Women lead powerful procession through Walsall in celebration of strength, survival and solidarity
On Saturday 19 July, the streets of Walsall were transformed by a ceremonial procession that brought colour, music and powerful storytelling to the heart of the town. Led by Birmingham-based artist Tereza Bušková, the public spectacle marked the culmination of Mothers Without Hands – a remarkable 2.5-year international arts project exploring resilience, ritual and recovery.
Over 70 people proudly walked in the procession, while hundreds of curious Saturday shoppers lined the route through the centre of the town, filming and taking photos of the rich costumes and live performances.
The event marked the final act in a project that has travelled from Folkestone and Prague to Erdington, before arriving in Walsall for its closing celebration. Inspired by Czech folklore and the fairytale The Girl Without Hands, the project used art and ritual to shine a light on the impact of domestic abuse on women and girls – and to provide a safe space for shared healing and empowerment.
Artist, Tereza Bušková said: “Violence against women and girls is a global social problem that persists and needs urgent attention. Art is a great tool which helps us to break the silence about it.”
Over the course of the project, dozens of workshops have been held in each location with hundreds of women involved in baking, textile work and conversations, helping them connect through collective making.
“Mothers Without Hands is about making and carrying – carrying bread, carrying trauma, carrying each other. It’s about empathy, connection, and giving voice to those who are often unseen. Through visual language and touch, we create space for women, especially migrant and refugee women, to share skills, stories and support. And while this is a project shaped by women’s hands, it also recognises the importance of men showing up in solidarity. True change only happens when we come together.”
The striking procession began outside The New Art Gallery Walsall, with performances by Bušková’s longtime muse Zoe Simon and Czech performers Eliška Salay Kašparová and Daniela Voráčková. Spectacular hand-crafted headdresses, decorated from the results of the craft sessions, were made by artist Joseph Welden, inspired by the Perchtendanz – a traditional Tyrolean ritual that honours female strength and seasonal renewal. The headdresses were constructed and carried by men, symbolising the need for solidarity between genders in confronting issues such as domestic violence.
Live music from violinist Ann Jones and cellist Bela Emerson, alongside vocal performances by Ensemble Bednieri and Karolina Wegrzyn, added further emotional depth to the occasion.
The event was filmed for inclusion in a new video artwork, which will be exhibited in Prague, Folkestone, Birmingham and Walsall. A major solo exhibition of Mothers Without Hands will open at The New Art Gallery Walsall from 31 July – 15 November 2026.
