Domas KAUNASDomas KAUNAS
Martynas Mažvydas and the First Lithuanian Book
Martynas Mažvydas and the first Lithuanian book is a very wide topic. Historian of Lithuanian culture Dr. Juozas Tumelis, who is preparing the bibliography of Mažvydas, says that he has registered about 600 articles and books in dozens of languages. This is in addition to episodic mentioning in various texts. There is especially a great number of writings on Mažvydas in German. This complicates the task of the author of this text, since there is a danger of repeating well known facts. However it is possible to find a way out. Speaking about the first Lithuanian book and its author, we tried to raise some problematic issues and questions, to discuss and search for the answers together with the readers. Researchers on Mažvydas have a lot of such unsolved problems and even mysteries, so let us analyze at least the most important ones.
1. Is the first Lithuanian book published by Mažvydas an accidental or a natural phenomenon of Lithuanian cultural and spiritual life?
The first Lithuanian book did not appear suddenly and in an empty place. Before that there was a long period of development of the pre-written Lithuanian language, which gave the very name of the language and Lithuania (for the first time mentioned in the Quedlinburg annals in 1009); during the period of establishment and strengthening of the centralized state (the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, XIII XVI centuries) plenty of writings in Latin, German and Belorussian were created, the main monuments of which are Lithuanian Metrics, Lithuanian Statute and Lithuanian Chronicles. At the same time the tradition of Lithuanian script was formed. Already at that time the Lithuanian word was penetrating into the state and legal documents, literary and historiographic works and books of religious ceremonies, and voiced itself in the writing related to the Lithuanian Christianization needs. They think that the Franciscan monks were the first to begin writing in Lithuanian. It is not by chance that most of the early Lithuanian manuscripts texts, phrases and words were found on the empty pages and margins of the books belonging to their libraries. The 1528 statute of Vilnius diocese synod provided a strong order for the heads of churches to interpret Gospels and epistles both in Polish and Lithuanian at the newly established schools. Therefore the abbey preachers, church vicars and teachers would translate the Gospel texts, catechisms, prayers and the best sermons into the Lithuanian language themselves or copy them from those who knew better. So there had to be quite a lot of religious writings at the beginning of the 16th century both the older ones and the new translated. In our opinion there existed quite numerous Lithuanian epistolary writing, especially written by the denationalized nobility, Lithuanian students who had studied at European universities and maintained contacts with relatives in their home country.
The appearance of the printed Lithuanian book was decided by two important factors. The first is the appearance of printing houses in the lands inhabited by Lithuanians. Although the printed book came there from Western Europe already in the time of J. Gutenberg, yet it was only spread on a larger scale after P. Skorina had established the first printing house in Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and Weinreich did the same in Königsberg (Karaliaučius), the capital of the Prussian Duchy, in 1524. The appearance of printing industry in this region was quite early, the first printing house in the present Russian territory was established in approximately 1552, in Latvia 1558, in Estonia 1631, Finland 1642. The printed book stimulated the development of culture and education as well as accelerated intellectual communication of the Lithuanian society. At that time it became customary for an educated Lithuanian to publish a book.
