Torch of humanity: Memories of Solferino illuminate Mosbach

Torch of humanity: Memories of Solferino illuminate Mosbach

On June 6, 2025, a special torchlight procession took place in the Neckar-Odenwald district to commemorate the Battle of Solferino and the founding of the Red Cross. The annual torchlight procession “Fiaccolata” leads through Germany, Austria and Switzerland before moving on to northern Italy. In Kirchheim unter Teck, Bettina Hamberger, member of the presidium of the DRK Mosbach district association, was able to accept the torch in the DRK logistics center. The torchlight procession brings light of hope and humanity to the region and creates a touching connection to the historic past of the Red Cross.[katzenpfad.de]

On Tuesday morning, Hamberger brought the torch to Mosbach, where it was received in front of the town hall by a delegation of full-time and volunteer DRK members. Deputy Mayor Manfred Beuchert warmly welcomed those arriving and emphasized the indispensability of the Red Cross for the community. DRK President Gerhard Lauth recognized the torchlight procession as a day of remembrance and gratitude and took over the torch from Hamberger to pass on the symbolic light.

The journey of the torch

In the early afternoon, the torch continued its journey to the DRK senior citizens' home in Waldkatzenbach, where Guido Wenzel told the residents about the origins of the Red Cross in Solferino. This episode is particularly significant because it illustrates the organization's contemporary significance in the context of its history. We continued to Eberbach, where representatives of the DRK district association Rhein-Neckar/Heidelberg and the DRK Eberbach standby were ready to accept the torch. Wenzel handed the flame over to a “nurse’s assistant” on call. Jürgen Wiesbeck, President of the DRK district association Rhine-Neckar/Heidelberg, and district manager Caroline Falk honored the long tradition and legacy of the Red Cross history.

The torchlight procession continued its journey that same evening to Neckargemünd, where it brought the flame to Heidelberg. From there we finally went by boat to the Hessian regional association and the final destination, Solferino, in order to arrive there in time for June 24th.

The significance of the Battle of Solferino

The Battle of Solferino played a central role in the creation of the Red Cross and was discussed by Henry Dunant in his book “Un souvenir de Solferino”. This literary masterpiece not only describes the political background and military strategies, but also addresses the brutal conditions under which the wounded were transported and cared for in hospitals. Dunant formulated the vision of founding aid societies for the wounded and thereby stimulated the formation of the Red Cross[drk-solferino.de].

The torch that passed through the Odenwald embodies not only the tradition of the torchlight procession, but also the Red Cross's ongoing commitment to helping people in need. The events surrounding this commemoration serve to share the valuable history and ongoing relevance of the principles that have shaped the Red Cross since its founding.