Rozalija Čejtei was born in Novi Bečej on April 28, 1938, and is likely the only female photographer from Novi Bečej. She completed her primary and secondary education in her hometown. From an early age, she showed a penchant for drawing, which her teachers quickly noticed. Rozalija's parents were alerted to their child's artistic talent and were advised to continue her education at an art school for drawing in Novi Sad. However, after passing the entrance exam, her parents redirected her towards photography.
Between 1954 and 1957, as a student at a vocational school for photographers, she interned with photographer Geza Sakač. During her internship, she mastered the secrets of the photographic craft, from taking and framing photographs to preparing developers, fixers, developing film, and finally producing photographs. In addition, thanks to her talent, she began to color black-and-white photographs with aniline dyes, which was quite popular at the time. In the 1950s and early 1960s, Sakač's studio was the only one in Novi Bečej producing colored photographs. Alongside her three years of practical training, Rozalija also attended specialized lectures in Pančevo, ultimately passing her master’s exam for photographers in Zrenjanin under Jožef Kožik.
Whether due to the three photography studios operating in Novi Bečej at the time (the studios of Konstantin Vukov, Geza Sakač, and Miroslav Tornjanski), a desire for urban life, or her temperament, she moved to Zrenjanin, where she found employment. Since 1966, she has worked in the studio Foto “Tica,” owned by Svetozar Tica, whom she later married. The photography studio—atelier “Tica” was one of the better ones in Zrenjanin at that time.
Rozalija fulfilled her passion for drawing and painting throughout her working life. The rooms of her family home in Zrenjanin are filled with her works.
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