Andragogic Association, University of the Third Age Velenje

"Every human being is an indispensable particle of history" is a sentence read out form the book Life as a Carousel, which is a product of a many years' work of the Society for History and Antropology of the Velenje University of the Third Age. Study circles are a form of informal education, which is offering to an individual the widest spectrum of possibilities to express him/herself, and for that reason they proved quite popular in Velenje. University of the Third Age, founded in 1986, has ensured the training of competent mentors. In the past year no less than 53 circles were active in the area and some 500 "tretješolcev" ("Third-schoolers") were actively participating in them. They are mainly keen on acquiring useful knowledge and skills, so they learn pottery, wicker-work, needle-work, painting, how to play musical instruments, computing ... They are learning in order to establish a higher quality of life on the personal as well as local level: in this manner they develop the skills of communicating, they nurture the reading culture, learn new languages and take care of their health. They conduct interesting etnographic, historical and geographical explorations, they organise round tables and lectures and write articles for media. Some of them try to pursue their artistic talents, be it in visual arts or in literature, so they organise exhibitions, literary soirees and meetings with renowned artists. They have published several books and guides: besides the Life as a Carousel also the Impact of Mining on the Life in Saleška Valley, Castel Gardens and Parks ... and the Most Fascinating Life Stories of the Select People from Saleška Valley ...The members of the ‘association' are involved in the life of the local community by organising tourist and etnographically appealing events. They cooperate with the Velenje Museum, the Cultural Association Ivan Napotnik, Tourist Centre and the local municipality. They participate at the traditional Pippi Long Stockings festival and the Lifelong Learning Week. If we consider the fact that there are more than 50 such groups within the area the inhabitants of Velenje may be well content having so very creative elderly citizens, which may serve as an example to members of all other generations.