Chai! Meet the Dentist Who Has Spent 15 Years Living Isolated in a Forest (Photos)

 

Aleksandar Pirivatric, a 50-year-old Serbian dentist, appeared in the city of Belgrade last Saturday, after spending the last 15 years concealed in the forest of Krusna Gora, located on the Czech Republic.

Aleksandar used to be a renowned oral surgeon in the city of Teplice in the Czech Republic. But the Serb couldn’t officially reside in either country because he had no documents. So ended his practice and took to the forest for nearly a decade and a half, visiting the city for supplies during the day.

 

According to Oddity Central, his bizarre story was finally discovered by Peter Silva, a Czech professor who befriended him in Teplice.

“Every day in Teplice I was seeing a man with a backpack on his back, in a thin dressing, hurriedly walking,” Silva told the media. “When I stopped him, he spoke perfect Czech, and then he said that he was a Serb. He did not look like an ordinary homeless person – he sounded very knowledgeable. Then I realised that he was a famous dentist, oral surgeon.”

Wanting to help Aleksander, Silva started visiting his home deep in the forest bringing him food for over a year. He slowly learned that the Serb had been living in hiding in a partly demolished structure, without water, electricity, or a roof. He also came to know the whole story – Aleksander has moved from Serbia to the Czech Republic along with his mother when he was nine years old. He finished school in Prague and later studied Dental Medicine at college.

 

After graduating, Aleksander worked as a dentist at Motol University Hospital in Prague. When when he was transferred to Teplice, his life changed forever. His mother died, he lost his job, and because he wasn’t a Czech citizen, he was asked to vacate the state apartment. He became homeless and was forced into the forest in order to continue living in the country, undetected.

Meanwhile, Aleksander’s half-sister from his father, Slobodanka Pirivatric, was trying to get him declared dead in Serbia, to lay claim to their dead father’s property. Fortunately, her request was denied, so when Silva sent an email to the Serbian embassy requesting help in Aleksander’s case, they were able to help immediately.

After years of hardship and struggle, Aleksander finally reached Belgrade last Saturday – it was an emotional moment of him and Silva, and for the thousands who were following his story.

 

“The trip was great,” Silva said. "Aleksander has been sitting quietly and looking through a window. I think he felt quite serene. Leaving the forest was not for him. There were some emotions, but now everything is fine.”

Speaking to the media, Aleksander said: “I have been living in the woods for a long time. During the day I would walk because there are soldiers here during the day and I did not want them to see me. I did not know how they would react. So every day I walked, up to 20 kilometers. I ate food from containers, whatever I found, and what people gave me.”

“He said goodbye to that place and now he is here,” Silva added. “It will not be easy. I think that he will have to learn again how to use some everyday things, like washing machine or a stove. This is still a big shock for him and it will take a lot of time for him to accustom to this.”

Aleksander has now found a place to live in Belgrade, and relinquished his stake on his father’s property, allowing his half-sister to use it as she wishes. He’s just grateful for all the help he’s received so far.

“I am not sure whether I could go back to being a dentist,” he said. “If there is a possibility, I could start working again. I owe a lot to Peter and the embassy of Serbia who have helped me to get all of this, to come back to Belgrade. Also, I owe a lot to the people who helped me get this apartment. It is crucial for me not to disappoint them and to get myself on track.