The Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Natalia Chechina greeted the audience on behalf of the Government of St. Petersburg and Governor Aleksandr Beglov.

“This large-scale and socially significant event is being held in our city for the 16th time. This means that we have accumulated a wealth of experience in solving problems and improving the quality of life of the older generation. New forms of work are emerging,” she noted.

Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Oleg Ergashev supported his colleague, emphasizing the significance of the forum that originated as a regional one, but now is increasingly developing the federal agenda.

“The Social Policy Committee of St. Petersburg played a major role in the creation and development of the project,” recalled deputy of the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg Aleksandr Rzhanenkov.

Chairman of the Council of the St. Petersburg public organization of veterans (retired, disabled) of war, labour, armed forces and law enforcement agencies Vasily Tikhonovich Volobuev thanked the city authorities for their tireless attention to the problems of people of the “silver” age.

The head of the VTB retail sales department in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region Aleksandr Vyalkov admired the good spirits and excellent physical shape of the participants and visitors of the “Senior Generation”, wished them health and financial well-being.

In addition, the ceremony was attended by the Manager of the Department of the Pension and Social Insurance Fund of Russia for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, Konstantin Ostrovsky and Aleksandr Rozanov, Assistant Director for Regional Development and Federal Projects of the Russian Clinical and Research Center of Gerontology of the Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Russia. Rozanov noted that gerontologists are precisely those specialists who unite all generations in their work to ensure that the longevity of the country’s residents is active.

The ceremony was concluded by Sergey Voronkov: “The older generation is now the locomotive that moves the society. People of this age accumulate optimism, energy and experience, which ensure the right focus in life”. He also noted that at the site of one of the largest specialized events in Russia, visitors will be able to receive social services, consultations from government authorities and government agencies in St. Petersburg, and learn about employment opportunities at the job fair.

Over 100 exhibitors will present products and services to maintain health and active longevity. The congress program will include more than 20 thematic events for social and medical workers, volunteers, and government officials.

At the “Active Longevity” festival there will be a competition of elegant age dancers, a tournament “What? Where? When?”, competitions in recreational gymnastics. There will be a GTO site, workshops on arts and crafts, educational lectures and quizzes, a fashion show of “silver age” models and performances by creative groups.

The XVI International Forum “Senior Generation” will finish its work at Expoforum on October 13.