On 23 and 24 October, the Verbum Museum in Vigo will be the venue for the inaugural Silver Expo Vigo, an event dedicated to active longevity aimed at individuals aged over 50. The local government, Concello de Vigo, has announced that this free event is designed for the city's significant senior population, which exceeds 135,000 residents, representing 26% of Galicia's demographic.
The initiative seeks to transform the challenges of an ageing population into strategic opportunities. During the event's presentation, the mayor emphasised the importance of supporting older adults, highlighting the need for continuous activities and ongoing initiatives. The Concello provides support through grants and workshops to enhance the lives of senior citizens.
Among those present at the announcement were Yolanda Aguiar, the councillor for Social Policy and Citizen Participation, and Raquel Robledo, director of Silver Expo Vigo. Robledo expressed gratitude for the mayor's commitment to social policies benefiting older adults and described the expo as a “dynamic, practical, and inspiring meeting point for living maturity with autonomy, well-being, health, and inclusion.”
Event programme
Friday, 23 October
- Institutional opening (10:15): Featuring councillor Yolanda Aguiar, representatives from the Pontevedra Provincial Council, and Raquel Robledo, moderated by Chus Torres.
- Debate panel (10:30): “Strategies and interventions against unwanted loneliness,” with participation from Yolanda Aguiar and representatives from Grandes Amigos.
- Practical workshop (11:15-12:15): “Brain Gym” led by ATEGAL Vigo’s coordinator, Macarena Alonso.
- Practical workshop (11:15-11:45): “Rhythm and movement,” coordinated by the Concello de Vigo with Nair.
- Technology presentations (11:20-12:10): Covering social robotics in health and senior geolocation.
- Sectoral panel (12:10-13:00): Supported housing discussion with Ana Pardo Fernández.
- Experiential workshop (12:20-13:00): “Sound, a refuge for the soul,” facilitated by sound therapist Ana González Vázquez.
- Afternoon session (16:00-18:00): Book presentation “It’s not the age, it’s the desire” by author Carmen Álvarez Basso.
Saturday, 24 October
- Welcome (11:00): With Raquel Robledo and Carmen Álvarez Basso.
- Health presentation (11:15): “Cardiovascular risk in mid-life,” by Dr Elisa Blanco González.
- Experiential workshop (12:00-13:00): “A journey through sound within, where silence also has a voice,” led by Ana González Vázquez.
- Round table (12:30-13:00): “Learning at any age: Education, well-being, and inclusion in maturity,” featuring Víctor M. González Sánchez (director of UNED Pontevedra) and Iris Machado de Oliveira (coordinator of the University of Vigo’s Senior Programme).
