“Roses and Stories” launched on 28 March as a warm, creative, and accessible programme designed to bring people together. It encourages volunteer participation and meaningful dialogue between generations. The initiative will officially open the 2026 edition of Messer Tulipano, featuring a special highlight: the premiere of the animated fairy tale “The Feast of the Grandparents and the Power of the Rose.”
La Festa dei Nonni e il Potere della Rosa
The story unfolds in a village where grandparents are at the heart of the community. They are the keepers of memories and wisdom, though some also experience loneliness. From an old rose garden, a special rose begins to grow, one with the power to warm hearts and remind people of the importance of human connection. It becomes a symbol of a day when generations come together and no one feels alone.
Inspired by the Festa dei Nonni, the fairy tale honours older generations and celebrates the impact of love and simple gestures. Like the roses gifted in the Netherlands and Italy during the COVID period, the story shows how something small can have real meaning. The rose stands for the bond between generations, built on care, listening, and shared moments.
Flower Workshop to Connect Young and Old with Roses and Stories
Children of all ages took part in a flower workshop. They created floral arrangements that were given to elderly residents of the care home in Pralormo. This simple act is meant to spark connection and bring joy to both those who give and those who receive.
The Stichting Grootouderdag, which introduced Festa dei Nonni in Italy, the Netherlands, and Germany, continues its work to build meaningful relationships between young and old through the Roses and Stories programme. At the core of its mission is the idea that sharing knowledge and experiences helps strengthen these bonds.
The flowers used in the workshop will come from MPS-certified growers in Italy and the Netherlands, supporting responsible and sustainable cultivation.
Baptism of the Rosa Amsterdam 750 with Councillor Alexander Scholtens, Gerda Lenten Havertong, Riek Karg (Radio Mart) and, in the background, Peter Schrama (United Selections) and Laura Wiersma (Regional Director, Partou childcare organisation).
An Event to Create Connection and Grow Hope
The Roses and Stories workshop is more than a creative activity. It is a tangible act of solidarity that brings generations closer together. Through small, thoughtful gestures, it helps reduce loneliness and fosters a sense of belonging.
As a member of the National Coalition against Loneliness in the Netherlands, Stichting Grootouderdag remains committed to strengthening emotional ties between grandparents and grandchildren.
The foundation also extends its thanks to its partners and supporters: MPS, Bergroses, CoopDelGolfo, Chrysal, Marco Introini, Maria Cecilia Serafino, and Torino Fiori srl.
The project was first introduced during the celebration of 750 years of Amsterdam, marked by the unveiling of the rose “Amsterdam 750.”
