University of León initiative promotes intergenerational connection in León

The ‘Verano sin pantallas’ (Summer without Screens) initiative has concluded its summer program across four municipalities in the province of León: Villanueva de las Manzanas, Villacelama, Palanquinos, and Riego del Monte. Led by Irene González Manceñido, a doctoral student at the University of León, the project aimed to promote leisure activities away from electronic devices and foster social interaction between different generations to combat loneliness.

The program featured various workshops focused on creativity and memory, including interviews between youth and seniors and artistic interventions using old photographs. These activities allowed younger participants to learn about local history through the stories of elderly neighbors, while seniors engaged in community-focused memory workshops.

The initiative culminated in the exhibition ‘Verano sin pantallas: pasado, presente y futuro’ in Villacelama, which showcased family photographs, children's drawings, and community perspectives on the future of their towns.