Reading Habits of Jewish Families in Zagreb Between the Two World Wars

The paper explores the private libraries of Jewish families ininterwar Zagreb, discovered during the renovation of the Museum ofArts and Crafts building. Zagreb’s Jewish families created private bookcollections reflecting their social status, intellectual pursuits, andcultural orientation. Particular attention is given to the libraries of theDeutsch Maceljski and Marić families, whose volumes entered theMuseum as confiscated property following the establishment of theIndependent State of Croatia by the fascist Ustaša movement in 1941.The analysis of the content and provenance of these books enablesthe reconstruction of reading habits and the cultural identity ofZagreb’s Jewish elite during the interwar period. The library of HildaDeutsch Maceljski bears witness to female intellectualism andemancipation and can be considered a paradigmatic example of a“world literature” library, while the collection of her daughter Vanjareveals the educational and aesthetic standards of the upperbourgeois class, marked by internationalism. The library ofindustrialist Milan Marić reflects a cosmopolitan spirit and scientificcuriosity, integrating technical, historical, and artistic literature. The paper also examines book acquisition paths – ranging from Zagrebbookstores and foreign publishers to auction catalogues –interpreting them as indicators of social capital and cultural prestige.The preserved libraries today represent a crucial source forunderstanding the cultural and intellectual history of Zagreb’s Jewishcommunity.