On December 11, a unique for Ukraine book "To Live. Understanding Kyiv” was presented at the Column Hall of Kyiv City State Administration. Its authors were old residents of the capital city, who shared their memories of Kyiv in 30-90-s of the last century. The event was supported by the Department of Culture of Kyiv City State Administration and the Red Cross Society of Podil District in Kyiv.
The idea was sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Company Farmak. Thus, Farmak aims to support and involve lonely elderly people deprived of attention and care. Moreover, the book allowed them to share their experience to the younger generation and to feel needed.
"We believe that involvement of the elderly in social life is extremely important for their health. It is commonly known that socially active elderly, who raise the grandchildren, thus having the favorite pastime, look younger and feel healthier. Lonely, separated old people usually die earlier because of a sense of loneliness and uselessness, – says Filya Zhebrovska, Chief Executive Officer of Farmak JSC. – Moreover, the preservation of cultural heritage and adoption of valuable life experience of older people is useful for the development of society as a whole. "
The event attracted many people concerned, including Kyiv centenarians. Among guests, there were honorable persons: representatives of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Kyiv City State Administration and other government agencies, international governmental and non-governmental organizations, ambassadors of foreign countries, as well as public and cultural figures.
Also, during the presentation they conducted a charity sale of the complimentary copy of the book "To Live. Understanding Kyiv” with a special cover, signed by authors and reviewers – Ada Rogovtseva, an actress, Ivan Drach, poet and public figure, Filya Zhebrovska, Chief Executive Officer of Farmak JSC, Tatiana Goenka, Chairman of the Red Cross Society of Podil District in Kyiv, and Diana Popova, Director of the Department of Culture of the KSCA. In addition, the bidders received 6 more lots from the project participants and cultural figures of the capital. Before bidding, Olga Bohomolets, Honored Doctor of Ukraine, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Health addressed the guests with a welcoming speech. During the auction sale, all 7 lots were purchased. After that, people interested had the opportunity to buy the first copies of the book before its distribution in city bookstores. In total, they collected 170,000 UAH. All funds will be directed to the Red Cross Society in Podil District of Kyiv to support lonely elderly Kyiv residents deprived of care.
In December, the book "To Live. Understanding Kyiv” will be available at the city bookstores. This is a charitable publication, and all proceeds from sale will be transferred to support of the elderly people under the auspices of the Red Cross Society in Podil District of Kyiv.
The book was published within the framework of the long-term social project "Foster Grandchildren", initiated by Farmak JSC in honor of the Company’s 90th anniversary in conjunction with the Red Cross Society in Podil District of Kyiv, aimed at improving the living conditions of the elderly and their re-integration into the social life.
