the essential
Montauban well deserved its label as an “age-friendly city” with a wedding ceremony which brought together 18 couples married for 50, 60 and 70 years on Saturday morning at the town hall.
Credited with the silver level “Senior-Friendly City” label on the occasion of the last Mayors' Show in Paris, Montauban is rolling out the red carpet for seniors. On Saturday, through the Senior Center, they were invited to a “wedding ceremony”, these elders who have made the longevity of their couple a priesthood. There will be thirteen of them in 2023 and eighteen in 2024. Among them, two record-breakers who celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary, i.e. 70 years of life together: Ginette and Maurice Bottin and Odile and André Sergues.
There were also in the large audience five couples invited to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary (60 years) and nine “more modestly” together for 50 years (golden wedding anniversary).
Very much in charge, it was Marie-Claude Berly, mayor of Montauban, who provided entertainment on the microphone with a talent that we did not know about. I would be the speaker of Sapiac, I would worry… For almost three hours, she recounted the identity and the major dates of the couples present with many anecdotes about their meeting, the birth of their children or the ups and downs of their professional life . A real history lesson at a time when it was often appropriate to go to Paris to work, while it was forbidden to tell tales before the age of 21, the age of majority.
“Preserve your values and share them”
Each couple received a gift and took a family photo with the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for some. For others, the secrets of this extraordinary longevity remained to be known. “You have to stay yourself, keep all your values and try to share them. In 50 years, you can break up 50 times and still be together. We must accept the other,” Arlette and Norbert say in unison.
Same observation for Alain and Monique, 50 years of marriage as well. “I think all the couples present today understood that we must show tolerance. There are ups and downs, but the important thing is to love each other and help each other. »
Organized for several years, this ceremony has found its place in the calendar. “In September, on the occasion of the return of seniors, couples who wish to celebrate their wedding can fill out a file,” says Sabine Si Belkacem, assistant in charge of seniors policy alongside Caroline Zawislak, head of the senior center. Participation varies depending on the year, but this is one of the first times we have had couples who have been married for 70 years. The population is aging and we may have more candidates in the future. It is always a convivial moment which also allows families to get together. »
Beyond recognition of the work carried out, the national label also gives responsibilities. The Senior Center already offers activities, outings and provides meal delivery for 300 people. It also makes it possible to detect isolated or vulnerable people in conjunction with the local Gerontological Information and Coordination Center.
