Grandchildren and children are urged to invite the grandparents to theater within a campaign that forms part of the Social Program “60 plus” launched on December 14. The campaign “Come to the theater with grandparents”, which is just one of the planned activities, is organized in partnership with the National Theater “Mihai Eminescu”. Thus, during a month the visitors will get a free ticket for each ticket purchased to the Theater’s plays when presenting the pensioner’s permit of one of the grandparents or parents older than 60.
Director of the Social Program “60 plus” Anastasia Primov, in a news conference at IPN, said the program is intended for three generations – grandchildren, children and parents or grandparents. The young woman noted that the idea appeared two years ago, when her father retired. “When my father retired, I, being the child of a parent who is always young, understood that I also retired because we are one and because a very big change occurs in life when the people do not go to work. Their phones ring less frequently and there are fewer social occasions for meeting younger people or be more visible,” said the Program’s director.
Anastasia Primov noted it is very important for these persons to feel supported and the program aims to encourage persons older than 60 to put their experience and knowledge to good use so as to lead a more active lifestyle and be deservedly appreciated.
There was also launched the platform online 60plus.md. The website contains photo and video projects, articles, interviews, features and analyses on different issues of interest to elderly people and to children and grandchildren. Employers are urged to make job offers for persons older than 60 who will be placed on the website, while NGOs are requested to formulate volunteering offers for this age category.
The first event of the program – the campaign “Come to the theater with grandparents” – starts on December 14. Director of the National Theater “Mihai Eminescu” Petru Hadirca said that during the seasons he saw that the elderly people more often come to the theater than people of other age categories. “The entire staff of the Theater welcomed this idea and we hope it will produce results. When we see persons older than 60 in the hall, we are happier and more proud and bow before them,” stated Petru Hadarca.
The costs for the 400 tickets provided free are covered by a pharmaceutical company. The company’s director Vasile Cazacu said that as a doctor and as the director of a company that produces medicines, he believes in the efficiency of pharmaceutical therapy, but the patients also need support, attention and care besides medicines.
People’s artist and university teacher Tamara Berzoi told the same news conference that it is not easy to accept retirement after working long and being active. When she retired, she was lucky to be invited to take part in different projects, but remembers well how difficult this period was for her husband. She said it is very important to engage the elderly people in different activities, especially alongside other generations. Such moments as going to the theater bring the generations closer to each other and create opportunities for communicating more.
The Program “60 plus” will also include public events and awareness-raising campaigns that will contribute to the social inclusion of this group of people and will strengthen communication between generations.
The Social Program “60 plus” is implemented with financial support from the U.S. Department of State.
