Louis Leger
La Save, le Danube et le Balkan : $b voyage chez les Slovènes, les Croates, les Serbes et les Bulgares
"La Save, le Danube et le Balkan : voyage chez les Slovènes, les Croates, les…" by M. L. Léger is a travelogue written in the late 19th century. The book details the author's journey through the southern Slavic regions, specifically among the Slovenes, Croats, Serbs, and Bulgarians. With a focus on their cultures, languages, and historical experiences, it aims to provide insights into the lesser-known aspects of these peoples within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The opening of the book introduces the author’s impressions from a voyage he undertook in the summer of 1882 among the southern Slavs. He expresses familiarity with the Slovenians and Croatians but finds the Slovenians particularly marginalized within the Austro-Hungarian state. Léger shares observations about the inhabitants, their struggles for national identity amidst foreign influence, and their literature's role in fostering cultural solidarity. As he navigates the landscapes, towns, and cultural hubs like Laybach (Ljubljana), he reflects on the Slovene social-political dynamics and their aspirations, setting the tone for deeper explorations of each nation's unique characteristics and challenges throughout the volume.