We need to bridge generations and bring grandparents and grandchildren closer together, Philip Chircop tells Andrea Faye Christians.

Last October 20 saw a first for Malta as the island hosted its first ever Grandparents Day. Already an officially celebrated day in many countries around the world, Grandparents Day now looks set to become a local annual event.

Grandparents Day was organised by Nanniet Malta (Grandparents Malta), a foundation that was set up after Philip Chircop was inspired by a speech given by Pope Francis in Rio de Janeiro last July. In the speech, delivered on World Youth Day, the Pope described grandparents as “a treasure to be preserved and strengthened”, and paid tribute to his own grandmother and the crucial role she played in his own spiritual development.

The speech struck a chord with Mr Chircop who has long been involved in voluntary work. However, it also became apparent that while Grandparents Day was already celebrated in countries such as Australia, France, America and Taiwan, to date no such celebration existed in Malta.

Nanniet Malta was established by co-founders Mr Chircop and Charles Stroud on September 23 after obtaining the distinguished patronage of President George Abela. Its main objectives are to instil in our siblings respect for our forefathers and to encourage them to also look up to them not only on Grandparents Day but throughout their lives.

With the endorsement of Opposition leader Simon Busuttil and Social Solidarity Minister Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the first official celebration took place on October 20, with the Speaker of the House Anġlu Farrugia as guest of honour. Then four days later, following a meeting at the Archbishop’s Curia with Pastoral Secretary Fr Charles Cordina, it was agreed that Grandparents Day would become an annual event in the Diocesan Ecclesiastical Calendar along with other days celebrating similar noble causes. For next year, the event has been scheduled for October 3.

It looks to be a busy year ahead for Nanniet Malta, as the foundation also plans to start offering support on many issues.

As a grandfather himself, Mr Chircop considers himself to be very lucky. However, he acknowledges that others are not in the same position – for this reason, the role of Nanniet Malta is an important one.

“Traditionally grandparents are seen as people with time on their hands, which makes them perfect to take on the role of taxi drivers, music teachers, or helping out with homework,” he says. “However, with the fast pace of life today, many grandparents are still working and therefore have to do a juggling act to also make time for their grandchildren.

“There are also grandparents who are living in residential homes and who may feel isolated and abandoned as they are rarely visited by family members. Nanniet Malta hopes to address such issues by instilling in the younger generations the need to stay in contact with older relatives. We have lots of activities planned and are also in the process of organising a scheme of adopt a grandma or grandpa.”

With a Facebook page that is gathering more followers by the day, Mr Chircop says they are planning to create a database for elderly people residing in homes with the aim of organising rallies and visits. They also plan to work closely with the Maltese Association for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to help create awareness that help is at hand for vulnerable older persons who may feel threatened or under pressure.

Nanniet Malta also aims to encourage people who live abroad to spend quality time with their grandchildren during visits to Malta.

“The Speaker of the House has also suggested that we hold a seminar where experts will be invited to talk about aspects of elderly abuse,” says Mr Chircop.

Nanniet Malta is also supportive in situations where grandparents become alienated from their grandchildren following a marriage break-up – in fact, they have already been approached for support by people who feel they have “lost” their grandchildren.

Above all Nanniet Malta aims to create greater solidarity and give grandparents a voice that they didn’t have before in Malta. We live in an ageing society where on the one hand so many people selflessly give so much asking only for the pleasure of being with their grandchildren in return – on the other hand, a number of grandparents are not getting the respect they deserve and are cast aside when they are felt to be no longer of use in the family.

As someone who has worked tirelessly with the elderly in Argentina, perhaps Pope Francis best summed it up when he talked of the importance of a bridge between young and old, saying: “How important grandparents are for family life, for passing on the human and religious heritage that is so essential for each and every society.”