Description
The project addresses the social isolation of the elderly in Lovech Municipality. The project aims at bridging the generation gap at Patriot Club, including the elderly and stimulating the young’s interest in folklore. First, an information campaign will promote the club. Second, the club will be set up. Third, the elderly from all ethnic groups with knowledge of folklore songs will be attracted to share their knowledge. The songs will be recorded, processed, preserved and published. The project partners will share the songs with the community during joint events. The project outcome will be also presented at other local events such as the festival of Bahovitsa Village. The project will benefit the elderly and young people involved and the local community in general. The two partners will help with the collection, recording and arrangement of the songs and dances.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at setting up Patriot Club to overcome social isolation of the elderly and raise children’s interest in local folklore. The project also aimed at boosting tolerance towards the minorities through joint work and contacts with similar groups from other localities and raising awareness about their traditions and folklore. Through their involvement in the activities of the Patriot Club, the representatives of the target groups (the elderly and minorities) felt needed, found a common language and solutions to some issues beyond the project goal. Thus a group of likeminded people was set up without age or ethnic boundaries whose members gather even outside the club to help each other. In addition, local traditions and folklore were gathered and recorded, published in a collection and exhibited. Original performances were presented by the three groups under the project during three concerts. 28 elderly people, 14 minority members and 10 children from the villages of Bahovitsa and Alexandrovo, Lovech District, took part in the project. They were actively involved from the beginning, via the collection of materials to performing on stage and they were very excited and happy with what they did. The project partners were Zornitsa 2010 Community Centre in Lovech and Paisii 1896 Community Centre in the village of Alexandrovo. Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007447142789
Summary of bilateral results