Luči Ljubomira Marakovića

Vladimir Lončarević’s work Luči Ljubomira Marakovića is a comprehensive study dedicated to one of the most influential—yet long-neglected—figures in Croatian literary criticism and culture. Ljubomir Maraković (1887–1959) was a leading intellectual of the Croatian Catholic Movement, as well as a literary critic, essayist, and educator who left a significant mark on the interwar period. In the book, Lončarević provides a detailed analysis of Maraković’s aesthetic and theoretical concepts. He places special emphasis on Maraković’s advocacy for the autonomy of art—grounded in a Christian worldview—through which he challenged the utilitarian and materialistic currents of his time. The author highlights Maraković’s role in championing young writers such as Ujević and Šimić, as well as his work for journals like Luči and Hrvatska prosvjeta. Through an analysis of his critical writings, Lončarević portrays Maraković not merely as a conservative thinker, but as a visionary who sought to bridge the gap between faith and modern art. The book re-evaluates Maraković’s place in Croatian literary historiography and offers valuable insight into the spiritual, political, and cultural upheavals in Croatia during the first half of the 20th century.