The latest project from La Laguna’s Social Welfare department, designed to engage elderly residents of the Acaymo Day Centre, premiered on Thursday. Titled “Acaymo, a Bolero for You,” the initiative comprises eight episodes, each lasting 25 minutes, with users sharing their experiences through music.
Mayor Luis Yeray Gutiérrez and councillor María Cruz attended the launch, highlighting the significance of using television as a tool to combat loneliness and promote active, creative ageing. Gutiérrez praised the performance and dedication of the staff serving over a hundred residents who participate in daily activities at the centre.
Cruz noted that Acaymo continues to shine as a reference point in the Canary Islands due to the enthusiasm and commitment of its elderly participants, along with the dedicated professionals at the facility. The new series will allow viewers to learn more about the lives of these individuals, connected through the theme of bolero music.
Director Paco Almagro emphasised the therapeutic benefits of music, stating that it can bring back memories for those with advanced Alzheimer’s. He expressed joy in seeing participants engage during recordings, often inspiring them to take a more active role each year.
The new series will feature popular songs performed by singer Alberto Castilla and includes a bolero competition involving nearly all users of the centre. Notably, the newest addition to the team, the robot Acaymito, participated in the presentation. The project was developed in collaboration with Creaccion.TV and two music therapy experts.
“Acaymo, a Bolero for You” is the third instalment of a series launched in 2024, originally named “Acaymo Televisión.” The first version focused on the daily life at the centre, offering current news and interviews with staff and users. Following its success, the project evolved into a fictional format, “Acaymo, Barranqueras de Passion,” featuring comedy scenarios inspired by classic television dramas. This involved extensive technical work, including chroma keying, and the series can be found on YouTube.
