Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić

Ivana Brlić-Mažuranić was a prominent Croatian author born in Ogulin on April 18, 1874. She hailed from a distinguished family; her grandfather, Ivan Mažuranić, was a noted poet and the first Croatian governor. Ivana received a thorough education at home, fostering a deep appreciation for literature. She began her literary career by writing poetry and essays, but she gained lasting fame for her children's literature, particularly her fairytales. Her work often draws from Croatian folklore and Slavic mythology, imbuing her stories with a unique cultural richness. Her collection 'Croatian Tales of Long Ago' (1916) is considered a masterpiece of Croatian literature and helped establish her as one of the most significant European children's authors. Brlić-Mažuranić's contributions to literature were recognized with several nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature. Her work continues to inspire and enchant readers worldwide, securing her legacy as the 'Croatian Andersen.'