By Suzana Fantov: exploring the captivating world of Croatian book literature.
Photos: Croatia Books, S.Fantov
For over three decades, Croatia Books has been a beloved source of Croatian literature, music, and film for the diaspora in Australia.
Based in Melbourne, the online store is the brainchild of Andrija Budiša, a passionate promoter of Croatian culture who saw a growing need for access to Croatian-language materials among families, schools, and community organisations across the country.
From children’s picture books to best-selling novels, classic films, and traditional music CDs, Croatia Books offers a carefully curated selection that connects generations to their roots.
We spoke with Andrija to learn more about how it all started, what’s popular with readers today, and how the store is helping to keep the Croatian language and heritage alive—one book at a time.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background?
I arrived in Australia in 1969 and was educated here. I completed my Science degree and a Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne.
I continued to work as a teacher for the next 40 years and am now retired. Outside my full time work I have also been active in the Croatian community. I was a member of the Croatian Students Association and was their representative at the meetings when the Hrvatski vjesnik was being established.
I also taught Croatian on Saturdays at Clifton Hill Croatian Church Centre for a few years and then moved to teach Croatian at University High School. I was a member of the Croatian Teachers Association.
I also helped to establish the Croatian Studies Foundation in Victoria to support and promote the Croatian Language in Australia.
How did the idea of starting Croatia Books come about?
As a Croatian Language teacher I was finding it hard to obtain teaching resources. I was relying on an Italian book supplier to import books for the students at University High School.
Also, the foreign language bookstores in the city were no longer importing Croatian language books due to the war starting in Croatia. As a member of the Croatian Studies Foundation we decided to import 50 copies of the book “Our Lovely Croatia” and give to our Australian politicians and members of Parliament as a thank you gift for their support.
It was my responsibility to obtain contact details in importing the book. The publisher “Mladost” posted out their catalogue and I had everything I needed to start importing books from Croatia.
When did you launch the business?
I applied to register the business “Croatia Books” in early 1992 and it was officially registered on 13 May 1992. My first purchase was the Croatian language picture books that were published in
Melbourne to commemorate the international year of the child. Everything I bought from the bookshop in Carlton was sold in less than a month, so I approached the Greek bookseller who was the distributor. I decided to buy everything so now I am the distributor of the 20 different titles in the set.
What motivated you to open a Croatian bookstore in Australia?
I was importing lots of books from Croatia and advertising in the Hrvatski vjesnik. My customers were from all over Australia.
They were requesting a catalogue of books on offer. I was printing out a listing of different titles at the start and posting it out to potential customers.
Eventually I started to post the listing of titles to a website. I had the first Croatian Books website in Australia. My plan was to resign from teaching and run the business full time. I even bought a shop in Rosanna. Unfortunately my plans changed. When I went to meet the publisher “Mladost” in Zagreb, on my second business trip, I found out from them that I had a competitor in Preston who recently started importing from them as well. It was a big surprise for me. When I returned home I went to see the shop in Preston. That’s when I decided to rent out my Shop and continue my business as an online bookstore focusing on Croatian books, movies, music and magazines.
Products and Mission
What kind of products does Croatia Books offer today?
Today I offer a variety of Adult fiction and non-fiction titles, Junior titles from board books to picture books, books in English, music CDs and DVDs and movies in Croatian.
How many titles do you currently have in stock, and how do you choose which books to import?
On the website I have 660 different titles and another 400 different titles that I need to upload to the website. My software keeps track of what is sold so I use it to guide me what needs to be restocked.
In addition to books, you offer music and movies—can you tell us more about that part of your range?
The music CDs and DVDs are all originals and purchased from the top music distributors in Croatia. There is a big range of popular artists as well as groups and “klape” from all parts of Croatia.
Is there a particular type of book or genre that is especially popular?
I have been supplying a lot of books over the years to non- Croatians wanting to learn the Croatian language so they could understand and converse with their partners parents.
The Croatian Community in Australia
How strong is the interest in reading Croatian books within the Croatian community in Australia?
The interest in purchasing Croatian books has dropped off over the years due to a variety of factors. Croatians are now visiting Croatia in record numbers and they can purchase books as presents for family and friends. Those who don’t have that opportunity are buying from me via my online site.
How do younger generations, especially children born in Australia, respond to Croatian books?
Children born in Australia of Croatian ancestry have greater access to Croatian books nowadays than ever before. Their parents have opportunities to buy Croatian books for them or enrol them in Croatian classes where children can borrow Croatian books from the school library. Having spoken to Croatian language teachers the children love to learn Croatian and read Croatian books.
How does your bookstore help preserve the Croatian language and culture?
Over the last thirty three years Croatia Books has helped to preserve and promote the Croatian language and culture by providing books to Croatian schools, books as presents to friends and family, books to those wanting to learn or brush up on their Croatian language skills, as well as books and multimedia for own needs and use.
Purchasing and Delivery
How can customers order or purchase products from Croatia Books?
- The web site has been upgraded so that it provides more useful information, is more presentable, is easier to navigate and orders and payments can all be processed on the web site. This makes it easier for customers to place an order. Customers are also welcome to book an appointment and visit and purchase in person.
Do you offer delivery across Australia or internationally as well?
- Most of my customers are too far to visit and purchase in person, so I offer delivery to anywhere in Australia and for a very reasonable price of $15 flat rate, regardless of the weight of the parcel. I am also prepared to deliver outside of Australia, however, the freight charges will depend on size and weight of the parcel.
Are there any special deals for schools, libraries, or cultural organisations?
I have always offered a discount to schools or have included an extra book or magazine as a gift. Likewise, libraries and cultural organisations usually have ordered lots of books from me so I have been prepared to provide them with a discount on their order.
Special Offers and Promotions
- The children’s book set I can offer at a good discount as I am the distributor for those books.
How effective are these types of offers in attracting customers?
The upgraded website is really good as it allows me to mark items as a sale item very easily. Yes I have noticed that such offers have helped increase sales of particular books.
What message would you like to share with Croatians in Australia who may not yet have heard of Croatia Books?
- I would like to invite those who have not checked out my web site to do so and see for themselves what is available for purchase in Australia. They might be surprised with what is there. Maybe next time when they are wondering what to give as a present, maybe it could be a Croatian book or music CD or movie, instead of chocolates or a bottle of wine.
What are your personal favourites among the books you offer?
My favourites are monographs such as Croatia: Land and its people, also music CDs by Miroslav Škoro and Thompson. Other favourites are on the front page of my website.
Where can our readers find you and keep up to date with your latest products?
Readers of Hrvatski vjesnik can keep up to date with my latest products by visiting my website which is www.croatiabooks.com.au
Hope to see you online soon. Also I can be contacted via email anytime regarding books. info@croatiabooks.com.au is my business email.