The appearance of the first Lithuanian book was also quickened by the Reformation and its Lithuanian supporters. They were attracted by the democratic ideas of the new religious movement: the eulogy of a human being, his abilities to communicate with ordinary people in their native language. Reformation gave a lift to Lithuanian culture and social life, and provided a space for Christian liberalism and free competition between Catholicism and Protestantism, the two main faiths, brought Lithuania closer to Western Europe. The Prussian ruler Albrecht Brandenburger made use of it on various considerations, but mainly political in strengthening ties with neighbouring countries. When visiting Vilnius the Duke would make contact with reformers, and used to invite to Königsberg (Karaliaučius) men best educated at Western universities and fellows willing to study. The efforts of the ruler were not in vain. The most significant departments of Königsberg (Karaliaučius) University were filled by the most outstanding intellectuals of Humanistic culture of the first half of the 16th century such as Albraomas Kulvietis (Latin Abraham Culvensis) and Stanislovas Rapolionis (Latin Stanislaus Rapagelanus), a group of Lithuanian youths went to study theology and later on took charge of the protestant parishes of both Prussia and Lithuania. The Duke started publishing books for the needs of protestant faith of his own multiethnic state as well as of neighboring countries. The book in the German language appeared in Königsberg (Karaliaučius) in 1524, in the Polish language in 1543, in the Prussian language in 1545. There are no doubts that the plans included the Lithuanian book too and that it was probably prepared by Kulvietis and Rapolionis. They had already translated the psalms of David, maybe a large portion of the Old Testament, so it is quite possible that some fragment from the Bible, most necessary for the young Evangelic-Lutheran Church would have become the first Lithuanian book. However an unexpected obstacle appeared for the publication of such book: both creators of Lithuanian writing passed away one after another in 1545. The Duke cast a glance at the Grand Duchy of Lithuania again. He stopped at Mažvydas.
It is impossible to give an exact and precise answer to this question, because the period of Mažvydas' life before his arrival in Königsberg (Karaliaučius) is little known. Until now neither the date nor place of his birth has been found out. Only on the basis of a few autobiographical hints in Mažvydas' letters, public relations and the reading of his works, have the researchers made a convincing conclusion that the future author of the first Lithuanian book was born around 1510 1520 in southern Žemaitija, (Lowland) near the Prussian border. His cousin Baltramiejus Vilentas, the priest of the parish of Königsberg (Karaliaučius) Lithuanians, was a nobleman, however neither Mažvydas himself nor anybody else considered him of high descent. Besides that, it is absolutely clear that he was born in a poor family. Nothing is known about the schools he attended. At the time he appeared in public, Mažvydas was already well educated, spoke Latin, Polish, Belorussian and maybe Greek in addition to his native language, however he knew nothing of German. The suppositions about Mažvydas' studies somewhere in Europe seem to be well-founded, although his name has not been found in any university register. Therefore, others maintain that he was never out of Lithuania, received education at dignitary mansions and in 1539 1542 worked as a teacher at Vilnius protestant collegium, a pioneer of secondary schools. It was headed by the above mentioned Kulvietis. Mažvydas actively took part in the polemics between protestants and catholics, was persecuted, therefore later he would sometimes add to his name the Latin word Protomartyr, i.e. The first martyr. The duke Albrecht of course found out about the diligent supporter of protestants from the Lithuanian enlightened people, concentrated in Königsberg (Karaliaučius). While visiting Vilnius the duke got personally acquainted with Mažvydas, later he invited him to visit Königsberg (Karaliaučius). The addressee in the ruler's letter, dated June 8, 1546, is called 'honest and well-educated' (honeste et erudite). We think this is one of the possible answers why Mažvydas was chosen to be the continuer of Kulvietis' and Rapolionis' works. He accepted the invitation by the duke and soon moved to Königsberg (Karaliaučius). Already on the 1st of August he was immatriculated at the University.
Mažvydas became the first Lithuanian student at Königsberg (Karaliaučius) University. His classmates were of various nationalities it is worth mentioning the future Finnish bishop of Viipuri, Paul Juusten, who later wrote the catechism and some other works. Mažvydas lived rather poorly in the capital of Prussia, as an indigent received maintenance from the fisc of the Duke of Prussia. Maybe that is why he was very dutiful and industrious, studiously educated himself for the priesthood. His studies were very short, just more than one year and a half. This shows that Mažvydas attended the University at a mature age and with an educational qualification recognized by the professors. Maybe he just graduated from the University as a future protestant priest.
