Red Cross Torchlight Procession Draws International Participants to Solferino and Castiglione

This year’s torchlight procession of the Croce Rossa (Red Cross) between Solferino and Castiglione will be truly impressive. The figures provided by the secretariat of the International Museum give an idea of the event’s participation.

Almost 2,200 registered Croce Rossa participants, not counting the individuals who will freely take part, 1,500 booked for the Saturday evening dinner, to which authorities are also added. Participants are coming from Russia, the United States, Croatia, the Netherlands, Austria, Spain, and other countries.

Participants and Authorities Present

The mayors of the area will be present, and six members of the International Committee of the Red Cross from Geneva are expected, along with Secretary of the Assembly Michel Convers and former President Cornelio Sommaruga, who is an honorary citizen of Castiglione.

Additionally, the Swedish CRI secretary, Svegfors, and the Italian leadership, led by President Maria Pia Garavaglia, along with Mantuan coordinator Renzo Tarchini, will attend.

Pre-Event Activities and Initiatives

Starting today, the various delegations are present in the ‘supercamp’ at San Pietro, with tournaments, demonstrations, and communal moments. Two roundtable discussions are organized: one on the fundamental principles serving volunteer work, curated by Canadian delegate Featherstone, and another on the psychological aspect of being volunteers, with Dr. Alberto Cavallo, head of foreign affairs for the Order of Psychologists.

Program of the Day and Ceremonies

On Saturday, from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., in the San Pietro area of Castiglione, the transfer of participants from Solferino will begin.

From 3 p.m., in Piazza Castello and Torelli, street performers’ shows can be enjoyed. At 7:45 p.m., a ceremony of inauguration will take place on the square near the Rocca, followed by a torchlit procession on foot to Castiglione at 8 p.m.

At the Piazzale della Repubblica, at 10:30 p.m., the closing ceremony will be held. From 9 p.m., street performers will already be present in Castiglione.

The Historic Route

The torchlight procession covers a 6-kilometer route along the local road between the municipalities, symbolically retracing the path of the wounded soldiers from the battlefields to the aid stations in 1859.