Red Cross Commemorates Dunant and Battles at Solferino March
Six kilometers on foot to remember Henry Dunant, the Red Cross, and the Risorgimento battles of Solferino and San Martino. The activities began yesterday with the opening of the program for the annual Flambeau March of the International Red Cross, which will lead thousands of participants along the route from Solferino to Castiglione tomorrow evening.
The organizers of the events explain: «At the start of a new millennium, commemorating exactly one hundred years since the recognition granted by the world to Dunant, the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate in history, we feel proud to continue his path.» Swiss Henry Dunant was the founder of the Red Cross and was inspired by the bloody events that occurred during the Battle of Solferino in 1859.
For this reason, in 1901 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The program of this year’s march, which traces the hills of the bloody battle, will take into account this important anniversary.
Invitation to participate and event programs
«It is a celebration that unites us all with joy – add the organizers -, active members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, friends, supporters, all those who deeply believe in the importance of these ideas.» The final call is to gather in Solferino tomorrow evening to «form the Corteo di Luce, from which to draw the emotion of being together and then to bring our humanitarian gesture wherever it is needed.»
Yesterday morning, the «Campo Lidia» in Castiglione was opened; then registration began for the numerous groups coming from Italy and abroad. Last night, the final briefing of the team leaders participating took place, along with the start of the «Quarto Trofeo Massimo Ghio» competition.
This morning, from 9 to 12, a workshop on topics related to the Red Cross will be held, continuing the Trofeo until late afternoon, when at 7:30 PM, delegations from national organizations will be received at the Red Cross Museum.
Tomorrow at 2:30 PM, a shuttle service will begin, transporting participants, with banners and torches, from Castiglione to Solferino in Piazza Castello. At exactly 8:00 PM, the torchlight procession will depart to reach Castiglione around 10:00 PM, where the closing ceremony will take place in Piazzale della Repubblica.
Sunday morning at 10, a commemorative ceremony for the 142nd anniversary of the Battle of Solferino and San Martino will be held in Solferino, in Piazza Torelli. A traditional event that this year is combined with activities of the Red Cross.