From the spring of 1549 until his death Mažvydas served in Ragnit (Ragainė). He was an exacting implantator of Protestantism for which he received recognition and promotion from the side of his superiors: in 1554 he was promoted to archdeacon (position of a bishop). He devoted much time to the creation of Lithuanian protestant writing, highly valued books and collected a library. His books were marked by the entry: M.Mossuid sibi et suis comparavit (M. Mažvydas acquired for himself and his own people). The creator of Lithuanian writing died in 1563, it is supposed, not having reached the old age. His grave did not survive. Certainly, Mažvydas as a priest had to be buried in the most respectful place: inside Ragnit (Ragainė) church or near it.
3. What was the first Lithuanian book?
We would hardly fail to conform to the truth if we stated that the main goal of Mažvydas' coming to Königsberg (Karaliaučius) was not studies but the order by the ruler of Prussia to prepare the necessary religious literature for the straightening of the young protestants church and its Lithuanian community as soon as possible. The task was fulfilled very soon: the books appeared already in 1547. Certainly, this job under such conditions could be done only by a skilful worker of Lithuanian writing and Mažvydas did not come to Königsberg (Karaliaučius) empty-handed. He must have had not only his own, but also the manuscripts of other contemporary authors.
The first Lithuanian book was of a small format (10 x 18 cm), however it contained 79 pages, printed in Gothic letters. The headline was long, its form and wording rather archaic: "Cateschismvsa prasty szadei, makslas skaitima raschta yr giesmes del kriksciansites bei del berneliu iuanu naujue susguldytas".* (Simple words of Catechism, science for reading the written and cantos for Christianity and for the young fellows newly written) One should not be surprised by that. All the book titles of that time were similar to the annotation. If we compared Mažvydas' book with the first books of other nations (Prussian, Latvian, Estonian, Finish), we would get the impression, that Lithuanian was more universal, complex and independent did not have any subsidiary texts written in other languages. From this point of view it clearly excels the contents and the experience of the so-called catechism. The first Lithuanian book is composed of six works, several of which could also be printed separately: a short rhymed dedication to the Homeland of the author the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, an appeal to the clergy (these two works were written in Latin), a rhymed preface of larger size and secular contents, an alphabet book, a catechism (it took only 1/4 of the text) and a collection of cantos with notes. All works show the original (marked by the author and time) view of the Lithuanian Protestant intelligentsia to the real and spiritual life. The Latin dedication and appeal, clearly directed to the reader of Mažvydas' class, tactifully criticized those churches that did not admit national languages, urged to wisely accept the truths expressed by the Protestants in the books and, if approved, promised to prepare a work of better quality and larger size. The rhymed perface Knygelės pačios byla, lietuvinykump ir žemaičiump (The appeal of the book itself to Lithuanians and Samogitians) marked the beginning of Lithuanian fiction. It is important for both the history of Lithuanian culture and the scientific research of books. In the perface we find the word knyga (the book; the books in fact since till the eighteenth century this word was used only in the plural) mentioned for the first time. And by way of personification it speaks about the condition of writings in the native language:
Knygelės pačios bylo ... a fragment of 1 min.36 seconds recited by actor Algirdas LATĖNAS.
( 160 KB size, RA - 28.8 format faile )
Broliai, seserys, imkit mane ir skaitykit |
Brothers and sisters, take me and read |
The other part of the book is prepared from narration and translations. The alphabet is based on the Latin text-book of George Sauromann, the main part of which was exercises of syllabic reading prepared according to the requirements of medieval pedagogy. While writing the catechism, Mažvydas was using Polish and other catechisms published in Königsberg (Karaliaučius), and the contents of his catechism were based on the tradition of M. Luther. Mažvydas' collection of cantos strengthened the position of collective singing in the Lithuanian church, developed more abstract, conceptional language and built the foundation for Lithuanian poetry. It was not written by one author. Mažvydas translated cantos by himself, acquired them from contemporaries and from the heritage of the initiators of Lithuanian writings. But he also edited every stanza and made the language uniform.
