The Secret Location Of Belarus Bible Printing Press

The first-ever Belarusian Bible was printed in 1517 by Francysk Skaryna, a noted humanist, physician, writer, translator, and scholar. He was born in the city of Polatsk, in what is now Belarus, and is often referred to as the father of Eastern European book printing. Skaryna printed his first book, The Psalter, in Old Belarusian, in Prague. He then continued his printing work in Vilnius, where he printed 23 books of the Bible from 1517 to 1519. The Belarusian Bible was the first translation in an Eastern Slavic language and one of the first among European languages.

Francysk Skaryna: the first Belarusian Bible printer

Francysk Skaryna is known as the "father" of Eastern European book printing. He was the first to translate and print the Bible in the Old Belarusian language, in 1517. Skaryna was born in the city of Polatsk (also spelt Polotsk), in what is now Belarus, sometime between 1470 and 1490. He came from a wealthy family; his father, Luka Skaryna, was a merchant. Skaryna studied at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, from 1504 to 1506, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He then went on to obtain a doctorate in medicine from the University of Padua in 1512.

Skaryna's printing career began in Prague in 1517, where he rented a printing house and started publishing a new translation of the Bible. On 6 August 1517, his first edition, 'The Psalter', was released. This was followed by 22 books of the Old Testament under the shared name 'Biblia Ruska'. Skaryna's editions of the Bible were printed in the Church Slavonic language with many Ruthenian words. Belarusian linguists also identify the influence of the Polish and Czech languages. Skaryna's books are considered to have laid the groundwork for the development of the Belarusian izvod of the Church Slavonic language.

In 1522, Skaryna moved to Vilnius and opened the first printing house in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There, he printed 'The Little Travel Book' and 'Apostol' (a book about the acts and epistles of the apostles). Skaryna's books were known for their high-quality printing, artistic features, engravings, ornamental decorations, and prints. They contributed to the development of the Belarusian literary language and influenced the evolution of spiritual culture not only in Belarus but also in the entire Grand Duchy of Lithuania and other Slavic countries.

Skaryna's life's work culminated in the printing of the Bible in the Old Belarusian recension of Church Slavonic. From 1517 to 1519, he printed 23 books of the Bible, which together consist of 1,200 pages, with text in the Belarusian language. Skaryna's editions are remarkable for their elegance and are considered masterpieces of early printing art.

The Psalter: Skaryna's first book

The Psalter, published in Prague in August 1517, was the first book printed by Francysk Skaryna, a young Belarusian scholar, physician, and translator. The Psalter was written in Old Belarusian, the medieval form of the Belarusian language, and was the first translation of the Bible in the Belarusian vernacular.

The Psalter is a volume containing the Book of Psalms, which is the first book of the third section of the Hebrew Bible, called Ketuvim ('Writings'), and a book of the Old Testament. The Book of Psalms is an anthology of Hebrew religious hymns, with 150 psalms in Jewish and Western Christian traditions, and several more in Eastern Christian churches. The Book of Psalms is divided into five sections, each ending with a doxology, or hymn of praise.

Skaryna's Psalter was followed by 23 other books of the Old Testament under the common name "Bivliia Ruska" (the full title in translation is "The Ruthenian Bible translated by Doctor Frantsysk Skaryna of the famous city of Polatsk, to the glory of God and the enlightenment of the common people"). Each of the 23 biblical books bears a separate title and together consist of 1,200 pages, with text in the Belarusian language, except for the Psalms. As they were liturgical songs, the Psalms were printed in Church Slavic, the official language of all the Slavic Orthodox churches, but with Belarusian glosses in the margins. The works also contain 49 exceptional woodcuts.

Skaryna stated his mission in the preface to the Psalter:

> "Seeing the great usefulness of such a small book, I, Frantsysk, son of Skaryna from Polatsk, decided to print the 'Psalter'…first of all for the glory and praise of God, one in Trinity, and His Immaculate Mother Mary, as well as all the angels and saints of God, and for the common good, especially because merciful God caused me to be born in this world from among these people."

The 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing

The year 2017 marked the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing, celebrated as the year a young Belarusian scholar, Francysk Skaryna, became the first known printer to produce a translation of the Bible in the Belarusian language. Skaryna, a noted humanist, physician, and translator, was born in the city of Polatsk, in what is now Belarus, sometime between 1485 and 1490. He attended the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, and later obtained a degree in medicine from the University of Padua.

Skaryna's first book, "The Psalter", was published in Prague in August 1517. It was written in Old Belarusian, the medieval form of the Belarusian language. "The Psalter" was followed by 23 other books of the Old Testament under the common name "Bivliia Ruska" (in English, "The Ruthenian Bible translated by Doctor Frantsysk Skaryna of the famous city of Polatsk, to the glory of God and the enlightenment of the common people"). Each of the 23 biblical books has a separate title, and together they consist of 1,200 pages, with text in the Belarusian language, except for the Psalms, which, being liturgical songs, were printed in Church Slavic with Belarusian glosses in the margins. The works also contain 49 exceptional woodcuts.

