On 24-27 October, an event called “Days of Catalan Film” was held in Belgrade. It was an opportunity for members of the Serbian Alzheimer's Society (SUAB) to watch a screening of the feature-length documentary “Bicycle, Spoon, Apple” (2010) by Charles Bosch, which was shown at the Museum of the Yugoslav Film Archive. This important film succeeded in uniting science and art into one informative, educational, and artistically cathartic symbiosis. While well-known scientists introduce the viewer to the world of proteins and dying brain cells, the human face from the screen smiles at the audience, at the beginning of the diagnosis. The viewer experiences and sees before their eyes the irrefutable transformation of a human being and the regression, despite the enormous family support and the vigour of a well-known politician to fight and be an active subject in his illness, becoming painful and unstoppable.
The day after the screening of the film, SUAB had the opportunity to meet and talk in more detail with Eva Nebot, Director of the area of advocacy and institutional relations, and Nina Gramunt, a Neuropsychologist leader for training and outreach at the Pasqual Maragall Foundation. Their presentations were on "Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: The example of Pasqual Maragall“. On behalf of SUAB, the presenters were Nadežda Satarić, President of the association, and Željka Cvjetan Gortinski, actress and drama therapy facilitator, who gives her time to the realisation of weekly Thursday daycare workshops for people living with dementia. This event was a great opportunity to exchange useful information about the work of both organisations. Although the Pasqual Maragall Foundation is primarily focused on scientific research related to Alzheimer's disease, the common thread with SUAB is a commitment to the prevention of this disease, and a focus on the importance of increasing public awareness. “Days of Catalan Film“ and other events are organised under the auspices of the Representation of the Government of Catalonia in Southeastern Europe, in cooperation with the Catalan Cinematheque and with the support of the Spanish Embassy in Serbia.
