Organised by the Virovitica-Podravje Association of Retirees, and under the patronage of the Virovitica-Podravje County and the City of Virovitica, the International Day of Older Persons was celebrated with a diverse programme on the promenade outside the Petar Preradović Gymnasium in Virovitica. The event featured more than 300 retirees from 16 local associations, with retired Croatian veterans joining for the second time.
The programme began with greetings and cultural performances, including a performance by a folk group featuring a selection of Slavonian songs and dances, as well as recitals by retired poets. Artist, poet, and musician Boris Bagarić performed his song 'I am a Slavonian', while the Suhopolje Association of Retirees performed to the South African hit 'Jerusalema'. The event's host, Trpimir Markotić, welcomed the attendees.
The president of the Virovitica-Podravje Association of Retirees, Antun Han, addressed the audience, noting that this is the sixth year they have celebrated the International Day of Older Persons, and that the celebrations would not be limited to just that day. He announced that the day would be marked by various activities throughout the month. The mayor of Virovitica, Ivica Kirin, spoke, stating that retirees are the 'soul' of the city and the county, while the county governor, Igor Andrić, highlighted that the location, the Petar Preradović Gymnasium, was symbolic.
Over the course of three months, from June to August, the second edition of the Virovitica Retirees' Sports League was held under the motto 'Reach the 100th'. Retirees from nine out of eleven associations operating in Virovitica took part. The team from Golo Brdo won in five rounds, while Sveti Đurađ was the best in four, so the trophy went to Golo Brdo for the second time. The trophy was presented jointly by county governor Igor Andrić and mayor Ivica Kirin. Retirees also participated in various competitions in traditional games, including horseshoes, rolling rings, and carrying a basket on the head, as well as a hanging bowling game.
From 18:30, a mass for the elderly was held in the local parish church of St. Roqu, during which the sacrament of the anointing of the sick was also administered.
The day was also marked elsewhere in Croatia. The Zagreb County Police Department and the Zagreb County Health Institute's Zagrebačka ispostava marked the day with preventive activities, with citizens having the opportunity to have their blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and body mass index measured by the paramedic service, and to receive health advice. Police officers provided useful information on self-protection. The police directorate launched a national project, 'Protection of Older Persons', with a particular focus on preventing fraud, violence, and ensuring safe internet use.
The Šibice Retirees' Association held their traditional gathering for 'birthday' members, that is, members over the age of 80, and couples married for 50 years or more. The association's president, Mirjana Katarinčić, expressed her satisfaction that they had successfully gathered a large number of people and presented them with modest gifts. The head of the Department of Social Affairs, Sandra Sabo, delivered a greeting on behalf of the city of Zaprešić.
In Petrinja, the local retirees' association and the Petrinja Retirees' Club, in collaboration with other social organisations, organised a day of events for the International Day of Older Persons. The programme began in the morning at the Fairground with a preventive health action measuring blood pressure and blood sugar, organised in cooperation with the Petrinja Red Cross. After the measurements, there was a gathering at the Retirees' Club. The club's premises were secured by the City of Petrinja last year, following a proposal by the Committee for Older Persons, established in 2024. To furnish the club, the city, in cooperation with SPK 'Petrinia', organised a donor's ball, and the Petrinja, Glina and Topusko Hairdressers and Beauticians Guild, the Sisak County Chamber of the Croatian Chamber of Economy, and the Belona shop also contributed to the fundraising. Reza Krolo, the president of the local association, is celebrating her birthday and name day on the same day as the International Day of Older Persons. The club operates daily from Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 12 pm, when there are enough volunteers, while the association has opening hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 12. Last week, two new members joined the association.
By decision of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Day of Older Persons has been celebrated every year on 1 October since 1991. The General Assembly declared the day in December 1990, and Croatia joined the initiative in 1991. The aim of the celebration is to highlight the situation of older people, and to thank them for their contributions to society, while also reminding society of the need to improve the quality of life for older people and to prevent their isolation and marginalisation in society. This year, the International Day of Older Persons is celebrated under the theme 'The Age of Longevity: Adapting Society to Longer Life'.
