The Herd

According to their official website The Herds offered a

groundbreaking public art and climate initiative designed to inspire action and renew our bond with the natural world.

From April to August 2025, life-size puppet animals stormed through city centers on a 20,000km journey from Kinshasa in the Congo Basin to Nordkapp in the Arctic Circle, fleeing climate disaster.

Their “journey began in Kinshasa, DRC, on the banks of the mighty Congo River. In April 2025 they emerged from the forests of the Congo Basin – the ‘lungs of the world’. They forged a powerful path through the sun-drenched avenues of San Fernando, Madrid, Marseille, Paris and Venice and on to the bustling streets of London and Greater Manchester. Thousands met us in the streets to experience public art that comes face to face with the climate crisis.”

I found all this out when I learned that The Herds will appear at ICAF 2026 in Rotterdam this Spring.

On the afternoons of Friday 27 and Saturday 28 March, public events will take place as part of the ICAF programme, alongside a lecture on climate for professionals and students, and a dedicated educational programme for primary schools.

In this way, ICAF say, ”The Herds lives not only in the streets, but also in neighbourhoods, schools and conversations that continue beyond the festival.”