As we conclude our recollection of river shipping and its importance for Novi Bečej, we must not forget a wonderful person who, unfortunately, was the head of the agency in Novi Bečej for only a short time. This was Dragan-Dragi Vulević, who came to Novi Bečej as the head of the agency in 1937 and soon became, besides his regular work, a prominent cultural figure in Novi Bečej. A social and kind person, just as his name suggests, or as we all affectionately called him.
Dragi became involved in the cultural life of Novi Bečej in almost every aspect, and what he achieved in the theatrical section of the Sokol Society and the music section of the Youth of Merchants remains fondly remembered to this day.
A small district like Novi Bečej in 1937, which hasn’t changed much in this regard even today, didn’t have many opportunities for the musical education of the youth. There were 2-3 piano and violin teachers who, apart from what children and students learned at school, offered private lessons. There were also a few professional music groups-orchestras playing in taverns, with Pišta the Gypsy's string orchestra being excellent, and the tamburitza orchestra of Milan Krompić not lagging behind either. The Youth of Merchants’ orchestra was also highly regarded, but all of this was insufficient for the theater-going audience in Novi Bečej to be musically educated enough to enjoy opera and operettas. And our newly arrived head of the agency wanted exactly that—to help the people of Novi Bečej understand, feel, and love opera.
Dragi Vulević proposed that a team be formed from the members of the theater section of the Sokol Society to prepare the operetta "Artiljerija Rustikano," a parody by Brana Cvetković of the Italian "Cavalleria Rusticana," for the Novi Bečej stage.
No one opposed him, even though most of those present doubted the success of such an endeavor. They primarily doubted that the Novi Bečej audience would accept it and that the local amateur actors would be capable of performing such roles. No one expressed these doubts publicly, as everyone loved and respected Dragan, but they were present until the premiere.
With all his enthusiasm and persistence, Dragi began preparing the operetta (parody). Daily rehearsals were held with the accompaniment of the Youth of Merchants’ orchestra, but everyone was anxiously awaiting the day of the premiere. Dragi was nervous during the rehearsals but was inwardly satisfied that all these young people, with their fine vocal qualities, were persistently repeating their roles, with some rehearsals lasting from 8 PM to 11 PM.
After numerous and persistent rehearsals, the day of the performance arrived. In the packed hall of the Sokol House in Novi Bečej, the audience came more out of curiosity and respect for the head of the agency and the performers.
Soon, after the first arias and words that the audience understood, there were whisperings among the spectators, with wives quietly telling their husbands, or vice versa, that they liked it, and soon, the first round of applause echoed on the open stage. The audience frequently rewarded their young artists throughout the performance. They realized that they had achieved a lot and rewarded them with enthusiastic and prolonged applause. The parody was a complete success, and after that, two more performances were given.
Summer came, and the theater sections ceased their activities until the autumn days. But, to their regret, and to the regret of the rest of Novi Bečej, Dragi was transferred out of Novi Bečej due to work requirements. Thus, Novi Bečej lost a remarkable cultural figure.
The name of Dragan Vulević has not been forgotten by the people of Novi Bečej. This is most eloquently evidenced by the data in the book "The Role of Novi Bečej Residents in the Development of Serbian Theater," where his achievements are highlighted on pages 128 and 129, as well as in the book "Novi Bečej and Vranjevo through History from Ancient Times to 1941" on page 322.
With the commissioning of the Danube-Main Canal, river traffic gained significant importance in most parts of Europe, especially in Serbia, considering that Serbia’s economy is oriented towards only one maritime port in Bar.
With the construction of the Danube-Tisa-Danube Canal and the dam near Novi Bečej, it found itself at the intersection of river flows, presenting an excellent opportunity to restore the former glory of the Novi Bečej port.
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