In 1961, the day in which Tanzania obtained its independence from Great Britain, a torch was lit on the highest peak of Kilimanjaro, to symbolize the freedom given back to the country’s inhabitants -then Tanganica – and, from a certain perspective, all the inhabitants of Africa. It was a torch of freedom, mwenge wa uhuru in swahili.

From that time, every year, this torch traces a path which touches all the regions where Tanzania is divided. A long procession of cars accompanies it quickly from city to city, to remind everyone of an independence achieved peacefully, to have a celebration of the people at every step, with music, songs, and dances which at times involve hundreds or thousands of people, to send messages of solidarity and civil cohabitation (this year it is a message against all kinds of violence).

It is, essentially, an occasion for the citizens of Iringa to celebrate a new freedom, freedom from an epidemic which can be stopped, freedom from the fear and stigma which always comes with AIDS.

Therefore, in the presence of the authorities who followed along the torch’s course, a brief but meaningful inauguration ceremony took place.