14/06/2025
✨ An exciting experience during the WALK & TALK project was our meeting with an inspiring group of ladies aged between 65 and 90, who train regularly in the Tsar Simeon Garden park in Plovdiv. Under the shade of leafy century-old trees, we were greeted by smiling and energetic women, ready to happily share their daily lives with guests from Italy, North Macedonia and France — partner organizations in the project and friends from the Courage Foundation
Together we held toning gymnastics according to the Norbekov system – a meeting filled with smiles, warm emotions and inspiration. It proved that age is not an obstacle to feeling happy, active and satisfied with life.
👟 The informal gymnastics group for women of retirement age is a true role model and shows how an active lifestyle can be part of everyday life, regardless of age.
Interesting facts about them:
➡️ The group has about 50 women who gather for morning gymnastics from Monday to Friday. Everyone joins on their preferred days, with usually between 20 and 25 ladies participating daily.
➡️ The instructors are part of the group itself – little Sofia and big Sofia, who is 84 years old!
➡️ There is no upper age limit – the oldest participant is 91 years old.
➡️ For them, sport is a means of maintaining physical, mental and emotional health.
➡️ The social aspect is also extremely valuable – after gymnastics, the women sing and gather for a well-deserved coffee in a nearby establishment. This communication creates a sense of belonging and support and helps them not to feel isolated, but valued and connected to the present.
🌿 Old age is not a burden – it is a beautiful continuation of an active and fulfilling life.
