The project «Local Active Ageing and Creativity of Elderly People»was
funded with the support of the European Union under the Programme
"Europe for Citizens"
Applicable to the Action 1, Measure 1.1
"Town Twinning Citizens' Meetings”
With support of the “Europe for Citizens” Program, the Municipality of Újbuda organized an ambitious meeting with participation of its twin
cities (Ada, Marosvásárhely, Nádszeg, Praha 5, Trogir and Ustron). The meeting consisted of two parts: cultural performances by invited
elderly people’s amateur artistic groups for communities of elderly people living in Újbuda on one side and presentations by the invited
delegations about how the local municipalities they represent are contributing in strong cooperation with local communities to improving the
living conditions of the local “60+” citizens.
The performances of the artists’ groups have given us the chance to get an deeper insight into the various forms of the activities of the
amateur arts. In the light of the cultures represented by the invited countries, the participants and spectators have learned more about the
valuable traditions, folk dance and special music world of the elderly people. The performed genres have sufficiently reflected the cultural
variety of the participating countries. An exhibition with the amateur artistic materials created by invited citizens was also arranged specially
for this meeting in order to demonstrate the cultural variety of the nations. At the end of the cultural meeting all the groups and delegations
have sung in their national languages the “Ode to Joy” by Beethoven, the “Anthem of Europe”.
The delegations have presented an overview about the daily activities of their local seniors’ communities. They have also presented those
services and infrastructural facilities that are offered by the local municipality towards elderly people as contribution to creating the local
conditions for active years over 60. We have learned the general roles and measures of the local municipalities in promoting elderly issues.
All the delegations shared the common view that institutionalized frames are necessary to make the highest contribution to the activities of
the self – organizations of local elderly citizens’ communities. To strengthen this recognition, all the participating cities have undersigned a
declaration to promote mutual experience exchange in elderly issues in the upcoming years.
The Újbuda “60+” Program – which has a good reputation at European level - was also presented to the invited participants. This Program is
considered as an unique Program operated by the Municipality of Újbuda in offering special and tailor-made services beyond the legally
obligations to local elderly citizens over 60 years.
At the meeting we have followed the presentation of Asztalosné Erika Zupcsán (Deputy of State Secretary). She highlighted the importance
of the human relationships between generations, as well as summarized the Hungarian experiences from the “Year for Active Ageing and
Solidarity between Generations (2012)”. She told much about the economic value represented by elderly generations, and gave a short
overview about the annual objectives set in the Hungarian Elderly Policy.
Participating cities (country, Nr. of invited citizens and delegations): Ada (Serbia, 11 participants), Marosvásárhely (Romania, 31
participants), Nádszeg (Slovakia, 20 participants), Praha 5 (Czech Republic, 17 participants), Trogir (Croatia, 18 participants) and Ustron
(Poland, 24 participants)
Location/ Dates: the events took place in Újbuda (Hungary) from 20th of March to 24th of March, 2014
Short description:
20th of March, 2014: Arrival at the accommodation (Hotel Bara), “greet and meet”, collecting exhibition material, dinner
21st of March, 2014 (a.m.): conference 1 (Újbuda General Assembly Room): presentations by the delegations on the following current
elderly issues: “experiences from the “Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations (2012)”; annual objectives of the
Hungarian Elderly Policy; “Ways to make Ageing Better”; role of EU funds in elderly issues; presentations by the delegations on local elderly
policies and actions (Marosvásárhely, Ustron); undersigning the Memorandum by the participating cities.
21st of March, 2014 (p.m.): workshops: presentation of the local senior volunteers’ groups (Bölcső Street “60+” Programme Centre); film
screening and exhibition (Őrmező Community Centre); performances by the invited amateur artists’ groups for local senior citizens
(Gazdagrét Community Centre and Albertfalva Community Centre)
22nd of March, 2014 (a.m.): conference 2 (Újbuda General Assembly Room): presentations by the delegations on local elderly policies and
actions (Praha 5, Trogir, Ada and Nádszeg); closing speech by Mrs. Győrffyné Ilona Molnár
22nd of March, 2014 (p.m.): cultural gala with performances by the invited amateur artists’ groups (Hall of Szent Margit Secondary School;
H-1113 Villányi street 5-7.): Czantoria Folk Group (Ustron), Kud Kvadrilja (Trogir), Marietta (Praha 5), Zsálya Women Chorus (Nádszeg);
Vártemplom Psalmus Chorus (Marosvásárhely); Kelenvölgy Men Chorus and Gesualdo Chorus (both from Újbuda)
23rd of March, 2014 (a.m.): evaluation of the cultural meeting (Hotel Bara) and Sunday Celebration in the Szent Imre Church with
performance by Vártemplom Psalmus Chorus