Intergenerational meetings at U3A

From March to May 2022, five intergenerational meetings were held at the University of the Third Age at the University of Wrocław. During the meetings students – participants of journalism and literary workshops conducted by Magda Wieteska, educator, journalist, and writer, read their own book to second and third–grade students from Primary School No. 90 at ul. Orzechowa.

The meetings were held in a nice, artistic, and cheerful atmosphere, integrating both generations. The program of each meeting also included competitions with prizes and a musical break led by U3A students.

Seniors, students of the University of the Third Age at the University of Wrocław, who participated in journalism and literary workshops conducted by mgr Magda Wieteska, educator, journalist, and writer, wrote a book for children “My friend smartphone” (publishing house: Wrocławskie Centrum Rozwoju Społecznego, Wrocław 2019). During the last meeting, seniors from U3A read excerpts from the book to children.

“My friend smartphone” is addressed to children of early school age and breaks the stereotype of the smartphone as a time-eater. The book tells the story of the adventures of two friends – Jaś and Małgosia, and Fonik and Fonka – ghosts who want to get children out of the phone screens. Young readers will find in the novel the “smartphone” world they know but in a slightly different edition. It is a reading with an educational message and most of the action takes place in Wrocław. The heroes wander the streets of Wrocław and learn about Wrocław’s monuments, interesting places, and tourist attractions of the capital of Lower Silesia. They also visit the University of the Third Age in Wrocław. What is more, they have the opportunity to get to know the already forgotten, and once very popular, outdoor games and acquire the skills that their parents and grandparents acquired in childhood.

Illustrations for the novel were made by children and grandchildren of the authors and students from Primary School No. 118 in Wrocław.

Translated by Milena Topolska (student of English Studies at the University of Wrocław) as part of the translation practice.