Osječka slikovnica

Osječka slikovnica (1984) by Croatian writer and journalist Drago Hedl is a collection of short essays, feuilletons, and urban sketches that form a vivid chronicle of Osijek in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Published by Zrinski of Čakovec, the book comprises a selection of texts the author had previously published in newspapers over the course of several years.

With humor, irony, nostalgia, and journalistic insight, Hedl records city events, daily habits, eccentric individuals, and the changing nature of urban life. His writings guide the reader through Osijek’s streets, cafés, hotels, cultural events, and gathering spots. Titles such as The Death of a Hotel Guest, Osijek at the Bottom of a Glass, The Wreck of the White Boat, The Demolition of Radnjak, and All the Lonely People reveal a diversity of themes and a keen interest in the details that shape the city’s identity.

The author blends documentary precision with literary expressiveness, transforming seemingly insignificant scenes into small urban stories. His focus lies not merely on city landmarks, but above all on people—their destinies, frailties, and everyday rituals.

Osječka slikovnica serves as a valuable testament to a specific time and place, as well as a personal tribute to the city on the Drava. Its uniqueness lies in the ability to preserve—through a series of brief, witty, and sometimes melancholic entries—the collective memory of Osijek and the atmosphere of a city that is constantly changing.