I. Metshin: "It is important to hear the wishes of our pensioners on the project “Zhiznelub”

(KZN.RU, January 15, Ekaterina Vislavskaya). The Day of Zhiznelub will be celebrated in Kazan in the spring. The holiday is planned to be established within the framework of the social project for the elderly “Zhiznelub”. Today during the Business Monday, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, instructed to include it in the work plan for 2018 and cover the maximum number of elderly citizens with the activities.

The idea to organize such a holiday belongs to the Kazan citizens. According to Azat Abzalov, the head of the Kazan Department of Culture, the Day of Zhiznelub will differ from the Day of the Elderly People.

“There is a need and a certain interest in this holiday, indeed. Zhiznelubs (Rus. “live-lovers”) are the category of people who come not just for creativity but to conduct intellectual and cultural leisure in a good mood”, he explained. “This should become a kind of forum for them, where they could exchange their talents, skills, what they have learned and what they can do. Because the key goal of the “Zhiznelub” movement is an involvement in cultural life, an involvement of elderly as moderators, lecturers, and participants in various spheres”.

The holiday will be celebrated in the spring, the date has not yet been determined. Now the format of the celebration and the plan of events are being worked out. Ideas are accepted by the hotline: (843) 236-42-93.

Azat Abzalov said that the Minister Elmira Zaripova expressed interest in replicating the experience of Kazan across the country at a meeting of the collegium of the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Social Protection of the RT on January 12.

The social project “Zhiznelub” for pensioners started in December 2016. Clubs of interests for the elderly were opened in all districts of the city.

“A year of work is actually a test mode. It showed a lot: the demand of this project for the older generation and the need for its further development. It is important to continue this work and to hear our respected pensioners and their wishes”, said the Mayor of Kazan.

I. Metshin instructed heads of structural units and heads of districts’ administrations to include the activities of the project “Zhiznelub” in the work plan for 2018 as a separate task and the most important direction.

“We heard from the report that about 40 thousand people came to the events during the year. This is a good number but we have about 300 thousand pensioners. I would very much like to see the number of people willing to show their creative abilities grow. So, we have a work to do and we must develop”, concluded the mayor.

For reference

Clubs on the interests “Zhiznelub” within the framework of the social project work free of charge in 14 municipal houses of culture, 2 libraries, and in parks and squares during summer. The network of institutions will expand. Today, more than 5 thousand people are permanent members of the club, and the most popular directions are dancing and a healthy lifestyle.