Today Google.hr pays tribute to the Zagreb’s famous writer and one of the first Croatian journalists, Marija Jurić Zagorka. On her birthday, March 2nd, Google reminded us of this great name which is imperative to every Croat. Why? Marija Jurić, pen-name Zagorka, (March 2, 1873 – November 30, 1957) was the first female journalist and among the most read writers in Croatia. None of her novels have been translated into English, but two are available in German: The Witch of Gric (1995) and Malleus Maleficarum (1972). Although the latter shares the name with the ‘textbook’ published in 1488 on how to find witches, Zagorka’s novel is a fictional tale, not a witch-hunting manual. Eleven of her books, published in Croatian, are located in the American Library of Congress. She died in Zagreb at the age of 84.
Every citizen of Zagreb knows about Zagorka, and if you ask them, she is still ‘alive’ and present in everyday life. You can see her statue at the beginning of Tkalčićeva street, standing proudly with her umbrella and reminding people of the history of Zagreb. But that is not all… If you want to know more about this impressive and fascinating lady, you can visit her apartment at Dolac 8. Her apartment was transformed into a museum which is open on Thursdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. There you can see Zagorka’s furniture, typewriter, book, scripts and many, many interesting things.
