Singer Miguel Ríos and Málaga's mayor, Francisco de la Torre, participated this Sunday in an event organised by Missionaries of Peace to advocate for the active role of older people and raise awareness about unwanted loneliness.
The Málaga Museum hosted an emotional tribute to seniors organised by Missionaries of Peace on the occasion of Grandparents' Day. The event was attended by the founder of the NGO, Father Ángel; Málaga's mayor, Francisco de la Torre; journalist Luis del Olmo, who acted as the announcer; and singer Miguel Ríos as a special guest.
One of the highlights of the day was when Miguel Ríos performed the 'Ode to Joy' dedicated to all the seniors present. The performance underscored how, in the midst of their senior years, one can continue to maintain a fully active and vibrant professional trajectory, demonstrating that experience is valuable and that age is relative.
The central themes of the meeting were the value of affection, the intergenerational transmission of wisdom, and the urgency of combating isolation in old age. Before the event began, Father Ángel and the mayor shared their thoughts, agreeing that society cannot relegate seniors to oblivion and must strengthen the bond between grandparents and young people.
Father Ángel made a direct appeal for empathy and everyday human contact. He reminded everyone that material care or admission to a care home cannot replace emotional needs. “What they want is for you to love them, to kiss them, to hug them, to ask them what their names are,” he emphasised. He also highlighted the unique bond between grandparents and grandchildren and urged young people to listen to and value the experiences of senior generations: “When a grandparent dies, almost a forest dies, a city. A grandparent has so much knowledge, wisdom, courage, and love that we must let them speak and recognise it.”
For his part, Málaga's mayor, Francisco de la Torre, praised the historical contribution of seniors to the progress of society. He highlighted the fundamental role that grandparents play in daily family reconciliation, complementing parents' work thanks to the time they have after retirement. The mayor also called attention to the importance of maintaining a productive economy that supports the welfare system and praised initiatives aimed at providing support to those living alone, noting that it is essential to be proactive in offering companionship against unwanted loneliness.
During the meeting, there was a moment of direct recognition where several attending seniors were honoured with a bouquet of flowers as a symbol of affection and gratitude for their life journey. The presence of children and grandchildren symbolised the family bond that connects the youngest to the oldest. Francisco de la Torre himself was named 'honorary grandparent' during the event.
The event concluded by reaffirming that seniors are a key figure in instilling values such as reliability, trust, and a sense of responsibility. The celebration in Málaga is part of the Missionaries of Peace's efforts, focused on placing the dignity of seniors at the centre of the social agenda.
Among the organisation's most emblematic initiatives is the Golden Phone, a free active listening and companionship service for seniors who feel lonely. The entity also manages residences and day centres that prioritise autonomy, leisure, and social interaction, as well as community housing projects to prevent loneliness by sharing living spaces. This is complemented by awareness campaigns and intergenerational volunteering programmes.
The event in Málaga served to highlight that old age can be an active and vibrant stage of life, and to remind everyone of the importance of affection and companionship in the lives of older people.
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