Such structure and contents of the first Lithuanian book let us call it a textbook, a primer of writing, religion and morality. From this point of view it is very much related to other books of religious education which were wide spread in West Europe and in which modern pedagogical achievements and convincing realities of life were used. Mažvydas was increasing his experience in his other books and letters written according to the traditions of literature of that period. Their style and contents show that the author was of deep humane culture, spiritual nature, a very talented intellectual of the Renaissance period.
4. When did the first Lithuanian book appear?
This question may seem very simple since on the title page of the book we find seemingly undoubted the place and date of publication: Karaliavczvi VIII. dena meneses sausia, metu vžgimima Diewa M.D. XLVII, i.e. January 8, 1547. The exact date is very characteristic of old books which borrowed the tradition from manuscripts, where monks used to mark the end of copying of a work. If so, why do we doubt the date of January 8? There are several reasons for that, Three of them are important: 1) Mažvydas could not be able to prepare and publish such a complex and large book in a period of 5 months from his arrival in Königsberg (Karaliaučius), 2) according to researchers, he was using the second addition of Polish reformist Jan Seklucjan's catechism which had appeared only in the summer of 1547, 3) at that time 'January' usually meant December. Therefore, maybe the first Lithuanian book appeared on December 8, 1547? We could actually agree with this day if not for Jurgis Zablockis' canto Litania naujei suguldyta included by Mažvydas. In one stanza of this canto the author wishes good health and children to Dorothea, the first wife of duke Albrecht. The duchess died on April 11, 1547, and to wish such things to the dead wife of the Duke would not only have been meaningless but also a risky thing. It was not by chance that this stanza was omitted while republishing Zablockis' canto in 1570. Thus, the date of the first Lithuanian book is far from being known and the entire history of its publication is still full of mystery. Lithuanian scientists agreed to continue the research, but the date officially recognized is January 8: on that day in 1997 the celebration of the first Lithuanian book will take place, the newly established award of Martynas Mažvydas will be presented, many other events will be organized. This day can be said to begin the year announced by Lithuanian Seimas as the year of the Lithuanian book.
5. Wasn't the appearance of the first Lithuanian book too late?
We can answer to this question according to the comparative material in the history of the book of other European nations. It clearly indicates that publishing of books happened in three stages. The first one involved the region where press had been invented, the second involved the neighbour countries and the third took place in faraway countries. It was also influenced by the political and economical progress of a country, its religion, literacy, level of its national and political independence. It is easy to understand that because of the reasons mentioned, the beginning of the published book in Lithuania as well as in neighbour countries can be related to the second stage of development of the European press.
What do the real data show? The first polish book was published in 1513 or in 1514, Belorussian in 1517 (it was published in Prague, the second in 1522 in Vilnius, the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, inhabitants of which were also Belorussians at that time), Jewish in 1530, Finish in 1543, Prussian in 1545, Russian around 1553, Sorbian in 1547. The beginning of the Latvian and Estonian book is less clear. On November 7, 1525 the catholic administration of Lubeck seized a barrel which, according to the official record, plenum libris lutterianis, eciam missis invulgari liuonica, lettica ac estonica (full of Lutheran books published in the Livonian. Latvian and Estonian languages), was carried by some tradesman from Witenberg to Travemunde from where it was supposed to be sent to Riga. Those books were probably burned, nothing is known about their fate. The first Estonian book that reached us was published in Witenberg in 1535, Latvian in Vilnius in 1585. According to the given facts, we can make a well-grounded conclusion that the appearrance of the first books in the languages of Lithuanian and other historically related nations basically coincided. Thus, it was a natural phenomenon of the European culture in the first half of the sixteenth century.
