I u Senti je veselo dok Tisa cveta. Svake godine održava se istoimeni festival. Ove godine počinje 16. juna i trajaće dva dana
It’s also a joyous time in Senta when the Tisa blooms. A festival of the same name is held every year. It starts this year on 16 th June and last for two days
above the river, struggling and striving, in the face of their imminent death, to pro- long the existence of their species. After three years of darkness and mud, they burst into the light, into life, because they only have as much time as it takes for the sun to go down. This wedding dance of death is first initiated by the males, who discard their old shirts on the surface of the water and turn into real beauties. In their uncertain flight they light up the whole environment with unreal colours, and experts say that in those moments the air is filled with the sweet scent of the Mediterranean. They are soon joined by the females and their dance of love be- gins. This unique dance, embraced fol- lowing a great struggle, is made so much more powerful and beautiful because it will be wiped out by death in just a few hours. Above the surface of the river are thousands of yellow insects in flight, in the ecstasy of the spark of love, evoking an image of the world’s creation. And no sound can be heard beyond the flutter- ing of their silky wings. As soon as they carry out their life’s mission, after such a long-awaited lovers’ meeting, the males fall as if mowed down. The females live just long enough to lay thousands of eggs, which then slowly sink to the riverbed, to that same mud. And then they also die. And when these drag- onfly-like tiny creatures fall to the river, the surface of the water looks as though it is covered by tiny white flowers. And then it’s all over. Sunset almost instantly carries away all the strength of these wondrous creatures, strength protected with devo- tion for years. With the Latin name Palingenia longi- cauda , this insect is from the family of may- flies in the order of Ephemeroptera , aquatic flowers, golden wings and big black eyes, but it was actually named after the River Tisa, and is known as the Tisa mayfly. And this very species, which outlived the dino- saurs and is strictly protected in Serbia, as well as under the Berne Convention, is the reason why every year this river welcomes so many biologists, romantic souls and curi-
ous individuals. That’s because there noth- ing like the blooming of the Tisa. The people of this region know just how unique their ancient river is, which is why they organise events in honour of this last dance of the butterflies. All those who are interested flock to the riverbanks in Kanjiža, Novi Bečej and Senta, enjoy- ing the romantic show from boats or be- side the river. Legend has it that wishes related to love come true on those days, so loving couples release candles on gin- gerbread hearts onto the river. Also arriv- ing are those who have already received their wish, but who want to celebrate their wedding or other anniversary right here... TheBloomingoftheTisausedtobeeven more powerful, because the river was clean- er. It is said that at that time it was difficult to even see the other riverbank, with mil- lions of insects creating a veritable living wall. Apart from that, the presence of this crea- ture, which has even found a place on the pages of National Geographic magazine, im- plies that the water is clean and unpolluted. If you stop by the Tisa in mid-June, it is worth knowing that kind fishermen will gladly give you a boat ride and recount for you the local legends. And while you’re already there, why not discover what else is hidden along the banks of this medieval river, which emerg- es in the Ukrainian Carpathians. At its very entrance into Serbia lies one of the old- est spas – Kanjiža, with a thermal miner- al water spring that was discovered ac- cidentally by shepherds during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Further downstream, near Bečej, stands the Fantast castle, one of Vojvodina’s top cultural and historical buildings, founded by Bogdan Dunđerski, a renowned landowner from the beginning of the last century. And according to legend it is where the Tisa’s journey wanes, at its confluence with the Danube near Stari Slankamen, that great warlord Attila the Hun was buried. However, regardless of how great they were, all of these beauties fall into shadow when the time comes for the Tisa’s wed- ding dance of death.
KAD TISA CVETA, ISPUNJAVAJU SE LJUBAVNE ŽELJE
Uz vatreni performans na obali i vodi, svi koji 9, 10. i 11. juna dođu u Novi Bečej na manifestaciju Kad Tisa cveta moći će da provere da li se zaista ispunjavaju ljubav- ne želje ako zapaljene svećice na licider- skim srcima puste u ovu reku ljubavi. Po- slednji dan programa tradicionalno je posvećen takmičenju u puštanju zmaje- va, koji svojim oblikom i dinamikom pod- sećaju na tiski cvet. WHEN THE TISA BLOOMS, WISHES FOR LOVE COME TRUE Alongside the fiery performance on the ri- verbanks and on the water, everyone who comes to Novi Bečej on 9 th , 10 th and 11 th Ju- ne for the event “When the Tisa Blooms” wi- ll be able to verify for themselves whether or not aspirations of love are truly fulfilled if lit candles on gingerbread hearts are re- leased onto this river of love. The last day of the programme is traditionally dedica- ted to a competition in releasing kites with shapes and dynamics that resemble the Ti- sa mayfly.
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