In 1522, Skaryna moved to Vilna (now Vilnius) and opened a printing press, where he produced a remarkable prayer book for laymen, "Malaia podorozhnaia knizhka" (Traveller's Little Companion Book). This was followed in 1525 by "Apostol: Deianiia i Poslaniia Apostolskiia" (The Book of Acts and Epistles of the Apostles, called Apostol). Both books were printed in Church Slavic with contemporary Belarusian influences.

Skaryna's editions are remarkable for their elegance and are considered masterpieces of early printing art, comparable to those of Western Europe. He is admired across Belarus, with streets and cultural organisations named after him, and monuments in his honour. The Library of Congress has hosted two presentations about Skaryna, and the National Library of Belarus has a statue of him.

To celebrate the 500th anniversary of Belarusian book printing, the National Library of Belarus and Bank BelVEB collaborated on an international publishing project, producing a facsimile collection of 21 volumes of Skaryna's works. These facsimile editions were donated to libraries around the world, including in Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Vietnam, Belgium, Spain, and the United Nations.

The Bible in Belarus' national library

The Bible has a long and fascinating history in Belarus, and the National Library of Belarus in Minsk holds a special collection related to this history. The library possesses significant works related to the Belarusian Bible, including original prints and facsimiles.

The first translation and printing of the Bible into Belarusian is attributed to Francysk Skaryna, a noted humanist, physician, writer, translator, and scholar. Skaryna was born in the city of Polatsk, in modern-day Belarus, sometime between 1485 and 1490. He studied at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later graduated as a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Padua in 1512. Skaryna's legacy is deeply tied to the Belarusian Bible and the development of book printing in the region.

Skaryna's journey with the Bible began in Prague, where he established a printing house with support from merchants and art patrons from Polatsk and Vilnya. In 1517, he published "The Psalter" in Old Belarusian, the medieval form of the language. This was followed by 23 other books of the Old Testament, collectively known as "Bivliia Ruska" or "The Ruthenian Bible." These books were printed in the Belarusian language, with the exception of the Psalms, which were printed in Church Slavic with Belarusian glosses in the margins. Skaryna's works are renowned for their elegance and artistic features, including unique engravings, headpieces, and initials.

In the early 1520s, Skaryna moved to Vilna (now Vilnius), where he opened the first printing house in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There, he printed "Malaia podorozhnaia knizhka" ("Traveller's Little Companion Book"), a remarkable prayer book for laymen. He also printed "Apostol: Deianiia i Poslaniia Apostolskiia" ("The book of Acts and Epistles of the Apostles, called Apostol"), both of which showed contemporary Belarusian influences despite being printed in Church Slavic.

Skaryna's editions are not just important for their content but also for their elegant design and artistic value. They are considered masterpieces of early printing art, comparable to the works produced in Western Europe at the time. His small books printed in Vilna are affectionately referred to as "Slavic Elseviers."

The impact of Skaryna's work on the Belarusian national book industry and culture cannot be overstated. His translations and commentaries helped people understand and interpret the content of the Bible, fostering spiritual growth and enlightenment. His work influenced not only Belarus but also the entire Grand Duchy of Lithuania and other Slavic countries, leaving an indelible mark on the world of book printing.

The Belarusian Bible in museums

The Belarusian Bible has a rich history, and its journey began in the early 16th century with the efforts of Francysk Skaryna, who produced the first translation and printing of the Bible in the Belarusian language. Skaryna's work has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of Belarus, and his legacy is celebrated in museums across the country.

The National Library of Belarus in Minsk holds a special place in preserving and showcasing Skaryna's achievements. The library's collection includes significant works such as the "Facsimile copy. Knizhnaia spadchyna Frantsyska Skaryny = Knizhnoe nasledie Frantsiska Skoriny = Book heritage of Francysk Skaryna." This facsimile edition comprises 11 volumes, containing the first printing of the Belarusian Bible's initial books. The library also boasts a statue of Skaryna, honouring his pivotal role in the country's literary history.

In addition to the National Library of Belarus, there are several museums in the country that showcase the Belarusian Bible and its cultural significance. The Francis Skaryna Belarusian Library and Museum in London is dedicated to the scholar and houses a range of his works. The library and museum serve as a testament to the enduring impact of Skaryna's endeavours.

The Belarusian Culture Ministry operates a vast network of museums across the country, totalling 150 state-run museums with more than 374,000 works of visual art. While the focus of these museums may vary, some are likely to include exhibits related to the Belarusian Bible, particularly those with religious or historical themes.

The National Art Museum, formerly known as the State Art Gallery of the BSSR and the State Art Museum of the BSSR, is one of the leading art museums in Belarus. With a collection of over 30,000 works, it showcases ancient Belarusian art, 19th and 20th-century Belarusian art, and Russian art from the 18th to 20th centuries. The museum's collection may include artistic interpretations or illustrations inspired by the Belarusian Bible.

The National Historical Museum of the Republic of Belarus, located in Minsk, is another prominent institution that showcases the country's historical and cultural artefacts. With approximately 400,000 items in its holdings, the museum offers a comprehensive view of Belarusian history. Among its branches are the Museum of Belarusian Cinema History, the Museum of Contemporary Belarusian Statehood, and the Museum of Nature and Environment of the Republic of Belarus, each of which may provide context or exhibits related to the Belarusian Bible's influence on the country's cultural landscape.

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