Grandparents, Parents, and Youth Step into the 'Silver Hair' Arena of Connection and Sharing

An innovative community project in Ho Chi Minh City has successfully bridged generational divides, bringing together grandparents, parents, and young people for a day of shared activities and mutual understanding. The "Green Trees & Green Leaves - Silver Hair Playground" initiative, co-organized by Cuội Theater and ICS Center with support from the Goethe-Institut, aimed to foster connection through art, health, and community engagement.

The event offered a diverse range of activities designed to appeal to all ages and backgrounds, including Iyengar Yoga, creative drawing sessions, calligraphy, and a space for parents and their LGBTI+ children to share their experiences. A key component was a panel discussion titled "Family is Where it Begins?" featuring parents, children, and psychological experts, alongside a film screening focused on the elderly and memory.

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Each person just did as they pleased, everything happened very randomly but was harmonious and beautiful.

Participants like 34-year-old Nguyen Thi Hang and her 79-year-old grandmother, Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan, found joy in spontaneous creative expression through drawing. "Each person just did as they pleased, everything happened very randomly but was harmonious and beautiful," shared Hang, highlighting the natural connection formed. Xuan noted the program's value in bringing different generations together, finding common ground despite age differences.

Pham Mai Diep and her 13-year-old son, Phuc Nguyen, also cherished the opportunity to reconnect through art. Diep mentioned that busy work schedules often limit quality time with her son, making the drawing session a valuable chance for conversation and understanding. Phuc Nguyen expressed his excitement, stating that such activities provide a welcome break from daily stresses and allow for quality time with his mother.

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Mothers and children have had a rare opportunity to sit and draw and play together like this, I have more opportunities to confide in, understand my child's emotions and thoughts better.