The Kostović family settled in the mid-19th century in the settlement of Potisje, known as Franjevu (the old name for Vranjevo), most likely due to its exceptional geographical location for grain trade. The family patriarch, Jovan Kostović, and his son Stevan were both skilled merchants, amassing significant wealth and great respect.
In addition to several warehouses they built near the Tisa River, they owned multiple properties across the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the midst of this prosperity, Stevan married the Hungarian woman Erzsébet Dorner, who gave birth to three daughters: Rozalija, Gizela, Ester, and two sons: Ognjeslav and Ladislav-László. As the family grew, their house in Vranjevo became too small, prompting them to build an impressive large house with a dry entrance and basement in the center of Turski (New) Bečej. The house is located next to the current town hall on Žarka Zrenjanina Street, number 6. The family's wealth allowed them to send their sons to study in Pest, while the daughters stayed with their mother in New Bečej.
There is little known about Ladislav-László Kostović, the brother of the renowned scientist and inventor Ognjeslav Kostović, although he was a significant figure not only for our town but also for the broader region. The Kostović brothers received their primary and secondary education in Pest before their paths diverged. Ognjeslav went to Russia, where he became a captain in the Russian Army and gained recognition for his scientific research. Ladislav remained in Pest, and following the commercial spirit of his grandfather Jovan and his father Stevan, he turned to trade. He continued his studies in London and later became the Hungarian consul in the Netherlands, as well as a commercial consul in Belgrade for several years.
In every action and movement, Ladislav-László Kostović exhibited a sporting spirit. As a great nature lover, he traveled across Europe, from Norway to Sicily and from Scotland to Moscow. He particularly loved Switzerland and climbed Mont Blanc and conquered several peaks in the Alps. He considered the Dalmatian coastline one of the most beautiful sea shores in Europe. His camera was an inseparable companion on his travels and adventures, with a large album full of pictures documenting his fascinating and dynamic life journey.
The First Bicycle in Budapest
After completing his education, Ladislav-László Kostović worked for several years as a correspondent for a large firm in England. When he returned to Budapest in 1879, he brought with him his bicycle, which at that time was called a velocipede. It was already being mass-produced in England, entering the market under the name "bicycle" or "kangaroo" in some places, and "Star-bickl" in America, also known as the "iron horse." It differed significantly from today's bicycles; the front wheel was about one meter in diameter, with pedals attached to it, and the saddle was placed above the wheel. The rear wheel was much smaller, around 25 to 30 centimeters in diameter. Initially, the wheels were made of wood (on which Ladislav learned to ride), later being made from solid rubber, and eventually the wheel had an inner and outer rubber tire. During this time, a chain was added between the pedals and the wheel for direct pedal-to-wheel transmission. Meanwhile, the front wheel diameter was reduced, while the rear wheel diameter increased.
In an article for the Vojvodinian magazine "Dnevnik" (Napló) in Hungarian from December 25, 1939, Ladislav-László recalled his first promotional ride through the streets of Budapest:
"When I first rolled along Andrássy Avenue towards the City Park (Városliget), it wasn't just children running after me, but also adults. Some of them, showing knives, asked, 'Uncle, is sharpening allowed?' The bicycle with those large wheels reminded them of a knife sharpener."
In 1881, on Easter, Ladislav-László organized the first cycling tour to a nearby settlement. The gathering and departure were at the City Park at 6 a.m., and they returned in the afternoon after 2 p.m. The group included three members of the Vermeš family from Subotica.
Ladislav-László Kostović was the president of the first Budapest Cycling Club, and Lajos Vermeš from Subotica was the president of the "Iron Horse" association.
Regarding how participants in traffic treated cyclists, Ladislav-László said:
"In the beginning, we caused a great deal of confusion with our bicycles. They nearly banned us from riding bicycles through the streets of Budapest, and it took considerable effort to get approval from the city authorities to use our bicycles, and only for those who had membership cards. To overcome these beginner difficulties, we received great support from Gedeon Rohonci and Count Teleki."
There is no information about whether Ladislav-László Kostović ever rode his bicycle through his street in Turski (New) Bečej, which was also called Andrássy Avenue at the beginning of the 20th century, but the author does not rule out this possibility. In any case, the people of New Bečej and Vranjevo can proudly say that their fellow citizen was the first to bring a bicycle to Budapest and became the first president of the first cycling club in the country.
Promotion of the Football Ball
When Ladislav-László Kostović returned from England in 1879, in addition to the bicycle, he also brought a football. This was the second attempt to introduce football to Budapest. Kostović organized a promotional match in Szentendre (a place on the Danube, near Budapest) to popularize football. Unfortunately, this attempt was unsuccessful, as the players considered the game too rough, and the general consensus among spectators was that "this game is not for people!" In England, this game was referred to as "the game of the louts." According to Ladislav-László, it was only 10-15 years later that football was accepted in the Hungarian capital.
According to Milorad Vlaškalin, our fellow citizen and the last Ban of the Danube Banovina, Ladislav-László brought the football to Turski (New) Bečej at the end of the 19th century, and the first recorded match was played by our residents in 1909 against players from Great Bečkerek.
Motorboat to New Bečej
As the Hungarian trade consul, Ladislav-László Kostović spent several years in Belgrade, the Serbian capital. He often spent his days with friends rowing on the Danube. Since the Danube and Sava rivers were border rivers, and boats could only be used during the day and at certain places, he decided to buy a motorboat. On a trip to Venice in 1900, he found a motorboat, purchased it, and transported it by train to Belgrade. The motorboat allowed for longer trips and could reach destinations before nightfall. At the time, motorboats were sold with sails, just in case the motor failed, the wind could be used for propulsion. According to Ladislav, this was the first motorboat in Belgrade.
"We organized several excursions on the Danube to Pančevo, Smederevo, and Slankamen. We sailed along the Sava to Obrenovac, and along the Tisa to Turski (New) Bečej," Ladislav said about his boating experiences.
He often visited Turski (New) Bečej to see his mother and sisters, which was also a rare opportunity for this dynamic man to take a short break and reminisce about his carefree childhood days.
Having reached the age of 80, in 1935, he returned to New Bečej to spend the remainder of his life in his family home with his sisters, who, unfortunately, soon passed away, leaving Ladislav alone. However, even in his later years, he did not remain idle. His commercial spirit led him to engage in the trade of medicinal herbs, which were abundant in the region.
The death register in New Bečej records that Ladislav-László Kostović died on August 21, 1942, at the age of 87.
Based on the text published in the magazine "Napló" on December 25, 1939.
Comments