DistantNews
Support us
'Croatia in 30 Stories': A Bestselling Summer Read Unveiling Croatia's Beauty
🇭🇷 Croatia /Culture & Society

'Croatia in 30 Stories': A Bestselling Summer Read Unveiling Croatia's Beauty

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new book titled 'Croatia in 30 Stories' by Božo Skoko and Zvonimir Frka-Petešić offers readers a journey through Croatia's landscapes and history.
  • The book, illustrated by Vedran Klemens, has been published in multiple languages and has been a bestseller, highlighting unique aspects of Croatia.
  • It covers topics ranging from the Croatian flag's design and historical ties to fashion, to the filming of 'Game of Thrones' and Croatian achievements in sports and science.

For those seeking a summer read that explores Croatia's magnificent landscapes and intriguing history, Naklada Ljevak offers the successful non-fiction book 'Croatia in 30 Stories.' Authored by Božo Skoko and Zvonimir Frka-Petešić, with illustrations by Vedran Klemens, the book is edited by Dražen Klarić, editor-in-chief of Večernji List. The publication has seen significant success, with editions in Croatian, English, French, and German, frequently ranking among the top-selling domestic non-fiction titles.

Many in the world have certainly not met any Croatian writers, and the fact is that in the early modern period, Croatian writers published bestsellers in Latin.

— Dražen KlarićDražen Klarić, editor-in-chief of Večernji List, highlights Croatian literary history in the book's foreword.

The book delves into fascinating facts about Croatia, such as the unique checkered pattern on its national flag and the existence of the 'world's smallest cathedral' in Nin. It also touches upon Croatia's connection to global trends, like the invention of the tie by Louis XIV and the filming of the popular TV series 'Game of Thrones,' which sparked international interest in cities like Dubrovnik and Split. Furthermore, it highlights Croatian accomplishments in various fields, including sports, organ donation, asteroid discovery, and even the cultural practice of leisurely coffee drinking.

Even those who believe they know Croatia well will find this bestseller enlightening, revealing the country's distinct characteristics. These include exceptional natural beauty, sporting prowess, a vibrant culinary scene, and notable scientific achievements. Dražen Klarić, in his foreword, also sheds light on Croatian literary history, noting that early modern Croatian writers published bestsellers in Latin and that one of Europe's oldest public libraries opened in Dubrovnik in 1463. This library, unlike many others, was accessible to foreign visitors, not just the elite.

Croatian writers published bestsellers in Latin. In Croatia, one of the oldest European public libraries was opened, back in 1463 in the Monastery of St. Dominic in Dubrovnik.

— Dražen KlarićDražen Klarić discusses the historical significance of Croatian literature and libraries.

'Croatia in 30 Stories' was recognized with the prestigious GRAND PRIX MARCO POLO award in 2024, a testament to its appeal. The book is available at Knjižara Ljevak in Zagreb, Naklada Ljevak's webshop, and other well-stocked bookstores.

For the rest of this article, it is reserved for our subscribers.

— Le TempsA note indicating that the rest of the article is behind a paywall.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog