Radovan Svilengaćin (1926–1976) was a long-time director of the “Vojvodina” Cinema in Novi Bečej and one of the most important figures in the development of film culture in this town.
After the Second World War, when the former Cinema Krka became state-owned and received the name State Cinema Vojvodina M.N.O. Vološinovo, Milosav Ćurčić was first appointed as its manager. A few years later, the management of the cinema was taken over by Radovan Svilengaćin.
Under his leadership, the “Vojvodina” Cinema became an important centre of cultural life in Novi Bečej. He created and maintained a professional team that included cashiers, ticket controllers, projectionists and other employees, among whom were Radojka Svilengaćin, Emil Ilisin, Mileva Stepančev, Vilma Pecarski and others.
Svilengaćin played a significant role in organizing regular film screenings and developing cinema activities during the post-war period. At a time when cinemas represented one of the most important forms of cultural and social life, the “Vojvodina” Cinema was a favourite gathering place for generations of residents of Novi Bečej.
He passed away in 1976, the same year when the new Workers’ Hall (today’s Cultural Centre) was built, providing new opportunities for the development of cultural programmes in Novi Bečej.
Radovan Svilengaćin remains remembered as a person who dedicated decades of his life to preserving and developing cinema culture in Novi Bečej. His name is inseparably connected with the golden period of the “Vojvodina” Cinema and the history of film culture in this town.
Source note:
This text was prepared based on the research work of Karolj Andre, “Novi Bečej Cinemas”, which documents the history of cinemas and the development of film culture in Novi Bečej. The original work by Karolj Andre served as the basis for selecting and processing information about the life and work of Radovan Svilengaćin.
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