Movement and love for people: what inspires Moscow Longevity participants over 90

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the “silver” age, life is just beginning – and the participants Moscow Longevity They know this like no one else. The project brings together senior citizens, helping them make friends, gain new knowledge and skills, and discover interesting hobbies and interests. Its centenarian participants are truly inspiring. These amazing people, aged 90, master qigong and breathing exercises, sing in a choir, study foreign languages, master digital technologies, go on excursions, and live their best years.

On Senior Citizens Day, celebrated on October 1st, Moscow's centenarians share what helps them maintain their spirits, how a project supports their health, and why new hobbies and connecting with like-minded people are more effective than any medication.

The secret is in love for people

Ekaterina Nikitichna Basova is 97 years old. She has had a remarkable and vibrant life. As a teenager, she experienced the difficult war years, working tirelessly on a collective farm in her native Morshansk during school breaks. After graduating from the Moscow Forestry Institute, she dedicated 38 years to developing the forestry and paper industries, holding leadership positions, teaching, and advising industry ministers. Her achievements have been recognized with the "Veteran of Labor" and "For Labor Valor" medals. After retiring, our heroine became involved in community service, and when the "Moscow Longevity" project was launched, she immediately signed up.

"It all started with a tour on the 'Kind Bus': in 2018, we were offered a trip to the Novodevichy Convent, where we were also told about the 'Moscow Longevity' program. Many other interesting trips followed, and each time I rediscover Moscow. Today, I have a scheduled day with the project: I do breathing exercises four times a week, and in the remaining time, I participate in our choir rehearsals. Thanks to the project, we've become very close: we celebrate holidays together, organize birthdays, have tea parties, and participate in competitions and festivals," the mos.ru interviewee tells me.

Ekaterina Nikitichna Basova also holds another medal, a treasured one: "For Love and Fidelity," awarded in honor of her 75th wedding anniversary. Sadly, a year after the celebration, she lost her beloved husband. Her two children, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and her favorite project brought her comfort.

"Many people wonder where I get so much strength and energy at 97. But I simply love people and always help my neighbors. As long as you're socializing, moving, and pursuing a passion, you live a full life. And the Moscow Longevity project provides that opportunity, for which I'm very grateful," says Ekaterina Basova.

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A place where you find yourself among friends

Galina Aleksandrovna Murashova is approaching her centenary: this year she turned 99. She was born in Leningrad. During the Great Patriotic War, when the city on the Neva was besieged, she managed to escape to the mainland via the Road of Life (the only transportation artery that ran across Lake Ladoga). Years later, Galina Aleksandrovna settled in the capital and began working as a physics teacher. She learned about the Moscow longevity centers from friends and family.

"Walking is already difficult, but I try not to miss the film screenings. They're held at our center every Wednesday. With poor vision, it's hard to watch TV, and the center has a big screen. One of the project participants also writes poetry, and I enjoy attending her poetry recitals. But the most important thing is that I'm surrounded by people here with whom I can chat and share personal stories after the screening. At 99, you don't have many friends left. But you can make new ones at Moscow's longevity centers. For example, I show photos taken by my niece, a photographer," she tells mos.ru.

Galina Aleksandrovna Murashova often attracts visitors to the center who want to learn the secrets to longevity. She has a lot to share.

"As you get older, it's important to move. Even if it's pain and fatigue, get outside and, if you have the energy, go for a run. If that's not possible, at least take a walk, talk to loved ones, and reminisce about your life, which may have been difficult but also happy. I can give the same advice to young people—move. Exercise lifts your mood and improves your health. You become more attentive not only to yourself and your family, but to everyone," she notes.

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Get back on your feet and meet your life partner

Pavel Dmitrievich Chepurnov is 95 years old. A child of the Great Patriotic War, he often attended events of the district veterans' council, where he met Elizaveta Ivanovna Lemesh, now 80.

"Elizaveta Ivanovna told me about the Moscow Longevity project, and I was intrigued. We started going to joint and toning exercises together, and Nordic walking with poles. And along the way, we discovered that we're like brother and sister: we think alike and share common values. Plus, our birthdays are in June, a week apart! Now we're inseparable!" says Pavel Dmitrievich Chepurnov.

When we called him, Elizaveta Ivanovna was by his side: they visit each other every day and walk together in Kuntsevo Park. And by 10 a.m., both were already at Moscow Longevity classes. First, Chinese qigong in the fresh air, then breathing exercises according to A.N. Strelnikova's method.

"We also do an interesting memory exercise. We stand in a circle and select someone to recite a tongue twister. I remember: 'A bug landed in Cheburashka's cup' and 'The mouse dried some pretzels, the mouse invited the mice,'" laughs Elizaveta Ivanovna Lemesh.

In the evenings, they watch movies at the center of Moscow's longevity. They admit that they prefer old Soviet films like "The Incredible Adventures of Italians in Russia" and "The Big Change," and don't really appreciate modern ones.

"We're representatives of the previous generation; we're closer to that reality. It's good that 'Moscow Longevity' shows what we like," the mos.ru interviewee notes.

Pavel Dmitrievich Chepurnov and Elizaveta Ivanovna Lemesh also regularly go on excursions:VDNKh, to the museum and exhibition complex "New Jerusalem", in Zvenigorod.

"It's important that we receive the event schedule in advance, as there are so many of them, and memory often fails us. Sometimes you don't even know what to choose: everything is so interesting! And it's a shame to miss even one class. I'm also taking computer classes; I want to confidently use a smartphone," shares Elizaveta Ivanovna Lemesh.

According to our interviewees, both have worked hard all their lives, so they've remained active. For example, Pavel Dmitrievich still mows the grass at his dacha and plants cucumbers. However, Elizaveta Ivanovna now helps him with this.

"The Moscow Longevity project helps us stay on our feet and in good shape. It brings us back to life. There's so much we want to do! We'll keep attending events as long as we can walk and think," concludes Pavel Dmitrievich Chepurnov.

You can become a participant in the Moscow Longevity project, and also register your relative online on the portal Mos.ru, at the My Documents government services offices, or at any Moscow longevity center.

Support for senior citizens in Moscow meets the goals and objectives of the federal project "Older Generation" of the national project "Family"More information about Russia's national projects and the capital's contribution can be found atpage.

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