The Herds finish a 20,000‑km odyssey — from jungle vibes to Arctic chills
What the journey was all about
The Herds was a bold, climate‑change art stunt that followed a strange convoy of animals across continents. Think Congo rainforests turning into Norwegian tundra — all while partying with a narrative that made the planet’s urgent conversations unforgettable.
Key milestones on the trek
- Congo (Start) – The expedition kicked off in the dense, green heart of Africa, echoing the urgency of deforestation.
- East Africa – The herd pushed through sprawling savannahs, testing the limits of herd dynamics and long‑haul human support.
- Middle Kingdoms (Turkey, Iran) – These stop‑overs turned into natural “layer‑ups” of cultures and climate advocacy.
- Mediterranean Crossing – Swimming across a sea of voices, the project captured the winding dialogue on climate policy.
- North‑European Finale – The crew arrived in the frigid Arctic Circle of Norway, a chilling reminder of the angles of global warming.
Why it matters
Touring 20,000km on foot, bike, and ship, The Herds turned ecological science into a visual, lived experience. It filled a storytelling gap: real‑world physics meets “feel‑good” art, and the result was a swell of community buzz and renewed calls for a more sustainable future.
Quick takeaways for the eco‑skeptics
• The journey highlights how far carbon footprints travel.
• It proves movements can
cross borders.
• It gives us a tangible seconds‑long
soundtrack to the intangible
consequences of climate change.
From Congo to the Arctic: The Giant Puppet Herd’s Epic Trek
The Curious Cast of Characters
Picture this: a lineup of life‑sized animal puppets—elephants, giraffes, antelopes, and lions—hang their heavy boots in Kinshasa, deep in the Congo rainforest, and hit the road in April. These weren’t just plush toys; they were fully rigged, human‑backed figures meant to symbolize the journeys of wildlife and people fleeing climate turmoil.
Stepping Stones Across Two Continents
As the herd marched northward, they turned the trek into a living canvas, bringing climate change to the streets in a way that felt incredibly personal and visceral, not just numbers on a chart.
- 20,000 km of waggle, wiggle, and swag
- Crossed two continents—Africa and Europe
Picking Up New Companions Along the Way
In every country they passed, the troupe adopted new “family” members—local animals fashioned from recycled cardboard and plywood. Think of it as a traveling zoo that doubles as a recycling workshop.
Training the Team
Over the course of this odyssey, they rallied 1,000 puppet‑savvy volunteers, each taught to bring these heroes to life. That’s a full‑time crew in a circus‑style international rollout!
- 56 public events
- 11 countries touched by the stage’s humor and heart
Finite Destination: Jostedalsbreen & Nordkapp
Finally, the herd scaled Norway’s Jostedalsbreen glacier—the biggest ice sheet on the European mainland. From there, they headed north for a dramatic arrival at Nordkapp, the point that reaches the Arctic Circle, and were set to greet the sunrise on 1 August. A snowy finale, indeed.
Why This Matters
It’s more than a puppet parade; it’s a storypoint that turns the climate crisis into something audiences can feel and follow. And who knew a clown car of elephants and giraffes could get a sleep‑over on a glacier?
London’s Plot‑Twist: The Herds Brings Life‑Size Animal Puppets to the Stage
Picture this: the bustling streets of London, the scent of fresh pastries drifting from the cafés, and right in the heart of the city, an unforgettable spectacle that goes something like, “What’s that creeping along the aisle?” It’s the The Herds – a troupe of budget‑friendly, oversized animal puppets – ready to put the “wild” in “wild‑life.” The big day? 27 June 2025.
What Makes This Performance Tick?
- Huge, hearty puppets – Think giraffes with necks that could poke the ceiling, ferocious lions that roar in a thousand-yard radius, and goats that just keep saying “blee… blee.”
- Central London venue – The show kicks off at the iconic Leicester Square, bringing theatre vibes and a dash of chaos into the concrete jungle.
- Audience engagement – The Herds love a good crowd joke. Get ready to laugh, cheer, and maybe even throw a few sarcastic spots of applause.
Why You’ll Want to Be There
Besides the literal, laugh-out-loud fun, the performance is a clever commentary on how our urban animals are a blend of the real and the imagined. It’s a chance to beat the tourist crowds and see London’s creative side in a fresh, eye‑popping way.
© AP Photo
Picture This: Cardboard Zoo Goes on a Canoe Cruise in Lagos
Imagine a bunch of puppeteers pushing tiny cardboard beasts through a swampy lagoon, right in the heart of Makoko’s river‑side slum. On April 19, 2025 they pulled off this quirky spectacle as part of a bigger show called The Herds. If you’re wondering what’s going on, let’s break it down.
The Crew Behind the Curtain
The Walk Productions is the mastermind here. They’re the folks who built Little Amal, the 12‑foot giant puppet that journeyed across 15 countries in 2021 to shine a light on refugees. Now they’re tackling a climate change headline, but with a theatrical twist.
Emotion Over Data: The Big Idea
David Lan, the producer, said the goal of The Herds is to make climate change feel real without drowning us in graphs and jargon. “We want people to feel the heat, the storms, the sinking of coastlines,” he told Euronews Culture. “It’s all about the human heart, not just the numbers.”
Amir Nizar Zuabi: A Humble Hero
Amir Nizar Zuabi, the artistic director who helped bring Little Amal to life, is honest about impact. “I’m not claiming we’ll change the world,” he told us, “but if we stir even a flicker of emotion, that’s worth it. It’s less about preaching science and more about tasting the crisis through art.”
Why It Matters
- Clothing the catastrophe with a feel‑good, heart‑warming narrative.
- Giving people a safe space to discuss climate without feeling like a lecture.
- Strengthening the connection between the audience and the environment.
Catch the Show
Number one, check the video above to see the cardboard animals paddle to victory. Feeling inspired? Join the movement; support climate drama that feels human, not humorous.