Senior Citizens Rock On Stage At Elders’ Fest In Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Senior citizens showcased their talents in various performing arts that they learnt through online classes during COVID pandemic at the Elders’ Fest.

The 4th Elders’ Fest organised by Silver Age Foundation for Elders as part of the Healthy Aging programme was held at Mother’s Public School here on Sunday.

A total of 33 members of the Foundation performed a group song, play “Baramaja”, Odissi dance, music on keyboard, group dance and rhythmic yoga. A fine art exhibition was also on display.

After the relaxation of restrictions that were imposed for COVID, the foundation members rehearsed for two weeks for the big day, said the members who performed on stage after a gap of two years.

In 2020 and 2021, Elders’ Fest was held virtually. A fashion show and ramp walk was a big draw in 2019, when the first Elders’ Fest was held.

In the coming years, Silver Age Foundation proposes to expand Elders’ Fest to include other forms of art and make it for whole of Odisha. Senior Citizen Associations from different cities of the state will be invited to participate, stated the organisers.

Elders’ Fest is celebrated as part of United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing which has been declared for the period 2021-2030.

Silver Age Foundation works exclusively for the wellbeing of senior citizens. All its members are senior citizens who are taking various hobby classes like dance, karaoke singing, Hindustani classical music, yoga, painting, theatre etc. to keep themselves active. It works on various senior citizen issues and runs classes for digital and smart phone use, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, financial and legal awareness, better health and quality of life.

The Foundation has about 120 members from across India. During COVID, the Foundation was helpful for several senior citizens by providing relief and helping them to come out of loneliness.