On 2 December 2025, at a special award ceremony in Brussels (Belgium), Photographer Alex Kornhuber was announced as the winner of the 2025 Anti-Stigma-Award, for “Keepsake Chronicles”, an Irish-born collaboration between the photographer, a poet (Cathy Fowley), and a nurse (Kate Irving), using both photography and poetry to help people living with dementia share and shape the stories that give meaning to their lives.
Alzheimer Europe, in collaboration with the Alzheimer Europe Foundation, C2N Diagnostics, Lilly and Roche launched a call for applications for this, the fourth annual edition of the Anti-Stigma Award, with the aim of giving recognition to a European artist using photography or painting to address stigma and convey a positive image of dementia and people living with dementia. The award consists of a cash prize of EUR 5,000 for first place, a cash prize of EUR 2,500 for second place and a cash prize of EUR 1,250 for third place, each of which is accompanied by a trophy.
Keepsake Chronicles
Storytelling is a way to hold on to identity. Through portraits, personal objects, and a sense of place, each story becomes a treasured keepsake and an act of advocacy. Created with participants as equal partners, the work aimed to replace stigma with truth and show that personhood endures beyond diagnosis. The photographs are gentle, the poetry preserves each voice, and together they reveal beauty, strength, and humanity.
“These photographs give voice to memory, turning words into images that cannot be ignored. Each image invites reflection and becomes a visual dialogue with dementia and life itself,” said Alex Kornhuber.
The award was given by the event’s official host, Nina Carberry MEP (Ireland), Co-Chair of the European Alzheimer’s Alliance (EAA). We are hugely grateful for her dedication and support.
Alzheimer Europe and the sponsors of the Award, the Alzheimer Europe Foundation, C2N Diagnostics, Lilly and Roche, warmly congratulate Alex Korhuber on his win.
Seeing Dementia in a New Light
Second place went to Desideria Care e.V. for their open-air photo exhibition “Seeing Dementia in a New Light” which challenges taboo and exclusion by giving people with dementia and their families visibility and dignity.
“By bringing authentic stories into everyday public spaces, the exhibition breaks silence and stigma, sparking empathy and dialogue,” said Isabelle Henn, Board member, Desideria Care.
The award was given by Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis, Vice-Chairperson, Alzheimer Europe Foundation.
In Sickness and in Health
Third place was awarded to Bálint Szajki, a photographer from Hungary, for his deeply intimate photo essay, titled “In Sickness and in Health”, which challenges the stigma surrounding dementia by telling the story of Marika and Sándor, a couple married for more than sixty years.
“My intention was to show that behind the struggles of dementia lies a deep and enduring love that proves love and respect are stronger than any barriers,” said Bálint Szajki.
The award was given by Kevin Quaid, Jury Member and Chairperson of the European Working Group of People with Dementia.
Honourable mentions
Huge congratulations to all three winners! Congratulations, also, to the remaining six finalists who attended the ceremony in Brussels and were each awarded a special “Honourable Mention” certificate. They were selected among a total of 45 applicants this year:
• Peter Gaymann and Thomas Klie (Germany), for “DEMENSCH”
• Mathilde Parquet (France), for “Aimants, Aidants” (“Lovers, Caregivers”)
• Wouter van Wessel (Luxembourg), for “A Calm Gaze”
• Simon Móricz Sabján (Hungary), for “What the Light Remembers” (posthumous award)
• João Barbosa (Portugal), for “Walking the talk for dementia: A journey Beyond the diagnosis”
• Max W. Schulte (Ireland), for “Walk the Talk for Dementia - Stepping Forward for Understanding”.
You can find out more about each artist and find some examples of their work in our commemorative booklet, which is available for download in the Anti-Stigma Award section of our website: https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/our-work/anti-stigma-award/anti-stigma-award-2025
Welcome words and support
Guests at the event were warmly welcomed by Nina Carberry MEP and Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein, Chairperson of the Alzheimer Europe Foundation.
“After being involved in the dementia field for more than 35 years, I am so excited to see that there are so many different artists finding so many different ways to express living with dementia,” Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein commented.
"With dementia in Europe set to almost double, from 9 to 19 million by 2050, we must put it front and centre on the EU agenda. Open conversations, political commitment, and stronger support for families are essential to reduce stigma and discrimination. No one living with dementia should feel isolated or hidden, they deserve visibility, dignity, and hope," said Nina Carberry MEP.
A huge thank you to all our presenters and to everyone who applied for the award this year. Alzheimer Europe also gratefully acknowledges the support of the sponsors of the Alzheimer Europe Anti-Stigma Award: Alzheimer Europe Foundation, C2N Diagnostics, Lilly and Roche.
