The story of Branislav Bata Kiselički begins in the town where he was born, and even when we don’t mention the town’s name, we recognize it, as his love for Novi Bečej was so great and unmistakable, through both his words and actions. The farms in northern Bačka were lovely, where he began his working life and found a life partner, but nowhere does spring smell as beautiful as it does on the banks of the Tisa River.
That’s why he returned and spent his life with the Tisa in his eyes and heart, with one wish each autumn: to swim across the Tisa again the following summer. Choosing the teaching profession, for which he was especially gifted, he fulfilled his desire to pass on his knowledge and skills to younger generations. It wasn’t just book knowledge, nor was it only numbers and formulas; it was a life filled with love, respect, play, and song.
When he became the school principal, his essence didn’t change. His care for youth remained, and out of that care grew a new school in the heart of his Vranjevo, which still stands today, reminding us of Uncle Bata and his fellow teachers who put their very selves into its foundation.
Despite his many responsibilities at school and his care for his family, Uncle Bata always found time for events in the town. You could find him at choir rehearsals or at a meeting of the Homeland Club, of which he was the founder. His name is tied to the Homeland Collection on Josif Marinković, years of work gathering data, notes, and exhibits, and collaboration with the family of the great composer, after whom a newly built school was named. But that wasn’t all. His idea for the collection also gave birth to *Obzorja na Tisi* (Horizons on the Tisa), once again emphasizing the Tisa’s fateful role in his life.
He filled every moment with meaningful work, whether reading, walking, swimming, making films, or taking photographs. The history of this small town inspired him deeply, and after years of gathering information, he published an exceptional book on the Jewish community of Novi Bečej, who perished in the Second World War. Uncle Bata wouldn’t let us forget other prominent people of Novi Bečej, like Bogdan Čiplić, Konstantin Vukov, and Lazar Mečkić, gathering us at literary evenings and exhibitions he organized himself.
The October Award from this municipality was presented to him in recognition of his work, which deserves much more. For this reason, the Homeland Club of Novi Bečej and Vranjevo advocates for printing his book on the Jews of Novi Bečej in a larger edition, and the Collection on Josif Marinković has found a place in the house of Vladimir Glavaš in Vranjevo. In this way, the people of Novi Bečej fulfill the dreams of their beloved Uncle Bata.
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