The town of Novi Bečej, located on the left bank of the Tisza River in the central part of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, boasts a rich cultural heritage. Numerous researchers and scientists, along with the local community, have been involved in recognizing the historical values of this heritage over time. Among them, Mr. Lajos Link stands out for his volunteer activities. He noticed the values of the town and its surroundings already in his childhood. His decades of diligent work and effort have paid off not only materially but also by securing a place in the history of Novi Bečej through his contributions to preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
His first experience with the cultural heritage of this region came in 1995, when a group of volunteers, led by Erdman Ferenc, cleaned the area around the Arača church, revealing many remnants of the past that could be explored and showcased not only to the residents of Novi Bečej but also to Europe. Since then, Mr. Link's individual efforts have been directed towards studying the history of the local way of life and the values preserved and passed on by the residents. He subsequently organized summer youth camps to educate young people about the history of the Hungarian people, their spiritual values, cultural heritage, and the importance of respecting, preserving, and passing on this heritage to future generations.
In gratitude for his years of work and dedication to researching and preserving heritage, Mr. Link was elected vice president of the civil association "Arača 95" from Novi Bečej. During summer youth and art camps organized near the ruins of the Arača church, wooden carved crosses were made and placed around Arača as symbols of Christianity and the Hungarian people of this region. A cross was also erected in memory of the defenders of the Fortress in Novi Bečej.
Through the Tourist Organization led by Mr. Link, cultural heritage has been presented to numerous tourists from both the country and abroad, who have shown interest not only in Arača but also in other forms of tangible and intangible heritage. He has published the results of his research in numerous newspaper articles and through the production of documentary tourist films, contributing to the Hungarian community's awareness of the heritage values.
Mr. Link has also collaborated with the Provincial Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments on work at Arača. After the rosette on the west wall of the basilica collapsed in July 2014 due to a strong storm, he carefully collected and preserved the pieces until they could be reinstalled. He also selflessly assisted the restorer in conservation work on the rosette and columns of Arača. The Institute has gained a reliable collaborator whose proposals for preserving the landmarks of all the people living in the Municipality of Novi Bečej are highly valued.
Mr. Link's relationship with heritage is also demonstrated through his collection of items that marked the everyday life of his ancestors. He started this collection almost 30 years ago when he received a collection of old items and relics from a priest of the Vranjevo Roman Catholic Church. This collection is exhibited in the Ethno-House, which dates back to the 19th century and has been renovated with Mr. Link's funds. There are several other houses in the town that he has restored, preserving the spirit of past centuries.
Last year, with his friend Laslo Sekeres, he purchased the house where the priests of the Arača parish (in Vranjevo) once lived, where they plan to establish another ethno-house and museum with valuable exhibits marking the life of the Catholic community. This public facility would also include a student-tourist home in the attic, making the property self-sustaining.
The "Arača 95" association aims to preserve the customs that still exist, as well as places indicating events from 1848/49 through cooperation with other civil societies focused on preserving traditions. They are present at various events, exhibitions, and tourism fairs, showcasing the landmarks and cultural heritage of this region. At local events, they display not only the tourist treasures of Vojvodina but also traditional handicrafts that are still alive today, providing creators with a modest income. They present Vojvodina's traditional crafts abroad as well.
All this effort and work culminate in organizing various conferences and seminars, featuring eminent speakers from both the country and abroad. These lectures emphasize the importance of preserving cultural heritage. In collaboration with the Vojvodina Underwater Research Association, they have been researching the Battle of Senta and, since last year, exploring the ruins of the Fortress, most of which are underwater. The association believes that the fortress walls should be restored, modeled on other medieval European fortresses, and that part of the necessary funds could be secured through international lobbying.
Of course, all work would be done in cooperation with the relevant institute for the protection of cultural monuments. The Bečej Fortress is of exceptional historical significance and contributes to the panorama of the Tisza River. This potential could be utilized for tourism purposes and linked with the Arača site.
Mr. Link carries out all this work and effort in his free time, aiming to make the surroundings more beautiful, richer, and better for living. He is guided by the principle that wealth does not only mean possessing material goods but also the need to participate in creating history. He invests part of his own income from tourism activities into preserving cultural heritage so that future generations will have knowledge about the history, life, and work of the people of this region, which he finds the greatest satisfaction in.
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