Brankica Janković, the Commissioner for the Protectio of Equality extended support to a competition for best travelogues written by senior citizens organized by Snaga prijateljstva (the Strength of Friendship) Association – Amity. Fifteen recognitions were awarded in five different categories to participants from 35 different towns throughout Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and The Netherlands. The award ceremony was held at the Belgrade City Library.

The Commissioner stressed that active aging and participating in all segments of life enables the elderly to have a dignified life: “Events like these serve as a way of combatting social exclusion and marginalization of our senior citizens.”

Nadežda Satarić, the Chairwoman of the Amity Association said that writing can be a healing experience for the elderly. She also added that for some participants who are 60+ years old this was the first time they have ever written a story. “These are the people from all walks of life, they are not writers, authors nor journalists. People who have applied are homemakers, retired civil servants, doctors, teachers, lawyers,” said Ms. Satarić.

Ljiljana Stjelja won the award in the category of “Female Story” while Aleksandar Damjanović was the prize winner in the category of “Male Story”. Biljana Benić won the award in the category “Travels through Serbia”, Branka Ribar Brajić was awarded in the category of “Travels abroad” and Jovica Đurić won the award in the category of travel poem.

The best works will be published in “Soul Souvenirs” publication.