Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, Brankica Janković, participated in the public event “Ask About Alzheimer’s Disease / Ask About Dementia,” organized ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day by the Serbian Alzheimer’s Association (SUAB) in cooperation with the humanitarian organization “Bread of Life”, and held in Knez Mihailova Street in Belgrade.

According to SUAB data, around 140,000 people in Serbia suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, and most of them rely heavily on the care of their closest family members. The Commissioner emphasized that this illness is often simplistically reduced in public discourse to “forgetfulness,” even though it is a serious neurological disorder, with memory loss being one of its core symptoms. “In this context, forgetfulness, however, primarily refers to the state of society, which must show greater solidarity and responsibility toward those affected and their families,” the Commissioner stressed.

The program included discussions between doctors and elderly citizens about dementia risk factors, a public survey, and the distribution of educational materials on prevention and patient support. There was also an entertainment segment titled “Games and Songs for Memory,” featuring performances by members of the “Bread of Life” folklore group, the Jeleče ensemble from New Belgrade, and the choir of female students from the Faculty of Music in Belgrade.

Speakers at the event included SUAB President Ms. Nadežda Satarić, Prof. Dr. Smiljana Popović Kostić from the Neurology Clinic of the Military Medical Academy and a SUAB member, Slavica Stuparušić speaking on behalf of families and caregivers of patients, as well as actress Katarina Radivojević, who recited a letter from the perspective of a caregiver of a person living with Alzheimer’s disease. On behalf of the “Bread of Life”, its president, Slavica Stanković, also addressed the audience.

The event concluded with the symbolic release of balloons as a gesture of solidarity with individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and their families.