Building on the success of The Walk in 2021—when the 12-foot puppet Little Amal captivated audiences worldwide—this extraordinary production promises to be a visually stunning and deeply resonant opening to the festival. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience, where art, activism, and community come together on a grand scale.
Specific details about the starting location and route within the city have yet to be announced. We’ll share more details on the movements of The Herds as they become available.
