Miaoli County to hold activities for elderly on traditional festival

The activities include gate ball matches and an achievement show for elderly people attending classes, the officials said at a press conference. The traditional festival -- also known as the "Old Men Festival" -- is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and the elderly are especially encouraged to take part in the activities.

The county is home to 52 people aged 100 or above, and has more than 18,000 people over 80 years of age, according to data provided by the county government.

One couple that has been married for 61 years was invited to attend the press conference, one of 1,895 couples in the county who have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversaries.

Asked about the secret of a happy marriage, the diamond wedding couple said tolerance is the essential ingredient of any successful union.

"You need to see your partner's strengths, not just weaknesses.

Any problem can be solved as long as you are able to tolerate your partner, " said Fan Fa-jin, an 83-year-old whose wife is 82 and who has five children and four grandchildren.

Fan also noted that he makes all the decisions outside the home, while everything inside the home is left to his wife for decision-making. "That is always the key to avoiding conflict, " he said with a twinkle.

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