Monument to Aleksandar Lifka

The Monument to Aleksandar Šandor Lifka in Subotica honors one of the true pioneers of European cinema—a visionary who left an indelible mark on film history across the region. Aleksandar Lifka (1880–1952) is widely regarded as the founder of the very first traveling cinemas in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Back in 1900, Lifka launched his mobile cinema venture, launching the acclaimed “Electro Cinema Lifka” by 1901. It quickly became one of the most prominent traveling picture shows of its era. What captivated audiences most was Lifka’s knack for recording short local films in every town he visited, giving locals the rare thrill of seeing themselves and their hometowns on the big screen.

By 1910, Lifka settled in Subotica and opened the city’s first permanent cinema, fundamentally enriching the local cultural scene and championing the art of film.

Today, the monument stands in Subotica as a tribute to his pioneering spirit and his celebrated contribution to the birth and growth of European cinema.