The Municipality of Vila Verde marked, on October 1st, the International Day of Older Persons with a session held in the Noble Hall of the Paços do Concelho. The event highlighted projects promoting active aging and the work developed for the well-being and social participation of seniors.
At the opening, the Mayor of Vila Verde, Júlia Rodrigues Fernandes, praised the life paths of seniors, their work, and resilience, referring to them as 'white-haired youth' and recognizing their example to society. She emphasized the municipality's commitment to caring for everyone and creating conditions for active and shared aging, thanking the social action services and the Ombudsman for the Elderly, Fátima Peixoto.
The session featured a performance by the Senior Choir, a moment associated with joy and sharing. The initiative also included the recognition of two senior personalities: Maria da Conceição Teixeira Pinheiro Marques da Silva, known as Conceição Pinheiro, for her role in preserving and promoting the Lenços de Namorados and as founder of Aliança Artesanal; and José António da Mota Alves, recognized for his dedication to local culture and his contribution to preserving local knowledge and traditions.
The Mayor highlighted that honoring these personalities represents public recognition of those who worked hard for Vila Verde and helped enhance its heritage and identity. The president of the Commission for the Protection of the Elderly, Eduardo Duque, also spoke, addressing the importance of preserving a culture of memory and respecting the autonomy of older people, warning about the need to adapt society to different generations, particularly in mobility and technology.
The Ombudsman for the Elderly of Vila Verde, Fátima Peixoto, presented the Ombudsman's work in defending the rights and interests of the senior population, emphasizing the importance of support, attention to their needs, and intergenerational connection. The Guide for the Promotion of Active Aging and the 'Projects that Build Community' were presented, including the initiatives Seniores Ativos, Walking Football, Idade Maior, and Voluntariado Sénior.
With this celebration, the Municipality of Vila Verde reaffirmed the importance of valuing seniors' life paths, encouraging their participation, and promoting responses that contribute to active, dignified, and integrated aging within the community.
