Jugoslavien: Slovenien, Kroatien, Dalmatien, Montenegro, Herzegowina, Bosnien, Serbien: Landschaft, Baukunst, Volksleben

Photographic survey of the landscape, architecture, and life of the Yugoslav regions, as compiled by Kurt Hielscher.

What the Book is About

The book's title directly states its content, offering a comprehensive look at the different parts of Yugoslavia, which had been created in 1918. The author likely intended to introduce German-speaking readers to this new and complex state, which was a union of several distinct South Slavic peoples and territories. The book would have been a fascinating early look at the region, covering:

• Landschaft (Landscape): Descriptions of the natural environment, from the Adriatic coast of Dalmatia and Montenegro to the mountains and forests of Bosnia and Serbia.

• Baukunst (Architecture): An exploration of the diverse architectural styles, including Austrian-Hungarian, Ottoman, and native Balkan traditions found across the country.

• Volksleben (Folk Life): An account of the customs, traditions, dress, and daily life of the different ethnic groups, such as the Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, and Montenegrins.

Its Significance

The book is significant for a few reasons:

• Historical Document: It serves as a valuable snapshot in time of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia just a few years after its creation. It provides a historical perspective on the cultural and geographical diversity that would later become a source of both pride and conflict.

• Early Travel Literature: It represents a type of early 20th-century travel literature that aimed to educate readers about different parts of the world, combining descriptive prose with an almost anthropological interest in local customs and traditions.

• Cultural Record: For researchers and historians, the book is a source of information about the pre-World War II culture and society of the Balkans. It captures the unique character of each region before the dramatic political and social changes of the 20th century.