Educational event involving elderly people, students organised by Active Ageing Ministry

The Active Ageing Ministry has organised an intergenerational event involving elderly people and sixth-form students from Gozo.

Minister Jo Etienne Abela said that the event was divided into three parts, and it was a collaboration between the ministry, IlĦaġar Museum, Sir M.A. Refalo Sixth-Form and Heritage Malta.

The theme of the project was : “Museum Connections : A Creative Journey Across Generations.”

The session began with art teacher, Mario Cassar, explaining to elderly people how to analyse works of art.

The elderly people who attended chose one work of art from the museum, and wrote a detailed description of it.

The students present then had to replicate the work of art, as based on the description that the elderly person gave.

Then the elderly participants and the students discussed the artwork that the students had painted, and compared and contrasted this artwork with the artwork in the museum.

Later on, the elderly participants and students studying history were invited to visit the Ġgantija temples, and also discuss the themes related to the historical place.

Abela said that these projects have several benefits for both the elderly and the youth.

He added that these programs help to strengthen unity and solidarity in the community between generations.

This helps to reduce loneliness, he said, which has a positive effect on both the health and the quality of life of the elderly.

“We would like to foster a sense of social responsibility in our communities and art, culture and sport are just a few means to reach this goal”, Abela said.