“That summer I was going to meet my grandmother. As soon as I saw her, something attracted me to her, and I ran to hug her. And I never moved from that old stone bench next to her rocking chair. “, not only listening to her incredible stories, but also because of the phenomena that were happening around them. Excitedly, at night, I told my parents what my grandmother was doing and telling me. That night, I heard them arguing. Please, said my father, yes.” It’s harmless. We never returned to Galicia.”

This is how “Granny” beginsstory by Chelo Camezel Cabaleiro, which won the prize in the 15th competition “Stories written by older people”, organized by the La Caixa Foundation in collaboration with the National Radio of Spain (RNE) and in collaboration with the newspaper. Vanguard.

The value of experience

The initiative, now in its 15th year, aims to promote the participation of older people, encourage them to write and read, and help spread their skills, knowledge and values ​​throughout the community. The testimonies of some of the winners, collected in a publication created by the La Caixa Foundation on the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the competition, demonstrate the success of the project. As public awareness of ageism as a form of discrimination against people begins to become widespread, stories written by older people represent a wealth of knowledge and experience.

Along with “Grandma,” Gaspar Marquez Gomez’s “Note in the Refrigerator” also received an award in the micro-story category. The jury consists of writers Soledad Puertolas And Fernando Schwartzjournalists Ana Vega ToscanoRNE cultural specialist, and Michael MolinaDeputy Director Vanguard; previous winners Sarah Laura Arnes and Carmen Callado from Albacete and Jesus N. Arroyocorporate director of public relations of the La Caixa Foundation, also awarded second prizes to Aurora Martin Fiz’s short story “Dolores de las entretelas” and the micro-story “El trigger” by author José Ignacio Sagarzas Alberdi.

The main innovation this year was the inclusion of a new podcast category. The winner was 101-year-old Valencian Milagros Castella Llorente, who in the musical play “I Have a Wish” conveys the joy of life of a centenarian who strives to continue doing something every day.

“Let Your Story Flow”

This year, more than 3,500 originals were submitted – 2,416 short stories, 1,062 short stories and 74 podcasts created by people over 60 from all over Spain. Twenty finalists took part in the awards ceremony on October 24, held at the CaixaForum Madrid under the theme “Let your story grow. 15 years of growing stories.” In addition to the handmade trophy created in the workshops Mas Casadevall Foundation for AutismThe winners were given a radio adaptation of their story, broadcast on the RNE program. Together step by stepand an illustration inspired by it. Texts and transcription of the Milagros Castella podcast published in Vanguard and on the website of the La Caixa Foundation.

The texts of the winners and finalists will be included in a book that will be published every two years with a circulation of more than a thousand copies. Additional recognition beyond the content shared at Great Readers writing workshops. These gathering-style reading clubs, set up both in La Caixa Foundation’s own centers and in others organized by administrations throughout Spain, promote communication and rich relationships between their participants. In addition, the Foundation’s senior program “la Caixa” launched a new activity area, “Creativity and Reflection,” this quarter, creating two new workshops: “Podcast Creation” and “Creative Writing” to stimulate creativity. and write in older people. These seminars are held in the Program’s network of centers for older people in agreement with the various Spanish administrations.

In addition, the La Caixa Foundation’s Senior Program published this year a guide to creative writing written by Maria Luisa Fernandez-Miranda, winner of the 2015 short story competition, offering some keys to stimulating the imagination and motivating people to write.

Facing the problems of old age

The La Caixa Foundation’s program for older people, with a history of more than 100 years, has the strategic goal of solving new problems that arise in old age. His current task is to create models based on the “heterogeneity” of older people, promoting their active participation and their role in society, helping them realize their personal project through which they enjoy a fulfilling life and making their interests visible. and desires.

In addition to face-to-face activities, the Foundation’s “la Caixa” program for older people offers online self-study workshops that can be carried out either at home or in the computer rooms of senior centers throughout Spain. These are short, simple learning modules on digital communication, wellbeing and nutrition that stimulate the desire for learning and discovery in older people.

If you would like more information about the next edition of the story competition, as well as the rest of the activities and news of the La Caixa Foundation’s program for older people, please register here.