6. What was the fate of the first Lithuanian book?
Mažvydas' book was devoted to both parts of the Lithuanian nation living on both sides of Nemunas which had become the state border. In fact, some people intend to relate it only to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but there are not enough arguments to support this opinion. It does not agree with the mentioned canto of Zablockis, begging for favour to the family of the Prussian duke. The implied reader of the book - an educated man, speaking several languages, aware of the Protestant doctrine, capable of teaching other people. Such a reader might have been only a priest, a teacher of a parish school, a few officials, a literate member of the nobility or a wealthy free farmer. Indeed, not many people could be readers of the book. This factor, of course, determined the number of copies. It is not known but we can guess that it could not exceed 200-300 items. This number is based on the comparison: about 300 copies of the Polish catechism were printed in 1536, 200 copies of Prussian catechism were printed in 1545. In spite of the small number of copies, the first Lithuanian book was not fully distributed. It had a very hard time in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Not much was known about Mažvydas' book here. It left very few traces. one of them could be in property list in the Belorusian language, dated 1580, made by Petras Adomavičius who lived and died in Kolainiai. Two books are mentioned: the Polish Bible and katechiz'm po žomoitsku drukovanyi. Of course, it could be Mažvydas' book, or (less possible) B.Vilentas' Enchiridion published in Königsberg (Karaliaučius), since till 1580 no catechism was published in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. There is some evidence presented by philologists. They compare the texts of printed books and state that Mažvydas' work was used by the organizers of the first catholic and reformist books.
The larger portion of the edition of Mažvydas' book were obtained by Lithuanian parishes and schools in Prussia, the rest were stored in the Duke's library in Königsberg (Karaliaučius). Other unsold state-sponsored books were also stored in that library: the Prussian catechism (1545), Mažvydas' Forma chrikštimo (1559), J.Bretkūnas' Postilė (1591). After a hundred years it was understood that these editions had no practical use to church or school. The administrators of the Duke's library were permitted to sell all of them in an open market. So they did. Later a few copies of the first Lithuanian book appeared in the sell-out's and collections of personal libraries. Their prices were not high until the beginning of the nineteenth century.
Only two copies of Mažvydas' book reached our days. The history of one of them is known very well. From the very beginning it belonged to the Prussian duke: it was kept in a leather cover together with the other seven catechisms in the library of the Castle and later in the library of Königsberg (Karaliaučius) university. During the World War Second it appeared in Poland and is now kept in the Torun University library. In 1993 the text of this copy was reprinted by facsimile in the first volume of Mažvydas' works. Another copy of the book appeared in the Ascher's second hand book-shop in Berlin in 1869. It was bought by some Russian for the relatively large sum of money 45 tallers. After the War the book was found in the scientific library in Odessa and in 1957 was acquired by the library of Vilnius University exchanged for editions valuable to Ukraine. And it is still there. This copy now is a treasure of national value.
7. What can we do for the first Lithuanian book today?
Mažvydas' book has been in the scope of science for almost two hundred years. The Germans have done the most for it so far. For scientific purposes A. Schleicher reprinted one part (1857), A. Bezzenberger the entire (1874) text of the first Lithuanian book. Later it was explored by Lithuanian and foreign scientists. A lot of literature, music and art works are now created on the subject of Mažvydas, streets in Lithuania are named after him, a park of Mažvydas' sculptures is established in Klaipėda. The anniversary of the book in Lithuania will strengthen the positions of the author's name is science, art and literature. A thorough, scientifically based monograph about Mažvydas, written by the hand of a fiction-writer is particularly expected. On the occasion of the anniversary, we would like to mark the place in Kaliningrad where Hans Weinreich's printing-shop was the printing-shop that printed the first Lithuanian and Prussian books. We would also like to hang a plaque of commemoration on the walls of the church close to where Mažvydas rests. Unfortunately, the administrators of Kaliningrad region do not trust our feelings and wishes. Maybe the friends of Lithuania and its book in Germany and Poland, democratic Russian society could be the negotiators in this dialogue. Political help from the communities of Lithuanian emigrants would be useful as well. Mažvydas deserves our effort.
Important sources and literature:
Translated by Mindaugas Kačerauskis
The article from the Magazine VILNIUS