18-year-old lives in 1930s Zagreb: 'I wear a tuxedo to Zrinjevac, but I've never been to a club'

Eighteen-year-old Roko Turkalj of Zagreb, Croatia, finds himself drawn to the 1920s through the 1950s, a period he feels captured the essence of his city through its aesthetic, music, and culture. He describes Zagreb as it appeared in the photographs of Tošo Dabac, with landmarks like the Zakladna Hospital and the site of the Hotel Dubrovnik as it once was.

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I would like to use my knowledge of old Zagreb to talk to people, as well as the manners of that time. For example, if we went back to the past, I couldn't have a hat on while talking to you now, we would have to be on "Vi", I would greet you with "klanjam se"...

Turkalj's personal style reflects this fascination. His wardrobe features high-waisted trousers, shirts, jackets, ties, and hats, reminiscent of a Zagreb gentleman from the first half of the 20th century. However, he is quick to temper romantic notions of the past, acknowledging the widespread poverty, fear, and the impact of war that characterized the era. "People were starving, living in poverty and fear, bombs were falling on Zagreb, the political situation was not good," he states.

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It wasn't a good time. People were starving, living in poverty and fear, bombs were falling on Zagreb, the political situation was not good. I think we live in the best time ever, although every time has its problems, of course.

Despite these realities, Turkalj expresses a desire to experience the past, even if only briefly. He would use his knowledge of old Zagreb dialect and the manners of the time, such as greeting with respect and maintaining formal address. He believes that etiquette and reverence are aspects worth reviving. Yet, he firmly asserts that the present is the best time to live, even with its own challenges. "It's nice that today I can wear what people wore then, without having to live in fear," he notes.

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It's nice that today I can wear what people wore then, without having to live in fear.

Turkalj sees his clothing as a tribute to those who lived through that historical period. His interest began in childhood, admiring men in suits, and grew through documentaries. He started adopting elements of the style in his early teens, gradually incorporating pieces that evoked earlier times. Today, his wardrobe is largely devoid of casual wear, focusing instead on suits, shirts, ties, coats, and hats, accessorized with suspenders and tie pins. He emphasizes the importance of remembering history, warning, "Those who forget it will repeat it."

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Those who forget it will repeat it.