A two-day celebration of active and healthy living for older adults
The Senioriada, organised by the Public Open University Varaždin with the support of the City of Varaždin, brought together numerous pensioners’ associations from across the city for two days of learning, activity, and fun. Designed to promote mental and physical vitality among older adults, the event offered an engaging programme combining information sessions with hands-on sports and recreational activities.
The event forms part of the European Sensyn project, which has, since October 2023, been encouraging older adults to embrace an active and healthy lifestyle through lifelong learning. Key activities so far have included developing a digital collection of good practices and creating a curriculum based on focus group findings. One of the highlights of the project is a series of international gatherings – the Senioriadas – the first of which was hosted in Varaždin, with further events to follow in Murska Sobota (6–7 May), Ptuj (26–27 May), and Samobor (4–5 September).
The Senioriada in Varaždin opened on 15 April 2025 at the Gaj Cinema, with a welcome from Ms Lana Velimirović Vukalović, Director of the Public Open University Varaždin, and Mr Neven Bosilj, Mayor of Varaždin. After their opening speeches, a panel discussion gave project partners the chance to present programmes available to pensioners in their respective cities, with a focus on strategies to reach and engage a wider audience.
Local associations also took the stage to share their activities: the Older Persons’ Club (presented by Ms Milena Klinec), the Drava Nordic Walking Association (Ms Katica Kalajdžija), the Rem-CHI Association (Ms Nataša Remar), the Futur Egzaktni Association (Mr Branimir Mihalinec), and the City of Varaždin Pensioners’ Association (Mr Branko Družinić).
Following the presentations, two inspiring lectures were held: “Health in the Golden Years” by Dr Irena Stipešević Rakamarić, and “Ladies in Historical Costumes” by Ms Vesna Loparić. Thanks to the support of the Red Cross Varaždin, participants could also check their blood sugar levels and blood pressure on site. The evening programme closed with a free screening of the Croatian film classic Who Sings Means No Harm at the Gaj Cinema.
The second day shifted into a lively, sporting spirit at the Graberje Sports Hall. The associations from the first day were joined by the Varaždin Chess Club and the Lagoda Varaždin Disc Golf Club. Activities began with a group warm-up, before participants had the chance to try disc golf, Nordic walking, Qi Gong exercises, traditional folk dances, seated exercises, and chess.
A cheerful and supportive atmosphere filled the hall throughout the morning, with participants enthusiastically joining activities across different groups, encouraging one another along the way. Over 150 participants from Varaždin and the surrounding area took part in the event.
The excellent turnout and high levels of engagement clearly showed that older citizens are not only eager but fully capable of achieving their potential through a variety of activities — and that an active lifestyle is a key factor in maintaining both physical health and mental vitality.
The media coverage of the event:
VTV televizija https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYsXRWOPero
Radio Megaton https://radiomegaton.hr/zapocela-je-seniorijada-dvodnevno-dogadanje-za-varazdinske-umirovljenike/?0caa817cc9532f3768b1cce7492ca182=51
VTV televizija https://www.vtv.hr/vijesti/item/15902-u-varazdinu-otvoren-program-seniorijade-s-raznim-sadrzajima-i-aktivnostima-za-osobe-starije-zivotne-dobi
Grad Varaždin https://varazdin.hr/novosti/zapocela-seniorijada-dvodnevno-dogadanje-varazdinske-umirovljenike-11979/
Varaždinske vijesti https://www.varazdinske-vijesti.hr/drustvo/foto-zapocela-seniorijada-dvodnevno-dogadanje-za-varazdinske-umirovljenike-92304
Aktualno HR https://vzaktualno.hr/u-varazdinu-pocela-seniorijada-koja-je-namijenjena-starijim-sugradanima/
Sjever hr https://sjever.hr/clanak/u-varazdinskom-kinu-gaj-sluzbeno-otvorena-seniorijada
HIA https://www.hia.com.hr/izdvojeno/dogadanja/item/44403-u-varazdinu-se-15-i-16-travnja-odrzava-seniorijada
Varaždinski hr https://varazdinski.net.hr/vijesti/drustvo/13419895/uspjesno-odrzana-seniorijada-u-varazdinu/
VTV televizija https://www.facebook.com/vtvtelevizija/videos/u-organizaciji-pu%C4%8Dkog-otvorenog-u%C4%8Dili%C5%A1ta-vara%C5%BEdin-i-uz-organizacijsku-podr%C5%A1ku-gr/9939262439440165/
Varaždinske vijesti https://www.varazdinske-vijesti.hr/drustvo/foto-uspjesno-odrzana-seniorijada-u-varazdinu-92384
Sjeverni info https://www.sjeverni.info/odrzavanje-mentalne-i-fizicke-vitalnosti-u-fokusu-uspjesno-odrzana-seniorijada-u-varazdinu/
Sjever hr https://sjever.hr/clanak/uspjesno-provedena-seniorijada-u-varazdinu-okupila-preko-250-sudionika
Aktualno hr https://vzaktualno.hr/preko-250-sudionika-na-seniorijadi-u-varazdinu-okusali-se-i-u-raznim-sportovima/














