The mayor of Benalmádena, Juan Antonio Lara, inaugurated the IX Week of Older People, which runs until October 4 with cultural, educational, and social activities. The mayor announced a new contract for active ageing workshops with 6,200 annual hours and a budget of nearly 200,000 euros.
The Casa de la Cultura de Benalmádena hosted the inaugural event of the IX Week of Older People this Monday, an event that extends until October 4 with a programme of cultural, educational, and social activities. The mayor, Juan Antonio Lara, presided over the event accompanied by the councillor for the Elderly, María Luisa Robles, and representatives from the municipality's senior centres.
During his speech, the mayor thanked the work carried out throughout the year by the centres Anica Torres, Silvestre González, Carola, and Doña Gloria, as well as the dedication of their boards and volunteers.
“This week is yours,”he conveyed to the attendees, before noting that the activities have been designed for enjoyment, connection, and sharing.
Lara highlighted the contribution of generations of Benalmádena residents who have worked for decades to build the current municipality and the role they continue to play in their families, neighbourhoods, and in the social life of Benalmádena.
The mayor read the manifesto on the occasion of the International Day of Older Persons, which this year is celebrated under the theme “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for a Longer Life”. The text emphasizes that the increase in life expectancy must be accompanied by well-being, autonomy, security, care, and dignity, and advocates for a society where older people can continue to participate, learn, and make their own decisions.
Regarding municipal policies, the mayor reviewed the main measures promoted by the City Council. Among them is an increase of 583.5 hours in active ageing workshops and the work on a new contract that will allow for 6,200 annual hours of activities, with a budget close to 200,000 euros per year.
These initiatives are complemented by a new application to facilitate registrations and improve communication with the centres, an increase in trips and excursions, and the expansion of the traditional Christmas lunch, which goes from 600 to 915 participants.
“We want better centres, but above all, we want no older person in Benalmádena to feel alone,”affirmed the mayor, who highlighted these spaces as fundamental places for coexistence, friendship, learning, and participation.
The week's programme includes poetry, music, performances by the users themselves, activities to care for memory, training against new digital scams, historical photographs of Benalmádena, and the solidarity catwalk “Hearts in Motion”.
One of the new features of this edition will be the joint tribute that will bring together users from the four centres for the first time. The event will take place on Saturday, October 3 at the Hotel Alay, with a day of coexistence for 300 people.
The inaugural day concluded with the screening of the documentary “Gente Grande”, directed by Javier Gómez Bello.
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