In Venice, even a seemingly simple journey can become an obstacle, especially for an elderly person who has difficulty getting around. With its narrow streets, bridges, and routes that often require time and effort, reaching the University of the Third Age may not be so easy for everyone. This has prompted an appeal from Irene Favaretto, president of UniTeVe and professor of “Memoria dell’antico,” who is reaching out to young people, asking if they would be willing to accompany enrolled students who need assistance on the walk from their homes to the Cavanis Institute, the university’s historic headquarters. This gesture of care and solidarity —in a city with a unique layout like Venice—could enable those who are more vulnerable to continue attending classes without letting mobility challenges become a barrier. It also represents a concrete opportunity to build a bridge between different generations, connecting young and older people through a simple act of assistance that holds great human value.
The University of the Third Age in Venice continues its tireless work; with the start of the new academic year now just around the corner, is launching another appeal to local organizations, asking them to provide funds to cover the annual tuition fees for those facing financial hardship and thus struggling to pay the required tuition for each enrolled student. This heartfelt appeal also comes from President Favaretto, who hopes to soon establish a sort of scholarship specifically for those “who cannot afford to enroll.” In other words, the idea involves some form of “financial support” to make this valuable community resource in the city as accessible as possible—a resource whose primary goal is to break down the walls of loneliness. This is a point that Favaretto emphasizes every year, reminding everyone how crucial it is, once a certain age is reached, not to isolate oneself and to make the effort to leave the house so as not to be overcome by melancholy. “The atmosphere that develops during our classes is wonderful,” notes the president, who has been in office for about ten years now. What is particularly important to us is reaching as many people as possible—even those who don’t feel comfortable taking part in the classes because they consider them too demanding or unsuitable for people who haven’t pursued any specific studies in their lives. I want to make it clear that our program is truly accessible to everyone.”
Registration officially opens on Friday, October 2 —tuition remains the same as last year—and offers the opportunity to take 7 courses spread across the first and second quarters: from November through January and from February through April. The instructors—about forty in total—teach on a volunteer basis, preparing lessons with great dedication and expertise and introducing new topics each year. “We already have 170 ‘returning’ students. I expect that, including new students and professors, we’ll reach around 400 people, in line with the 2025–2026 academic year. We also have a number of new featuresfor this academic year.” Starting with “beginner-level” English classes—which UniTeVe senior students have been requesting for years—followed by a course entirely dedicated to gardens, taught by Professor Martina Frank, a new addition to the faculty. And furthermore, there will be courses on the history of Egypt and on Dante Alighieri through the ages—that is, how his work has been reinterpreted and analyzed, including in other languages, in the centuries following his death. Following its previous success, the agreement signed last year with the Municipality of Cavallino-Treporti will also be renewed, allowing selected lectures to be streamed remotely from a dedicated classroom for those unable to reach Venice’s historic center. “We have many enrolled students who come from outside Venice as well,” explains the president. “Some come from the Lido, Murano, and Burano, and from Ca’ Savio… There will be about forty courses for the 2026–2027 academic year,” including—among others—the ever-popular Choral Singing, Theater Workshop, Drawing and Painting, and Photography. “It would be wonderful to bring singing—and in particular, songs tied to our tradition—to Venetian nursing homes and retirement homes as well. An incentive to spend an afternoon in harmony and joy,” she hopes. As always, we must extend our thanks to Sabrina Valente, UniTeVe secretary and choir director; to the Cavanis Fathers for their hospitality; and to the Rotary Club of Venice and Inner Wheel, which have supported the university’s mission for 41 years. The inauguration is scheduled for October 27, with classes set to begin in early November. “For us, teaching is a commitment: it requires preparation that goes beyond the class period itself. But above all, it’s fun and a pleasure. “Together with the Cavanis Fathers,” Favaretto concludes, “we’re also trying to find a way to bring young people closer to the elderly—an effective approach that allows us to bring different generations together.”
Iscriviti a VE-NICE e non perderti nessun aggiornamento, ti invieremo 1 volta a settimana i nuovi articoli!
