International Day of Older Persons is a special day for senior citizens around the world. Today around the world there are about 600 million people, whose age is 60 years or more.
In our rapidly aging world, “veterans of life” will increasingly play a decisive role - transferring accumulated experience and knowledge, helping their families. Already, older people make a significant contribution to the development of society. Mature people are a new force for development.
The emergence of the holiday
The most important celebration for all our grandparents is the day of an elderly person. The history of the holiday dates back to the 70s of the last century. The first thoughts on its creation came to the mind of scientists who seriously thought about the aging of the population and the influence of older people on the development of the economy.
In 1982, the First World Assembly was held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, which addressed the problem of aging populations. Representatives from different countries talked about the lives of elderly people and shared experiences with each other. This has become an important issue for national governments, because the social and economic situation of people of respectable age plays an important role in the development of any state, regardless of its location.
The problem of providing veterans with a life of dignity was necessary to solve. The United Nations, of course, could not but support the decision of the assembly, as a result of which the UN General Assembly established: October 1 is the day of an elderly person.
The next assembly took place already in 2002 in Madrid. She not only supported the decision to approve the special Day of the Elderly, but also developed the main provisions of activities aimed at improving the lives of pensioners.
Origin in Russia
But how did the day of an elderly person come to Russia? The history of the holiday, so beloved by the Russians, again, in many respects owes to the decision of the 45th session of the UN General Assembly. On June 1, 1992, the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the Russian Federation decided to support the global initiative. The first day of October was officially recognized as Seniors Day. This holiday has become official not only for other nations, but also for our Fatherland.
Celebration in Russia
Someone may ask: what is this holiday for? Its purpose is to draw public attention to the problems and difficulties of older people. This day is needed so that we do not forget about the great contribution the old people make to the life of the whole society.
On October 1, various events are held and many services are provided, such as free concerts, film screenings, charity evenings, and even sports competitions.
The elderly are provided with material, social and other types of assistance. And all this is done not in vain. Indeed, according to scientists, the average life expectancy has increased by 20 years. And the total number of senior citizens throughout Russia has reached about 20 percent!
The meaning of the holiday
In Russia, the Day of the Elderly is of great importance. The history of the holiday consists of many stages,
But not only Russia cares about the older population. Other countries pay great attention to their retirees. After all, they take part in public life. For example, in Africa, children with AIDS who are left without parents are looked after by their grandparents.
They cannot but be thanked, because they do a lot for us. And in Spain, for example, the care of patients is carried out mainly by the elderly, especially women. In each state, certain traditions began to emerge, and over time, certain traditions were completely established.
Celebrating in other countries
The first countries to celebrate this holiday were the countries of Europe, and then the celebration smoothly passed into the southern countries. Due to its financial capabilities, various events are held on this day in different countries. But still, the main goal remains to encourage older people.
In different countries this holiday has different names. In the USA, for example, this is National Grandparents Day, which means “Grandparents Day”. In China, the “Double Nine Feast,” and in Japan, the “Day of Respect for the Elderly.” But the name of the holiday does not change its essence - in all countries they pay homage to the elderly.
Congratulation
The best gift for our family, of course, would be a congratulation on the Day of an elderly person. The most important thing on this day is to pay attention to your relatives of respectable age. But it will be even better if you add a postcard to the Day of an Elderly to your kind words. It must be remembered that the older generation needs love and care on a daily basis. And if you do not spare the time and make a postcard with your own hands - this will be the best congratulation on the day of an elderly person, which will touch anyone to the core.
There is another option for congratulations - a home concert. This will be a great gift that even small grandchildren can arrange. In order for your concert to become solemn, you can write a beautiful script for the Day of an elderly person and arrange a whole performance. Or do you like to write poetry? So give your grandparents a wonderful poem! And the script for the Day of the elderly is not difficult to make. To do this, you just need a little imagination!
Symbol
It turns out that this holiday even has its own logos. Abroad, it is usually referred to as a globe on a white background. Ears of wheat, as if embracing the globe - this is the cradle. Have you ever wondered why the globe itself is a symbol of such an event as the day of an elderly person? The history of the holiday says that this image symbolizes globality and scale.
In Russia, the logo of this holiday is the palm. The hand has always been a
symbol of kindness, help, reconciliation.
In Russia, the Day of the Elderly is of great importance. The history of the holiday has many annual events, their result is a new look at our senior fellow citizens.