English, dancing and those with experience: Moscow’s Longevity project

The number of people who have joined the Moscow Longevity project has now exceeded 130,000, said Acting First Deputy Head of the Moscow Department of Labour and Social Protection Olga Gracheva.

“Today, over 130,000 senior citizens have joined the Moscow Longevity project. The average age is 67 years and eight months,” she pointed out. “We also have somebody who’s 101 too. She’ll turn 102 on 16 October. She lives in the Savelovsky District. She took part in the social services programme called ‘It’s great to live’ that was organized by the social services centre.”

The most senior when it comes to the men is a former doctor of technical sciences who is 95. He’s from the Sokol District and goes to computer classes.

The project interests primarily Muscovites aged between 60 and 65 (almost 23 percent), and between 65 and 70 (22.5 percent). Muscovites below 60 amount to 18.3 percent while people from 70 to 75 total 17 percent. The 75 and 80 year olds (11.9 percent) and 80 and beyond (7.9 percent) all go to various classes.

Usually the senior citizens choose courses on IT (18.2 percent) and English (11.8 percent), as well as sports (11.7 percent). Keep fit and Zumba and other sorts of dancing are also popular. Over 17,000 senior citizens go to computer classes, and more than 11,000 study English.

Olga Gracheva said the main job is to make all the classes available all through Moscow whatever the district might be.

“This allows people to spend as little time as possible traveling from A to B and also lets them take full advantage of all the projects,” she explained.

What’s key here is that these people do not just limit themselves to one hobby. Thus, 11,440 senior citizens in Moscow take part in two types of activities and another 4,492 people find time for even three.

The Moscow Longevity hotline has received 52,000 messages since the start of the project. Consultations are given daily from 8 am to 8 pm on +7 (495) 221-02-82.

“All these messages certainly show that this project is much in demand with senior citizens,” Olga Gracheva noted.

Project records

Senior citizens are taking an active part in city activities, demonstrating their achievements and even breaking records.

Thus, in Sokolniki Park they joined the Zumba Gold 10 hour-long marathon. This was the biggest flash mob in Russia and the world: 1,077 people danced simultaneously. In Izmailovsky Park 1,050 participants in the Moscow Longevity Project made it into the Russian Book of Records by attending the largest class of Chi Kung .

Hundreds of men were vying for the title of Moscow’s Super Grandpa in Kuzminki Park in August and made Russia’s longest plait from wheat ears. It was 1,177 m long.

The most charming participant in the project was chosen in Zaryadye Park in September. At Spartak Stadium people set a record in the number of singers in one choir. And over 27,000 senior citizens joined a karaoke show.

Nordic walking competitions will take place from 11 am to 5 pm on 29 September in the Mitino landscape park. They will also make it to the Russian Book of Records as the biggest group of Nordic walkers.​

Not too late for a hobby

Moscow Longevity is a project of the Moscow Mayor for senior citizens in the city. Hobby groups are organised for them in every district. They can choose dancing, handicrafts, painting, sports or singing to mention just a few. About 2,500 venues have been placed at the disposal of the participants and over 15,000 groups organised.

In addition to this, senior citizens in Moscow can become students at the Silver University. Over 8,000 people have already applied to study there this year. The Silver University is expected to enroll 9,000 people.

It is very easy to join the project. The only thing required is to go to any social services centre with a passport, an insurance number of the individual ledger account plus a Moscow social card. It is also possible to register for the project during the classes which take place in the parks.