A special afternoon in JulianaPlaza in the Transvaal district of The Hague. On Wednesday, June 2, Minister Sander Dekker and Alderman Kavita Parbhudayal opened the Seniors Café - a new meeting place for the elderly in the neighborhood. The Residentie Orkest was invited by JulianaPlaza to musically open the Seniors Café.

Thus, the seniors were surprised with a wonderful classical music performance by the string duo Yuki Hayakashi and Barbara Krimmel. Some attendees recognized the classical sounds; others experienced live classical music for the first time on this afternoon. The concert is part of Symphony 2030, the social programming of the Residentie Orkest. Musicians take to the neighborhoods to use music to promote a more social, inclusive and sustainable The Hague.

Wonderful initiative in the middle of Transvaal

The Seniors Café is combined in JulianaPlaza with the Transvaal learning work center for young people. This was also visited by Minister Dekker. In this center, young people are prepared for a job in the hospitality industry, while the elderly of the neighborhood can go there for a chat and a snack. A wonderful initiative in the middle of Transvaal.

Atalay Celenk, JulianaPlaza director: "It is an emotional moment for us to have neighborhood residents come together again after such a long time. At an appropriate distance from each other, of course. Through the weekly meeting between young people from the learning work center and the Seniors Café, we stimulate social cohesion in Transvaal."

From challenge to livability

Minister Dekker grew up in Transvaal and knows the neighborhood like the back of his hand. He took the attendees to special moments from his youth and unique locations in the neighborhood. This caused the necessary recognition among the seniors.

After the opening of the Seniors Café, the minister was shown around the neighborhood by Atalay Celenk and Wendy van Duijn - neighborhood manager of the municipality of The Hague - and visited Kaapseplein. Transvaal is developing rapidly and is firmly committed to promoting livability. They discussed the challenges facing the neighborhood, as well as the wonderful initiatives that have emerged in recent years.

Hague Meeting

The Seniors Café is part of Haags Ontmoeten, an initiative of the municipality of The Hague to make the city more senior-friendly. Haags Ontmoeten is a place in the neighborhood where all senior citizens living independently in The Hague and their caregivers can walk in freely. It is a place to meet, share experiences and relax. Come together for a drink or participate in various activities. Read more about Haags Ontmoeten at: http://www.haagsontmoeten.nl/.