Well-deserved joy and relief spread across the faces of the Luxembourg Darkness Into Light organisers at around 6am on Saturday morning as some 350 walkers returned to the Hall Omnisport in Clausen after a 5km walk around the old town.

The first Darkness Into Light mass group walk since the Luxembourg version of the international event launched in 2019 was an occasion for participants to share stories, meet acquaintances and talk with expert professionals after completing the walk.

The route, marked by candles, stones painted the DiL bright yellow, signs bearing messages of hope, took walkers up the montée de Clausen, around the Corniche (dubbed “the most beautiful balcony in Europe), through the old town and back down into the Grund via the rue Large and montée du Grund before heading back to Clausen via the rue de Treves and rue de la Tour Jacob.

Darkness Into Light Luxembourg co-founder Caoimhe Alliot-Stenson helps out in preparations on the eve of the event. DiL-Dalboyne

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Volunteers hung Darkness Into Light t-shirts around the main venue, the Hall Omnisport in Clausen. DiL-Dalboyne

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The t-shirts were made available to walkers at a reception before the start.  Maison Moderne

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Irish embassy deputy head of mission Teresa Sweeney with DiL’s Lynda Jacob and official photographer Ian Sanderson.  Maison Moderne

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Darkness Into Light Luxembourg chairperson Emma Farrell cut the ribbon to officially start the walk.  Maison Moderne

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Climbing the montée de Clausen before the break of dawn. DiL – Alfonso Salgueiro

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Heading down the rue Large onto the montée de Grund.  Maison Moderne

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Walkers relax with refreshments in the early morning sun after completing the route.  Maison Moderne

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Representatives from local partners include SOS Détresse and D'Ligue’s prevention suicide service and Kanner-Jugendtelefon were on hand after the walk.  Maison Moderne

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The Luxembourg event, which now enjoys the patronage of Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, was initiated by Emma Farrell, Lynda Jacob and Caoimhe Alliot-Stenson. They have been joined by an army of volunteers who assisted in setting up the venue, handing out T-shirts, marking out the walk and acting as stewards along the route, and serving coffee and tea and refreshments after the walk.

Local partners include and and who all had representatives available to offer advice or just talk after the walk. KJT psychologist Aline Hartz revealed that the child and youth helpline had used funds raised by previous Darkness Into Light walks to set up a peer-to-peer hotline manned by teenagers.

Donations can still be made to help the local charities and Piet House in Ireland via the .