The Tour of the Flame of Knowledge Kicks Off!
On Friday, September 20, during the 9th International Day of University Sport (established by UNESCO and FISU in 2016), the Flame of Knowledge contained in the FISU Brazier—kept at the Rectorate of the University of Torino—was re-lit. From this iconic brazier, the “Guarini” Torch of the XXXII Winter World University Games, to be held in Torino and the Piedmontese valleys from January 13 to 23, 2025, was ignited.
This deeply moving and significant ceremony underscores the importance of the city, which, since 2018, has been the official home of the Flame of Knowledge, following a structured protocol between FISU and CUS Torino. For each edition of the Universiade, the organizing countries visit Torino to ignite the torch, which then lights the Games’ Brazier in the host city.
This year’s relay is particularly special. The torch, started from Torino, will present itself to Europe and the world before returning to Piemonte, concluding its journey where it began, in Torino and its valleys. On January 13, the flame will ignite the Brazier of the Torino 2025 FISU Winter Games.
For the first time in the Games’ history, the ceremony at the Rectorate included the Heads of Delegation from 25 participating countries, alongside top authorities involved in the event: the ’host’, i.e. the Rector of the University of Torino, Stefano Geuna, FISU President Leonz Eder, FederCUSI representative Lorenzo Lentini, Fabrizio Ricca representing the Piemonte Region, Torino’s Mayor Stefano Lo Russo, President of CUS Torino Riccardo D’Elicio, Pro-Rector of the Politecnico di Torino Elena Maria Baralis, and President of the Torino 2025 Games Organizing Committee Alessandro Ciro Sciretti.
During the ceremony, the torch from the first Universiade—dating back to 1959—was brought to the Rectorate. Passing from the Rector of UNITO to the Rector of POLITO, then to the President of CUS Torino, and finally to the President of FederCUSI, it reached the FISU President, who used it to light the Brazier. From this Brazier, the “Guarini” Torch was ignited, officially marking the start of the Torchbearer Relay. From the Rectorate of the University, torchbearers carried the flame through Torino’s city center, ending at Piazza Palazzo di Città, where it was greeted by 100 students representing local schools, 50 volunteers, and the Heads of Delegation from 25 countries.
The torchbearers and ambassadors Irma Caldara, Ricardo Maglio, and Raffaele Zich concluded the first day of the relay at Pala Gianni Asti (formerly PalaRuffini), where they entrusted the Flame of Knowledge to the President of the Organizing Committee. It was then placed in the Lantern, which will transport the flame from one stop of the tour to the next. The first official stop was scheduled for September 23 in Brussels, at the European Parliament, to mark the start of the European Week of Sport #BEACTIVE.
To conclude the International Day of University Sport, a grand celebration called Let’s IDUS took place at Pala Gianni Asti, featuring free admission for all. This event included acrobatic performances, exhibitions, a DJ set, and magical acts, all designed to entertain young people and launch the Volunteer Recruitment Campaign while promoting the CUS Torino Sports Month. The celebration also included the illumination of the Mole Antonelliana with the Torino 2025 FISU Games logo.
