News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 12 May (BelTA) – Belarusian scientists have managed to prove that the Primer published in 1618 has Belarusian roots, BelTA learned from Ales Susha, the chairman of the International Association of Belarusian Studies, Deputy Director of the National Library of Belarus. This became known in the course of the research conducted in the Middle Temple Library in the UK.

According to Ales Susha, only two examples of this unique Primer have survived till the present in the world. One of them is incomplete and is kept in Denmark, in the Royal Library. The second one is housed in the United Kingdom, in the Middle Temple Library. The library is situated in the Temple, the historical district of London, which was originally the precinct of the famous Knights Templar. This is a closed institution, and we got access there was only after half a year’s negotiations, Ales Susha stressed.

Belarusian scientists knew about the existence of this book through indirect sources of English bibliographers. But until now they could not check if the information was true.

“None of the Belarusian researchers, at least among the living, had a chance to see the Primer with their own eyes. Here, in Belarus no copy has survived. They all were read to tatters as it often happens with educational materials. One of those books was taken to London by writer Robert Ashley in the early 17th century. Later the book found its way to the organization of London barristers where it remains today. Thanks to the help of British specialists in Belarusian philology and professors of the University of London, I got a chance to study this valuable cultural artifact and even made several copies of it,” Ales Susha said.

The Primer was published at the Vilnius Orthodox Holy Spirit Monastery in Vievis on 24 July 1618. That was one of the most ancient Belarusian printing houses in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania that published books in Old Church Slavonic, Old Belarusian and Polish. The Primer was not the first educational book, but it was the first primer written by monks. Most likely, the book was a result of team work.

“The full title of the book is Primer of the Slavic Language. It is a primer of the Old Church Slavonic language with an alphabet and prayers. It was designed for learning to read and write and for religious education. The authors of the book believed it would be of interest to the whole Slavonic world,” the Deputy Director of the National Library noted.

He added that he studied many historical documents during the research on the Primer. “As a bibliographer, I can say for sure that This is the oldest edition of the Primer,” Ales Susha said.

The specialist had an opportunity to make digital copies of the Primer. A facsimile edition of this book will be published in Belarus. The idea is being discussed today. Besides, 2018 may become the year when we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the world’s oldest Primer with Belarusian roots. By this time the Museum of the Primer may be opened in Orsha where the supposed author of this book, Spiridon Sobol, worked, Ales Susha informed.

The oldest Primer housed in Belarus dates back to 1767. A facsimile edition of this book has been already made, Ales Susha added.