On September 21, 2016, the Evangelical School of Theology Educational Center presented a one day event dedicated to seniors. There was a popular science conference and a theatrical performance, which attracted many participants and spectators.
This was the first conference on seniors at EST. This is a very topical subject, linked with demographic data, indicating the aging of the population, both in Poland and in the world. The subject of conference was connected with the latest issue of the scientific journal published by the EST Theologica Wratislaviensia – “Views of old age: Interdisciplinary gerontological studies .”
Dr. Sebastian Smolarz, editor of the aforementioned ThWr and conference organizer emphasized that, “Over several thousand years of history have been recorded in various statements and attitudes towards old age. We as a society come to measure again this issue for reasons of demography and statistics, which show that in a few decades, every third Pole will be 60+. Old age will inevitably become more and more popular. Who knows, maybe we are still at the beginning of the discourse on this issue.”
The introductory lecture was delivered by Prof. Dr. Adam Zych from the University of Lower Silesia. He discussed a number of issues related to late adulthood – from theology, through art, social activities, forms of care to the importance of the relationship with other human beings and pets.
The participants included seniors and also young academics and students of universities of the Third Age, who were given the opportunity to become acquainted with the results of current research in the field of social gerontology and to learn about various activities from the seniors themselves.
The conference was praised by both lecturers and participants, who emphasized the high professional level and timeliness of the topics discussed. There was no shortage of questions and lively discussions on the presentations, as well as other issues related to everyday life of seniors in Poland. After the conference, a representative of the Wroclaw Senior Center, Dr. Valentin Wnuk, invited participants to the Wroclaw Senior Days. The discussions continued during dinner.
Early in the evening, EST again filled with guests for the comedy show “Forever Young “, the story of a married couple who is trying to “stop time” using the methods found in the popular press, the Internet and from friends. There was much laughter but also reflections and associations with real situations in the lives of viewers.
We are grateful to everyone who made the day dedicated to seniors so successful. We are particularly grateful to the speakers who not only accepted our invitation to the conference, but also prepared very interesting and encouraging reflections and discussion topics. We look forward to continuing to work on projects like this at EST.
We also thank the participants of all events, especially those who frequently attend other meetings at EST.