Kuldiga seniors’ school starts new year with activities and travel plans

The new academic year has begun at Kuldiga Seniors’ School, one of Latvia’s largest and strongest organisations for people of retirement age, LSM reported. The school has prepared a programme of exercise sessions, language classes and other activities, including preparations for a trip to the Vienna State Opera.

Founder Ruta Orlova has led the school for seven years. She presented the new season’s programme during an introductory session lasting more than an hour.

Orlova said the organisation regularly receives funding from the Rural Support Service, the Society Integration Foundation and the Boris and Inara Teterev Foundation. Through this support, the school helps seniors working in allotment gardens by providing tools, fertiliser, seeds, seedlings and supplies for preserving food.

Senior school representative Inara Uzulena said the organisation was initially formed by retired teachers who still wanted to learn. She said she preferred structured classes with defined goals rather than informal activities. She gave the example of a German-language group whose members studied together before travelling to Berlin in the spring, prompting her to join despite not knowing German.

About 200 people take part in Kuldiga Seniors’ School. At least 20 people, mostly women, are actively involved in organising events. Men participate in activities that include political discussions and English classes, while women make up the majority of participants.