Liepāja urges seniors to join activities and leave shyness behind

Liepāja is encouraging its pensioners to take part in activities at two senior centres, where around 100 people regularly attend, LSM reports. The centres offer opportunities to learn skills, stay active and socialise.

The Latvian city has around 15,000 pensioners. Activities at the centres are free or require a small contribution and include dancing, exercise, singing and board games. Nordic walking is a newer option, with no limit on the number of participants.

At a celebration at one centre, members of the Kurzemīte choir performed for visitors. Gunta, who is in her 88th year, said singing had helped her through the loss of two partners and her son. After one partner died in an accident, she developed asthma and was unable to sing for 10 years.

Daina, 75, worked in medicine throughout her career and gave up knitting because of health problems. Despite having suffered a serious illness, she regularly attends dance classes. She said physical activity was important with any illness, and added that she hoped more men would join in.

Senior activities coordinator Diāna Meijere said people who were unsure could come to the centre simply to look around at first. She encouraged seniors not to feel embarrassed about trying the activities. Liepāja Social Service deputy head Ainārs Bunka said the service was ready to welcome them every day.